Review and Rate 12 String Electric Acoustic Guitars
A 12 string guitar, whether it be acoustic or electric, can open up a new avenue of sound that 6 string guitars simply cannot reach. Ringing out big thick open chords and calculation a harmonic "fullness" to your tone, a 12 string guitar tin can be an extremely valuable improver to your guitar rack.
This is probable not your first guitar, only something you lot want to add together to your collection, use in the studio, or record at home to become a massive, chorus filled sound. We'll start this article by discussing the best 12 string guitars at each toll indicate, merely if you want to learn more than virtually them before reading reviews cheque out our ownership guide at the lesser of the page.
Here Are the Best 12 String Guitars (Acoustic and Electric)
ane. Seagull Coastline S12 QI (Best Value)
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| Estimated Price | $700 |
| Torso | Solid cedar top with solid cedar back and sides |
| Neck | Maple |
| Scale Length | 25" |
My Review: Everything about the S12 QI is stone solid and shows great craftsmanship. As far as 12 string guitars in the mid-price range it doesn't get better than this in terms of value. The S12 QI has enough of girth and definition. It'due south a loud guitar that fills the spectrum with wonderful overtones of those secondary strings.
Key Specs and Features: For starters, Seagull handcrafts most of their guitars reaching well into the affordable range. I really like their trademark pressure tested solid cedar tops also every bit solid dorsum and sides. In the case of S12 QI, we take a wild cherry crush. This intriguing selection of tonewood extends to the cervix too. The S12 QI is your standard dreadnought in terms of body shape.
That impressive quality doesn't terminate with tonewood, though. You can see plenty of information technology when you start looking at the hardware as well. The bridge is a massive piece made of rosewood that features a Tusq compensated saddle. The nut is too made of Tusq. On the tuning machine sides of things, we take a set of standard diecast units that are pretty audio. Key retention is swell even if you become harder on those strings. On a similar note, tuning precision and gearing accuracy is well within the specs for this price range. Since this is an audio-visual-electrical model, in that location is naturally a preamp built into the guitar. The system in question is Godin QI. While it might non take the same weight as say Fishman or similar, you practise get a three-band EQ which is crawly in its own right. Seagull Coastline S12 QI is stone solid. When plugged in, Godin'due south QI system takes over and delivers the core audio straight to the speakers.
Target Customer: It is a handmade instrument with an abundance of quality components, materials, and craftsmanship. If you are later a proper working musician's guitar on a budget, this is definitely it.
Bottom Line: Merely the fact that you are dealing with a handmade instrument hints that performance is going to be higher up average, to say the least. I actually honey this guitar and highly recommend it!
two. Martin D12-28 (Best Overall)
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| Estimated Price | $3600 |
| Torso | Solid Spruce top with rosewood back and sides |
| Neck | Maple |
| Scale Length | 25" |
My Review: Martin'south D-28 is an absolutely legendary guitar, and the cracking news is that Martin offers a 12-cord version, with largely the same specs every bit the original, called the D12-28. As you lot'd expect, straight off, the playability of this guitar is flawless. The activity is low and light. The sweet tone has a richness and depth that could only inspire.
Key Specs and Features: the D12-28 boasts of a Sitka spruce top, with Indian rosewood sides, crafted into a dreadnought trunk. A black ebony fingerboard, inlaid with standard dot inlays, sits on a mahogany neck. The top console is equipped with standard ivoroid binding, blackness plastic pickguard, and multiple rosettes. At that place are no electronics installed on this twelve-stringer. The bridge is made of ebony and it sports a os saddle. The neck on this model is made of hardwood and it's equipped with a depression profile contour in the back. Information technology is topped with a 20-fret ebony fingerboard.
Unlike most other 12-strings on this listing, this doesn't come with a preamp.
Target Customer: The overall audio is a piffling more focused on the high cease, only some strumming demonstrates the supreme clarity of the chords played, making this instrument perfect for unplugged playing. Anybody with a love for acoustic playing will love this guitar.
Bottom Line: At that place are absolutely no frills with this guitar, it is just a solid instrument, created by loving craftsmanship, and the best quality materials. Overall, I'd say this is the best 12 string acoustic guitar on the market place right now.
3. Taylor 254ce Deluxe Grand Auditorium (Editor'south Choice)
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| Estimated Price | $1800 |
| Body | Solid Bandbox top with Indian rosewood dorsum and sides |
| Neck | Maple |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
My Review: The Taylor 254ce Grand Auditorium body shape lies between a dreadnought and a Grand Concert, with claims that this is a more comfortable shape than either. Obviously, this entirely depends on personal preference. Tonally, this gives a fuller sound and slightly more volume than a dreadnought shape.
Key Specs and Features: The Taylor 254ce audio-visual-electric guitar features a M Auditorium body fabricated from layered Indian rosewood and Sitka spruce to strike Taylor's signature residual of body, resonance, and height-finish sparkle. Sitka Spruce is the most prevalent guitar top wood of the modernistic era. It blends stiffness and elasticity in just the correct proportions which translates into wide dynamic range with crisp articulation. Taylor's ES2 is a revolutionary pickup design that delivers the latest in Taylor'southward ongoing innovation in audio-visual guitar amplification. The heart of the Expression System 2 is Taylor's patented behind-the-saddle pickup, which features three uniquely positioned and individually calibrated pickup sensors. Because the pickup doesn't sit under the saddle, the bottom of the saddle comes in full contact with the bridge, allowing all the dash of the guitar'southward tone to come through clearly whether playing acoustically or plugged-in. The Taylor Expression System 2 operates through a proprietary 9-volt battery compartment and easy-to-utilise volume, and agile bass and treble controls. A principal volume command and a pair of tone controls let you tweak your audio and output from the stage, and a discrete stage switch provides vital onboard feedback suppression.
