12-string

It is hard to pin down the origins of 12 string guitars. They appeared in America in the early 20th century just as the popularity of the guitar was on the rise.

The 12 string guitar has to be built to withstand the considerably higher string tension. This creates problems for a luthier. If the guitar is overbuilt the sound will not be good and if it’s underbuilt will not last or even fall apart.

In order to reduce this risk some players, will tune down one whole tone to reduce the string tension.
There is a possibility that Mexican musicians created a small market for something resembling the Bajo Sexto from their homeland. So initially it was kind of a novelty instrument that other musicians took to.

One of the first 12 string recordings would have been Lead Belly’s Irene Goodnight.

Leo Kottke also built a career from playing a 12 string guitar.