I guess some tune down, but apparently most players here do not, including me.I'm thinking of buying a 12-string guitar in 2022, no rush. This is new territory for me - I have only played 6-string guitars in the past. As I research I am hearing that owners of 12-string guitars (especially old Gibsons) sometimes tune them down to D to reduce tension on the neck. Is this necessary with Guild 12-strings? Is it helpful to extend life of the guitar and avoid neck resets?
That's great, awagner! I'll always be jealous of your restored F-612 here. Yeah, it's true, JD's preferences may have had nothing to do with with the F-612's construction itself.I don't believe this is correct. When I had my F612 restored by Guild at the New Hartford factory, I was assured by Charlie (who had worked for Guild since the Westerly years) that the F612 was designed to withstand standard tuning. He did a fantastic restoration job, and I have kept the guitar tuned to standard for at least the last 8 years (with .10s), with no problems whatsoever.
I imagine John Denver's decision to tune down and capo up had more to do with the scale length/playability of the guitar. Or perhaps he preferred higher gauge strings.
There's no question that tuning up to standard will likely hasten the need for a neck reset on any 12 string, particularly a longs scale like the F612, but I'm ok with that. I think 12 strings sound better when not capoed and I mostly play in standard tuning, so that's what I do.Honestly, though, aw, I would worry about that extra scale length though... I think that extra inch is putting quite a bit more strain on the bridge and the neck block than the standard scale.
I can't speak for Bruce, but I spend more time playing my Martin Grand J12-40E than my F-412. Still, the 412 absolutely has its place and is magnificent. They have totally different sounds.do you spend more time playing the Martin Grand J12-40E or that red-wine Guild F-412?
I always substitute a .009 for the .008 that comes with most sets of 12-string acoustic 10 gauge strings. Makes for a very noticeable difference in sound (less "plinky") and tuning (more stable).Leave the skinny octave G string till very last
chazmo - the Martin was truly magnificent but I decided to sell it earlier this year - I was just babying it, leaving it in it's case under my bed so I decided to let someone else enjoy it. It sold very quickly for slightly more than I bought it for. I still have my F-412, it is loud and beautifully balanced but that Martin had a wonderful warm depth I may miss and regret selling one day ... but if I do then I think I'll search out a F-512.So, Bruce, great idea on the G-string, but the real question is do you spend more time playing the Martin Grand J12-40E or that red-wine Guild F-412?