Guitars
Twelve-String Guitar
The twelve-string guitar pairs each of the six standard guitar strings with a companion string, most of them tuned an octave higher, to create a fuller, chorused tone. The added string tension requires a reinforced neck and body, and the resulting sound is prized for lush rhythm textures in folk and rock music.
StrummedFingerstyle
United States
| Family | Guitars |
|---|---|
| Region / context | United States |
| Playing method | Strummed or played fingerstyle, similar in technique to a six-string guitar |
| Number of strings | 12 strings in 6 paired courses |
| Common tuning | Standard: E-A-D-G-B-E pattern per course, with the four lower courses typically paired in octaves and the two upper courses paired in unison |
| String material | Steel, generally lighter gauge than a six-string guitar to manage overall tension |
| Construction | Similar body outline to a steel-string acoustic, with a reinforced neck and headstock to carry twelve tuning pegs |
| Size range | Comparable body size to a standard acoustic guitar, with a wider, heavier neck |
| Portability | Portable — Similar to a six-string acoustic for travel, though slightly heavier. |
| Acoustic volume | Loud — The doubled strings produce a richer, louder, chorused sound than a six-string acoustic. |
| Musical contexts | Associated with folk, folk-rock, and singer-songwriter styles seeking a fuller rhythm sound. |
| Beginner learning curve | Demanding — Higher string tension and a wider neck make it more physically demanding than a six-string guitar, so many players learn on a six-string first. |
| Maintenance | More strings mean more frequent tuning and a longer time to restring; the neck and body also need regular tension checks. |
| Amplification | Acoustic by design; pickups are available for stage use. |
| Practice environments | Comparable to a standard acoustic guitar; its fuller volume is less ideal for late-night practice. |
Origin and Background
Twelve-string guitars were popularized in early American folk and blues music and saw a significant surge in use during the 1960s folk and folk-rock movements.
Sources
- Grove Music Online
- Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History
Content last checked against our reference sources on October 14, 2026. See our sources and methodology page for how we research instrument profiles.