How to String a 12 String Guitar

If you really want to impress someone that knows a little about guitar, show them how fun it can be to play a 12 string. The beauty of a 12 string is that you get a choir-like sound because each cardinal string is doubled, giving twice the sound as a 6 string. Higher octave strings give the 12 string guitar its beauty and distinctive sound. Read on to learn more.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Twelve string guitar
• New strings
• String winder tool
• Wire cutter
• Soft cloth

1. Slowly loosen all the strings using a string winder tool. Never cut a taut string with wire cutters as damage to the instrument may occur.
2. Remove the top of the strings from the machine head also know as a tuning peg. Then and only then cut the bent portion of the string off with a wire cutter.
3. If the 12 string is electric, slide the old string backwards through the string hole and remove. If it is an acoustic model, remove the string pegs with your handy dandy string winder, then pull the string up and out the bridge piece.
4. Clean the guitar before putting on new strings. Get a soft cloth and wipe off all the dust and debris. Pay particular attention to the neck and bridge. Once clean, then reattach the new strings beginning with the high E. If you have an electric, insert the string through the guide hole and pull snug. Or if you're working on an acoustic, place the ball end inside the hole behind the bridge and then reinsert the string peg.
5. Insert the opposite end through the machine head tuning peg hole and take up the slack so the string is close to the neck all the way down. Then pull up on the string at the 12th fret to create a 90 degree angle. This will give enough room to get 3-4 wraps. Once you've lengthened out the string, then bend the string at 90 degrees on either side of the tuning peg in opposite directions. This will kink the string and help it to stay in place as you tune it up to pitch.
6. Repeat the same process for the remaining 11 strings. Tune to pitch using a digital guitar tuner. Now go play your guitar.

Tips & Warnings

• The first two string pairs are tuned to each other in unison. EE for strings 1 and 2, and BB for strings 3 and 4. The other strings are the same key, only an octave apart. So the normal G string on a 12 would be G and octave G for strings 5 and 6. The D,A,and low E are also strung similarly.