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#1
03-08-2018, 01:55 AM
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12 string recommendations.
Well my love for The Byrds, Gordon Lightfoot, Death in June, and Tom Petty has finally gotten the best of me and I need a 12 string.
I've only been able to try the Taylor 150e and while it sounded ok I wasn't thrilled about the three pots on the side of the guitar and the sides and back looked like fake veneer and not real wood. The face also had some vicious tool marks under the finish. I guess the Martin equivalent is the Martin D12X1AE. Does anyone have any experience with this? I've heard good things about the Guild F-2512E. But since guitar center does not stock Guild I have no way of trying one out. Any other recommendations. I'd like to spend less than $1000. 
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#2
03-08-2018, 02:06 AM
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Take a little time and shop around. You can pick up a good used Guild for under a grand. Most players agree they're the top dog for 12-strings.
I played the budget Taylor and Martin @ GC before. I was impressed w/the sound and playability of both, especially for the money. Enjoy the hunt!
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#3
03-08-2018, 08:06 AM
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__________________
Fazool "The wand chooses the wizard, Mr. Potter" Taylor GC7, GA3-12, SB2-C, SB2-Cp...... Ibanez AVC-11MHx , AC-240
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#4
03-08-2018, 08:10 AM
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I think the Seagull S-12 is pretty underrated but if you can reach for it, I would try to find a used Guild JF-30-12, which is basically an F-412 without the Bling. At one point early in the "GAD" phase, I think they offered a Chinese-made JF-30-12. I never played one, but they six-string version was a real good guitar.
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#5
03-08-2018, 08:18 AM
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I have Martin D12X1AE. I bought it used and the previous owner had it set up really nicely with low action, so I find it pretty easy to play.
I haven't played many 12's, but tone wise I think it sounds nice but leans more to the treble/high end rather than bass/low end. It sounds good plugged in...I've used it at open mic night a few times. BUT...a few weeks ago I was able to play a Taylor 362ce, which is their 12 string/12 fret small body grand concert model. It was a joy to handle and play, no struggle at all compared to the Martin dread. I don't know what your budget is, but the D12X with certainly get you into an nice 12 string, but now I'm gasing for the Taylor and looking for a used one. They are hard to find on the used market though.
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#6
03-08-2018, 08:39 AM
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I own a Guild F-2512e and love it.
I go through phases with it, since I have other guitars mostly play 6 string, but I always love coming back to it. Since you can't play one, here is what mine sounds like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmcVqeyDSI
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#8
03-08-2018, 09:18 AM
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I own a Guild (GAD) JF30-12 (made in China), and am very happy with it - huge lush sound, great bass response and sparlking high end. You should be able to find a used one well within the budget that you mentioned.
__________________
Martin CS D28-12 Martin CEO 7 Martin D41 Porter Wagoner Martin D18 GE Guild GAD JF30-12 String May Bell Parlor Guitar (1930s) National Style 1 Tricone Resonator Weber Bighorn Mandolin Loar LM 700VS Mandolin
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#9
03-08-2018, 09:21 AM
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#10
03-08-2018, 09:32 AM
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I had a similar budget when I started looking at 12s a while ago. I would say revisit Taylor and look for a used 354 or 355 - very easy playing 12 strings and solid wood too. May be some about without the ES if you don't want that sort of electrics. These can be had for under your budget, as can older used Guilds or the new ones coming out of China - search the threads here for the many happy owners especially of the all mahogany dreads. Yamahas also get a lot of love and if you don't mind a bit of mojo, you can pick up a used Gibson B45-12 or B25-12 within your budget.
What I would also say is try as many as you can in different wood combinations - 12 strings all sound very different. My first 12 was a Simon & Patrick, which I should have got set up, instead of selling it. Cedar & cherry has a totally different sound to sitka/mahogany, which is what my B45-12 is. Sapele might be related to mahogany but my Taylor 354ce sounds a completely different animal to my Gibson. And now my most recent 12 string addition, a Huss & Dalton in maple/Sitka (admittedly well outside your budget) sounds completely different. I think it was the sound I had in my head all along, but it has now got me thinking of trying a rosewood 12 too. Which is another warning I'd like to give you - 12s can be addictive, especially if you are a solo or bedroom player. Good luck!
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#11
03-08-2018, 09:50 AM
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I have a 2002 Taylor 354-LTD (solid flamed maple back & sides, solid top) that I could part with within your budget. It does have the Fishman barn door electronics of that era, however. The 354 replaced my Seagull S12 years ago, but it has recently been pushed out by a carbon fiber twelve string at 3X the price.
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#12
03-08-2018, 10:16 AM
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I found a '74 Guild F212XL online at a very reasonable price and it sounds incredible.
__________________
Custom Martin D 35 Taylor GS Mini w/ES2 Koa GPC12PA4 Martin 12 string [/B]"What does it profit a man to gain (all the greatest guitars in) the world and lose his soul" Paraphrased
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#14
03-08-2018, 10:29 AM
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I purchased a NOS 454ce a few years ago - it is a phenomenal guitar. Craigslist in my area always has a lot of pre-owned Taylor and Martin 12 strings available. I'd go that route and you can get a really good all wood guitar at a fair price. The Taylor 1 & 2 series and Martin X series sides and back are laminates. As usual my recommendation is the Taylor.
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Taylor V-Class 814ce, 717e BE WHB, 520ce, 454ce, 420 Cedar\Maple, T5z Classic Martin D18E Retro Cordoba C10 Crossover Emerald X20 Rainsong H-OM1000N2 Voyage-Air VAD-04 Custom Les Paul Hot Rod Deville 410, Fishman Loudbox Performer
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#15
03-08-2018, 11:18 AM
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