Convert 12 string to 10 string

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

I have a 12 string steel that I am considering converting to a 10 string and was wondering what might be the best way to re-string it.

1. Remove the bottom two strings and leave it like that?

2. Restring and leave the 1st and 12th string positions open? (10 strings centered on the neck)

3. Restring and use the bottom 10 string positions and leave the top two string positions open?

Thanks for your input!

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

My kneejerk reaction is why? Whatever you do you'll end up with something that looks like a 12-stringer with two busted strings. Why not sell it and buy a 10-string?

(None of my business, Tom, just thinking aloud........) Smile

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Jon Light (deceased) · From: Saugerties, NY

I can see no advantage to options 2 & 3 that would make it worth rerodding the entire guitar. So #1 would win by default.

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

Yes, options two and three would require re-rodding...guess I over looked the significance of what that would entail.
Guess option one would be the easiest and give me the feel of a S10 without committing to a major change...would look strange.

Thanks for the reply's!

Michael Maddex · From: Northern New Mexico, USA

What Jon said.

Additionally, the tuning machines without strings on them will want to vibrate sympathetically and make a racket when you are playing, so you will want to remove them or at least quiet them down with a couple of rubber bands or elastic hair-ties. It seems to me that you might as well leave the strings there and just not play them.

[Tom, it seems you responded while I was typing, but I'm posting this one anyway.]

HTH.
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Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

Was it a U-12 or extended E9th? If it was a universal, you'll have to rerod strings 9 & 10, since there's no D in the E9/B6.
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Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

b0b · From: Cloverdale, CA, USA

Ian Rae · From: Redditch, England

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

The guitar in the project would be a Sierra, keyless, 12 string.

It is currently set up with 5 knee levers and 5 pedals.
Strings are 1-12...C#,G#,F#,E,B,G#,F#,E,B,G#,E,B
The top C# is raise to a D and D#. Eighth string E is lowered to a D.

Not a traditional U12 or extended E9 type of setup on the pedals...knee levers are traditional.
I don't play the "orthodox" country material.

Thanks for the responses.

Len Amaral · From: Rehoboth,MA 02769

Tom,

You have other 12 string guitars I believe? Going from a 12 string to a 10 string ergonomic wise with the hands takes getting use to if you are going back and forth between the two. Maybe leave the 12 strings on and play the 10 strings you want to?

Jeff Watson · From: Anza, CA. USA

I play an 11 string tuning on a 12 string guitar (no high string) and REALLY like having all my strings visually over the fret board. Everybody ought to rerod a pedal steel at least once in their lives.

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