Target Client: It's one you're going to keep going back to for its playability. Taylor ES2 electronics provide convenient and natural-sounding amplification for the stage and studio, and unimposing tone and volume controls let you shape your audio before it hits the soundboard.
Lesser Line: Taylor does not brand budget 12-strings. Taylor'southward 200 Serial delivers all the essentials of a dandy guitar – exquisite playability, a total and clear voice, impeccable intonation up the neck, and Taylor'southward meridian-of-the-line, professional person-grade electronics – at a toll that's within accomplish of many. I'd say this is the best 12 string guitar under $2000.
iv. Club F1512E (Best Under $one thousand)
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| Estimated Price | $1000 |
| Body | Solid Sitka spruce superlative with solid Indian rosewood back and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Calibration Length | 25.5" |
My Review: The F-1512E, continues the Guild 12-string tradition and gives players all the tone and playability they've come to look from a Guild 12-cord guitar. A massive tone that has no trouble cutting through a mix, both plugged and unplugged one, beautiful pianoforte-like tones, and merely the right amount of bass. The finish and construction is as skilful every bit any other American guitar maker.
Fundamental Specs and Features: Compared to a skillful number of other 12 string models out there, Order F1512E features a somewhat more traditional design. Nosotros accept a jumbo body shape that sports a solid Sitka bandbox superlative along with solid Indian rosewood back and sides. This is a pretty interesting combination that has even more interesting consequences on the audio. The cervix is a mahogany piece that comes with a vintage profile. It is somewhat beefier than what an average guitar actor might be used to, simply that works neat with having additional 6 strings on there. In terms of build quality, fit, and finish, Society F1512E is truly something to behold. We have a strong, stable Indian rosewood bridge that houses NuBone pins and a saddle that is made of the same material. Looking at the headstock, you will find a set of 12 high quality die-cast machines. Tuning retentiveness is of import on any guitar, just more and so on something as complicated every bit Guild F1512E. The Order chose the Fishman Sonitone system for this occasion, which has proven to be a very good match. Information technology fits right in with the organic acoustics of F1512E. Fishman Sonitone offers a stone solid foundation for refined tone shaping.
Target Customer: If you are a guitar player with a passion for music this 12-cord will allow you to achieve for those new melodies. A supreme 12-cord that is perfect for both studio and alive performances.
Bottom Line: Gild'south craftsmanship and overall quality is known far and wide. Their offer includes anything from standard acoustics to more unique instruments. One such musical instrument is Guild F1512E. This is ane of the most impressive 12 string guitars you lot can become correct now.
five. Yamaha FG820-12 (Budget Option)
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| Estimated Toll | $360 |
| Body | Solid spruce with mahogany back and sides |
| Neck | Maple |
| Scale Length | 25.6'' |
My Review: The Yamaha FG820-12 is solid guitar, dreadnought style 12-cord that will serve the needs of the bulk of audio-visual guitar players interested in exploring the different sounds generated by 12-strings.
Key Specs and Features: The body is a distinctive foam color and is perfect for beginners or equally a back-up for more than experienced players. This is because of the affordable price and usability. Featuring a rosewood fretboard with an adaptable truss road, this is a rustic, classical looking 12-string audio-visual guitar that is able to generate a strong sound. The sound project is enabled by the scalloped bracing that ensures depression-frequency sound. This is partly why the Yamaha FG820-12 is one of the acknowledged 12-string models in the world. Unlike similar-looking guitars in the same price range, this Yamaha acoustic guitar does not come with any electrical features. This may be limiting for those interested in exploring the breadth of sounds on offer from a 12-string guitar. Too, for those who are more than interested in the acoustic sound, Yamaha has certainly sought to ensure that the acoustic sound generated by the FG820-12 is as stiff every bit it can be. The rosewood fretboard comes with twenty frets which are slightly less than other audio-visual 12-string guitars on the market but should not severely hamper your note option in the creative process. The main advantage of the fretboard is its smoothness and usability.
Target Customer: This is what makes the Yamaha FG820-12 specially appealing to beginners who may not accept the finger strength to cope with less polish fretboards.
Bottom Line: This guitar is a home-run for Yamaha. The quality combined with the look and cost makes this guitar very bonny. Overall, I would say that this is the best cheap 12 string guitar out there right now.
6. Martin D12X1AE
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| Estimated Price | $1100 |
| Body | Solid Sitka spruce tiptop with rosewood HPL sides and dorsum |
| Cervix | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
My Review: Martin is i of those brands that is and always has been considered to exist an authority when information technology comes to acoustic guitars. Their D12X1AE might expect just like another dreadnought, however, information technology's anything but.
Key Specs and Features: The fact that Martin chose the dreadnought body for this build should come as no surprise to anyone. Later on all, they are the ones who invented this style of acoustic guitars in the commencement place. With that said, Martin D12X1AE does bring some surprises. It comes with a solid Sitka spruce acme while the sides and back are made of rosewood HPL. HPL is a laminate. With 12 string guitars, the hardware is ane of the most important factors to consider. Martin D12X1AE features a Richlite bridge that packs a set of quality plastic pins and a many times proven Tusq saddle. . Richlite, Tusq, and the rest of the constructed alternatives work as every bit good as wood and bone, if not better in some cases. Tuning machines are standard Martin diecast units that also have a proven track record. One of the nicer surprises comes in the form of Martin's selection of electronics. They turned to Fishman and used their Sonitone packet. Needless to say, information technology perfectly complements the acoustic backdrop. Fishman Sonitone is a great system usually found on more expensive models.
