Actual 12 string versus "high nashville" tuning

[tfarny]

I'm really thinking about going 12 string with my #2 hardtail strat - just need the neck and bridge. But I've strung a gtr with high nashville tuning a couple of times (wound strings are the normal notes but an octave higher, obviously with lighter strings) and I feel like you get a lot of the effect of a 12 without having to buy a whole new axe, plus it's very easy to play. Plus I often find myself playing in an acoustic-lead kind of style with a capo up high, so I could use the same guitar for more songs with a high nashville setup.

Anybody that's done both can comment on the real need for a real 12 string? I do really love that ricko-12 string sound.

 

[Tonar8352]

I have used both and I think a high-strung guitar is a totally different sound than a 12 string.  I think they have a beautiful voice that adds to the over all layer of a song but I do not feel they have the complexity of a full 12 string. 

 

[Cagey]

It's easier to add strings to a mix than it is to take them away from an instrument. A 12 string is always 12 strings whether you want those unison notes or not, where a high-strung can be double-tracked with either unison or harmony notes, or nothing at all, as needed.

 

[drewfx]

I haven't tried Nashville tuning, but I will say that if you play some chords on a 12 (electric or acoustic), then switch and play the same thing on a 6-string, the 6 always sounds really tiny and thin in direct comparison.

 

[bpmorton777]

I thought a nashville tuned guitar was intended to be played as a duo with another guitarist playing the same parts on a normaly tuned guitar? I realize that it doent have to be but I thought that was the intention of the nashville tuning.

I say get yourself a 12!!!! :headbang:
Brian

 

[tfarny]

Well, it is in a duo and I find myself often doing a higher capo, like 7 or so, and playing a mix of strum & chord-based fill. My partner plays very basic open chord strumming or fingerpicking pattern while singing, and my job is to fill it out. So maybe I should set up a nashville tuning and take it to band practice and see how it goes over. I haven't really had a chance to play a 12 string electric in a while, but 12 string acoustics are pretty tough to play higher up / leads.

 

[tubby.twins]

I have one acoustic 12-string and another acoustic in a Nashville tuning. Both sound great but contribute different sounds to a mix.

The 12-string brings some shimmer and a LOT of fullness and power. Sometimes too much fullness, but I've learned to tame this down by playing with a lighter touch or not strumming as much as the other 6-string guitarists in the room.

The Nashville tuning adds a lot of shimmer and clarity without being too powerful. It works great as a complement to other guitars in standard tuning, and can be used to provide counterpoint and contrast without the huge sonic signature of a 12-string.

Try both!

 

[drewfx]

Well, it is in a duo and I find myself often doing a higher capo, like 7 or so, and playing a mix of strum & chord-based fill. My partner plays very basic open chord strumming or fingerpicking pattern while singing, and my job is to fill it out. So maybe I should set up a nashville tuning and take it to band practice and see how it goes over. I haven't really had a chance to play a 12 string electric in a while, but 12 string acoustics are pretty tough to play higher up / leads.

Well, from a practical standpoint, it sounds like nashville tuning might be better for your needs.

12-strings are a bit of a different ballgame - they're fantastic for some things, but awkward for others. Big full chords (sometimes too full), as well as chimey goodness when picking just the G, B and E strings. But, OTOH, they don't work for everything, and can be harder to play (and we won't even mention tuning).

Having said all that, you know you want a 12, regardless. 

 

[tfarny]

I do want the 12! But I wanted a baritone too, and when I got one I never ever played it. Plus I would get more use out of a bigger amp or better pedals (or singing lessons!)  than another axe. Realistically, I just want one or two guitars to play at practices / open mics / eventually live. I don't want 19 guitars behind me, one per song.

 

[TBurst Std]

Nashville tuning never really did it for me for a 12 (thats why I have a 12).  Actually I have a link to a guy who builds baritone 12s which I thought would always be cool. He also builds a high tuned 12 that can sub for most mandolin parts. Then again a normal 12 capoed on at least fret 6 grets a pretty good mandolin want to be sound.

 

[drewfx]

I do want the 12! But I wanted a baritone too, and when I got one I never ever played it. Plus I would get more use out of a bigger amp or better pedals (or singing lessons!)  than another axe. Realistically, I just want one or two guitars to play at practices / open mics / eventually live. I don't want 19 guitars behind me, one per song.

What? Steve Howe can use 3-4 per song. 

But if you want both 6 and 12, the best solution is to get one of these Ric 366/12 convertibles with that funky mechanism that moves the extra 6 strings out of the way when you're not using them:

Or just be sensible and practical and try the nashville thingy.

 

[mayfly]

Get the 12 string.

Would I steer you wrong?

 

[BigBeard]

I don't want 19 guitars behind me, one per song.

What kind of Warmothaholic are you?  :icon_scratch:  The simple math is 19 songs X 3 guitars at least per song you should have like 57 guitars at a minimum for 19 songs.  :laughing7:

 

[swarfrat]

I know this is an old thread, but dangit those cornflower folks made me drag out my 12 string since I just got it back (loaned it to a niece.)

I've got a Yamaha Pacifica 12str S/S/S with individual saddles. And I love it. I had been planning to sell it when I got it back but I don't know if I can do it. BUT... I am thinking about stringing it as a 10 string and leaving off the unisons. Chime without the shimmer if you will. Call me wierd, but I kinda like crunchy 12's (though the unisons can get cluttered fast).  But there ought to be a law about requiring locking tuners on 12 strings.

 

[Jusatele]

I have not had a 12 string in 20 years, but Mayfly has me biting at the bit
I will say when I owned a 12 string I used to use a lot of open chords, my style now is totally different, I use a lot of inversions and Jazz chords now so I do not even know what I would sound like or how it would work out.
I love the voicing of the big strong open position chords on a 12, I now depend a lot on the Bass player and other guitarist for the low end and play the higher end of the chord which cleans up the muddiness of 3 instruments bnging out the low end of chords. So I would either go back to open chords or I may be adding to much high end. Oh well it has a voice of it's own, guess you need to play that.

 

[Nightclub Dwight]

Yes, it does have a voice all its own.  A 12 string shouldn't be anyone's first or even second guitar.  But if you have a nice stable of different guitars to choose from, its nice to have a 12 string in the arsenal.  I haven't owned one in years, but do admit I'm getting that itch again.