What is your favorite 12-fret acoustic ?

[Turp]

My Taylor Grand Concert (512) Cedar/Mahogany is my most favored steel string guitar. It has been my main guitar for about 5 years and go to guitar for instrumental gigs.

The wood/body/12fret combination provides balanced tone and really good acoustic qualities.

[Cypress Knee]

Originally Posted by ziapack

That is one stunning guitar, does it play as great at it looks?

In the right hands it sounds great! This isn't me playing, but will give you an idea:

[brijas99]

Oh that's easy, my Martin CS-D18-12 dreadnought, its a 12 fretted, slotted headstock tone beast. Wonderful instrument.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Mr. Paul

I enjoy 12 fretters in S, M and L sizes. Sometimes I think the 12 fret dread is the perfect design for a guitar. Lots of different builders make great ones.

I totally agree!

Tone, ergonomics and looks. don't get any better!

[Fresh1985]

I love my martin 00-28vs. Everytime I look at it, strum it, smell it. It just bowls me over.

This one aint going anywhere.1502891935_4832.jpg

[TJNies]

My custom shop Martin in 00 size, style 30. For a Martin, it was quite expensive. When we saw it displayed at the Martin Event, my wife asked the rep what made it so special.
He said it had all the good stuff: hide glue, high-grade Adirondack top, Madagascar RW, scalloped GE bracing, pyramid bridge, slotted headstock, Foden-style inlays on the fretboard. It blew away everything on display that day, according to several listeners.
It has been with me through many other custom shop Martins; my wife says she associates that guitar with me, and would bury it with me if I should pass away. Very, very special.

[Silly Moustache]

Originally Posted by Fresh1985

I love my martin 00-28vs. Everytime I look at it, strum it, smell it. It just bowls me over.

This one aint going anywhere.Attachment 29366

Hi, I love my 12 fret dreads, and my 000, and my Waterloo, but I confess that think the original 00 design is about the most aesthetically beautiful.

[Greyhound]

Well...I have two Froggy H-12’s (all Koa) (Aldi/Hog) and an all Hog Goodall 000 12 fret. Love all three and the full throated sound just hits my sweet spot.

[wguitar]

OP here -- well, I'm a quick study and it didn't take long to appreciate the feel and sound of a 12-fretter. THANKS to everyone for your great input! Lots of cool guitars out there! Today I went to 3 shops looking for 12-fretters to try out. Surprisingly, only found 5 total in 3 shops/stores. At the last stop I found a beautiful 1996 Larrivee OM-09 and loved it. So much so that I brought it home with me. Not only is it a comfortable and great sounding 12-fret, but it's also a Larrivee OM-09 that I've only read about. It had just been traded in 2 days ago (at the shop where it was originally purchased in 1996) and I knew it wouldn't last long. I learned a long time ago that when opportunity knocks -- answer the door! Soooo, today is a happy NGD for me. Pics attached.

Also, would appreciate hearing from any OM-09 owners / players out there.

Has new D'Addario EJ16 on them now so I'll give those some time and see how the tone "settles in". Any other string recommendations would also be welcome.

Cheers!

[Mr. Paul]

Santa Cruz D12

[mtdmind]

I have always liked the Martin D-18S.

[zombywoof]

I have a bunch of them but hands down my favorite is my 1932 Gibson L1.

[jpmist]

Originally Posted by wguitar

Today I went to 3 shops looking for 12-fretters to try out. Surprisingly, only found 5 total in 3 shops/stores. At the last stop I found a beautiful 1996 Larrivee OM-09 and loved it. So much so that I brought it home with me. Not only is it a comfortable and great sounding 12-fret, but it's also a Larrivee OM-09 that I've only read about.

Hey, I already "high fived" you over on the Larrivee forum, but just wanted to add that your OM-09 was likely a custom order and as such is incredibly rare. I scan the usual sites daily and a 12-fret OM might pop up once or twice a year. It looks to be in excellent shape and being a mature vintage, it has clearly opened up. I suggested trying John Pearce Phos/Bronze but I have to withdraw that now that I see yours is rosewood. None of mine are, so I have no idea. . .

Seeing only 5 12 frets to try out didn't surprise me. I walk into a big box store and am lucky to try out 1 or 2. I always scratch my head about that, but at least Taylor now features them in their line-up so that's a start.

Congrats on a nice find!

[Nctom]

Good choice in that 00-09! I didn't list it in my first post here, but I also have a Larrivee 00-09 Custom from the same period and it's a great little guitar. Mine has a cedar top and sounds wonderful. Although I now prefer simpler mahogany guitars, I keep the 00-09 because of its beautiful rosewood/cedar tone.