Should I be taking my 12 string to my Luthier....

[FoxHound4690]

I'll get the answers I need here quite easily I feel, so won't even bother googling anywhere else...

The time is getting close where I need to change the strings on my 12 string. (still has original factory elixirs on it), I've never changed a set on a 12 string before and i'm a little intimidated by the thought of doing it myself....

In terms of the physical aspects of a 12 string guitar, I know there's a lot more tension on the body and neck than what there is on a regular 6 string, so is it best I just take it to my luthier so he can make sure it's still set up correctly when he puts the new set on? Or is it one of those no brainer situations where it's just the same old process as changing the set on a 6 string and not having to get anything adjusted? I'll be using the same gauge that comes factory standard. Elixir 10-47 80/20's.

Thanks in advance.

[cliff_the_stiff]

It’s little different than ordinary guitar string changes. If you like your setup, a conservative approach is to just go one string at a time. That way you maintain tension.

[justonwo]

String changing is really something any guitar player should do themselves, including for a 12 string. There is absolutely no issue with removing all the tension from your guitar by removing all the strings. Take your time and go one string at a time.

[Racerbob]

Its not that much different. I find changing one string at a time and keeping every string in tune simplifies the whole process.

Just one important rule, change the 3rd octave string last after all the others are tuned. They have a tendency to break easily. I use a 10 or 11 rather than the typical 9 gauge.

[kudama]

Only reason to get it adjusted and set up by a luthier would be if you notice any of these things and don't know how to fix them yourself:
1) intonation issues
2) string action too high/too low for your taste

A really well set up 12 string shouldn't be hard to play.

Otherwise, it's just like changing strings on a 6 string. Just 2x more... Guitar necks are stronger than people give them credit for, so you don't need to change strings one at a time. I remove all my strings first, because the bridge pins get in the way otherwise.

It's something that's easily doable. It just takes longer... I have three 12 strings and play them all the time.

[Brucebubs]

Some 12-strings have the primary string closest to the saddle and the thinner octave strings at the rear - and some 12-strings have them the other way - octaves closest to the saddle and primary strings at the rear.



Either way, if you study the pictures carefully you'll see that many of those rear-mounted strings touch the bridge pin of the string in front - in some cases it actually pushes the string pair apart a little wider. ( I read a suggestion recently that shaving the edge of the front pin where it makes contact with the rear string will bring the string pair closer together - might try it some day!)

I've always taken all the strings off at once.

I find it best to always re-string the string closest to the saddle first, then the rear one.

When tuning up leave that thin octave G to very last - do the other 11 strings first.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I wouldn't be intimidated by the string change but it's never a bad idea to have a good pro have a look-over.

[The Bard Rocks]

It's no harder than changing strings on a 6 string, just takes twice as long. Take one off, put the new one on, and so on. That keeps the tension up and keeps you from getting confused about which string of each course goes where. You need to learn to do this yourself. In less time than it takes to get to a guitar tech (you definitely don't need a luthier), you'll have it done. And you won't have to wait while he does it or drive back home.

[rstaight]

I like the sound of my 12 string with the Daddardio strings that it came with. So that is what goes back on.

I purchased a string winder and a cheap cordless drill to do the job. Life saver it was.

I remove all the strings starting with the G string and work out alternating from one side to the next. Then give the guitar a good cleaning.

I put strings back on in reverse order. Leaving the octave G for last when tuning.

[donlyn]

Lot of good thoughts on this thread so far.

I used to take all the strings off of whatever guitar needed a string change. That was quite a while back, as I found it easier and more orderly to change one string at a time and tune it before the next string is changed. Unless there was a reason to have a bare fretboard, say for maintenance. I also like the idea of relatively constant string tension.

And that goes double for 12 strings.

And it seems I go twice as long between 12 string changes. Helps that I don't have acid fingers and use my fingernails as picks. And using Elixirs helps too.

I tune my 12 strings to D#, but I still watch out for the octave G string. It's the baby of the 12 string family and needs extra care.

Don (been playing 12 strings since the 60s)
.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by FoxHound4690

...is it one of those no brainer situations where it's just the same old process as changing the set on a 6 string and not having to get anything adjusted?

If the setup is fine before the string change, it should be fine afterwards. I have no problem with taking a 12-string to a luthier/tech for a string change. The charge is nominal, they oil the fretboard with the right stuff, and they otherwise clean the guitar. I guess if you change strings a lot and you're used to it, it's no big deal. If you don't, it's a hassle!

[Dru Edwards]

Hi FoxHound. String changing is no different on a 12 string than on a 6 string. No need to get a luthier involved unless you think you need a setup. If you want one make sure you can articulate what you're looking for. No need asking for a setup if there's nothing you need.

Do you take all the strings off before restringing? Or one at a time and replace?

[Rosewood99]

Just pretend you are changing a six string guitar----twice.

[FrankHudson]

I'll echo a lot of what's above-thread, and add one clarification, and ask one question.

Unless you're really just dead set against it for some reason, you should know how to change a string on your guitar, and if you know how to change a string, you know how to do the other 11.

However, it sounds like the first string change on a new guitar. How is the playability of the guitar now? Do you have experience playing other 12-strings or guitar in general so that you can make a judgement about that? Do you have string preferences different than the ones supplied with the guitar? A luthier can adjust the action if it's not optimum for you, and if you have preferences about strings or tuning (some of us tune 12-string down 1/2 to a full step) that may change the action optimum a bit. So, despite the above statement about changing your own strings, yes, you could have it looked at by a luthier and when they put on your choice of strings, make sure it setup right for that set of string tension, and see if the factory left the nut slots a bit too high, which makes cowboy chords in the first couple of positions a harder to fret.

Given your question about if you should do the string change yourself, I suspect you don't have any strong preferences from guitar playing experience yet. But even then, if you have the funds and access to a good luthier, it's not a bad idea to have the action evaluated, even on a new instrument.

Now for my question to the thread: what's the deal with changing the octave G last? Yes, I know that that guitar string is nearer to the highest tension it can take if tuned to concert pitch, and it is therefore prone to breakage, but what protection does doing it last give one?

[Mycroft]

Same process as a six-string, but will take you three times as long...

While it is a good idea to have your tech give it a once-over after you have had the guitar about 6 months, you are going to have to learn to change strings yourself. For the first couple of changes, you probably should do them one at a time, so that you have the others still on it as a reference. But you will eventually want to take them all off to clean the fretboard.

Are you going to stick with the factory set or try a different set of strings?