twelvestring

Twelvestring is a term that appears in several niche discourses and has no universally accepted definition. In practice, it is used to refer either to a twelve-string instrument or to a single string composed of twelve filaments, depending on the context. The term is not standard in mainstream music or engineering literature.

In music, twelvestring is most often an informal reference to the twelve-string guitar, a standard guitar with six courses of two strings each. Pairs may be tuned in unison or in octaves, yielding a chorus-like, shimmering texture when played. Construction details include slightly wider necks and higher overall tension to accommodate the extra strings. The instrument gained prominence in folk and rock from the 1960s onward and is valued for its rich overtones and fuller chords, though it can be more challenging to play due to doubled-pitch strings and increased string tension.

In other contexts, the term has appeared in discussions of multi-filament strings used in engineering, cables, and textiles. Here, “twelvestring” may describe a single strand made from twelve filaments or fibers. This usage is informal and varies by industry, with standardized terms such as “twelve-filament” or “twelve-strand” more commonly employed. The concept is relevant to properties like flexibility, tensile strength, and fatigue life.

See also: Twelve-string guitar.