Help choosing 12 string

[AE-19]

Looking to pick up a 12 string. Got it narrowed down to a few and was wondering if anybody has experience with these:
Guild D212, all mahogany
Alvarez AJ80ce12
Breedlove Exotic Concert Amber 12
Don't want a true jumbo size, the Alvarez is slightly smaller like a small jumbo.
The Guild is a dread, but not sure I would like all mahogany. I like the pinless bridge idea on the Breedlove, restringing would be less of a hassle. A coworker had the Alvarez a while back, played like a breeze and the size was nice. I Don't know why 12s need cutaways, I certainly don't play 12 strings up there, Dreads with cutaways turn me right off. Anybody have any thoughts on these 3 particular models?
,

[jseth]

I would absolutely favor either the Breedlove or the Alvarez... both are imports, I know, but they each play and sound wonderful. Breedlove should get the edge on any repair work or customer service, being based in Bend, Oregon.

I would not get an all-mahogany 12 string. I've owned and played my Mark Angus "F-40"-shaped 12 string since Mark made it in 1983; German spruce over EI rosewood... and it's the classic 12 string sound. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!".

[Rockysdad]

The Guild D-1212 is a great 12er for it's price.



Quite a number of the members have them, and no, it doesn't sound like the F-512, but it still sounds far better than alot of the lower priced 12ers out there in guitarland.



It's what I happen to own, it plays easily, sounds big and it definitely works for me especially with a set of Martin Retro's on it.

Realized after posting that I had recently played the Alvarez and I definitely think the Guild sounds much better.

[Athens]

Gotta go with the Guild here, especially if it’s an original 212.

Guild didn’t invent the 12 string, but they sure did define it.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Rockysdad

The Guild D-1212 is a great 12er for its price.

Quite a number of the members have them and no, it doesn't sound like the F-512, but it still sounds far better than a lot of the lower-priced 12ers out there in Guitarland.

...it plays easily, sounds big and it definitely works for me, especially with a set of Martin Retros on it...

< mike drop here >...

[Glennwillow]

I have a Guild F-512, which is a wonderful 12-string, but it's also expensive and large.

The guild D-1212 (all mahogany) is actually a good sounding 12-string. The mahogany takes some of the jangle out of the 12-string sound, which so many players complain about. The demo videos on the D-1212 sound excellent. For example:



The Guild F-1512 is also an excellent 12-string for a little more money than the D-1212. With a spruce top and EIR back and sides, it's a little brighter.



- Glenn

[Lillis]

I just got a D1212 as my first twelve string a couple of months ago. I couldn’t be happier with my choice especially after lowering the saddle. It sounds very full without sounding dark if that's what you’re worried about. Tuning machines aren’t the smoothest but they hold tune very well. Nice thickly padded soft case too.

[MBee]

It’s not on your list but I think the Art and Lutherie Legacy 12 string is worth a look. Not too big. A very comfortable neck. Very good tuners. Built in pickup. Surprisingly big sound. Maybe a little brighter than all hog guitar but I wouldn’t say mine is overly bright.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=J4RMHJWnH_4

[Teherie]

I’d consider the Guild.

I ordered a custom 12 string Larrivee (LV03) in late 2005 with a Venetian cutaway, mahogany TOP, back and sides and 17 years later could not be happier with my decision.

As Glenn pointed out, the mahogany top takes some of the jangle associated with some 12 strings out of the mix. This guitar totally satisfies my 12 string needs.

[HogsNRoses]

Originally Posted by AE-19

. I like the pinless bridge idea on the Breedlove, restringing would be less of a hassle.
,

If you ever do any work on your guitar, a pinless bridge does not mix well with 12 strings. I like the half pinless bridge on my Furch, but the battery came loose after I strung it a month ago. I lost heart and walked away….

[buddyhu]

I had a Guild 212XL: a true jumbo with mahogany back and sides. It was fabulous! I still regret selling it.

I bought and returned a Guild 1212. It was VERY nice, but it had a huge belly bulge below the bridge, which in a new guitar, made me nervous. But it would have been a great value if it didn’t have that big belly.

Cutaway: Leo Kottke’s “Crow River Waltz” is a pretty accessible song to be fingerpicked on a 12. A cutaway would definitely make it easier to play.

[DCCougar]

Get a Guild 12. Any Guild 12. Get it a good setup.

[Mark Stone]

It seems like consensus is leaning towards the Guild, but I just want to drop the comment that my lil’ Alvarez AD 60S12 is really quite nice. Solidly built, great playability and sound, nice to look at. I think its only weakness is in the fact that the bass is a little weak. But I don’t think you can lose by getting the Alvarez.

[Andromeda]

Originally Posted by Mark Stone

It seems like consensus is leaning towards the Guild, but I just want to drop the comment that my lil’ Alvarez AD 60S12 is really quite nice. Solidly built, great playability and sound, nice to look at. I think its only weakness is in the fact that the bass is a little weak. But I don’t think you can lose by getting the Alvarez.

I second this! I own an Alvarez AD60S 12-String and it's an amazing guitar!

[Glennwillow]

The Takamine GJ72CE 12-string is a very cost-effective 12-string with a good sound for about $800. I don't own one, but the videos of this guitar sound pretty good.





- Glenn