Beatrice Lang
Restringing a 12-string electric guitar can be a daunting task, but it's a necessary part of maintaining your instrument and ensuring it sounds its best. With twice as many strings as a standard guitar, it's important to understand the process to make it as quick and efficient as possible. Whether you're dealing with metal fatigue, dirty strings, or simply looking for a new sound, knowing how to restring your 12-string electric will keep your guitar in top shape and ready for any performance. In this guide, we will cover the steps to restring your 12-string electric, from removing old strings to tuning your newly strung guitar.
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What You'll Learn
- Removing old strings: use side cutters, pliers, or locking hemostats
- Buying new strings: choose steel strings for electric 12-string guitars
- Attaching new strings: pass through the hole in the bridge, then the post
- Tuning: use an electronic tuner or app, or tune by ear
- Maintenance: clean the fretboard and polish the body
Removing old strings: use side cutters, pliers, or locking hemostats
To remove old strings from a 12-string electric guitar, you can use side cutters, pliers, or locking hemostats.
If you have a 12-string acoustic guitar, you will need to remove the individual bridge pins, which are usually small plastic or wooden pegs that hold the strings in place on the bridge. You can use your fingers or a standard set of pliers to carefully pull them out one by one. Once the bridge pins are removed, the strings can be taken out.
For a 12-string electric guitar, there are no bridge pins, so you can simply pull the string out through the bottom of the bridge. For Gibson or Epiphone 12-string guitars, pull the strings down and out through the back of the guitar body.
After detuning each string until it is completely loose, you can use side cutters or wire cutters to cut the strings in half, which makes removal easier. Cut the strings where the neck meets the body, then remove them from the tuning posts and bridge entry.
You can also use pliers to cut off any excess string after the tuning post when restringing your guitar.
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Buying new strings: choose steel strings for electric 12-string guitars
When buying new strings for your electric 12-string guitar, it's important to choose steel strings. Electric guitar strings are typically made of steel, with the plain or unwound strings and the core of the wound strings being consistent across brands. The main differences lie in the wrap.
Nickel-plated steel is the most popular option, offering a balance between a snappy and smooth sound. Pure nickel wrap has a warmer and smoother feel, while stainless steel produces a brighter and snappier tone. Other metal alloys are also available, each with unique variations in feel and tone.
The gauge of the strings, or their physical size, is another important consideration. For a 6-string electric guitar, the most popular gauge set is .010–.046, with the .010-gauge string being the smallest and the .046 being the largest. This configuration provides the most even tension, feel, and sound.
However, if you're looking for easier playability, a .009–.042 set might be a better option. This lighter gauge reduces tension, making it ideal for those with a light touch or those seeking the ability to perform intricate string bends. Keep in mind that lighter-gauge strings may require more careful control and can be less stable in terms of tuning and intonation.
Flatwound strings are commonly associated with traditional jazz guitars and fingerstyle guitars. They provide a smooth surface that reduces finger noise and slide noise. Ultimately, the brand and type of strings you choose will depend on your personal preferences for feel and sound. Experimentation with different materials and brands is a great way to find what works best for you.
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Attaching new strings: pass through the hole in the bridge, then the post
To attach new strings to a 12-string electric guitar, you must first pass the string through the hole in the bridge. This step is different for Gibson or Epiphone 12-string guitars, where the strings need to be pulled down and out through the back of the guitar body. For most other 12-string electric guitar models, you simply pull the string out through the bottom of the bridge.
Once the string is through the hole, the next step is to pass it through the post. Before doing this, ensure that the tuning pegs are facing down the neck. Then, push the end of the string through the first tuning post on the side of the headstock furthest from you. Leave a little bit of slack, then wrap the string back around under itself and pull it tight. Repeat this process 2 to 3 more times, so that you have a few rows of string wrapped neatly around the tuning post.
It is important to remember that a 12-string guitar is played in pairs, with each pair consisting of a thicker string that produces a lower note, and a thinner string that produces a higher note, called an octave. Therefore, when attaching new strings, it is crucial to secure them in the correct order. The correct order can be remembered using the mnemonic "Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears", which corresponds to the order of E, A, D, G, B, and high E strings.
Additionally, when attaching new strings, it is recommended to replace all the strings on the guitar at once. This allows for basic maintenance, such as cleaning the fretboard and polishing the body, to be performed simultaneously.
