Would you buy a 30 year old 12-string guitar?

[The Growler]

If it is in good condition, 30 years is no problem.

One of the best sounding twelve strings I ever heard was a 30+ year old Yamaha. The guy who owns it is left handed and plays it upside down a la Hendrix, which is weird to watch. It just sounds amazing.

A Lowden would be very interesting to me. I say go for it and make the drive.

[DevinWiley]

Taking into account the condition / repairs needed (any bridge lifting, major cracks, will the saddle need replacing, neck reset, etc etc), yes. With a used guitar from a private seller, you might want to make that drive and look it over, play it, just to know for sure. You'll probably know immediately whether it's for you or not. If you don't want to do that, maybe the seller has a smartphone and they could give you a visual look over and play it a bit that way.

My 69 Martin 12 is an absolute favorite, I love it.

[Jim]

Originally Posted by 00-28

It is a Lowden, just as a Martin or Taylor made in Mexico is a Martin or Taylor.

..........Mike

Taylors made in Mexico are made at a Taylor owned factory with Taylor luthiers using Taylor selected woods and other materials. S. Yairi was not a Lowden factory with Lowden luthiers using Lowden selected woods and other materials. It is quite different and is along the lines of Guild contracting out to a non-Guild factory with non-Guild luthiers using non-Guild selected and provided other parts when they make their GAD and Westerly Collection guiltars and then put a Guild label on them. Gibson is more honest in that they at least put an Epiphone label on their guitars that they contract out to non-Gibson factories to produce and sell.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Jim

Taylors made in Mexico are made at a Taylor owned factory with Taylor luthiers using Taylor selected woods and other materials. S. Yairi was not a Lowden factory with Lowden luthiers using Lowden selected woods and other materials. It is quite different and is along the lines of Guild contracting out to a non-Guild factory with non-Guild luthiers using non-Guild selected and provided other parts when they make their GAD and Westerly Collection guiltars and then put a Guild label on them. Gibson is more honest in that they at least put an Epiphone label on their guitars that they contract out to non-Gibson factories to produce and sell.

Epiphones are not built to the same specs as a Gibson. That's why they have a different label. The Japanese made Lowedens were built to the same specs as an Irish made one so it's accurate to call those Lowdens.

[DaleonCedar]

No, I wouldn't without checking it out in person. Too many options available for new 12 strings. Not that there are no good old ones out there, but why risk it?

[Steadfastly]

What's the price and what do the pictures show would be my determining factors. If the price was that good and he had some quality pictures that backed up what he was saying, they I would drive the five hours.

[sevenpalms]

One of the best 12 strings I’ve owned was an 1982/83 Japanese made Lowden S22-12 string. It was solid and sounded like a dream...I sold it a year ago so who knows maybe the same one? If so it was solid and I wouldn’t hesitate. Have you got any photos?

[Wayben]

Probably best if you can check it out in hand. Don't blow it off just due to age. I've got a 1975 D12-35 that is great.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by sevenpalms

One of the best 12 strings I’ve owned was an 1982/83 Japanese made Lowden S22-12 string. It was solid and sounded like a dream...I sold it a year ago so who knows maybe the same one? If so it was solid and I wouldn’t hesitate. Have you got any photos?

Here you go:

[Brucebubs]

Start the car ....
Wow, that's nice.
Plain and understated.
Great size and shape.
I really like it.
The case looks brand new.

p.s. Primary strings closest to the saddle - like Guild.

[jaybones]

My Yamaha FG 420-12 was made in 1970, and its structurally sound. Cosmetically very good.