12 String Guitar Suggestions

[Rosewood99]

Originally Posted by jseth

Check out the Breedlove offerings in your price range; here in Oregon, my local shop has a few that are around $700 w/ a good case... and they have electronics installed (with a tuner!), as well as a cutaway...

Although made in Asia, Breedlove has very high standards of quality control, and I have been quite impressed by all their lower-end stuff...

Just an FYI, only the lower end models are made in Korea and they recently made the decision to move all their models to the US for production.

[The Growler]

Originally Posted by paulzoom

I go my Taylor GA3 12 string for $700 used. I think it's the best value out there.

This ^^ is a great suggestion.

If you want new, you could check out the new Taylor 150, which is getting really good reviews.

[teletaylor]

Ahem....look in the classified....

[Dru Edwards]

I'll add the Simon and Patrick Songsmith 12 string. I'm waiting to play the new Taylor 150e (not in stock locally yet) to determine what to buy.

[franchelB]

I think the Godin guitar line (Norman, Seagull, and Simon & Patrick) has decent sounding 12-string guitars at a great price.

[Kip Carter]

Originally Posted by teletaylor

Ahem....look in the classified....

I couldn't find your ad in the classifieds.

[Cypress Knee]

If you are looking for a $700 12 string, well, there are plenty of suggestions. However, if you are performing John Denver tribute shows in public, then go ahead and spring the extra and go for a Guild jumbo 12string, preferably the F 512. You will not regret that decision in the long haul.

CK

[BongoSTL]

I've got a great larrivee lv03/12 that is gathering dust. Pm me if you're interested.

[AZLiberty]

Originally Posted by GuitarDogs62

My budget is around $700. All brands at this point will be considered. Thanks in advance for suggestions for me to go and look at.

AT $700 you can buy a used Guild dreadnaught, or a new Chineese made Guild Dread. Jumbos are higher. You can also get one of the imported Breedloves.

A New Seagull will also be in your price range.

The guys who managed to buy used GA3-12's for $700 must be killer dealmakers, mine cost me $900.

Best bang for the buck IMHO is a used Westerly RI Guild. Either a D-25-12 or a D-4-12 (no bling version on the D-25)
There is a nice D-4-12 in the classifieds.

http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=340270

[Brucebubs]

I just did a quick search on ebay USA and you guys have an amazing selection. There are Seagull, Takamine, Larrivee, Martin, Yamaha and Alvarez dreadnought 12-string guitars for sale under $700 and there are Taylor and Guild jumbo 12-strings for auction with bidding still under $700 at present. Huge choice. I'd be watching those jumbo's.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2000-Guild-F...item2c89f5e574
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Larrivee-D0-...item4d22f72be8
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-12-str...item19f238e0ef

[Long Jon]

Guild F-212 (Westerly, 1976) about $ 5-600 (?)

I got mine for about £500. (Here in the land of very expensive American goods). The real deal, (on a budget).

Choir of angels, my friend, choir of lovely angels ...

Funny story: When I was shopping for a 12, someone had a listing on the bay for one that was "Used on Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here' "...

Then in the small print, ,, the seller said he'd only ever used it to play "Wish You Were Here" ! The cheeky monkey !

[Taller]

Dragging this one up, as I'm interested as well.

Are there any 'budget' 12 strings to stay away from?

For instance, someone over at the Gear Page posted something to the effect of, "Stay away from (certain) Yamahas - if they need a neck reset, it's over."
I have no idea if this is true, but this is the kind of information that might be valuable to this thread.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Taller

Dragging this one up, as I'm interested as well.

Are there any 'budget' 12 strings to stay away from?

For instance, someone over at the Gear Page posted something to the effect of, "Stay away from (certain) Yamahas - if they need a neck reset, it's over."
I have no idea if this is true, but this is the kind of information that might be valuable to this thread.

When you start learning to play on a 6-string you usually begin with a cheap guitar and work your way up. Start at the bottom and work to the top.
With a 12-string guitar I suggest starting at the top and working your way down to what you can afford.
A lot of cheap 12-string guitars are pretty nasty and ruin the whole 12-string experience -if you play a good one first you can get a grip on how it sounds and plays and use that as a 'yardstick' as you seek out what you can afford.

[cspencer]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

When you start learning to play on a 6-string you usually begin with a cheap guitar and work your way up. Start at the bottom and work to the top.
With a 12-string guitar I suggest starting at the top and working your way down to what you can afford.
A lot of cheap 12-string guitars are pretty nasty and ruin the whole 12-string experience -if you play a good one first you can get a grip on how it sounds and plays and use that as a 'yardstick' as you seek out what you can afford.

Hi Bruce, you still have those lovely 12 strings?

[Fire&Rain]

Gotta throw in a word for Alvarez here. I have a MD-80/12 Masterworks Series that plays beautiful music.