12 string guitar options

[cappucho]

Can anyone recommend a easy playing, good sounding 12 string guitar around $600 Tried the seagull coastline S12 but the nut is too wide (1.93) Martin X series looks terrible with the strata bond neck. Any other suggestions on guitars I should try out would be appreciated.

[The Growler]

Taylor 150

New will be a little more, but you could look for a used one. So do really good and good playability.

[Brucebubs]

The Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT seems to get a lot good reviews and comments.

Nut width is 1.6875" (42.8mm)

Nice looking guitar too.

http://www.takamine.com/GJ72CE-12NAT

[AZLiberty]

One of the Breedlove imports. (they change model and series so often I can't keep track of what is current)

[Mr Picky]

I have a Chinese-made Guild D1212 that's bang on your budget in the UK, or maybe under for you. Great guitar.

[troystory92]

Guild F2512

MIC, Archback that is easy to play and sounds amazing.

Right at your price point. DEFINITELY check it out

[Guitartanzon]

was looking for a 12. played Breedlove Solo concert size 12 ......
and a few taks 12""
was cash poor and traded something and got the breedlove solo

My friend has a taylor 562 all hog 12 that is amazing and they just came out with the 362. But above my pay grade.

The breedove solo fit nice, smaller size, fretted well, cedar top so it was warmer, easier bridge system, no pins, headstock is suited for 12 like the seagulls and it has a unique soundport with a plug
and you can get a deal on them if you seach....some made in china, some leftover Korean made...

check it out and also the breedlove studio 12, a discontinued model made of spruce and maple and a sunburst.

[merlin666]

Originally Posted by troystory92

Guild F2512

MIC, Archback that is easy to play and sounds amazing.

Right at your price point. DEFINITELY check it out

Best budget 12 I have ever tried for sure.

[1Charlie]

You can sometimes find a real-deal vintage USA-made Guild 12-string for just a little over that. Look for an F-112, D-212, or D-25-12. They blow away anything else in the ~$750 price range.

[hotroad]

Breedlove imports are the way to go. Their imports are stellar. They do a very high level of quality control when they arrive at the Breedlove factory in Bend, Oregon.

[L20A]

Yamaha also makes a few 12 string models that are within your price range.

I once sold a Guild 12 string and purchased a Yamaha 12 string to replace it.
The reason was that the Yamaha had a neck that was much easier to play.
Back then, Guild used a double truss rod system that made for a solid sturdy neck but it was too wide and thick for my liking.

The newer Guild 12 strings and the import Guild 12 strings have the single truss rod in them and are a lot easier to play in my opinion.

[cappucho]

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Does anyone have any experience with the old 1970's 12 string Alvarez 5024 or the Yairi DY76? There is also a 12 string Eastman E6D 12 with solid spruce and solid rosewood b/s being sold for $600 on eBay, but I don't know how good these are.

[ollaimh]

the best cheap 12 string i have played recently was a fairly new yamaha, but i saw an alvarez on ebay today under 300 usd. that's probably a great starter guitar.

my cheapo 12 is an old japanese harou, but they are rare now.

when i started in the sixties i and a friend shared a terrible eko 12 with terrible action. we played till our fingers were bloody. the options are a lot better now

[L20A]

Originally Posted by cappucho

Thanks everyone for the recommendations. Does anyone have any experience with the old 1970's 12 string Alvarez 5024 or the Yairi DY76? There is also a 12 string Eastman E6D 12 with solid spruce and solid rosewood b/s being sold for $600 on eBay, but I don't know how good these are.

I would be very cautious about an older 12 string.
Many of them will be in need of a neck re-set due to the extra pressure on the neck from all the strings.

Before I ever considered a used 12 string, I would have it looked at by a good guitar tech.

As far as an Eastman goes, I have played a lot of new Eastman guitars and I was very impressed with all of them.
In my opinion, Eastman is at the top of the list when it comes to import guitars, along with the Guild import line.

[kbraker]

Breedlove Pursuit. Solid top with laminated back and sides. It has the JLD bridge truss. Very intuitive electronics. Really nicely made and the size/sound ratio is spot on.

PM for more details as I have one that may suit your needs.