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Tuning: use an electronic tuner or app, or tune by ear
Tuning a 12-string guitar is more complicated than tuning a 6-string guitar due to the higher string count, the need to correctly intonate the paired strings, and the greater tension. However, there are several methods and tools that can help you tune your 12-string electric guitar.
Electronic Tuner
Using an electronic tuner is the best method for consistent and exact tuning. You can attach a tuner to your guitar, play each string individually, and tune it accordingly. Chromatic tuners are great for this purpose as they can detect all notes, making it easier to accurately tune each string. They provide a more accurate reading as you loosen or tighten your strings, allowing you to give your string pairs the correct pitch.
Tuning Apps
There are also many guitar tuner apps available that are specifically designed for 12-string guitars. These apps can guide you through the tuning process and ensure each string is in tune. Some popular guitar tuner apps include GuitarTuna, Boss Tuner, and Waves. While some apps are free, others may require a small fee for 12-string guitar tuning.
Tuning by Ear
Although using a tuner or app is more precise, you can also tune your 12-string guitar by ear. Start by tuning the lowest-pitched pair, the low E strings, to E2. If you have a piano or another tuned reference instrument, you can use it to match the pitch. Otherwise, you can use your ear to adjust the string tension until it matches the desired pitch. Tuning by ear helps improve your playing skills and sense of pitch, but it may take some practice to become comfortable with the process.
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Maintenance: clean the fretboard and polish the body
To maintain your 12-string electric guitar, it is important to keep the fretboard and body clean and polished. Here are some detailed steps to help you with the process:
Cleaning the Fretboard:
Start by removing the strings to make the cleaning process easier. For a deep clean, use a safe tool, such as a popsicle stick with a square end, to carefully scrape away any built-up grime and dirt from the fretboard. Alternatively, use the side of a nylon pick to scrape off the grime, but be careful not to scratch the fretboard.
Next, apply a small amount of guitar cleaner spray or a silicone-free guitar cleaner, like Dunlop Formula No. 65 or Stew-Mac guitar polish, onto a clean cloth and wipe down the fretboard. You can also use a slightly damp cloth, especially for satin-finished maple fretboards. For unfinished maple fretboards, use ultra-fine 0000 steel wool to remove stubborn dirt without damaging the frets. However, avoid using steel wool on lacquered maple fretboards as it will remove the shine.
If you have a rosewood, ebony, or pau ferro fretboard, use fine steel wool to remove stubborn gunk, followed by lemon oil or a similar conditioner to rehydrate the wood. Lemon oil is suitable for unfinished or untreated wood, but avoid using it regularly on finished fretboards as it can create buildup. Instead, use a small amount of mineral oil with a lemon scent to condition the wood and avoid attracting dust.
For a more natural approach, try using vinegar. Apply some rice vinegar or a neutral vinegar, except balsamic, to a cotton ball and carefully rub it over the fretboard as you replace each string.
Finally, use a toothbrush to scrub off any remaining dirt in hard-to-reach areas, and remember to oil the fretboard sparingly to avoid overdoing it.
Polishing the Body:
For a poly-finished (gloss) guitar body, spray guitar polish onto a soft cloth and wipe down the surface. Use a dry part of the cloth to buff out the polish and remove any residue. For matte, satin, or nitro-finished guitars, use only a dry cloth to avoid damaging the finish.
Additionally, use a soft cloth with a small amount of guitar polish to refresh the hardware and remove any dirt or dried sweat. Remember to leave no polish residue on the hardware as it may corrode the metal slightly.
By following these steps, you can effectively clean and polish your 12-string electric guitar, ensuring that it not only looks its best but also sounds great for years to come.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on the condition of your strings. If your strings have lost their silver sheen, or they’ve begun to feel sticky or dirty, it’s time for a restring. You should also restring if one or more strings break.
You will need a replacement set of 12 steel strings, which can be purchased online or at any music store.
You will need a Phillips-head screwdriver, a small flat-bladed screwdriver, a set of pliers, and a string winder (optional but useful).
First, loosen and remove the old strings. If your guitar has a slotted headstock, remove the individual bridge pins. Otherwise, pull the strings out through the bottom of the bridge. Next, pass each new string through the hole in the bridge, then through the post, and pull it back 1.5 frets before tightening the post. Cut off any excess string with pliers. Finally, tune your guitar using an electronic tuner or a tuner app.
Before beginning, you can use electrical contact cleaner on the pots and pickup switch. Additionally, when tuning, start by tuning the thicker strings to standard tuning, and tune the higher strings first, coming back a few days later to tune the remaining strings.
