Small 12-string recommendations?

[Brucebubs]

Maton make a true mini 12-string.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Pono Guitars makes a sweet one:

Sadly, Pono are not available in the UK.

[gfspencer]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Pono Guitars makes a sweet one:

That is sweet!

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Pono Guitars makes a sweet one:

I was looking for a smaller 12-fret 12-string for most of last year and a Pono would have been my first choice. But just as I was ready to order when they went on sale late last year a Guild Orpheum 000 slothead became available that I grabbed. It's actually not that small a body, but I'm a pretty happy camper with it and it's a great contrast to my Orpheum Jumbo six-string.

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

Sadly, Pono are not available in the UK.

All their sales are online. Won't they ship to UK?

[Silly Moustache]

I do like the look of those Pono guitars. how do you get them - stores? direct?

[boombox]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

Also, Gibson made the B-25-12 in that same period. It's a smaller body.

There's a B25-12 on the UK auction site at the moment - please buy it before I cave in...

[AZLiberty]

Breedlove builds a lot of 12's on their C or Concert size body.

It's basically an OM with a slightly narrower upper bout and a slightly deeper body. Probably my favorite in a mid-size/OM size 12.

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by mot

The Emeralds also come in double neck and smaller bodied 12 string guitars.

Pictured below is a custom order 21" scale 12 string, but I think this scale is too small.
These smaller Emerald guitars generally come standard in a 24" scale, and you can custom order a longer or shorter scale if you have a preference.

Best for the money in a 12 string guitar? That a fairly broad statement. Wouldn't a Collings small body 12 string be a contender?

And how much you figure the custom short scale Emerald costs? Saying it's best for the $$s and not mentioning price seems a bit incomplete. Also, did you notice the OP mentioned two vintage brand 12 string guitars? His taste may not include carbon fiber.

[songman2]

The very best 12 string I have ever heard (and own) is my K62ce LTD. It is a 12 fret, small body Taylor all Koa guitar. Only 50 were made, so it might not be easy to grab one. The second best I have heard is a similar model, the 562ce also Taylor.

[stephenT]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I do like the look of those Pono guitars. how do you get them - stores? direct?

I bought mine direct from Pono last year. Was a leap of faith since I wasn't able to try one before purchase. As it turns out I'm very happy with the purchase. Great size, excellent playability and does all the 12 sounds I want.

[mot]

Originally Posted by talkgtr

Best for the money in a 12 string guitar? That a fairly broad statement. Wouldn't a Collings small body 12 string be a contender?

And how much you figure the custom short scale Emerald costs? Saying it's best for the $$s and not mentioning price seems a bit incomplete. Also, did you notice the OP mentioned two vintage brand 12 string guitars? His taste may not include carbon fiber.

Since the basic 6 string model comes in around a grand (for the X7), I would guess you could get a 12 string for around $1300 and up depending on how many adornments and modifications you want. I didn't put a price originally because it's pretty easy to get your own quote.

The best bang for the buck in my opinion is the dreadnought 12 string (Emerald X20) which starts at $1800 new (with a 25.5. inch scale). You can see a couple of the fancier ones on the first page of this thread.

My tastes didn't include carbon fiber guitars until 2013 when I bought a 6 string as a stop gap because I needed a tough guitar at the time with the intentions of getting a high-end Taylor soon after. That beater guitar has become my number one guitar and I rarely play any other acoustic guitar these days because it plays so well and sounds so sweet.

I took a hard look at the small bodied 12 strings and almost bought a Maton several years ago and I love the Ponos. I still think I have spent more time tuning a wooden 12 string than playing any and that's where these CF guitars shine. Not only are they tough, play well and sound great, you don't have to spend 15 minutes to an hour tuning it every time the weather changes. They also tend to be lighter because they don't need the bracing wood does.

So going by cost-per-use I would put a carbon fiber 12 string guitar as a serious contender for anyone who wants a 12 string that they don't have to coddle and fuss over. Also I would guess the fanciest version of the Emerald guitar is priced about the same as a mid-range Collings though you can probably get a used Collings for a bit less.

The downside to these Emerald 12 strings is they are hard to find. You can walk into any guitar store and likely find a 12 string, but you are much less likely to find a carbon fiber guitar and a 12 string carbon fiber is that much rarer. Emerald has a great return policy and customer service even though they are in Ireland. You probably can't find one locally to test, but if you do decide to order one anyhow and aren't happy with it you can send it back and are only out the cost of shipping.

[1Charlie]

Consider a '70's era Guild F-112.

[Victoria]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I do like the look of those Pono guitars. how do you get them - stores? direct?

The Southern Ukulele Store in Bournemouth have had Pono guitars in the past, I bought a terz from them last year and I'm pretty sure they had a dread a while ago. Might be worth giving them a call to see if they're able to get any more, although I think Pono may have gone over to direct sales only now.

[mot]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

I do like the look of those Pono guitars. how do you get them - stores? direct?

I had mine shipped to the mainland from a store in HI.