Target Customer: You are basically looking at a stone-solid build for live functioning that can withstand the utilise and abuse of frequent gigging. Martin D12X1AE offers that archetype dreadnought sound with much more range to it and plenty of overtones.
Lesser Line: Martin D12X1AE meets and exceeds expectations despite its somewhat unusual nature. If you are trying to discover a reliable workhorse on a tighter budget, this Martin ticks all the right boxes and and then some.
7. Alvarez AJ80CE12
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| Estimated Cost | $550 |
| Trunk | Solid Sitka spruce meridian with maple crush |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.five" |
My Review: Alvarez is one of those brands that know how to brand a value product perform smashing, simply also look good. Their AlvarezAJ80CE12 is considered to exist one of the all-time 12 string audio-visual guitars out there exactly for this reason. The sound y'all can expect from Alvarez AJ80CE12 is quite something.
Key Specs and Features: One thing that will draw your attending as soon as you encounter this guitar is its finish. There is something most a blonde natural gloss over a solid Sitka bandbox summit and maple shell. Alvarez went ahead and finished that fashionable design with pearl binding all around, likewise as a pretty attractive rosette. The neck is a mahogany piece that also features binding around its rosewood fretboard. In terms of hardware, nosotros accept more or less the standard setup. The bridge is a compact rosewood piece. Tuning machines come up in the form of premium die cast units that track incredibly well and are fairly precise for the coin. Alvarez used PPS synthetic bone instead of the more common Tusq or actual bone. When information technology comes to the on board fix of electronics, L.R. Baggs has delivered once over again. The model they have selected for this guitar features a iii band EQ as well equally a built in tuner. Fifty-fifty at default, or flat settings, Alvarez AJ80CE12 sounds great through an amp.
Target Client: Alvarez AJ80CE12 has proven to be a rock solid option. It performs when you need it to, has all the features we want to run into in a modern 12 string acoustic, and it is highly reliable. The guitar sounds well balanced with plenty of definition. You will hear every little overtone fifty-fifty if you play more than complex chords.
Lesser Line: If nosotros were to approximate guitars solely based on looks, this Alvarez would be at the very top. Alvarez AJ80CE12 is gear up for serious stage piece of work and it won't let you down in any regard.
8. Ibanez Functioning Serial PF1512 Dreadnought
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| Estimated Price | $230 |
| Body | Bandbox meridian with mahogany dorsum and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
My Review: The Ibanez PF1512ECE PF Electro Acoustic 12 String proves that yous don't accept to spend a fortune to go concur of a not bad quality 12 string acoustic guitar. This is the best cheap 12 cord acoustic guitar on our listing that doesn't suck. Information technology won't break the bank, merely the tone volition surely break some hearts.
Key Specs and Features: The combination of Sitka Bandbox top and Mahogany back & sides provides a well rounded, articulate tone with rich warmth. It comes with a non-cutaway dreadnought body. The entire body is finished in high gloss and information technology features standard binding around the elevation. Natural is the merely colour scheme available for this model. This not-cutaway apartment-tiptop guitar comes with a solid, belly-contoured bridge made of rosewood. The neck is made of mahogany to friction match the back and sides and it is topped with a rosewood fingerboard with the standard set of 20 frets. Dice-cast tuners on the headstock are plated in chrome. This sounds incredible when played acoustically, just the Ibanez under-saddle pickup and AEQ-2T preamp handles the electric side of things, offering upwards a tone that accurately represents the tonal qualities of your tonewoods when played through an amplifier. The Ibanez Advantage bridge pins for easy string installation accept all the fuss out of irresolute strings.
Target Customer: A great beginner 12 cord acoustic guitar, or i to add to the collection.
Bottom Line: A very solid audio-visual 12 string guitar considering the price.
9. Fender CD-60SCE
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| Estimated Price | $350 |
| Body | Sitka spruce top with mahogany back and sides |
| Cervix | Rust Burch laminate |
| Scale Length | 25.4" |
My Review: Some other one from Fender and this time it is a 12 string beauty. The Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought acoustic-electric 12-string guitar creates a rich and robust sound. Ane of the chief bonuses of the Fender CD-60SCE is its environmental sustainability. Fender has used wood for the body that is sustainable wood certified ensuring players can enjoy the guitar sound while also being environmentally conscious.
Key Specs and Features: Featuring beautiful mahogany back and bandbox pinnacle. The non-cutaway body gives the advent of a classical acoustic guitar which can be an attraction to classical guitar players looking to explore the sounds of a 12-cord guitar. This appearance, combined with the affordable price, is perfectly catered for aspiring guitarists who do not want a 'flashy' design, simply rather a more than humble, classical look. Due to the solid construction of the guitar, the CD-60SCE Dreadnought 12-string is tonally on par with more expensive options on the market. Featuring Fishmone Sontione electronics built into the blueprint, the CD-60SCE Dreadnought is versatile in its sounds options, varying from the light small room audio-visual feel to a rich loud sound that can be amplified to fill up a large room. Additionally, the low-profile of the neck allows players to play the guitar for several hours at a fourth dimension without encountering aching bug associated with higher profile necks. The CD-60SCE Dreadnought is perfect for those wanting to put in the hard hours of practice on a 12-string guitar.
Target Customer: The warm classical tones of the CD-60SCE Dreadnought are best served for those acclimatizing to the 12-string guitar every bit it may have limitations for those wanting more circuitous audio options.
Lesser Line: A beautiful acoustic 12 string that has a lot of sounds to offer considering the toll.
10. Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT
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| Estimated Price | $700 |
| Torso | Solid spruce height with flame maple back and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.four'' |
My Review: This guitar is purpose-congenital for swell live performance. The sound is simply astonishing and rich and combined with an elegant pattern you get a fine package. Finished with an elegant golden touch, the Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT is a swish looking 12-string guitar that contains many visual features of a classical acoustic guitar while as well appearing more modern and slick.
