12 string electric guitar

Types of 12 string electric guitars

There are several types of a 12 string electric guitar that are available in the market. Each type has its own unique features and characteristics. Here are some of them:

• Fender Electric Guitar

  A Fender electric guitar is one of the most popular types of electric guitars. It is known for its distinctive sound and playability. Fender electric guitar has three single-coil pickups. It is made from high-quality materials like solid wood. The most popular model is Stratocaster and Telecaster.

• Gibson Electric Guitar

  Another well-known type of electric guitar is Gibson. It produces a warm and thick sound that is ideal for rock and blues music. Gibson electric guitars have humbucker pickups and are made of high-quality materials. The most popular models are Les Paul and SG.

• Guitar with Bigsby Vibrato

  A guitar with Bigsby Vibrato is used by many rock and roll musicians. It is known for its vintage and classic sound. The Bigsby Vibrato allows the player to create a wavy and trembling sound. This makes it popular among rock and country musicians.

• Hollow Body Electric Guitar

  A hollow-body electric guitar has a hollow interior. It is like an acoustic guitar with electric pickups. This type of guitar produces an acoustic and warm sound. Jazz and blues musicians use it.

• Solid Body Electric Guitar

  A solid-body electric guitar has a solid wood material. It is not hollow and has no sound chamber. This type of guitar produces a loud and powerful sound. It is popular among rock and heavy metal musicians.

• Left-Handed Electric Guitar

  A left-handed electric guitar is designed for left-handed players. The strings are in the right hand, and the fret is in the left hand when holding the guitar. It can be a solid-body, semi-hollow, or hollow body.

Scenarios of 12 string electric guitar

A 12 string electric guitar is a specialized musical instrument that finds applications in various fields. Here are some of the usage scenarios of a 12 string electric guitar:

• Recording music: A 12 string electric guitar is useful in the studio for recording because it can produce a rich and full sound that adds depth and complexity to the music. The unique tonal quality of the guitar can be captured in recordings, providing a distinctive sound that can set the music apart. Additionally, the 12-string electric guitar can be used to create harmony and contrast with other instruments, adding to the overall sound of the recording. It is particularly useful for creating rhythm parts, as the guitar's jangle can provide a driving force behind the music.
• Live performances: A 12 string electric guitar is used during live performances to provide a fuller and richer sound that can fill large venues. The guitar's unique tonal quality can be heard clearly in live performances, cutting through the mix of other instruments. The 12-string guitar is also visually impressive, adding to the stage presence of the performer and providing an added element of excitement to the live show.
• Musical genres: A 12 string electric guitar is an application in various music styles, including folk, rock, and blues. The guitar adds depth and complexity to the sound of these genres, providing a distinctive tone that is recognizable. For example, the 12 string electric guitar is popular in folk music to create jangly and sweet-sounding riffs and melodies. It is also used in rock music to add richness and fullness to the sound, particularly in rhythm parts.
• Guitar solos: A 12 string electric guitar can be used to create unique and memorable guitar solos. The extra string creates more notes and adds complexity to the solo. The guitar's tonal quality can be heard clearly in guitar solos, providing a distinctive sound that stands out in the mix.
• Guitar duels: A 12 string electric guitar can be used in guitar duels with another guitarist. Both guitarists play fast and compete to showcase their skills. The extra string adds complexity and depth to the sound, making the guitar duel more exciting and impressive.

How to Choose 12 string electric guitar

When buying a 12 string electric guitar for sale, business owners should consider the level of experience of customers, sound quality, body size, and brand reputation.

In most cases, customers will have difficulty playing the guitar if they have not developed skills. A solid-body 12-string electric guitar would be more suitable for beginner guitarists. This is because it has a simple and easy-to-use design, making it simple for customers to understand. At this stage, customers are looking for guitars that are more affordable and easy to maintain.

When choosing an electric guitar for a more experienced player, it is important to get an instrument that offers a wide range of tones, such durability and playability. Experienced players are more concerned about the quality of the sound produced by the guitar. Therefore, the quality of the wood used to make the guitar should be excellent. The guitar should also be made with precision to ensure it has the best sound and the difference can be seen in the performance.

Many customers purchase a guitar based on its body size and shape. For example, a 12-string hollow body electric guitar is larger and produces a warm tone. A solid body guitar is thin and more versatile. Buyers should get both shapes and sizes to cater to different customers' needs.

