Everything you need to know about 12-string guitars

Currently, there is a huge assortment of musical instruments, each of which has its own distinctive features. They also produce a wide variety of guitars, a prominent representative of which is the 12-string guitar. It is likely that many people have heard about the existence of the 12-string somewhere, but usually no one knows how it sounds. The same can be said for twelve-string electric guitars, despite the fact that they are often used by popular musicians.

12-string guitars are instruments that are equipped with 6 paired rows of strings. Each pair is tuned in one octave or in unison with standard tuning. In addition to this instrument, there are many others that are also equipped with twelve strings, but the definition "twelve-string" refers only to a guitar that has a paired arrangement of strings. This type of equipment is great for accompaniment and rhythm creation, which is why it is increasingly chosen by many musicians.

The tuning procedure for the key of a twelve-string guitar is practically the same as that of a six-string guitar. The difference between 6- and 12-string equipment is only in the more saturated sound of the second - the paired strings add depth to the sound of melodies. The difference can be traced in the top 4 pairs of strings of an unusual guitar - additional strings in them are tuned to the same note, but one octave lower. At the same time, the first two pairs of strings are completely tuned in unison. This tuning creates an iridescent sound, a bit reminiscent of the ringing of a bell - in comparison with a classical guitar, the 12-string sounds much more voluminous and diverse.

The twelve-string neck looks very impressive - 12 tuning pegs immediately warn the owner that it will take a lot of time to adjust the sound. But the result is undoubtedly worth the effort - most of the guitarists who tried 12 strings liked the sound very much and did not want to return to the classical instrument. It is worth noting that most often the 12-string is used for acoustic playing, but electric guitars also find their owners in rock bands.

This unusual instrument will become a real find for lovers of medieval melodies, because its sound is very reminiscent of the game of bards in the Middle Ages. Each battle or bust will remind you of the time of beautiful princesses and brave knights.

At present, it is very difficult to track down the real progenitor of the modern twelve-string, because there are a lot of similar instruments: Mexican tiple, Spanish vihuela, baglama, mandolin and several more stringed instruments from different countries. All this equipment is united by the number of strings, but their arrangement is different, as well as the size and shape of the body. Nevertheless, on all the instruments presented, the strings are arranged in pairs, so it can be assumed that any of them could become the ancestor of the 12-string guitars.

For the first time, such equipment began to be mass-produced in America in the 1920s. Two factories were brave enough to create such a sophisticated guitar - Oskar Schmidt and Rigal. Even then, the creators knew that the product would be in less demand than the related 6-string guitar. Nevertheless, they continued to produce the instrument for experienced virtuoso musicians looking for new interesting sounds. Acquiring sophisticated equipment, guitarists are aware of the many inconveniences and difficulties in mastering, but they are ready to learn for the sake of a deep, iridescent melody.

The real breakthrough in the popularity of the 12-string instrument happened 40 years after the start of mass production - in the 60s of the XX century, when American musicians became seriously interested in folklore. At that time, more and more popular performers appeared on the stages, preferring the complex double-string guitar to the classical apparatus. A prime example is jazz musician Joseph Anthony Passalacqua, better known as Joe Pass. At one time, this most popular jazz musician replaced the classical guitar with a 12-string and introduced a huge number of innovations in the style of music. Nowadays, many jazz performers draw on the experience of Joe Pass, learning to play with his techniques.

For example, the world famous bands The Beatles and The Byrds used the 12-string to record their music in studios. In the 60s, for 10 years, the 6-string guitar created a reputation for performers as virtuoso and elite musicians, so many famous guitarists considered it necessary to have a twelve-string in their collection.

Such an instrument was used by famous bands such as Queen, Led Zeppelin and the Eagles - the guitarists of these bands played masterfully on it both live and for recording in the studios. A the 12-string guitar was also used by many stars such as Roy Orbison, Maxim Dunaevsky, Eric Clapton, Yuri Shevchuk, Stevie Ray and Alexander Rosenbaum.

The shimmering melodies that can be extracted from the 12-string guitar create the atmosphere of a medieval tavern in a small town. Double strings, tuned in unison and in the same octave, never sound perfectly identical, so they reproduce a kind of beat. This sound creates variability in pitch, making the music much more enjoyable.

The twelve-string sounds like its strings are slightly out of tune - this creates "flickering" notes, which famous singer Pete Seeger has described as "ringing bells". Compared to the classical six-string, the paired-string instrument, due to its unusual tuning, creates the effect of a surround, ringing-shimmering sound. It is possible to describe the depth of sound for quite a long time, referring to musical terms, but in this case it is better to listen to the difference on the recording.

Throughout the history of music, instruments have often undergone radical changes and modifications - this happened when people wanted to find something new and original. The changes also affected 12-string guitars, there are 4 types of them: classical, acoustic, bass and electric guitar. Let's consider each type in more detail.

• Classic. Usually when people use this term they mean the simplest nylon string guitar.

• Acoustic. Such an instrument is equipped with steel strings, thanks to which it sounds somewhat louder than its classical counterpart. The steel strings are thinner and harder, adding complexity to an already difficult twelve-string playing. But if you still manage to conquer such a tool, you will not want to go back to the usual six-string. In addition, acoustics has a modification - it can be electroacoustic. The difference is that an electric acoustic guitar can be connected to an amplifier or speaker. This will be an advantage for those who plan to perform on stage in front of a large number of spectators, but it is worth remembering that electroacoustics without connecting to a speaker will sound much worse.