Fundamental Specs and Features: The most notable mod elements of the Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT are its comprehensive electronic features. The guitar does not merely have an distension port but also a built-in tuner, EQ bypass switch, notch filter, mid-contour switch as well equally 3 bands EQ and gain controls. This huge choice of electronics provides players of the Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT with a large variety in their sound choices. This guitar is perfect for those seeking to experiment with the 12-string audio. Given the complexity of electronic choice, to go the near out of this guitar you lot should also have a decent knowledge of guitar electronics. Other features that are noteworthy include the cutaway at the 12th fret which allows players to have easier access to the frets furthest away from the head, every bit well as the rosewood headcap which enhances the rich classical appearance of the guitar.
Target Client: The guitar may not be perfectly suited to those who are new to 12-string guitars but is certainly an attractive proposition to experimental musicians who prioritize sound quality and versatility as well as a low-primal classical appearance.
Bottom Line: The Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT provides high-quality sound, solid construction, and new upgraded electronics to give players a wide multifariousness of choices in their 12-string guitar playing.
eleven. Ibanez Artcore AS7312
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| Estimated Price | $500 |
| Body | Maple |
| Cervix | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 24.75'' |
My Review: The Ibanez Artcore AS7312 12-String Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar is designed for those wanting to contain 12-strings into electric guitar playing. The visual appearance of a rich reddish maple torso gives the impression of a rock and whorl electric guitar. What is attractive is that the guitar is also semi-acoustic, giving players the selection to play un-amplified.
Fundamental Specs and Features: The absence of a classical acoustic-mode soundhole does prevent a rich and robust acoustic sound on this Ibanez guitar. It is definitely all-time played using amplifiers. The Ibanez Artcore AS7312 contains many of the features associated with electric guitars such as a comfortable neck and leap rosewood fretwork provides players with easy access to all 17 frets. The fret size of the guitar is medium, providing easier admission to frets and bar chords for those who are less skilful. The utilise of electric features including private volume and tone controls likewise as a three-way pickup selector, ensure that the Ibanez Artcore AS7312 is able to be highly versatile in coming together the sound needs of a variety of dissimilar guitar players. Whether playing pop, rock, funk, or sonic to name a few, the Ibanez Artcore AS7312 will provide a 12-string guitar audio.
Target Customer: For those who do not have experience or involvement in electric guitar sound, this guitar is unlikely to satisfy your needs acoustically. The Ibanez Artcore AS7312 provides an affordable selection for those interested in creating new and alternative electronic guitar sound.
Lesser Line: A semi-hollow guitar that has a great blend of audio-visual and electric features.
12. Fender CD-140SCE-12
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| Estimated Price | $430 |
| Body | Solid spruce with rosewood back and sides |
| Cervix | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.3'' |
My Review: An all-around keen instrument, Fender yet again managed to create something affordable with a good quality backside it. The Fender CD-140SCE-12 is just a joy to play. The guitar has a lot of audio and projects well because it has a unmarried cutaway pattern.
Key Specs and Features: The Fender CD-140SCE-12 is a classic dreadnought style acoustic guitar with a single cutaway feature that provides players with easy access to all the frets. The neck is particularly ergonomic with rolled fingerboard edges to forestall finger problems that are commonly associated with guitar players. This is of import because the transition from 6 to 12 strings oftentimes causes greater stress on the fingers every bit they need to push button downwards more strings. The body of the guitar is constructed with rosewood on the back and sides which is filled with a rich brown on the outer and a sunset orange in the inner department, leaving a really slick and attractive guitar color. The Fender CD-140SCE-12 also features upgraded Fishman Presys electronics which enable players to experiment with electrical sound. These electrical features are however more basic compared to others in the market place, leaving the Fender CD-140SCE-12'southward best sound to come in acrostic grade. The X-bracing construction of the body ensures the Fender CD-140SCE-12 gives a rich acoustic sound that is too robust. It is only when applied to electronic course, that the variety of audio options are more limited for those seeking to maximize sound versatility from 12 strings.
Target Customer: Fender has clearly thought of beginners at the forefront of their product blueprint, as the guitar has an easy-to-play neck that is catered to a multifariousness of playing styles.
Lesser Line: Another quality musical instrument from Fender, this 12 string is as solid and affordable as they come.
13. Epiphone DR-212
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| Estimated Price | $270 |
| Body | Spruce acme with mahogany back and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Calibration Length | 25.5'' |
My Review: The Epiphone DR-212 is perfectly suited for those interested in dejection, folk, and land music, though the sound mode is not sectional to those music genres. The strong sound generated by the guitar is a issue of secure bracing that enables a smooth and robust tone.
Primal Specs and Features: The Epiphone DR-212 is a classic 12-cord acoustic guitar under 500 dollars that has a big and stiff audio-visual sound. Designed exactly the aforementioned as its 6-string relation, the 12-strong features a slick bandbox superlative with rich mahogany back and rosewood fretboard. The shape of the body is a dreadnought, adding to the classical feel. Many guitar makers merely add 6 extra strings to a 6-string guitar which oftentimes leads to a thin sound. This is certainly not the case for the Epiphone DR-212. The most positive attribute of the Epiphone DR-212 is the lifetime warranty which is very unique amongst 12-string guitars currently on the market. While there are certain conditions to this warranty understanding which you lot should read before purchasing, the lifetime warranty does give you a certain degree of trial and error, which gives you added flexibility when purchasing. Although the Epiphone DR-212 does non take a cutaway on the body, in that location are 22 frets available which are higher than other 12-string guitars. This provides players with an even higher range of notes to exist creative with.
