Frequently Asked Questions...
Should I get a 12 string?I am looking to buy a really cheap(under $100) 12 string guitar, any suggestions. ?
Is a twelve string a fun thing to play. I don't really know if acoustic ones are good but I don't care if it's acoustic or electric just as long as it's under $100
Answer:
If you're a beginner, stick to the 6 string. I started learning on my mum's guitar and she has a 12 string, but I had to remove 6 of the strings as i found it slightly difficult to learn. Maybe you could use that same approach, and re-attach the extra 6 strings when you feel confident enough?
 Rickenbacker 620/12 Maple Glo 12-String Electric Guitar 2011 Model US $1,350.00 
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 Electric double neck Guitar, 12 and 6 string,, New, US $265.00
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 NEW JAY TURSER JT-50CUSTOM12 TRANS RED CUSTOM 12 STRING EXOTIC ELECTRIC GUITAR US $319.00
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 Do It Yourself. 12 String Electric guitar Builder Kit. Makes a Tele US $49.25
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 DOUBLE NECK ELECTRIC GUITAR BUILDER KIT. MAKES 12/6 STRING SG US $91.00
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 12 STRING STRAT STYLE ELECTRIC GUITAR PROJECT SOLID ASH BODY - NEEDS WORK US $77.00
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 Musicvox MI5 12 String Electric Guitar Rare Vintage 60's Style MOD Beatle size!! US $305.00
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 Professional 12 String Electric Guitar Brand New US $199.98
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 12 String Electric Guitar, Maple top, Free Gig Bag New US $189.98
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 Solo Pro DIY TCK-12 Tele Style 12 String Electric Guitar Kit US $159.99
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 '67 Baldwin 12 string Hollow Body Electric Guitar US $800.00
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 NEW BURNS CUSTOM ELITE APACHE DOUBLE SIX 12-STRING VINTAGE GREEN ELECTRIC GUITAR US $2,695.00
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 Daisy Rock Semi Hollow-Body 12 string Electric Guitar US $175.00
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 12 string Electric Guitar and cable US $188.00
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 2010 RICKENBACKER 360 12 STRING FIREGLO ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH CASE FG RIC US $2,150.00
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 2005 Rickenbacker 360-12 String Electric Hollow Guitar OHSC Clean Minty Fireglo US $2,599.99
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 USED 12 STRING TELE STYLE GUITAR ELECTRIC GUITAR PROJECT - NEEDS WORK US $51.00
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 12 String Electric Guitar, Maple top, Black, /W Gig Bag US $189.98
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 listing upcoming Conrad 12 string Electric guitar US $225.00
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 JAY TURSER JT-XG2 DOUBLE NECK 12 STRING AND 6 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR WITH CASE US $495.00
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 JAY TURSER JT-HAWK 12 12 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR BLACK US $298.00
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 Electric double neck Guitar, 12 and 6 string, US $272.00
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 Rickenbacker 620-12 String Electric Guitar. Brand New Maple Glo 2011 US $1,380.00
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 NEW PRO JAY TURSER JT50CUSTOM12TR CUSTOM 12 STRING SG ELECTRIC GUITAR US $319.00
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 Eastwood CLASSIC 12 WALNUT Electric 12 String Guitar - LEFT-HAND US $529.00
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 Rogue W26 Bulk 12 Pack 026 Nickel Electric Guitar Strings US $5.00
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 Aria Model 1212 12 String Electric Guitar Vintage! 1967-68 US $775.00
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 Korean Epiphone Gibson SG 12 string 6 string double neck electric guitar w OHSC US $825.00
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 Eastwood Nashville 12 String Electric Guitar New US $781.99
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 Eastwood Nashville 12 String LEFTY Electric Guitar New US $827.99
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 Luna Pandora 12-string electric, NEW IN BOX, with gig bag, RARE! US $385.00
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 RICKENBACKER 330/12FG 12-STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR US $1,299.00
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 Veillette Electric 12 String Guitar US $3,500.00
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 12 String Electric Guitar, Solid Body, LP Style. US $276.55
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 Les Paul Body 12 String Electric Guitar Custom Built US $299.99
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 12 string Italia Rimini Electric Guitar & Case US $575.00
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 Eastwood CLASSIC 12 WALNUT Electric 12 String Guitar US $529.00
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 Peavey Milestone 12 string electric - a rare bird ! US $475.00
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 ELECTRIC GUITAR 12 STRINGS EBONY FRETBOARD FREE S & P US $450.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar - Black US $679.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar - Grey Pearloid US $679.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar - Cherryburst US $679.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar - Red Pearloid US $679.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar - Tobacco Burst US $679.00
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 Italia Rimini 12-String Electric Guitar White Pearloid US $679.00
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 Daisy Rock Semi Hollow-Body 12 string Electric Guitar White Retro-H US $429.00
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 New 12 string electric guitar left handed tobacco sunburst quilted maple finish US $66.00
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 Jay Turser JT50 Custom BK SG 12 String Electric Guitar US $319.99
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 Dean Boca 12-String Electric Guitar US $399.00
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 Dean Boca 12-String Electric Guitar Transparent Amber Sunburst US $399.00
