What Would Happen If I Remove Six Strings From My 360/12?

[Tommy]

No "do the math" jokes, please, but what would happen if next time I change strings on my 360/12, I do not put the six octave strings on? Would the different tension be too upseting for the guitar? Can she be played as a 360? Would string spacing be an issue? Any thoughts, please. Anyone ever try it before?

[deaconblues]

It will immediately burst into flames.








In all seriousness, it can be used as a 6er - the truss rods will need to be loosened, most likely. Plenty of people have done this before.

[Scastles]

Once you put the fire out, you can probably still play it. You may feel a difference in the spacing. You may have to re-adjust the truss rods at some point if you leave it at as a six. And you may not have any problems at all. I think others have done it. I just haven't seen the point. Unless you wanted a six string to begin with, but wound up buying a twelve string.

[jps]

I'd like to see someone just put the octave strings, along with the B and E obviously, on a 12er. Now that could be interesting!

[Clint]

If you're just going to play around for a little while to get an idea how a 360/6 sounds, I don't think you should have any issues. If you want to permanently convert it to a 6 string, I think string spacing would be your biggest problem. You would need a new nut and new bridge pieces cut.

[Clint]

I'd like to see someone just put the octave strings, along with the B and E obviously, on a 12er. Now that could be interesting!

Isn't that what they call Nashville tuning?

[jps]

I'd like to see someone just put the octave strings, along with the B and E obviously, on a 12er. Now that could be interesting!

Isn't that what they call Nashville tuning?

Seems like it!

[Tommy]

Thanks, folks.

I have no desire to keep it that way, but definitely next string change I will leave off the ocatve strings and play the guitar for a bit. Wow, maybe that's why these guitars are not exactly cheap -- you really are getting two guitars for the price of one. Anyway I can turn her into a bass?

[Scastles]

Thanks, folks.

Anyway I can turn her into a bass?

Sure, remove two more strings.

[jingle_jangle]

Something like this will happen. Not exactly like it, but sort of similar...

[Original360]

No "do the math" jokes, please, but what would happen if next time I change strings on my 360/12, I do not put the six octave strings on? Would the different tension be too upseting for the guitar? Can she be played as a 360? Would string spacing be an issue? Any thoughts, please. Anyone ever try it before?

I wouldn't recommend it if you intended to do it for any period of time. This is one potential consequence.

Look closely you can see the nut is broken out on the G string.

In addition to that you can get some string buzzing.

Bob

[jimk]

Not to discount your observations Bob, but how the heck does such a thing as that happen? (I'd never think of permanently removing the octave strings from a 12er...) Just curious, is all.

JimK

[Original360]

Jim,

Information is a good thing. We all love these guitars and want to protect them as best we can. I put that here so that the OP could see that there were potential consequences.


Oh, and the circumstances are a long story that have to do with drummers getting married.

Bob

[jimk]

Figured that there had to be a story in there somewhere.

JimK

[ken_j]

I would think that the six unused tuners would rattle or buzz.