making a 12 string a 6 - tension question

[JM82]

I am only luck enough to own a Ric bass but would love to get some ric guitars - a 6 string and a 12 string. But being as broke as I am, it will be a long time before i can afford to get 1 let alone 2. So I was wondering, to save money - if I bought a 12 string, would taking the octave pair off on occasion to make it a 6 string and then putting them back on when I wanted a 12 string again cause problems with the neck - if done on a regular basis? i.e. would the different tensions between 12 and 6 strings damage the neck even if the truss rod is adjusted properly? I would probably only do this every few weeks as my mood changed on what I wanted to play.

Or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

[jdawe]

I don't think this is a good idea, for several reasons. The tension difference between a 12 and a 6 is significant (D'Addario has a string tension chart on its website that will give you a good idea of the magnitude), and you will very likely have to make fairly big adjustments to the truss rods every time you changed strings, with corresponding changes to the bridge height, etc. On top of that, restringing a 12 is a notoriously time-consuming process, particularly if you have an "R" tailpiece. Even if you didn't do any lasting damage to the neck, I think changing the configuration back and forth every few weeks would be a recipe for hours of frustration.

I'd recommend that you start with a six and save up to get a twelve later. While you're waiting, I think you'll be a lot happier having a well set up 6 that you can just enjoy without having to make constant adjustments.

[collin]

Let me just say......as someone who has actually DONE it....that it works fine.

Go ahead and try it, there is little extra needed for a 12 string neck that isnt identical go a 6 string.

You may find the extra tuners rattle, but that's about it. Go for it!

[JM82]

thanks for the replies - even if they are contrasting views!!!

Re stringing wouldn't be a problem, i have an electric with a trapese tail piece that i don't find too frustrating (i'll revise that view when i actually have to deal with an "R' tail piece ).

Like i said, it will be a long time before i'm in a position to by a Ric guitar so I have plenty of time to look into it. At the moment I'm thinking I'd probably get a 12 string and keep it as a 12. I already have a pair of cheapy 6 string electrics that are quite good so it's not like I'd have to change from 12 to 6 out of necessity - just wanted to check that if there would be any long term issues on the neck.

[clsatt]

12 to 6 really should be fine. you will, almost definately, get string buzz within the first couple days and you will need to slacken your trussrods a bit.