Target Client: It is a perfect looking audio-visual guitar for blues, folk, and jazz for anyone interested in the rustic visual appearance.
Bottom Line: Epiphone created a very fine affordable instrument that is going to concluding you for a long time if you decide to invest in a 12 cord.
14. Gretsch G5022CWFE-12
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| Estimated Price | $700 |
| Torso | Solid bandbox top with maple dorsum and sides |
| Neck | Maple |
| Scale Length | 25'' |
My Review: Gretsch Rancher acoustics have produced a distinctive, full tone 12-string guitar with the G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Colossal. This guitar is perfect for those wanting to create a rich amplified sound. It is important to note that the guitar sounds every bit as rich when amplified compared to acoustic.
Cardinal Specs and Features: Designed with premium adroitness, the Rancher Falcon Jumbo is colored with a slick sleeky white on the torso with rich sparkling gold streaks on the fingerboard, top binding, sound hole, and headstock. Featuring a solid bandbox top which is not ordinarily available on guitars at this price, the Rancher Falcon Jumbo ensures richness of audio at a decent price. This bandbox height is applied with scalloped X-bracing which ensures a specially resonant and strong sound whenever you play the strings of the guitar. This potent sound is created by the bracing minimizing the damping of vibration too as ensuring tonal balance. Other distinctive features on the Rancher Falcon Jumbo include the triangular soundhole, stylish pickguard, and the plug-in electronic characteristic. This is a mutual issue with acoustic guitars with distension features, the Rancher Falcon Colossal overcomes this trouble. The body cutaway, which is Venetian way, is benign in helping players access the frets on the bottom end of the rosewood fretboard.
Target Customer: Gretsch Rancher has clearly taken the time to ensure that players have the maximum number of fret choices to increase musical possibilities on the strings.
Bottom Line: The potent adroitness of the Rancher Falcon Jumbo also ensures that purchasing this guitar volition be purchasing a 12-cord guitar for a lifetime.
xv. Oscar Schmidt OD312CEB-A-U
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| Estimated Toll | $230 |
| Body | Select spruce with mahogany dorsum and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Scale Length | 25.v'' |
My Review: The OD312CE is known for being ane of the best 12-string guitars for beginners who are likewise interested in experimenting with electric 12-cord sounds. The OD312CE also includes electronic features for those wishing to explore electric 12-string guitar sounds.
Fundamental Specs and Features: The OD312CE is a distinctive 12-string dreadnought with a slick black bandbox cease every bit well as mahogany back and sides. The handcrafted guitar considers beginner guitarists at the forefront of the design by featuring a cutaway on the body to provide players with easier access to the highest frets. These include an active EQ preamp with a built-in tuner. This solves the problem of tuning which can exist a common trouble facing many beginner 12-string guitarists who are unable to tune by ear. The in-built tuner provides ane of the nearly accurate tuning mechanisms. To use information technology effectively, make certain you are in a quiet room with no distracting sounds. At that place is a lifetime warranty for these parts and so do make use of that offering and read the terms and weather condition carefully. The five-year warranty for the guitar itself is another safety blanket for prospective buyers of the OD312CE. As it is available at a upkeep toll, this warranty agreement gives added flexibility to those venturing into the 12-string guitar market. The well-nigh distinctive feature of the OD312CEB-A-U is the natural black colour scheme.
Target Customer: This certainly marks it out compared to other affordable 12-cord guitars on the market. If you lot want to veer away from classical acoustic guitar folk, the OD312CEB-A-U is certainly an attractive option that will make y'all stand out from the crowd.
Bottom Line: Every bit information technology is available at a budget price, this guitar is a perfect selection if you are planning to venture into the 12-cord earth. This Oscar Schmidt is a high-quality mid range affordable musical instrument.
xvi. Takamine EF381SC
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| Estimated Price | $1600 |
| Torso | Solid Sitka Spruce top with solid maple back and sides |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Calibration Length | 25.5" |
My Review: If y'all demand a proper acoustic guitar, Takamine is ane of the few brands you can turn to without a moment of hesitation. The audio-visual sound is simply impressive. Takamine EF381SC packs a decent dial in terms of book and project. Once you lot decide to plug it in, y'all volition find that CT4B manages to translate that acoustic tone with a loftier level of authenticity.
Key Specs and Features: The body is a standard dreadnought pattern with a cutaway that sports a squeamish, black finish. In terms of tonewood selection, Takamine went with a solid spruce peak combined with maple dorsum and sides. If y'all look closer at the acme, you will see a fine white binding which gives the blackness finish an appropriate contrast. Build quality is great with good bracing, great attention to item, and rock-solid quality control. The neck comes in the form of a comfortable mahogany piece with a rosewood fretboard. When put to use, it comes beyond equally fairly playable and fast. The profile isn't all that unlike from a standard Takamine piece. However, it does requite you good access to all 12 strings while keeping them well separated. Takamine went with a rather robust rosewood bridge, quality pins, and a wonderful saddle. On the other end, we take 12 die-casts, high-quality tuning machines that offer rock-solid fundamental retention merely also refined tuning. Takamine EF381SC is an acoustic-electric guitar, hence information technology comes with a born preamp. The unit of measurement in question is a CT4B package that features a three-band EQ and a built-in tuner. If you are wondering whether or not this set of electronics can go along up with those extra strings, you accept nothing to worry well-nigh. Takamine's selection has proven to be the right i. This preamp packs merely enough versatility and most importantly, great operation.
Target Client: Takamine is congenital for and set for professional phase use. Build quality is there and its tone puts it among the elite. On superlative of that, their pick of preamp offers a stone-solid foundation for detailed tone shaping should you need information technology.
