A CHORUS OF SOUNDS - 12 STRING GUITAR

As I mentioned in the last blog, the standard guitar has 6 strings, and there are many variations on the number of strings a guitar might have. A common variation on the 6 string guitar is the 12 string guitar. Take a look here...

At first glance, it looks like a normal guitar, except for the 12 tuning pegs at the end of the neck, instead of the standard 6 tuning pegs. The guitar is plucked or picked much like a 6 string guitar, because each group of 2 strings is placed very close to each other. So, the player usually plays two strings at a time. This creates a very cool chorus effect with the sound. It's sort of a fuller sound than a typical guitar. 

Since it is hard to rip out killer solos while plucking individual strings on this guitar, it is usually used in a more accompaniment-type role...in other words, it is often used as a rhythm guitar. Here's some nice 12-string playing by a guitarist I have never heard of, Dave McDowell...he deserves some recognition, so here you go Dave...

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Tim Kurteff-Schatz