Best 12 string... strings???

[Fishybob]

Hey guys,

I just picked up a huge 70's 12 string acoustic (with a slight dent) for £36 of ebay!!!!!

Because of the massive saving I can pretty much get whatever strings are best. And because I only intend to replace the strings a minimal amount of times (it's a scarey job!) I want good ones.

Anyone have any experience in 'warm' sounding strings for 12 string guitars? It already sounds really bright due to the thick laquer and multiple strings. But I hope to improve the low midrange.

Any tips???

 

[SteveK]

I've got a Taylor 12 string. It came from the factory with Elixir strings that feel and sound good...so I'll be staying with them.

 

[Fishybob]

Mmmmm... they look like they'll do the trick!

I tried tuning the old (very old) strings and had the highly expected thin G string snap. If you use heavy guage strings - for richer sound - does that increase the chances of repeating this snap, due to higher tension???

 

[asulger]

string thickness, guitar scale length, and pitch === tension on the bridge.
If you choose Elixir nano lights you should be able to tune to concert if the guitar is made well. Lots of 12-stringers tune the older guitars down 1 full note.
If you use heavier strings like John Pearse C# set or Elixir mediums you shouldn't tune higher than C# on the 1st and last strings. Older guitars maybe even lower.
String breakage isn't the problem, having the bridge fly across the room is

Sounds like a fun guitar.

 

[Fishybob]

Ah!

Perhaps I'll stick to the thinner strings then. I don't think I could cope with seeing my wonderful guitar throwing itself into pieces... I'd have to take it personnally!

Cheers for the help... I'm off to get me some Elixirs.

Joe

 

[dogwomble]

My opinion is that different guitars sound best with different strings. I used to have a Washburn 6 string and a Washburn 12 string before they got stolen a few years back, and I found they sounded best with Dean Markley strings. They sounded a bit dull on the Yamaha I have now though, but I find that I'm happy with Martin strings on the Yamaha.

Your best is to try two or three different sets and see which you like best. However, depending on what you're doing, I'd look at quality of tone just as much as the life of the strings. No point in getting strings that last forever if you're not happy with the sound.