12 String Guitar VS 6 String Acoustic Guitar, Sound & Design

Differences With 6 String Acoustic Guitar

The main difference between 12 string guitar and 6 string acoustic guitar is the number of strings.

A 6 String Guitar has one string for each note while12 string guitar has a pair of string for each note. It is noticed that the two highest string pairs (B and E), each pair usually consists of two strings of the same gauge (thickness). For the four lower notes (E,A,D and G), each pair consists of two strings of different thickness.

Therefore, this configuration typically creates a brighter, more harmonically textured sound with a stronger attack than a 6 string acoustic guitar produces. The 12 string acoustic guitar responses more blended sound compare to 6 string acoustic guitar, thus, generates more clarity and definition between notes.

12-String vs 6-String Guitar: Difference in Design

The difference of the design of 12-string and 6 string acoustic guitar is obvious. That is, can be easily told by visual. We will still look into specifically.

Firstly, because there are more additional tuning machines, twelve-string guitar often has longer headstock to make sufficient room to mount more tuning machines.

For acoustic guitar, there are bridge pins to fix the strings seat stably. Normally, there are 12 bridge pins to fix each of the string of 12-string guitar. We all know that 6-string guitar has 6 PCS of bridge pins.

Because of more strings of 12-string guitar, most of 12 string acoustic guitars are built with wider fretboards to provide extra space to accommodate the additional strings.

Compare to 6 string acoustic guitar, some 12-string guitars may have shorter scale length. This mainly because of the torque bearing ability of the neck. If the scale length is too long, the tension of the strings will be too high to play. Especially for acoustic guitars which are deployed with steel strings.

Which You Should Buy?

The 12-string acoustic guitar is not recommended to the beginners or players at starter level. 6 string acoustic guitar is still good for them.

Based on the designation of the 12 string acoustic guitar, it requires higher level of playing skill to be comfortable with the wider fretboard, etc. Besides, it also requires the player has more knowledge about notes, chords, etc. That is, 12 string guitar is often used for a particular music purpose or idea. Unless a player knows what he or she is doing, 12 string guitar will be useless.

This is also why 12 string guitars are not so often seen on the market. The Guitar Companies or factories often customize accordingly beside their regular production. If you have such type of needs, welcome toCONTACT US to custom acoustic guitar for your needs.