Bottom Line: It is an unusually stable 12 string with plenty of range. Takamine EF381SC may non be the cheapest 12 cord model out at that place, merely it surely is among the very all-time. They take pretty much done everything just right with this guitar. From bones design to functioning, build quality, and pure sound.
17. Rickenbacker 330/12
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| Estimated Price | $3600 |
| Trunk | Maple top with maple back and sides |
| Cervix | Maple |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
My Review: There are several 12-strings in the Ricky range, but the 330/12 and its more than expensive blood brother, the 360/12 are arguably the well-nigh iconic. Sharing many common features such as the 24-fret neck, hello-proceeds pickups, and maple body/rosewood fingerboard, the primal difference is that the 330/12 has a standard output. Acoustically the Rickenbacker is everything you'd promise for. It rings with lots of sustain and has that archetypal jangle with a counterbalanced tonal range.
Key Specs and Features: The 330 offers a semi-hollow body. The Rickenbacker'south trunk is built from maple with a chambered upper bout giving it a stunning acoustic quality, accentuated by a lovely carved 'F-hole'. The fix-in neck is all maple with a rosewood fretboard, 24 vintage-way frets, and a very stable dual truss rod design. The 10″ radius, 24.75" scale length, and slim profile give the neck a seriously comfy feel for long barre chord sessions or more complex chordal efforts. Electrics are represented by two Rickenbacker high output pickups, complemented by a tone and volume pot for each. There is a three-way selector switch giving neck, bridge, and blend combinations of the two pickups. To cease the picture in that location is a 5th tone pot designed to adjust the volume of the neck pickup concerning a pre-selected bridge pickup lead volume setting. It can also function as a bass/treble equalization control. Ane of the primary bug associated with all 12 string guitars is accommodating the tuning pegs. Rickenbacker has tilted every octave cord's tuner by 90 degrees to allow easy access, whilst keeping the headstock a reasonable size. It's a great design and works very well. Out of the case, tuning took a while to go perfect on our sample, but one time we were there the guitar stayed in tune well thanks to the choice of high-quality Schaller tuners. A vi-way adaptable span finishes off the design featuring saddles for each string and the famous 'R' tail-slice for easy re-stringing.
Target Client: A huge diversity of tones can be achieved using the volume and tone controls for each pickup and once the fifth control has been brought into the equation y'all can outset to punch in an individual tone. For a 12-cord, this is a very versatile instrument and it rewards tonal experimentation.
Bottom Line: A premium instrument that will have a special place in whatsoever role player'south collection. Superb quality and audio are the features of this unique guitar. Overall, this is the all-time 12 cord electric guitar out there correct now in my stance.
Choosing the Right 12 String Guitar (Ownership Guide)
At present, as you may conclude, a greater number of strings and higher cumulative string tension complicates playing enormously. Also, fretting and pressing strings now requires much more effort, the cervix is a chip wider than regular acoustic guitar (information technology's more similar a classical guitar), and so angle or soloing might be challenging for even the professional musicians.
Anyway, most of the fourth dimension 12-string guitars tin be seen as an accompaniment instrument simply some of the musicians have managed to develop very sophisticated fingerstyle techniques, and some of them have even applied classical guitar playing techniques.
What is a 12-Cord Guitar?
As the name suggests, a 12-string guitar is one with 12 strings, compared to a standard half-dozen-string guitar. The overall experience of strumming a 12-string model is very satisfying. You get a rich and robust audio that you simply can't achieve with a regular audio-visual guitar.
Nevertheless, despite six boosted strings the fretboard doesn't double in width, as each of the original half-dozen strings essentially gains a fiddling partner string that enriches the tone with a college octave.
Look closely at a 12-string audio-visual and you will notice that all of the strings are grouped into pairs. The lower four pairs (Due east-A-D-1000) are tuned so that one string in the pair is an octave autonomously from its twin. The upper two pairs (B-E) are tuned in unison.
These string pairs are more often than not played together as one string, which, in theory, means that if y'all can play a standard vi-string guitar, you can play a 12-string guitar.
The get-go fourth dimension you play one you will observe that the actress richness to the tone is much more forgiving – lilliputian errors seem to melt away into a world of overtones and jangle.
Things to Consider When Buying 12-String Guitar
When searching for 12-string guitar, at that place are a couple of characteristics that you might like your guitar to have. Therefore, other than the sound quality that you crave in a 12-string guitar, y'all should consider the playability of an instrument since they are much harder to play than a standard 6-string guitar.
There are a couple of things that may improve the playability of your musical instrument. In the outset identify, you lot demand to search for the most comfortable neck that suits your hand. These necks of 12-cord guitars are a fleck wider than usual 6-string guitar necks, so that may require a bit more than effort to play.
Secondly, while forming a chord you will demand to press more strings than usual, and that might hurt your fingers until you adapt to it. Therefore, search for guitars that accept a smaller space betwixt strings and frets. In relation to that, softer strings may enormously better your experience while playing.
Here are some guidelines to consider:
Torso shape
There are about as many nuances to the style of an acoustic guitar body equally there are companies that create them. It is important to brand sure that yous choose a guitar that volition produce the sound you want, just as well ane that is comfortable for yous to play whether y'all are sitting or standing.
The soundboard is the top portion of the body of the guitar. In general, the larger the soundboard, the deeper and louder the sound. Other styles combine a large soundboard with a narrow waist to brand the guitar more comfortable.
While exact measurements may vary from one guitar manufacturer to the next, some general, popular acoustic guitar body shapes include:
Concert: Concert acoustic guitars engagement to 1854. Their smaller size, more often than not virtually 13-i/two″ at the lower tour, gives them a bright sound with a punchy mid-range. The smaller size is comfortable and makes these guitars very playable for smaller musicians.
