Strings for the 12 String Guitar!
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Strings for a 12 string fall generally into what I consider two categories.
1 - Light and jangly
2 - Dark and growly (is growly a word?)
The lighter we go with the gauge the easier it is on the left hand, for most players.
We also lose bass response (obviously) as we do that.
Contrasting, the heavier we go with gauge the higher the string tension and naturally the tougher it is
on the fretting hand. If we can deal with the tension,
we are rewarded with that glorious, thunder-like sound of a 12 string with heavy strings.
The left hand situation, in my opinion, depends a lot
on how we approach playing the 12 string. If we play
it just like a 6 string, I think it's pretty hard to
use big wires. It's just too much tension on the
fretting hand for most.
Leo Kottke, me, others, get away with big wires because
we approach the instrument not as a 6 string
but as a whole different instrument.
So what I typically suggest for any 12 string player -
If you're NOT specifically sure of your approach OR
if this is your first time playing a 12 string (or first in a long time)
start with the lightest gauge. Next time you change strings, move up a gauge.
If you continue to move up at every string change (and
if you practice/play a lot)
you'll likely reach a point where you think "this one is too heavy".
At that point, go back one gauge to the lighter option.
Here's the options I've got (five different sets).
I refer to the "1st string" as the first pair, the two high E strings.
The "2nd string" is the pair of B strings etc.
Some refer to them as 1st, 2nd, through 12th string etc.
I find it easier to think of the D string as the 4th pair, the A string is the 5th pair etc.
