A guitar with 12 strings grouped in pairs, instead of the normal 6 strings spaced apart from each other. Strings in each given pair are either tuned an octave apart or to the same pitch, and played simultaneously. There are also 12 string bass guitars, where the same principle is applied to a standard 4-string bass guitar, yielding an instrument with four groups of 3 strings each.
The guitar player thought that the next song called for a fuller, richer guitar sound, so he put down his regular guitar and picked up his 12 string.
by Bill M. July 27, 2004
A guitar that has 12 strings, 3 bass strings, 3 tenor strings, and 6 octave strings that pair with each string. Each octave string is tuned to the same key as it's other string, but also remain an octave higher. They create a rich and powerful sound that pairs good with loud and forceful singing, and is commonly used by buskers and professional performers. All tunings of course work with these, but the common and most effective tunings are standard tuning, and are commonly tuned to key of D, C, and B, tuning.
A famous and very talented performer, Lead Belly, used a 12-string acoustic guitar as his signature instrument, and usually had his guitar tuned to Standard B tuning for a wide range of songs and notes. He one of the most influential guitar players, and introduced many people to the 12-string.
by Ryuhou96 March 30, 2015