Grand Concert: K Concert torso styles are just a chip larger, more often than not at well-nigh xiv to 14-1/4″ at the lower bout. They still boast a good mid-range, only with a stronger sound.
Auditorium: The auditorium style is a standard mid-sized acoustic guitar, with a lower bout that is generally the same width every bit a dreadnought, simply with a smaller waist. Sometimes referred to every bit an "orchestra" body, these guitars balance volume, tone, and comfort, and take been regaining popular footing in recent decades.
Chiliad Auditorium: The g auditorium'southward lower bout is sometimes wider than the classic dreadnought's – more often than not 16″ – just the waist is narrower, creating a dramatic hourglass shape. These guitars have a greater range for volume and more counterbalanced tone than smaller body styles.
Dreadnought: A common acoustic torso style that makes use of a very large soundboard is the dreadnought. Dreadnoughts are distinctive for their square bouts, broad waists, and 14-fret necks. The first dreadnought was developed in 1916, and information technology has been gaining in popularity e'er since. Dreadnoughts are very popular amid bluegrass guitarists due to their powerful, driving sound.
Jumbo: These big, boomy guitars are often considered the standard "cowboy" guitars. Up to 17″ at the lower bout, these acoustic guitars project loudly and resonate deeply.
Tonewoods
An acoustic guitar'southward sonic fingerprint is its overall tone and resonance. It comes mainly from the type of woods used to make the body. Each has its own unique sound. This is why the woods used to make the guitar's peak, sides, and back is referred to as "tonewood."
The blazon, quality, and combination of woods used in the structure of a guitar all help make up one's mind its tone. Entry-level models are typically made of laminated wood, which does not mature as it gets older, what you hear is what you get. Intermediate guitars, on the other hand, generally feature solid wood tops combined with laminated back and sides. And the best instruments are made of solid forest because they produce a richer and more than resonant audio.
Guitar tops are most commonly made of spruce or cedar, while standard woods for the back and sides are rosewood, mahogany, and maple. Synthetic materials are also used effectively past companies similar Ovation and Rainsong.
Spruce: The almost common choice for an acoustic guitar pinnacle. It has a very expert force-to-weight ratio that makes information technology possible for the elevation to be relatively sparse yet still be strong and very resonant. Spruce tops can have whatever you dish out and volition remain responsive even when played very hard. Spruce is perfect for strumming and flatpicking styles.
Cedar: Yous will recognize a cedar tiptop considering it has a darker color than spruce and has a slight carmine hue. Cedar responds nicely to a light attack, and is an excellent choice for fingerpicking and lowered tension tunings. Considering it is softer and not as strong as spruce, cedar tin can exist overdriven if played too hard, causing the audio to compress and lose some integrity.
Rosewood: This dark-colored forest imparts a deep warmth and complex richness to the tone of a guitar. Brazilian rosewood is the holy grail of tonewoods and is much prized by luthiers and players alike. The scarcity of Brazilian, withal, makes it very expensive. Indian rosewood has similar timbre qualities but is not equally striking visually.
Mahogany: This is an splendid wood that falls in the middle of the tonal spectrum, imparting a vivid and warm sound with sweet highs.
Maple: A maple body will produce a brilliant, dry tone with a very clear, well-divers high stop. Quilted or tiger maple can exist quite dramatic visually.
Synthetics: Although synthetic guitars will never totally replace the wooden variety, they have been around for decades and are quite popular. Ovation uses a fiberglass composite for the body and sides of its rounded body guitars, combined with a solid woods top, while Rainsong produces instruments fabricated mostly of graphite.
In general, synthetic guitars are less susceptible than woods to climatic changes and offering distinctive tonal characteristics. On the other paw, they tend non to ameliorate with age.
Neck: The neck of an acoustic guitar is joined to the guitar trunk and terminates at the headstock. The fretboard is mounted to the neck's top, and the back is shaped to suit the player's fretting hand.
Most audio-visual guitars use a fix neck, which means the cervix is glued onto the torso of the guitar. The alternative is a commodities-on neck, more commonly used with electric guitars. A heel provides boosted support at the back of the cervix, where it meets the torso of the guitar.
The neck contains a metallic truss rod that prevents it from bowing and twisting due to string tension and environmental factors. Adjusting the truss rod can correct intonation issues that prevent the instrument from existence tuned properly. This truss rod can be adjusted either at the headstock or but inside the torso of the guitar, at the base of the neck.
The fretboard, or fingerboard, on the tiptop side of the cervix, is unremarkably a separate slice of wood that is glued to the neck. Fretboards are typically synthetic out of rosewood or ebony.
Thin strips of metal, called frets, are embedded in the wood at half-footstep increments forth the 12-tone scale, to indicate where different notes are played. Nearly guitar fretboards have inlaid dots or symbols on the odd-numbered frets, starting with the 3rd – excluding the 11th and 13th in favor of the 12th, or the octave.
The headstock is located on the stop of the neck opposite the guitar trunk. It is fitted with tuning keys, as well known equally tuners, tuning pegs, or machine heads. These accommodate the tension of each cord, changing their pitches. The nut is a pocket-size strip located where the headstock meets the neck, that is grooved to guide the strings onto the fretboard. On an acoustic guitar, the nut is ordinarily made of plastic, but information technology tin also be bone, graphite, or any number of other materials.
Calibration and Frets
The measurement of the length of the strings from the nut to the bridge is termed the guitar'due south "scale length." The average scale length is about 25 inches. A longer scale puts the frets slightly further autonomously. More significantly, a longer scale means a string needs to be stretched to a college tension to tune to the same pitch. This tin can make the tone a footling brighter.
