The Steel Guitar Forum

I've been cruising the forum for info about D-12s. Is a D-12 simply two additional low strings per neck on a standard D-10 copedant? In other words, could you play the high ten strings with a standard set-up and learn the additional four strings later?

Darryl,

I've been playing my MSA D-12 for about 4 years now & anymore, it's difficult for me to play a D-10...

The E9th neck has 2 extra lower strings, but the C6th has 2 higher. As a result, I orient my right hand for any given grip that's different than on a D-10. Not a problem on the E9th, but on the C6th, I'm a couple of strings off when I switch to the D10.

Also, my string spacing is closer on the D-12, so I'm used to a tighter grip. On a D-10, I will occasionally miss a string because of it. It's not impossible to correct, but I play a D-10 so infrequently that it happens to me a lot...

In my opinion, you can certainly learn to play the new strings later on. Don't wait too long, though, they can add more than you think...

Rich

Darryl Hattenhauer wrote: Is a D-12 simply two additional low strings per neck on a standard D-10 copedant? In other words, could you play the high ten strings with a standard set-up and learn the additional four strings later?

You can tune it any way you like. Check out the tunings that b0b has posted on this Forum, or actually on b0b.com at
http://b0b.com/tunings/index.html

Most 12 string E9 tunings are like the common 10 string E9, but with 2 low strings added. Some guys find it easy to go back and forth between the two. But I find it very hard.

Thanks, Rich. Now I see why a lot of people find D-12s too difficult. The closer string spacing would be a problem for me because I have fat fingers. And the C6th would really be an adjustment. Now I see why there is a lot of discussion about setting up the C6th in different ways.

But I can also see why some players think a D-12 is good to start on. You'd have no adjustment from a D-10, and you could learn the standard ten on each neck first, and later you'd have a lot of variation with the 12 strings on each neck.

For me, carrying it would be no problem because I never play out (in accordance with Arizona's noise abatement laws).

Earnest,

Thanks for the tip on the tunings. If I played out (I really can't even play in) I think I'd get a U-12 like bOb's Sierra.

Darryl,

B0B & Earnest are quite correct in that you can tune these things any way you want. I believe mine is set up as a factory MSA default.

Your issue is probably more the right hand spacing. My mother used to tell me I had a pianist's hands (long & slender fingers). Great, I guess, on a D-12, but much less advantageous in an impromptu bar fight.

Rich

Hah! I'd never lose a bar fight. I always wear running shoes.

Not all 12 strings have closer spacing. I have 2, a
Sho-Bud and a Zum... neither one has closer spacing.
I've never seen one that did actually. MD

Thanks Michael. I will save this info for reference because I just might get a D12 someday.

Does anybody know if all Sho-Bud D-12s have the same spacing?