• Electric guitar. Electronic 12-string instruments can vary in body shape, neck structure, workmanship, and pickup. The instrument is quite difficult to master, but the versatility of the sound will definitely not leave indifferent any listener.

• Bas-guitar. Such equipment is very rare and outlandish, because for most people it is known that a bass guitar has only 4 strings. And if we are talking about 12 strings, then we mean 6 pairs of strings in the instrument. The tuning of the twelve-string bass guitar is different - there are four main strings, to each of which two additional strings are added. Each additional pair is tuned in unison with the main string - this tuning makes the bass sound very rich and deep, but only a professional guitarist can conquer the instrument.

In the modern world, there are quite a few different models of 12-string guitars, even though the instrument is very difficult to learn. It is not easy to find a suitable, high-quality guitar among the assortment - there are times when an old twelve-string, released 20 years ago, will last longer and produce more pleasant sounds than new equipment.

To make it easier for you to choose an instrument, we have prepared a round-up of the best 12-string guitars.

• "Arfa" manufactured by the factory. Lunacharsky. Despite the fact that the instrument was produced in the Soviet Union, in quality it is not inferior to many modern models. The type of equipment can be both acoustic and electro-acoustic.

• APX700 II-12 from the Yamaha brand. Yamaha is one of the top musical instrument manufacturers. The APX700 II-12 is a twelve-string version of a 6-string electric acoustic guitar. The equipment has a convenient design, it is equipped with a high-quality pickup and preamplifier.The APX series of guitars combines an ergonomic body and pleasant sound, such models are very popular among modern musicians.

• Earth 70-12E (NS) from the Cort factory. The instrument tops the list of affordable and quality 12-string guitars. Created for lovers of classical equipment, because this model has retained the design and sound of the golden period of acoustic instruments. Thanks to the solid wood top of the Earth, the guitar can be played with either a pick or with your fingers. All Cort models are equipped with an unusual concave bridge - this distinctive feature allows you to loosen the strings for comfortable playing, and also increases the duration of the notes.

• Lag Tramontane T66D12 (NAT). One of the most budgetary options for a twelve-string, not many models can compete with it in price. However, Elixir strings are included in the kit, which allow you to produce rather pleasant sounds for a long time. The tonality of the sound of this equipment differs from more expensive models, because the instrument is made of a different type of wood, but it is this special timbre that distinguishes the Lag brand from others.

Stringed instruments have been around for a long time, so people have invented many accessories and instruments that make playing as comfortable as possible. Let's take a closer look at the assortment of accessories for 12-string guitars.

• Case. In order for the instrument to serve you long enough, it is necessary to ensure its high-quality storage and safety during transportation - a special protective case or case will help with this. Such a device will protect the twelve-string from temperature changes, moisture and shock.

• Belt. This detail is very important for those planning a performance, as the belt provides freedom of movement. Without a strap, the guitarist can only play melodies while sitting with the instrument on his knees.

• Mediator. For different types of twelve-stringed instruments, the use of different picks is assumed. Acoustic guitar uses a thin and soft pick that does not damage the strings and allows you to produce a pleasant sound. For electric guitars, a harder accessory is used, with which it is possible to play complex riffs.

• Tuning pegs and nut. Sometimes it happens that after active use the components of the guitar become unusable, but this does not mean at all that it is time to throw away an expensive instrument. Parts such as tuning pegs or saddles must be replaced, for this you should contact the master. A specialist will help you choose the right parts and replace the damaged parts with new ones.

• Tuner. Before the advent of this device, musical instruments were tuned only by ear or with a tuning fork - this is a very difficult task. But thanks to a modern tuner, even a beginner will be able to tune a 12-string guitar on their own. There is a wide range of different tuners that can be installed on the table or attached to the instrument itself, so choosing an accessory to suit your needs is quite simple.

Basically, playing a 12-string instrument is not much different from playing a 6-string guitar. Many performers, after mastering the classical guitar, begin to take lessons on playing the twelve-string. It is quite difficult to master it, but very exciting, so those who have picked up an instrument with 6 pairs of strings will not want to return to the classics.

The tuning of the main 6 strings does not differ from the tuning of a classical guitar, the only difference is in the octave of several additional paired strings. It is necessary to tune the instrument using a special tuner, because only a person with perfect musical ear can distinguish all the subtleties.

The first and second auxiliary strings must be tuned to the same note that the first two main strings are tuned to. The other 4 auxiliary strings are tuned an octave below their main pair.

When your instrument is set up, you can start playing. As you know, there are 2 ways to play: by fighting and brute-force. Let's consider each type in more detail.

Playing on the 12-string by striking practically does not differ from the method of playing on the 6-string - you need to hold down the chords and perform a certain pattern. The only difference is that in an instrument with a large number of strings, you need to clamp two strings at once with one finger. Therefore, professionals are advised to use such a tool, because the gentle fingers of beginners, not accustomed to the load, will physically not be able to press the chords.

The brute force method on a twelve-string guitar is also slightly different from classical instrumentation. When plucking, plucking is done immediately on a pair of strings - for this, even professionals need enough time to deftly sort out the notes. There are quite a few brute force methods, the most popular of which are "four" and "six". If inexperienced musicians can still try to play an instrument with paired strings, brute-force play will only be available to pros, because it requires precision plucking.