So, do you calibrate a twelve string guitar or not? It is a common question and a very valid one. With fretted instruments we are always battling the limitations of the equal tempered scale. I’ve discussed in previous posts how intonation and calibration works. Basically, frets are placed at a place where a mathematical compromise has been agreed upon. The note isn’t exactly what it should be, but it is “close enough for Rock and Roll” as some like to say. To add to this mess, the distance from the nut of the guitar to where the scale length of the string ends doesn’t take into consideration the precise diameter, tension and distance from the fingerboard that the string actually is in reality. Therefore, on electric guitars saddles can be moved back and forth to “compensate” for this discrepancy. On an acoustic guitar, the bone that is used for the saddle has a specific pattern that is used on the top in order to intonate the instrument as much as possible. But, what about 12 string guitars?
Considering compensation for twelve string guitars
This is an interesting question. My feeling is that it is fine to use the same pattern that is used on a six string for a twelve string guitar. That’s not to say that it cannot be done, and in fact there are very good reasons for doing it. In reality, the doubled up strings of the twelve string guitar are different diameters and therefore have to be under different loads of tension in order to play in tune. This means that as one plays further up the neck, the discrepancy between the fretted notes, even though they are in tune when played open, becomes more and more noticeable. For this reason, many players feel that they need to compensate their twelve string guitars. Still, I don’t feel that it is necessary in most cases. The typical twelve string player doesn’t play passed the twelfth fret, which is where the real discrepancies begin, and the whole point of the doubling of the strings is to create a fuller sound, which in part comes from the duplicate notes being ever-so-slightly out of tune with one another. For most players, compensating beyond the usual 6 string pattern seems to be defeating the point to an extent, and isn’t really necessary for the intended use of the instrument, which is mainly strumming in the first couple of positions.
Still, there are players who insist that it be done, and many of these players are right to have it done. If they are one of the instances of a player utilizing the instrument passed the 12th fret (and why wouldn’t they, they are there!) then they should probably at least consider compensating their saddle. Typically, when I compensate a twelve string it involves plugging the original saddle slot with a wood that matches the bridge and then cutting the saddle slots all over again. I find that splitting the saddle into two pieces, and tapering the thickness of the new saddles so that the bass sides are slightly thicker than the treble sides helps to make certain that the resulting lengths on each string are more precise. Then, I can make a false, movable fret that I can use along with a strobe tuner to find the precise ending points for the strings.
It is important for a player to know what they want out of an instrument to determine what exactly they need as far as maintenance and upgrades. Good communication between a player and their luthier can help to guarantee that they get the most out of their instrument!
By David Bolla
Grosse Pointe Music Academy Staff/ Luthier
Guitar Lessons in Canton Michigan. Plymouth Canton Area
Guitar Repair in Metro Detroit Area
5880 N. Canton Center Rd. Ste. 425
Canton, MI
48187
734-667-4983
I have a Twelve string guitar that needs a lot of work. If I can find which closet it’s packed away into I’ll bring it in and let Dave work on it.
Thanks, Joe! I’ll be looking forward to it!
Why stop at 6 strings when you can make a 12-string just as portable? The Johnson JG-TR12 Travel 12-string gives players the lush chorus effect of a 12-string in a travel-guitar body. With a 12-fret neck joint, players get the warmth and evenness that a 12-fret bridge location can provide. Whether at home, on the road, or at the gig, the Johnson 12-string Travel Guitar gives you all of the benefits of a 12-string in a guitar that’s small enough to take anywhere.
The above is from Johnson’s website. Check out this link: http://johnsongtr.com/guitars.html#jgtr12.html