What's the difference between a 12 string guitar and a 6 string guitar?

Question

I realize that one has more strings of course but what is the reason for it? Does it make better music? Thanks!

Answer 1

It makes a different overall sound.

Answer 2

Yes it makes a much prettier sound. The strings are so close together thou that it seems like you are touching one string. It makes a much better and resounded sound than a 6 string. The only time it gets trickier is when you are picking with your fingers.

If you wanted to get one I would reccommend it. The double string just makes a better sound.

Think about as if you get new strings on a 6 string guitar. It sounds great, now double it. Even greater x2.

Hope that helped!

Answer 3

a 12 string has harmonizing smaller strings with each of the thicker ones making them into 6 pairs.  they essentially still have six notes EADGBe.  A 12 string sounds like The Eagles - Hotel California, while a 6 string sounds like Lynyrd Skynryd

Answer 4

Hi Andrina

They are both tuned the same and as for the extra string on the 12-string guitar, they are not harmonizing. Each string like on the string, have a double string the size of the 1st and 2nd string and tuned the same.

Ex....the Fat 6th string has a small 3rd string as 2nd string.

The 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd have a second string the size of the 2nd string.

The small E is two 1st string.

The 12 string is harder to press down. That is why you do not see many females playing it. But if you put a extra light gauge string, that is very helpful playability-wise.

The sound is rich and fuller. As for making better use, NO. You can compose on a 6-string guitar and still make beautiful music.

Good Luck !!!

Answer 5

the 12 string sounds dreamy, and has strings under all of the other strings to make it sound an octave high, and the regular octave

its basically to stand out of the band and sound unique

Answer 6

A 12 string guitar has 6 pairs of strings that, like a 6 string guitar, can be tuned variously.  12 string guitars make a fuller and brighter sound.  Each string pair of the 12 string guitar is fretted (pressed down) together, so the fingering hand frets a 12 string in generally the same positions as it does on a six string.  12 string guitars are usually harder to play cleanly than a 6 string guitar...they are definitely harder to keep in tune than a 6 string.  They usually are not as well suited to bending, or single note melody lines.  The 12 string guitar is not a good choice for learning guitar, and should probably be employed when you specifically want to get that "12 string sound".

Answer 7

Hey! The reason a 12-string has 12 strings is to recreate the sound of more than one guitar being played at once. The sound is richer and brighter.

12-string guitars are a bit harder to play, though. bending strings can be a bit tricky.

To hear the main difference, listen to the introduction to Bon Jovi's Dead or Alive. That's a 12-string acoustic guitar.

It certainly doesn't make "better" music, but, like an effect pedal or anything that manipulates the sound or tone of a guitar, playing songs on a 12-string can turn something boring into something interesting.

Best of luck!

~Joe

Guitar Mentor