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12 String Acoustic Guitar Strings

FILTER all Acoustic 12 String sets.

From Leadbelly to Pete Seeger to Leo Kottke, professional and avocational guitarists alike have been drawn to the rich, shimmering sound of the 12 string acoustic guitar.

If you're one of them, please check out our selection of 12 string acoustic guitar strings. We're committed to the instrument, offering more than 40 different sets from top manufacturers like D'Addario, Dean Markley, GHS, John Pearse, La Bella, Martin, and Thomastik-Infeld, among others.

Looking for 10 gauge Phosphor Bronze strings? You might want to try the EJ38 from D'Addario, the 16152 from Elixir, and the 1400L from John Pearse. And be sure to check out our great selections of strings for 6-string acoustic guitars, acoustic guitar sheet music, acoustic guitar CDs and DVDs, and guitar accessories.

Have a question about 12 string acoustic guitar strings? Call 800-513-8271 to talk with our friendly music, strings, and gear experts or contact them online. They’re available Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. EST.

And remember: U.S. orders received weekdays before 3 p.m. EST ship the same day!

FAQs

What are the strings on a 12-string guitar?

A 12-string guitar uses six paired strings (courses) tuned E-A-D-G-B-E; the lower four pairs (E, A, D, G) are octave pairs (thicker fundamental plus a thinner octave) and the top two (B, E) are unison.

What gauge for a 12-string acoustic guitar?

A good starting point is extra-light .010-.047. For delicate or vintage instruments, go even lighter (.009-.045). Move up toward light/medium sets (.011-.052) only if your guitar is braced for the added tension and consider tuning down if you do.

What's the most common string gauge for a 12-string acoustic guitar?

For most players, the most common gauges are extra-light ( 10’s) or custom light (10-48), which keeps tension manageable and playability comfy. Step up to light/medium (around 11-50) only on sturdier, well-braced guitars or tune down to reduce stress.

Why is it hard to play a 12-string guitar?

A 12-string is harder to play because each note frets two strings on a wider neck under higher overall tension, so clean chords, bends, and intonation demand more pressure and precision and you’re tuning twice as many strings.

What makes a 12-string guitar special?

A 12-string guitar is special because its six paired courses, E-A-D-G in octaves and B-E in unison, that ring together, creating a natural chorus with extra shimmer, richer overtones, and a bigger, room-filling voice.

What are the disadvantages of a 12-string guitar?

A 12-string guitar’s main disadvantages are higher string tension, doubled courses, and closer string spacing, which make fretting and finger picking harder, tuning and restringing slower, and setups more sensitive (with greater risk of buzz or neck relief changes if not dialed in). This can also mean more frequent adjustments and higher string costs over time.

Who are the famous 12-string guitar players?

Famous 12-string guitar players include Lead Belly and Pete Seeger; 60s jangle icons George Harrison and Roger McGuinn (The Byrds); rock stylists Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) and Tom Petty; acoustic virtuosos Leo Kottke and John Butler; and jangle-pop mainstays Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Johnny Marr (The Smiths).

What song used a 12-string acoustic guitar?

Famous songs that feature a 12-string acoustic include: Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd) Wanted Dead or Alive (Bon Jovi) A Horse with No Name (America) Free Fallin (Tom Petty) More Than a Feeling” (Boston)

Do I need to use a special type of pick with a 12-string guitar?

You do not need a special pick for a 12-string guitar; any standard pick works, but thickness and material change the feel and tone noticeably.

How often should I change the strings on my 12-string acoustic guitar?

You should change the strings on a 12-string acoustic about every 1–3 months (roughly 30–100 hours of play), or sooner if the “chime” dulls, tuning drifts, or you see corrosion.

How does string gauge affect the tone and volume of my 12-string?

String gauge directly affects a 12-string’s tone and volume: heavier sets drive the top harder for louder, fuller lows and while lighter sets sound brighter with quicker “chime” but a bit less acoustic output.

Will using a lighter gauge make my 12-string easier to play?

Using a lighter gauge does make a 12-string easier to play because it lowers total tension, so fretting and strumming require less effort.

Is it okay to replace just one broken string on a 12-string guitar?

It is okay to replace just one broken string on a 12-string in a pinch, but you should replace the matched pair in that course (or plan a complete set soon) for the best tone and tuning stability.

How do I properly tune a 12-string guitar?

To properly tune a 12-string, use a chromatic tuner and set standard E-A-D-G-B-E, with the lower four courses (E, A, D, G) tuned in octaves and the top two (B, high E) in unison.

Does a 12-string guitar require a special kind of nut or saddle?

A 12-string guitar requires a specially purpose-cut nut and a matched saddle for string pairs. The nut uses 12 precisely spaced slots (often with slightly different depths so the octave strings sit a touch lower), and the saddle is compensated/dual-ramped to keep the octave pairs in tune and the action comfortable.