In most cases, the sound produced by a 12-string guitar is smooth and sweet. This is because the guitar has more strings, which results in a richer and fuller sound. It is also known for its jangle and chorus-like tone, making the guitar popular among acoustic players. Buyers should choose a guitar with the right tone to suit various customers' preferences.

The reputation of the brand will determine the quality of the guitar. Buyers should get guitars from well-known brands with a good reputation that will provide quality instruments that can be trusted. Also, they should check if the guitar comes with a case and other accessories that customers might need.

Function, Feature, and Design of 12 String Electric Guitars

Below are the features and functions of 12 string electric guitars:

Functions

• Creating Rich Sound: The main function of a 12 string electric guitar is to create a rich and full sound. The sound is unique and has more depth than a 6-string guitar.

Features

• Additional String: A 12-string electric guitar has additional strings compared to a standard 6-string guitar. The extra strings add depth and richness to the sound produced by the guitar.

  Both string pairs can be of similar sizes. However, the two E strings, the A string, and the D string can be unison, while the two G strings and the B string are octave paired. The sound of a 12-string electric guitar is unique and fuller than that of a 6-string guitar.

• Double String Pairing: The 12-string electric guitar strings are paired in doubles. The paired strings can be of different sizes and are played together using the same fret.

  Each string pairing produces a unique sound. The two E strings are an octave apart, and the A and D strings are unison paired. The sound of a 12-string electric guitar is richer and more harmonious than that of a 6-string guitar.

• Wide Sound Range: A 12-string electric guitar has a wider sound range than a 6-string guitar. The paired strings create a unique and rich sound that is perfect for various musical styles.

  The extra strings add depth and complexity to the sound, making it more vibrant and full. A 12-string guitar is ideal for strumming chords and playing melodic lines since it has a distinctive sound that cuts through the mix.

• Versatility: A 12-string electric guitar is versatile and can be used to play different music genres. The rich and full sound of the guitar is perfect for folk, rock, blues, and country music.

  The unique sound of a 12-string guitar adds depth and complexity to any musical style. A 12-string guitar is used to play rhythm and lead parts since it has a distinctive sound that stands out.

Design

• Body Shape: A 12 string electric guitar has a larger body than a 6 string guitar. The large body creates a deep and rich sound. The extra strings also require more space, and a larger body provides the necessary space.

  The body of a 12-string electric guitar can be of different shapes. The body can be a dreadnought, concert, or jumbo. Each shape produces a unique sound and has its own playability.

• Neck Width: A 12 string electric guitar has a wider neck than a 6 string guitar. The extra string needs more space, and a wider neck provides the necessary space. A 12-string guitar is a split string correctly and can be played without any string interference.
• Sound Hole: A 12 string electric guitar has a larger sound hole than a 6-string guitar. The larger sound hole allows more sound to escape from the guitar, creating a loud and rich sound.

  The sound hole of a 12-string electric guitar can be of different sizes and shapes. A larger sound hole produces a louder and more resonant sound, while a smaller sound hole produces a more focused and subdued sound.

Q&A

Q1: What is the difference between a 12-string electric guitar and a 6-string guitar?

A1: The main difference between a 12-string electric guitar and a 6-string guitar is that the former has double strings. The 12-string guitar produces a richer and more harmonic sound than the 6-string guitar because of the doubled strings. The 12-string guitar is also wider at the neck than the 6-string guitar, making it more challenging to play.

Q2: Who makes a 12-string electric guitar?

A2: Many manufacturers and guitarists make 12-string electric guitars, including Fender, Gibson, Taylor, Martin, Rickenbacker, and Ibanez, among others. Each brand has its own unique characteristics and craftsmanship, offering different types of 12-string electric guitars to suit various playing styles and preferences.

Q3: How much is a good 12-string electric guitar?

A3: The cost of a good 12-string electric guitar varies depending on the brand, quality, and materials used. Generally, a decent 12-string electric guitar can range from $500 to $2000 or more. Guitars from well-known brands like Gibson, Taylor, and Martin will cost more than those from lesser-known brands.

Q4: Is a 12-string guitar harder to play?

A4: A 12-string guitar is not necessarily harder to play but requires a bit more effort and technique than a 6-string guitar. The doubled strings make the guitar heavier and require more finger strength to press down. Bending notes is also more challenging on a 12-string guitar. Guitarists may experience more hand fatigue when playing the 12-string guitar. Nevertheless, with consistent practice, one can easily play the 12-string guitar.