Octave twelve
An octave twelve is a type of 12-string guitar fitted with a short-scale neck and a small solid body. It is tuned one octave higher than a standard guitar giving it the tonal range of a mandolin and enabling a guitarist to achieve a mandolin sound without learning mandolin fingering. The effect is similar to that of applying a capo a standard 12-string guitar at its twelfth fret. However, unlike a standard 12-string guitar, the courses of strings tuned in unison, rather than in octaves.
The octave twelve was invented by engineers at Vox, which sold the octave twelve as the "mando-guitar" from 1964 to 1968. Notable users of the mando-guitar included Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones. Most modern octave twelves are modeled after the distinctive body shape of the Vox mando-guitar. It was also used on the introduction of The Beach Boys' "Wouldn't It Be Nice", from "Pet Sounds".
