Is there a "king" of the 12 strings?

[gmel555]

Although I love the 12-string sound I resisted a purchase after seeing several friend guitarists take the “plunge” on full size models that sounded great but were just a bit too difficult to play w any frequency. 4 years ago I picked up a Taylor 552ce and thought wow I can (and would) play this regularly. Smaller Concert body, 12-fret w cutaway and short scale all combine to make it really comfortable. I wasn’t quite hooked on the mahogany tone but looked around town and found a 752ce* to try (same size specs but rosewood instead of mahogany). That was it! Now, it’s not piano-like as a big body, but for me it definitely satisfies the 12 string “itch” and is enjoyable to play.
(* the 752ce was a 2017ltd, but I wonder if there’s a similar Taylor in production, or maybe a used 752ce)

[FLRon]

Hands down it has to be a Guild 500 or 600 series 12 string. To my ears they are THE 12 string standard.

[hamburg325]

There is one undisputed king:

Guild F-512

[Br1ck]

Originally Posted by stephenT

When you ask "king of the 12 string" I think of Leadbelly's Stella or the sound of Blind Willie McTell's 12 string.

I had a small body 70's Guild 12 string that was only OK, never had a desire for another Guild 12. Taylor is hard to beat for a contemporary mass market 12 string mainly for the playability. I have a Pono Parlor sized 12 string that plays great and sounds convincing,..

Pono 12 strings seem to be few and far between. I bought one just for the heck of it, and it's a delight. 0 size and sounds huge. My favorite is a 70s Guild F 112
a friend owns. Articulate for Kottke type playing. Plenty of Bass. I think the Guild flavor overall lends itself well to a 12 string. Balanced.

[fuman]

I love the F-412 and F-512, but I have to say that every F-212 I have ever played has been magical.

[SpruceTop]

I just bought a mint-condition 2010 Guild F-212 XL and love its sound and the playability is quite good too. I've also had an Ovation Custom Legend 12-String, Rainsong JM3000, two Taylor 355ce twelves, and a Taylor 356ce. I've found the Guild F-212 XL to sound the best of them all.

[merlin666]

My grail 12 string would be an Adamas 1688. Unfortunately I have never played one.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Awagner

I believe the guitar Pete is playing in this picture is actually an early F512.

The first F512s had the same ornate inlays as the later-produced F612.

F612s have a checkerboard headstock border and 2 bridge inlays, and the guitar pictured has neither.

Pete Townshend has used a Guild F-612XL 12-string guitar on most solo and Who recordings beginning with 1971’s Who’s Next. He purchased this guitar from Manny’s in New York. Prior to 1971, he had used a Harmony Sovereign H1270 12-string. He continues to use this guitar for stage performances today. (Pete may also own other Guild F-512 models.)

According to Guild Guitar Book, by Hans Moust:

The 18″-wide F-612 was only produced for a limited period and it was never featured in any of the regular catalogs. The guitar was introduced in the ’72 price list, but models from as early as 1970, some with very attractive Brazilian rosewood, are known to exist.

Pete currently has this guitar fitted with Fishman Acoustic Matrix pickup system.

[gfspencer]

If you are talking about overall size the one on the right is the king . . .

[FingahPickah]

I've had my 1987 (Westerly made) Guild JF65-12 since brand new. It's still the best 12 string for me...

[sedandelivery]

Originally Posted by Benjo

I had one if those circa '97 and it was an absolute dog to play. Sure it had volume and body but no fun at all to play. Even the experienced Taylor authorized repair person described it as such.

That’s so crazy to me. I just got my LKSM-12 last week (it’s an 07) and it’s the best playing guitar I own...and maybe have ever played. I don’t know if it’s the satin neck or the wide fingerboard or what, but my fingers just fly on it. It’s my first 12 string and I love the way all those strings feel under my fingers. It’s like your fingers never get slowed down by touching the fretboard or something. The whole experience is just way better than I expected. The action is way too low for any hard strumming, but I never do that anyways.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by gfspencer

If you are talking about overall size the one on the right is the king . . .

Indeed. It makes the "dreadnoughts" look like "dinghy's".

[Benjo]

Originally Posted by sedandelivery

That’s so crazy to me. I just got my LKSM-12 last week (it’s an 07) and it’s the best playing guitar I own...and maybe have ever played. I don’t know if it’s the satin neck or the wide fingerboard or what, but my fingers just fly on it. It’s my first 12 string and I love the way all those strings feel under my fingers. It’s like your fingers never get slowed down by touching the fretboard or something. The whole experience is just way better than I expected. The action is way too low for any hard strumming, but I never do that anyways.

Guess I was just unlucky then. Ended up getting tendonitis in both arms from trying to play it a lot. Now whenever I even see a picture of one I shudder slightly. 12-strings don't need to be hard to play, as I found out after that.

[Guitars44me]

I suppose the one that works for YOU would be the King... until the better one arrives.

I had a Guild Jumbo Maple back in the day, but the neck was more than I could manage with my small hands. Loved the tone though

Have had 5 LKSMs from the 90s, but I too found the Jumbo size just a bit too much to wrangle for long. That is why I sold them, one after another, and kept buying another year after year, too! Hahahaha

Now I have my second 552ce. The combo of the short scale, twelve fret and cut is extremely comfy and the sound is difficult to fault! I find the combo of Cedar/Mahogany offsets the normal tendency to Jangle/Jingle.
The 12 fret geometry is helpful for that too. A lot of bass from a 15" Lower Bout!

As low of a setup as you can manage for your playing style is the way to avoid hand pain and problems, and I vote for tuning down to D with Lights. Take your axe to the best setup person in your area and pay them well. 12s are difficult to set up, but when done right, can be such fun!

Hope you find just what you seek!

Play on

Paul

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

I suppose the one that works for YOU would be the King... until the better one arrives.

I had a Guild Jumbo Maple back in the day, but the neck was more than I could manage with my small hands. Loved the tone though

Have had 5 LKSMs from the 90s, but I too found the Jumbo size just a bit too much to wrangle for long. That is why I sold them, one after another, and kept buying another year after year, too! Hahahaha

Now I have my second 552ce. The combo of the short scale, twelve fret and cut is extremely comfy and the sound is difficult to fault! I find the combo of Cedar/Mahogany offsets the normal tendency to Jangle/Jingle.
The 12 fret geometry is helpful for that too. A lot of bass from a 15" Lower Bout!

As low of a setup as you can manage for your playing style is the way to avoid hand pain and problems, and I vote for tuning down to D with Lights. Take your axe to the best setup person in your area and pay them well. 12s are difficult to set up, but when done right, can be such fun!

Hope you find just what you seek!

Play on

Paul

Thank you Paul! This was all very helpful and good advice!