Strings for Burns Double Six

[geoff1711]

One thing I've found about 12 string sets of strings is that if you bend your strings the octaves stay in pitch together, I replaced a high G with probably a 10 when it broke and when bending the two strings went horribly out of tune with one another.

I now mostly have standard G strings, not as authentic but I like the sound and it's more practicle, also that way go up to the top end of the neck and you can get some good Ronnie Wood mandolin sounds Maggie May etc.

Geoff M

[RayL]

you can get some good Ronnie Wood mandolin sounds Maggie May etc. Geoff M

No, no, that can't be right. Surely you remember Maggie May being played on Top Of The Pops? It was John Peel on mandolin . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ray

[cockroach]

JimN

I really doubt that a .10 gauge string would tune up to high G, let alone high A...even a .08 gauge will usually break if tuned up to high G.

Which is why I used 0.07 when the guy in the shop said he had a lighter gauge than .08.

(I've been playing electric and acoustic 12 strings on and off since 1966- I've broken a lot of octave G strings since then...!)


(BTW, was it a chap called Rod(?) Quittendon(??) who played mandolin on Maggie May?)

[Paulps]

Thanks to you all for your responses to my question. Some conflicting advice.
I have also been recommended Elixir strings (which I use on my Strat) they come as:
String Guage: .010 - .010
.013 - .013
.017 - .009
.026 - .012
.036 - .018
.046 - .026

I prefer the octave G (which is on at present, and I also have on my Breedlove accoustic 12 string) and have never had one break on me (YET)!
Any further comments welcome

[chas]

I think an octave G is a must on 12 string guitars (I've never considered using unison G). I think that the high G is part of the special sound that 12 strings have, and I've never had any problems using a 10 gauge for it, either on acoustic or electric.
Also bear in mind 13s & 14s (from medium & heavy gauge 6 string sets) are tuned to E without problems.

Chas.

[davec]

I use the Rickenbacker set that I mentioned on my 330/12 and I tune the 10 to the octave G. I've haven't broken one yet -- but I must admit that the string feels under more tension than the others. I'm thinking that a 9 might be a better bet.

DaveC

[JimN]

I use the Rickenbacker set that I mentioned on my 330/12 and I tune the 10 to the octave G. I've haven't broken one yet -- but I must admit that the string feels under more tension than the others. I'm thinking that a 9 might be a better bet.

8 would be better still.

JN (who now has a total of 37 years as a 12-string owner).

[RayL]

For recording rhythm guitar these days I often find myself reaching for the Nashville strung Hayman 6-string (essentially the upper string set of a 12-string guitar - useful for 'lifting' a rhythm guitar clear of the upper end of bass guitar and keyboard sounds). For the G string I use an 8. The whole set is 9, 12, 8, 13, 17, 20.

The Baldwin semi-acoustic 12-string (narrow fretboard, low action) has a 9 and the Vintage electro-acoustic 12-string (wider fretboard, higher action) has an 8.

Ray

[RogerCook]

D'Addario publish a tension chart -- http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf . Interesting to see how a .007 compares with a .010 tuned to G.

And on a slightly different tack, has anyone found as "octave down" set that works on the modern Club Series Double 6?

Roger

[JimN]

D'Addario publish a tension chart -- http://daddario.com/upload/tension_chart_13934.pdf . Interesting to see how a .007 compares with a .010 tuned to G.
Roger

Exactly.

In broad terms, an 0.08" string tuned to the G on the first string exerts a tension of about 11 or 12 lb, whereas a 0.010" string used for the same purpose pulls over 22 lb.

Quite a difference.

JN