Alternate tunings on 12 string - Page 3

rstaight · #31 10-12-2020, 06:21 PM

The only different tuning I have even thought about on a 12 string is to use 2 extra light sets of strings. I would have no octave strings.

Like a Mandolin.

Of course I would have try this on another 12 string.

Another excuse to buy another guitar.

Jimi2 · #32 10-12-2020, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rstaight

The only different tuning I have even thought about on a 12 string is to use 2 extra light sets of strings. I would have no octave strings.

Like a Mandolin.

Of course I would have try this on another 12 string.

Another excuse to buy another guitar.

That could sound cool too!

And ugh, yeah, I told myself no new guitars this year.....

islandguitar · #33 10-12-2020, 08:41 PM

I've composed several 12 string tunes in alternate tunings. I really love the sound and what you can do with melody with the octave paired strings no matter the alternate tuning choice. This is one in DADGAD from a few years back played on a '67 Martin D12-20.

Rog · #34 10-13-2020, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knives&Guitars

It was more or less the same for myself...Absolutely exciting times in the late 60's and early 70's. Punk, disco, just killed it for the previous rock generation. It became more about the making it..and not about the music. Just too much work. I lost interest for nearly 20 years. Just playing a half hour or so every month.

But Now I am back big time. Looking forward to making an album. Don't care about money, just want to make some music.

While my body will age and wither away...Music is forever young.

I'd like to hear the album when you finish it, or any other material you have recorded. I did have intentions of doing something similar when I retired and I have a fairly well equipped home studio, which I may (or may not) eventually use. I would love to get some of my youthful motivation back, but meanwhile, I just enjoy playing solo guitar, if and when I feel like it. Keep on keeping on.

Jimi2 · #35 10-13-2020, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguitar

I've composed several 12 string tunes in alternate tunings. I really love the sound and what you can do with melody with the octave paired strings no matter the alternate tuning choice. This is one in DADGAD from a few years back played on a '67 Martin D12-20.

That song is really lovely- thanks for sharing. You’ve got me inspired to get a 12 again.

islandguitar · #36 10-13-2020, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimi2

That song is really lovely- thanks for sharing. You’ve got me inspired to get a 12 again.

Wonderful, Jimi.....thanks for letting me know and I'm glad you enjoyed this one! Best,
Fred

EZYPIKINS · #37 10-14-2020, 08:55 AM

I like a 12 string in open G or open D.

AcousticDreams · #38 10-14-2020, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by islandguitar

I've composed several 12 string tunes in alternate tunings. I really love the sound and what you can do with melody with the octave paired strings no matter the alternate tuning choice. This is one in DADGAD from a few years back played on a '67 Martin D12-20.

OH MY, with the utmost of sincerity, This is a wonderful tune. Loved every second of it! The notes just jumped out at me in sweet bell like tones.

What mics did you use to record this?

islandguitar · #39 10-14-2020, 03:22 PM

Knives & Guitars....thank you so much! This was recorded with an H4n, Rane mic pre amp and Shure KSM 137 condenser mics. I really appreciate your taking a listen and letting me know you enjoyed "Softness at Dawn".
Regards,
Fred

donlyn · #40 10-14-2020, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boombox

Yes, Don, I love 12s - I have a 50 years old Gibson B45-12 mahogany tuned down to D just in case and for when the blues mood strikes, a Huss & Dalton maple CM12, which is currently in drop D and my pride and joy, a rosewood Guild F512 in standard tuning. And I'm with Glenn on tunings - much as I love what Toby Hay is doing, that's just too much tuning involved and I worry about unnecessary string breakage.

Is that Gibson the same as Erik Darling is playing in this video? If so, that's pretty cool.

"Walk Right In" by the Rooftop Singers:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hpPuFnq85A

Don

PS > If I had a 50 year old Gibson 12 string, I'd be tuning it down to 'D' also. Just because old habits die hard, I even tune my more contemporary 12 string guitars down a tone to D#. If I need standard tuning, I use a G7th Newport 12 string capo with compensated string pad to capo1. I don't need to re-tune using this capo.
.

FPicker · #41 10-16-2020, 11:36 AM

The thing I liked least about my 12 string was getting it in tune.
I imagine using various different tunings on it, switching back and forth, would have been torture.

These days I don't even relish having to get my 5-string banjo into various tunings, so..

donlyn · #42 10-16-2020, 12:21 PM

Yes, tuning a 12 string can be an adventure in itself.

A wise man who did do ad hoc, on stage, alternate tunings (Michael Cooney) once said that tuning a 12 string was like tuning a centipede. Always liked that phrase. Just requires a slight imaginative adjustment to see how apt it truly is.

I was so glad when they mass produced digital tuners. I've been playing 12 stringers since the late '60s, and was almost never truly satisfied with my results tuning them. With a digital tuner, I confirmed an on-going 12 string suspicion that strings already tuned go out of whack as you tune more.

Now it's a 2 pass process. I tune all the main strings from bass to treble, and then all the octave strings again bass to treble. Then I repeat the process, the second time way easier, sometimes just each course together, bass to treble. With so much tension on the guitar from the extra strings, they can adversely respond to other strings being tuned.

Don
.

Naboz · #43 10-16-2020, 02:23 PM

Wow...Island Guitar; so nice! Beautiful composition and recording. (I'm working on my home recording set up now.) You and I play similar in our style and feeling of the notes. I've been thinking of getting my 12er back from my daughter...yep, it's time.

Rog;
I too immediately heard where Genesis should have stayed. Caretaker was very nice, and took me back to the heady days of tales well told in a mellow sound.

islandguitar · #44 10-17-2020, 08:03 AM

Naboz...thanks so much!! Best of luck in the retrieval efforts!

Rog · #45 10-21-2020, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Naboz

Wow...Island Guitar; so nice! Beautiful composition and recording. (I'm working on my home recording set up now.) You and I play similar in our style and feeling of the notes. I've been thinking of getting my 12er back from my daughter...yep, it's time.

Rog;
I too immediately heard where Genesis should have stayed. Caretaker was very nice, and took me back to the heady days of tales well told in a mellow sound.

Hi Naboz
A belated thank you for your kind comments.