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  #1  
Old 08-31-2015, 06:09 PM
ikravchik ikravchik is offline
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Angry Frustrated with my Seagull 12-string

Hi,

I've had my Seagull Coastline S12 for about a year now, but only recently started playing it extensively. The problem is it always sounds out of tune. I have it tuned a step down and no matter how precisely I tune it with my Snark tuner it always sounds off. Is this a set up issue?

I have never had this happen with my 6 string Taylors, they sound great and even tuned a step down.

From what I know about 12 strings is it's best to keep them tuned down to a D to relieve the pressure off the neck and just use a capo for standard tuning.

When I bring it up to standard tuning however it really warps the neck, so I guess I need to adjust the truss rod?

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Old 08-31-2015, 06:18 PM
Outhouse Outhouse is offline
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30 years of 12 string tuned to concert pitch, abused and left in a hot truck for years. Still plays great.

But I use 10's at the thickest and prefer 9's


I just rebuilt it, but it was still playing good before I rebuilt.


Quote:
Is this a set up issue?
Doubt it.

Quote:
so I guess I need to adjust the truss rod?
Yep.
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  #3  
Old 08-31-2015, 06:21 PM
HHP HHP is offline
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Use your tuner to check fretted notes, not just open strings. Could be an intonation problem.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:21 PM
Brucebubs Brucebubs is offline
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What strings are you using?
I use D'Addario EXP38's on my 12-string guitars, tuned down a 1/2 step.
If you are using a similar guage .010-.047 and the neck is pulling forward at 1/2 step down then yes, I think the truss rod might need tightening up a little.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:30 PM
ikravchik ikravchik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brucebubs View Post
What strings are you using?
I use D'Addario EXP38's on my 12-string guitars, tuned down a 1/2 step.
If you are using a similar guage .010-.047 and the neck is pulling forward at 1/2 step down then yes, I think the truss rod might need tightening up a little.
I can't tell which strings, it still has the original ones from the store. I'll adjust the truss rod and see if it improves. I'm just a little puzzled by the fact that strings tuned to pitch (according to my snark which has always been spot on) can sound so unharmonious.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:34 PM
arwhite arwhite is offline
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The first thing you should do is change your strings.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:39 PM
seannx seannx is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by arwhite View Post
The first thing you should do is change your strings.
Absolutely.
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Old 08-31-2015, 06:47 PM
Br1ck Br1ck is offline
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First take it to a luthier, tell him which strings you want, and that you tune down to D. Hopefully that will do the job. If not, buy an F series Guild.
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Old 08-31-2015, 07:15 PM
davenumber2 davenumber2 is offline
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Default Frustrated with my Seagull 12-string

Totally worn out strings won't stay in tune to save your life. Especially on a 12 string, which can be a tuning nightmare anyway. I'd bet new strings will help a lot.
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Old 08-31-2015, 07:21 PM
ikravchik ikravchik is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by davenumber2 View Post
Totally worn out strings won't stay in tune to save your life. Especially on a 12 string, which can be a tuning nightmare anyway. I'd bet new strings will help a lot.
Ok, thanks for the advice, I'll go get some fresh strings.
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Old 08-31-2015, 07:41 PM
zombywoof zombywoof is offline
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12 string players spend one half of their time tuning and the other half playing out of tune.

My 12 string guitar is about 70 years old. The thing has a neck that is so fat most everybody tells me not that it is hard to play but impossible to play.

If it were me, as others have suggested, if a fresh set of strings do not do the trick I would take the guitar to a good repair guy. In the end it may save you a lot of frustration.
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Old 08-31-2015, 08:08 PM
Highway_61 Highway_61 is offline
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Q: How long does it take to tune a 12-string guitar?
A: No one knows.




(But new strings, especially if accompanied by a setup--and some stretching when they're put on--will help considerably.)
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Old 08-31-2015, 08:25 PM
00-28 00-28 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zombywoof View Post

My 12 string guitar is about 70 years old. The thing has a neck that is so fat most everybody tells me not that it is hard to play but impossible to play.

.
What do you have? Mine's almost 50, 70 is old for a 12. Share, please share.

Ikravchik, If you think tension is warping the neck, then maybe it's not a trussrod adjustment that will help. Is it a twist in the neck or bowing from the tension?

.....Mike
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Old 08-31-2015, 08:42 PM
Sasquatchman Sasquatchman is offline
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Once you have new strings, there's some nice tricks to get a twelve string tuned, using 12th fret harmonics and various intervals on the neck to get a pretty quick and painless happy medium.

I have a Simon and Patrick 12, tune it all over the place (CACGCE) and it's fine. Your rod needs a little stiffening I'd guess and new strings will help the whole picture.
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  #15  
Old 08-31-2015, 08:43 PM
Oldguy64 Oldguy64 is offline
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I've had my ?Taylor since December, it's on its fourth set of strings. And I don't play it as much as I'd like.
First thing, change the strings, if you have qualms about doing it yourself, have it done.
I have used D'Addario, Adamas, and currently John Pearse.
I'm partial to strings that have a .010 octave G.
It's a tiny bit harder to break.

I tune half a step flat, when I play with others I capo at the first fret, and yes, I retune with the capo on.

Seagull makes pretty sturdy guitars, you might have a luthier look yours over and check the relief, and action.
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