Takamine 12 String Guitars have long been celebrated for their rich sound and playability, gracing countless hit records across diverse genres. From the legendary Eagles’ “Hotel California” to numerous pop, rock, and country anthems of the last four decades, the distinctive shimmer of a Takamine 12-string is instantly recognizable. These instruments have become synonymous with quality and are trusted by musicians worldwide for their performance and reliability.
More recently, the Takamine 12 string guitar has experienced a surge in popularity within Regional Mexican music, particularly in the Norteño and Sierreño styles. This vibrant genre, deeply rooted in California and the Southwestern US, has embraced the 12-string guitar as a central melodic voice. For artists in this style, Takamine 12-strings are often considered the premier choice. However, achieving the desired sound in Regional Mexican music requires a specific setup that differs from the traditional 12-string configuration, and understanding these nuances is crucial to avoid potential damage to your instrument.
Traditionally, 12-string guitars are strung with octave courses on the lower four string pairs (E, A, D, and G) and unison courses on the higher two (B and E). This classic setup produces the characteristic shimmering sound associated with 12-strings. In contrast, players of Regional Mexican music often prefer a setup where all six courses are in unison. This is achieved by using two identical sets of 6-string guitar strings. This unison stringing delivers a fuller, more powerful low end while retaining the inherent chorus effect that makes 12-string guitars so appealing.
Takamine 12-string guitar models including EF400SC TT, GJ72CE-12, and EF381SC
Takamine’s acclaimed 12-string models, showcasing the EF400SC TT, GJ72CE-12, and the best-selling EF381SC.
String Tension and Your Takamine 12-String
Takamine 12-string guitars are expertly crafted at the factory to accommodate D’Addario light gauge phosphor bronze strings (.010-.047). This standard setup results in a string tension of 250.86 pounds, a force well within the guitar’s structural capacity. However, simply doubling up on standard 6-string sets, such as .012-.053 gauge phosphor bronze, can lead to significant problems. Using two sets of these heavier gauge strings dramatically increases the tension to 321.08 pounds at standard tuning. This represents a 28% increase in stress on the neck and bridge – a dangerous level of strain that could cause serious and potentially irreversible damage to your beloved Takamine.
Unless you plan to tune your guitar down a full step, using two sets of heavier gauge 6-string strings is strongly discouraged. Furthermore, internal bridge reinforcement devices are also not recommended. While they might prevent bridge detachment, they transfer excessive stress to the neck and truss rod, and importantly, using such devices will void your Takamine warranty. For standard tuning and the unison stringing preferred in Regional Mexican styles, opting for two extra-light 6-string sets (.010-.047) is a much safer approach. This configuration results in a tension of 266.5 pounds, a mere 6% increase over the factory specification and well within acceptable limits.
Exploring String Options for Takamine 12-String Guitars
Beyond D’Addario, several manufacturers offer 6-string sets that are suitable for achieving a safe and effective unison setup on your Takamine 12-string. Here are a few examples and their combined tensions when using two sets:
- GHS Ultra Light Phosphor Bronze (.010-.046): 232.6 pounds
- GHS Extra Light Thin-Core (.011-.046): 243.6 pounds
- Elixir Extra Light Phosphor Bronze Nanoweb (.010-.047): 270 pounds
These sets fall within a safe tension range for your Takamine 12-string guitar. When considering other string brands or gauges, always consult the manufacturer to determine the tension of the set. Remember to double the tension value for a 6-string set to calculate the total tension when used in a 12-string unison configuration. Aim to keep the total tension increase within a 10% margin of the factory-recommended level to ensure the longevity and playability of your instrument.
D'Addario standard 12-string set with replacement options for Regional Mexican style
Comparing a standard D’Addario 12-string set with suggested replacement sets for Regional Mexican style unison stringing.
The Importance of Professional Setup for Regional Mexican Style
To properly optimize your Takamine 12-string for Regional Mexican styles and unison stringing, professional intervention is essential. It is highly recommended to take your guitar to a qualified luthier or experienced guitar technician. A crucial step in the setup process is modifying the guitar’s nut. The nut, originally designed for octave and unison courses, needs to be carefully filed to accommodate the slightly thicker gauges resulting from using two identical 6-string sets.
The following images illustrate this process. Once the nut modification is complete and the guitar is strung up to pitch, a skilled luthier can then make any necessary adjustments to the truss rod to compensate for the altered string tension. This comprehensive setup ensures optimal playability and prevents any potential issues arising from the change in string configuration, allowing you to fully explore the rich sonic possibilities of your Takamine 12-string in Regional Mexican music.
Takamine 12-string guitar nut before modification
The original nut of a Takamine 12-string guitar, designed for alternating octave and unison string courses.
Luthier filing the nut of a Takamine 12-string guitar
A qualified guitar luthier expertly files the nut slots to accommodate the wider strings used in unison courses.
Modified nut of a Takamine 12-string guitar after setup for Regional Mexican style
The modified nut with widened string slots, restrung with extra/ultra light gauge six-string sets for Regional Mexican styles.
