Twelve String Guitars - TUNING !?

Question

Can anyone tune a twelve string guitar ? I been playing guuitars for donkeys years and im about to smash my 12 string fender acoustic off the wall.

Can anyone tell me how to tune the thing - string by string.

i.e. -

STRING ONE - E
STRING TWO - E sharp

etc etc

Many Thanks

And please no octave ramblings - i play guitar, i don't conduct an orchestra!

Answer 1

Going from high to low, heres how they go...
1- E
2- E
3- B
4- B
5- G
6- G (high) same as 12th fret string 5
7- D
8- D (high) same as 12th fret string 7
9- A
10- A (high) same as 12th fret string 9
11- E
12- E (high) same as 12th fret string 10 and STRING 1

Note that because of the high stress the guitar should be tuned 1/2 to 1 step lower than a 6 string. This means that an open string on a 6 string should match a string fretted on the 1st fret on a 12. So instead of EADGBE it should be DGCFAD for 1/2 step or CFBEGC for 1 step.

It will take some time and several tunings until the strings settle in and the guitar stays in tune.

Answer 2

I have a twelve string and when I tune it like a regular guitar, it plays havoc on my finger tips. So instead of tuning it
E , A, D, G , B, E I tune it E flat, A flat, D flat, G flat, B flat, and E flat. It is easier on the fingers. When I want to play with other guitars, I use a capo the first fret.
http://www.12stringguitar.com/htt250.htm
If you are a novice, you might want to try the above link.

The Base E string on a regular Guitar I tune to an E flat on my twelve String. The paired string is tuned an octive higher. Don't fret. If you hold your finger so that it lightly touchs the string at the 12th fret, you bet a harmonic bell tone. This is the note you tune the smaller diameter string to. I prefer using a tuner to get the large diametre string in tune and then use the harmonic at the 12th fret to tune its pair. This hold true for the low 4 strings, but for the higher pitch stings, you tune them for the same note.

There is alot of stress on the neck of a 12 string guitar. If you leave the strings tight, it can warp the neck. That is another reason I tune a half step low, so I don't have to put slack in the strings when I am through playing.

Eb ____________________________________ 1st thick
Eb Harmonic on the 12 fret of string 1 thick___ 1st string thin

Ab ____________________________________ 2 nd Thick
Ab Harmonic on the 12 fret of String 2 thick ____ 2nd thin

Db ____________________________________3rd string thick
Db Harmonic on the 12 fret of String 3 thick ____ 3rd string thin

Gb ____________________________________ 4th string thin
Gb ____________________________________ 4th string thin

Bb ____________________________________ 5th string thin
Bb ____________________________________ 5th String thin

Eb __Should be the same as 6th string thin 12 fret 6 string thin
Eb ____________________________________ Same as 6th thin

Answer 3

I always tuned the two strings next to each other in the same note. The upper one is thinner but tuned the same.

So: EE AA DD GG BB ee.

Anyway, that's how I always tuned it and it sounded great.

Answer 4

I suggest doing an internet search (Google) for.."tuning a 12 string guitar". Or you can use this one...

http://www.guitarnoise.com/faq.php?id=22