The twelve-string guitar is a wonderful sonorous instrument with a rich timbre. Loudness is achieved thanks to a resonator that is larger than that of an average six-string guitar, as well as additional strings. Before you start tuning such a guitar, check the pitch of the strings above the neck. If the guitar has an adjuster screw, raise the neck by tightening the screw. It is very desirable to tune a twelve-string guitar exactly to the tuning fork. It is very important here not to overtighten the strings. Its neck is thick and durable, so it is unlikely to break it when tuning, but with an additional third string, difficulties can arise.
It is necessary
Fork
Instructions
Step 1
A 12-string guitar has a main and auxiliary strings. Their numbering is the same. Like a regular six-string. Additional strings are designated as "3 extra" or "5 extra". Looking at the guitar, you will see that the first main and auxiliary strings are the same thickness, and so are the second. Start the setup with them.
Step 2
Tune the first string. In this case, it makes absolutely no difference which one is the main one, which one is additional. An open first string should produce sounds of the first octave, just like a six-string guitar. Check the sound of the string with a tuning fork. If you have a pipe-tuning fork that produces several sounds, tune the open string to the E sounds. If you have a tuning fork with a mustache, then clamp the string at the 5th fret. In this position, it should give the sound of A. Tune the extra first string in unison with the main string.
Step 3
Play the second root string at the 5th fret. In this position, its sound should match the sound of the open first string. Tune the extra second string in unison with the main string, just as you did when tuning the first string.
Step 4
The third primary and secondary strings differ in thickness. The main one is thicker than the supplementary one. Tune it first by holding down at the fourth fret and checking against the second string. Tune the auxiliary string one octave to the main string. If you cannot do this by ear, then hold down the main string at the 12th fret and tune the auxiliary string.
Step 5
Tune the main fourth string by holding down at the 5th fret and checking the open third. Tune the auxiliary string to an octave from the main string, in the same way as when tuning the previous string, holding it at the 12th fret.
Step 6
The main fifth string, when clamped at the 5th fret, should produce the same sound with the fourth open, and the main sixth, if held at the same fret - with the fifth open. Additional bass strings are tuned in unison with the main ones.
