Stringed guitars are a fantastic instrument to have, but they can also have limitations. Before purchasing, there are a few things you should understand.
Is a 12-string guitar the right instrument for me?
Things To Consider
The 12 string has a “Chorus” effect that mimics the sound of 2 guitars playing at the same time, as seen in the chart above. A 12 string would be a fantastic addition to your performance if you’re the only guitarist performing when compared to playing a 6 string guitar.
A 12 string guitar might interfere with the performance in a variety of ways, depending on the songs you’re playing. For example, if you have to play a lot of lead guitar with bends, this probably isn’t the best instrument for the job.
Another thing to consider is that 12-string guitars are high-maintenance instruments.
They can be a disaster if they aren’t properly intonated. If you don’t know how to tune your own guitar, this may not be the best option for you. Depending on the type of setting in which you keep your guitar and how you maintain it, you’ll have to pay a guitar technician more frequently, which can add up over time.
Who Are Ideal Candidates For A 12-String Guitar?
If you already know how to play the guitar and just want a different sounding instrument, this is an excellent choice. These guitars are ideal for people who already have some experience with guitars in general. They can’t do things that a 6-string guitar can. A 12 string guitar is required to play some of your favourite songs. Furthermore, if you’re searching for a guitar that can offer you a distinct sound that you don’t know what it is but believe could help your playing, a 12 string may be able to help.
If you perform a lot of solo acoustic performances, this is an excellent guitar to have on hand because a 12-string guitar has a lovely shimmering resonant sound.
Is it harder to play a 12-string guitar than a 6-string?
A 12-string guitar appears to be a mystery to many people. I’ve heard several people claim that having an extra six strings makes playing difficult, simply because it has more strings. This is half correct. There are six courses each with two strings per course. So it’s like having a 6-string guitar with separate second little strings for each string. Instead of holding down only one string, you must now hold down two distinct strings at the same time when fretting a note (much like on a 6-string guitar). It requires somewhat greater finger strength to fret notes properly as a result of this difference.
Playing a 12 string guitar may be difficult due to the following factors:
- The neck is broader, which allows for greater stretching (particularly with tiny hands).
- Strings that are close together might be muted by your fingers when fretting notes.
- Fingerpicking is more difficult than a 6-string guitar since you must pick two strings at once rather than one.
You can “take these ideas with a grain of salt,” and realize that after enough practice and time to get acclimated to the feel of a 12 string, you will be able to master it. It will feel strange until you become accustomed to it whenever you try anything new.
Tips For Beginners
If you’re a novice guitarist and want to play a 12-string, consider the wider neck; as you’ll have to stretch further to play chords. Also, attempting to fret two strings at once might be difficult on your fingers, especially if you haven’t built up calluses. You will also have to regularly be able to tune it correctly. I wouldn’t want you to spend too much time trying to tune it so that you lose interest in the process. That takes all the enjoyment away from it. It’s feasible; just bear in mind that it will take more work on your part.
Overall, if you want a 12 string to complement the majesty of your chimney tone, you will not be disappointed by the sound. They give me goosebumps every time I play or hear one.