Acoustic guitars, including 12-string guitars, by and large have necks with 20 or 21 frets. Playing on the highest frets is a trivial easier with a longer scale. Over again, these variations are subtle, and they might non be very important in your buying conclusion. Of greater importance is whether the fret ends are flush with the side of the neck and polished smoothly. That's non an issue if the neck sides have plastic binding that covers the fret ends.
Hardware
A 12-string guitar has twice as many strings to tune, then quality tuning machines are vital if y'all programme to spend your time playing your guitar, not tuning it. Most of the guitars reviewed have unbranded tuners, though they unremarkably piece of work okay. A few models accept premium proper name-brand parts, peculiarly Grover tuners.
The nut and bridge saddle should exist every bit dense as possible. This transmits the vibrating string energy to the guitar trunk more efficiently. For longer sustain, particularly with open strings, nigh of the models reviewed take a plastic nut and saddle. A few are fabricated of "constructed bone." This is also plastic, only a much denser product that's every bit hard as os.
Electronics
Nigh of the 12-cord guitars reviewed here include a piezo pickup congenital into the bridge, connected to a preamp mounted in the guitar trunk. Preamps normally have book, treble, and bass controls. Some include a midrange gain control and frequency range switch. Most likewise include an electronic tuner.
Tops – Solid vs. Laminate
The top of the guitar has the greatest impact on the tone quality of the instrument. The sound generated by the guitar'due south strings is transmitted by the bridge to the top where it is amplified. As discussed beneath under Tonewoods, the wood used for the acme strongly influences the tonal characteristics of the guitar. The sound generated past the guitar's strings is transmitted by the span to the top where it is amplified. That is why, as mentioned in a higher place, the larger the soundboard, the larger the sound.
Acoustic guitar tops are fabricated of either solid woods or laminate. A solid top is normally fabricated of two, single-ply pieces of wood with their grains matched downwardly the middle of the guitar peak. A laminate top is made of several layers of woods – usually a more high-grade one on tiptop, and several generic ones beneath – pressed together.
Laminate does not vibrate also equally solid forest does, so it does not produce every bit rich a sound or as great a book. It is, even so, an excellent pick for beginners, to relieve coin on a outset audio-visual guitar.
Neck Width and Length
The thickness and width of guitar necks vary, depending on the size of the guitar body. It will non touch on the audio of the guitar, simply it will affect your comfort with the instrument.
Acoustic necks are usually listed as 12- or 14-fret necks. This number refers to the number of frets above the guitar body, not the total number of frets. On a 12-fret neck, the 13th and 14th frets volition be on the body, and, thus, harder to reach than on a xiv-fret cervix, where they are extended beyond the guitar body. If y'all have pocket-sized hands, look for an acoustic guitar with a smaller bore neck.
Nylon vs. Steel Strings
It is a mutual misconception that a new guitar player should start with nylon strings because they are easier on fingers or easier to play. Simply nylon strings and steel strings are non interchangeable on the same guitar, so it'due south not a matter of progressing from one kind of string to another with experience. What should really drive your decision is what kind of music you want to play.
Nylon strings produce a softer, mellow tone. They are often used in classical and flamenco-fashion guitar playing, as well every bit some folk music. Classical guitars have a wider neck to provide more space between the strings, and a shorter fretboard, than acoustic guitars that use steel strings.
Steel strings are more than common and are usually used by stone, country, and pop musicians. Steel-string audio-visual guitars create a louder, brighter tone that is commonly associated with that classic audio-visual guitar sound.
Tuning of 12-string guitar
The most usual way to tune the strings of the lower 4 courses is in octaves, while those on the upper two courses are in unison. Therefore, the most popular standard tuning for 12-string guitars is E3•E2 A3•A2 D4•D3 G4•G3 B3•B3 E4•E4, starting from the lowest string to the highest.
Nowadays, if you desire to produce the effect of a 12 string guitar, you tin can do information technology with 2 6-cord guitars. That is so-called Nashville tuning. Y'all tin can simply tune i guitar (of course with proper strings) as 6 added strings on a 12-string guitar. That will produce a "cleaner" 12-cord effect. This style of simulating 12-string guitars is commonly used for recording purposes.
Pros and cons of a 12-string guitar
Every bit far as the pros and cons of 12-cord guitars go, there aren't a lot of downsides to a 12-string. This is aside from adjusting to the actress pressure that needs to be applied to the strings. Hand cramps tin can sometimes occur but the benefits of a 12 string's sound when played far outweigh a lilliputian discomfort.
They're described by some as the thousand piano of guitars, owing to the sheer amount of volume they produce. The addition of an extra 6 strings, some equally an octave higher provides a fullness of sound that you really can't beat. Playing solos on a 12 cord guitar can sometimes bear witness a little tricky, especially when you're trying to do huge swoop bomb bends. However, with a footling bit of practise, you'll get there.
One string solos, guitar lines, and hooks really sound nifty though. The best thing to do is to try one out. They're not bad to have in your arsenal and an awesome addition to any song.
My proper noun is Chris and I've had a passion for music and guitars for as long as I can call up. I started this website with some of my friends who are musicians, music teachers, gear heads, and music enthusiasts then nosotros could provide high-quality guitar and music-related content.
I've been playing guitar since I was 13 years quondam and am an avid collector. Amps, pedals, guitars, bass, drums, microphones, studio, and recording gear, I beloved it all.
I was built-in and raised in Western Pennsylvania. My background is in Electric Engineering, earning a Bachelor's degree from Youngstown Land University. With my technology experience, I've developed as a designer of guitar amplifiers and effects. A true passion of mine, I've designed, built, and repaired a broad range of guitar amps and electronics. Here at the Guitar Lobby, our aim is to share our passion for Music and gear with the rest of the music community.
Source: https://www.guitarlobby.com/best-12-string-guitars/
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