The Acoustic Guitar Forum

The Acoustic Guitar Forum (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/index.php)
-   General Acoustic Guitar Discussion (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=24)
-   -   12 string recommendations. (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=502731)

DissonantTimbre 03-08-2018 01:55 AM

12 string recommendations.
 
Well my love for The Byrds, Gordon Lightfoot, Death in June, and Tom Petty has finally gotten the best of me and I need a 12 string.

I've only been able to try the Taylor 150e and while it sounded ok I wasn't thrilled about the three pots on the side of the guitar and the sides and back looked like fake veneer and not real wood. The face also had some vicious tool marks under the finish.
I guess the Martin equivalent is the Martin D12X1AE. Does anyone have any experience with this?
I've heard good things about the Guild F-2512E. But since guitar center does not stock Guild I have no way of trying one out.
Any other recommendations. I'd like to spend less than $1000.

Cabarone 03-08-2018 02:06 AM

Take a little time and shop around. You can pick up a good used Guild for under a grand. Most players agree they're the top dog for 12-strings.

I played the budget Taylor and Martin @ GC before. I was impressed w/the sound and playability of both, especially for the money.

Enjoy the hunt!

fazool 03-08-2018 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DissonantTimbre (Post 5662320)
...I wasn't thrilled about the three pots on the side of the guitar....

I agree with that - I don't like such things including their ES2 knobs

Quote:

Originally Posted by DissonantTimbre (Post 5662320)
...the side of the guitar and the sides and back looked like fake veneer and not real wood. ....

It is not veneer. It is laminated (which is not the same as plywood), but it is real wood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DissonantTimbre (Post 5662320)
...The face also had some vicious tool marks under the finish....

Knowing Taylor's quality control consistency I find this very unlikely. It may have been marks in the wood or open poor areas.

fuman 03-08-2018 08:10 AM

I think the Seagull S-12 is pretty underrated but if you can reach for it, I would try to find a used Guild JF-30-12, which is basically an F-412 without the Bling. At one point early in the "GAD" phase, I think they offered a Chinese-made JF-30-12. I never played one, but they six-string version was a real good guitar.

GTRGUY005 03-08-2018 08:18 AM

I have Martin D12X1AE. I bought it used and the previous owner had it set up really nicely with low action, so I find it pretty easy to play.

I haven't played many 12's, but tone wise I think it sounds nice but leans more to the treble/high end rather than bass/low end. It sounds good plugged in...I've used it at open mic night a few times.

BUT...a few weeks ago I was able to play a Taylor 362ce, which is their 12 string/12 fret small body grand concert model. It was a joy to handle and play, no struggle at all compared to the Martin dread.

I don't know what your budget is, but the D12X with certainly get you into an nice 12 string, but now I'm gasing for the Taylor and looking for a used one. They are hard to find on the used market though.

troystory92 03-08-2018 08:39 AM

I own a Guild F-2512e and love it.

I go through phases with it, since I have other guitars mostly play 6 string, but I always love coming back to it.


Since you can't play one, here is what mine sounds like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmcVqeyDSI

L20A 03-08-2018 09:10 AM

I would like to try a Yamaha L series 12 string but can't find any locally to try.
The specs look very good on them.

Jungleboy 03-08-2018 09:18 AM

I own a Guild (GAD) JF30-12 (made in China), and am very happy with it - huge lush sound, great bass response and sparlking high end. You should be able to find a used one well within the budget that you mentioned.

6L6 03-08-2018 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabarone (Post 5662323)
Take a little time and shop around. You can pick up a good used Guild for under a grand. Most players agree they're the top dog for 12-strings.

I played the budget Taylor and Martin @ GC before. I was impressed w/the sound and playability of both, especially for the money.

Enjoy the hunt!

+1 on the Guild.

boombox 03-08-2018 09:32 AM

I had a similar budget when I started looking at 12s a while ago. I would say revisit Taylor and look for a used 354 or 355 - very easy playing 12 strings and solid wood too. May be some about without the ES if you don't want that sort of electrics. These can be had for under your budget, as can older used Guilds or the new ones coming out of China - search the threads here for the many happy owners especially of the all mahogany dreads. Yamahas also get a lot of love and if you don't mind a bit of mojo, you can pick up a used Gibson B45-12 or B25-12 within your budget.

What I would also say is try as many as you can in different wood combinations - 12 strings all sound very different. My first 12 was a Simon & Patrick, which I should have got set up, instead of selling it. Cedar & cherry has a totally different sound to sitka/mahogany, which is what my B45-12 is. Sapele might be related to mahogany but my Taylor 354ce sounds a completely different animal to my Gibson. And now my most recent 12 string addition, a Huss & Dalton in maple/Sitka (admittedly well outside your budget) sounds completely different. I think it was the sound I had in my head all along, but it has now got me thinking of trying a rosewood 12 too. Which is another warning I'd like to give you - 12s can be addictive, especially if you are a solo or bedroom player.

Good luck!

Earl49 03-08-2018 09:50 AM

I have a 2002 Taylor 354-LTD (solid flamed maple back & sides, solid top) that I could part with within your budget. It does have the Fishman barn door electronics of that era, however. The 354 replaced my Seagull S12 years ago, but it has recently been pushed out by a carbon fiber twelve string at 3X the price.

Jasper64 03-08-2018 10:16 AM

I found a '74 Guild F212XL online at a very reasonable price and it sounds incredible.

1Charlie 03-08-2018 10:28 AM

I just sent you a PM.

BT55 03-08-2018 10:29 AM

I purchased a NOS 454ce a few years ago - it is a phenomenal guitar. Craigslist in my area always has a lot of pre-owned Taylor and Martin 12 strings available. I'd go that route and you can get a really good all wood guitar at a fair price. The Taylor 1 & 2 series and Martin X series sides and back are laminates. As usual my recommendation is the Taylor.

Steadfastly 03-08-2018 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cabarone (Post 5662323)
Take a little time and shop around. You can pick up a good used Guild for under a grand. Most players agree they're the top dog for 12-strings.

I played the budget Taylor and Martin @ GC before. I was impressed w/the sound and playability of both, especially for the money.

Enjoy the hunt!

I agree with Cabarone. I tried one of the Martin X models a couple of years ago and quite liked it as well.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:49 AM.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum

vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=