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 Vintage 1966 Fender Electric XII Custom Color Lake Placid Blue 12 String! w/OHSC US $4,699.00
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 Luna Muse 12 String Acoustic-Electric Guitar- built-in tuner & BRAND NEW CASE US $379.00
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 Bruno Conqueror 12-String HollowBody Electric Guitar US $475.00
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 RICKENBACKER 381 12 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR STERE0 RICK -O SOUND WITH CASE US $1,500.00
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 NEW 12 STRING STRAT STYLE ELECTRIC GUITAR - SOLID ASH BODY with CLEARCOAT FINISH US $26.00
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 ((• ELECTRIC GUITAR STRINGS - "10/46" LIGHTS - 12 Sets•)) US $39.90
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 SOLIDWOOD ALDER KOREA HARDWARE ELECTRIC 6 STRINGS GUITAR 756(12) US $300.00
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 Rickenbacker 620-12 String Electric Guitar. Brand new in open box only. 2011 US $1,400.00
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 Vox Phantom Teardrop 12 string hollowbody electric guitar w/ OHSC NO RESERVE!! US $599.99
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 RARE COZART 12 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR TELE STYLE US $10.95
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 FENDER STRATOCASTER 12 STRING ELECTRIC GUITAR SUNBURST *SUPERB CONDITION! NO RES US $202.50
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 CUSTOMIZE IT YOURSELF 12 STRING TELE ELECTRIC GUITAR BUILDER'S KIT US $10.45
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 Washburn RX 12 Tobacco SB 6 String Electric Guitar -New US $149.00
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 DANELECTRO Hodad 12-string Electric Guitar in Black/Deep Blue Sparkle US $450.00
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 Dean Boca 12-String Electric Guitar Transparent Cherry Burst US $399.00
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 New Electric double neck Guitar, 12 and 6 string, Black SG body US $274.00
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 Gretsch Guitars G6122-12 Chet Atkins Country Gentleman 12 String Electric Guitar US $2,022.75
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 RICKENBACKER 360 12 FIREGLO ELECTRIC 12 STRING GUITAR MINT LOOK! FREE SHIPPING US $1,999.00
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 Vintage Handmade Electric 12 String Guitar US $575.00
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 DIY Build Your Own Double Neck Flying V 12 & 6 String Electric Guitar Kit US $279.00
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 Washburn RX 12 Metallic Grey 6 String Electric Guitar US $149.00
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 2007 Taylor T5 T-5 12 String T-5C 12 Acoustic Electric Guitar US $1,795.00
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 Vintage Framus 12-String Hollow Body Electric Guitar!!! US $1,200.00
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 Eastwood CLASSIC 12 FIREBURST Electric 12 String Guitar US $529.00
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 NATURAL CUTAWAY ACOUSTIC ELECTRIC 12 STRING GUITAR US $769.00
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 Dean Boca 12-String Electric Guitar Black US $399.00
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12 String Electric
Review of the Danelectro DC59 12-String Electric Guitar
Play 12 String Guitar
Copyright (c) 2010 Robert Hinchliffe
The 12 string guitar can be played in exactly the same way as a normal 6 string guitar. The strings are arranged in pairs and also tuned in pairs to exactly the same pattern as the 6 string, the usual E-A-D-G-B-E. However, the lower four pairs of strings (E-A-D-G) are tuned in octaves whereas the top two pairs are in unison.
So, if the strings are tuned the same, what is the point of having a 12 string guitar at all? The answer of course is the wonderful ringing tone which the instrument produces. The pairs of strings vibrating together give the instrument an almost organ-like sound and much greater carrying power than the traditional 6 string guitar.
There are 'solid' electric 12 string guitars around but they lack the true character of the acoustic or electro-acoustic 12 string. It is the resonating body of the 12 string guitar which gives the instrument its power and characteristic sound. If you are looking to play 12 string guitar, I would recommend that you avoid the solid version.
When you play 12 string guitar it is more usual to use a plectrum, either to strum or to pick individual strings; - very often we use a combination of both techniques of playing in the same song. Finger picking is possible but not particularly satisfactory unless you use plastic or metal finger picks on the ends of your fingers. It is quite tricky to connect with a pair of strings more-or-less simultaneously when using the finger nails or finger tips.
It is the bottom four pairs of strings, tuned in octaves, which give the instrument its special tone and we tend to use these most. Picking out a bass line or melodic phrase on these strings whilst filling in the accompaniment on the upper strings gives a most satisfying sound.
Two of my favourite bits of 12 string guitar playing are to be found in the Beach Boys recording of "California Dreaming" and the iconic "Walk Right In" by The Rooftop Singers. Both these tracks can be found on You Tube, so have a listen to get a good idea of just what the 12 string guitar is capable of.
The stress caused by the 12 strings on the instrument can, over time, have an effect on the neck of the guitar even causing it to warp slightly. Many 12-string players tune down the guitar by a tone (sometimes more) to reduce this problem. This also has the advantage of making the instrument ring even more, enhancing that wonderful 12 string guitar sound. If you do this, however, you must remember to transpose the pieces you play or use a capo to correct the tuning.
If you have an ambition to play 12 string guitar, it is important to learn to play the 6 string guitar first. You can then transfer your skill on to the 12 string only when you have become proficient on the 6 string instrument.
About the Author
Robert Hinchliffe is a musician of wide experience. His work has involved him in the playing of the guitar in many different styles and situations. As both player and teacher he has many years of experience in the world of professional music. If you would like to know more about guitar playing, please
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