I'm going to have to get a set and try on my Dean Rhapsody 12 just to see what happens! I wish he had actually played it more - the high octaves do seem overwhelmingly dominant...
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A question about stringing and tuning 12-string basses
- Thread starter MusicBear
- Start date
A friend of mine has a wonderful description of playing bass - he describes it as "Preaching the lower tones." There is a certain joy in providing the low notes that carry everyone along to a shared destination.
I already said it, but it bears repeating: you cannot do it with normal, plain steel strings: you'd need to order Goodman's special-alloy ~.006" high G.
Still, it is an interesting video in itself, and gives you an idea of how the instrument would sound (even if one decides for a more realistic BBB-EEE-AAA-DDD trip-octave tuning).
Link? I can't see an image.There's these cheapies on ebay, under $400, has anyone tried one yet?
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Well I ordered one of those blue ones, and sent an email off to Mr. Goodman about those 3 octave strings - should be fun! 
Garry just emailed me back - sadly, no 3 octave set currently available (no explanation). Oh well, so now I've got a spare 12er coming, want it to be different than the others.
I'm thinking BEAD (BeeEeeAaaDdd)?
I'm thinking BEAD (BeeEeeAaaDdd)?
Until then (as I suggested above):A ray of hope... "I'll post on my Octave4Plus Facebook page when they become available-thanks" Now I just have to figure out how to subscribe on FB without losing my soul again (FB is da debbil, mama).
yeah! BBBEEEAAADDD!!!
Well it looks like I may get to try both at once - I didn't really need one, let alone 2, but I accidentally ordered 2 of these and they just arrived! Already broke a G octave string that seems too large for the tuning. Maybe it's supposed to be BEAD?Until then (as I suggested above):
yeah! BBBEEEAAADDD!!!
Well now this is bizarre. 3 different gauges per course! Already strung for 3 octave per course! But G is too high for the high string, apparently, so right now., I've got it tune BEAD at 3 octaves per course. Pretty freakin' crazy! Email out to seller asking about intended tuning.
Oh, and 34" scale. So "down" tuning to BEAD for the B and E courses, the root string is pretty clanky and floppy. But playable, with some care. Samples soon.
I'm sorry, I thought the G that broke was a normal, 2nd octave G (.018p or thereabouts). So have you already received Garry's special .0058p high G? Because if you tried anything else for G4, I'm not surprised it broke. High Gs break all the time on 12-string guitars, and that's at 25.5" scale, which translates to a little over half the tension the same strings would have on your bass = well past breaking point. I mean, I would try a .007p just for shiggles, but anything larger is not exactly primed for success.
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