Help! 12-string tuned to harmonies

So, I really don't know what I'm doing with my 12 string. I tune to D standard. I let the tiny strings make the octave change , basically every thing is Dd, Bb, Cc, Ff, aa, dd the tuner is at A440. The light string sounds higher, without me adjusting the tuner. Meaning I don't set the turner for A880 for the top 4 little strings.

So if were doing harmonies is that using two sets of regular strings or small strings so were basically having two strings the same?
 
Last edited:
Chicken Man said:
I'd think you'd need a custom set to do this anyway, lest you have one string in your harmonized pairs either over tight or floppity.
Click to expand...
That’s a good point. That sounds like a lot of work to figure out. If somebody does, holler at your boy.
 
I just took out my Takamine EG523SC-12 last night for its monthly appearance and then this... I may look into it since it needs a string change anyway...
 
There are a lot of crazy things you can do with a 12-string and detuning the octave strings. I came across this deep dive of "When the Levee Breaks" a while back. I've tried to paste the link to the time where he goes into the tuning, but in case it doesn't work, jump to 10:34. I mean, unless you want to know pretty much all there is to know about the guitar on that song.

If you don't wanna watch it, Page tuned to Open-E, capoed to F, removed the 3rd string octave all together, and de-tuned the first string to a 5th.


`
 
I thought about this last night, and you could use a standard 12er set, and just swap the octave string with a neighbor and tune to 5ths. Low E string, paired with the A octave string tuned up to B, A string, paired with the low E octave string tuned to E (an octave below the fifth), and so on. String tension would be about the same, but nut slots would be an issue and I didn't know if it would sound as cool if some of the fifths were above the string and others were below.
 
shoeless said:
There are a lot of crazy things you can do with a 12-string and detuning the octave strings. I came across this deep dive of "When the Levee Breaks" a while back. I've tried to paste the link to the time where he goes into the tuning, but in case it doesn't work, jump to 10:34. I mean, unless you want to know pretty much all there is to know about the guitar on that song.

If you don't wanna watch it, Page tuned to Open-E, capoed to F, removed the 3rd string octave all together, and de-tuned the first string to a 5th.


`
Click to expand...

That's cool as hell.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top