12 string acoustics

[robbyfowler6]

What are some good either American or Canadian made 12 strings under 2k? Preferably solid wood guitars

[Wade Hampton]

Seagull and Simon & Patrick. Made in Canada by the same parent company, there's nothing else on the market that's made in North America that's remotely as good for their price range.

I personally prefer their less expensive models, which feature solid cedar tops with laminated cherry backs and sides; I think those are the best-sounding guitars that Seagull and Simon & Patrick make. They're especially cheap on the used market: I bought a Seagull twelve string with those specs off the Anchorage Craigslist for $250. As a rule, you can find used ones in the $250-$350 price range, perhaps a bit more if it has built-in electronics.

If you don't find any on your own local Craigslist for a while, you might consider placing an ad that says: "Want to buy a Seagull or Simon & Patrick 12 string." That might shake one loose for you.

Just a thought.


Wade Hampton Miller

[Tico]

I'd look for an old Guild.

IMO Guild makes the quintessential 12-string guitar.

[McCawber]

I had a Guild J-65-12 that was big boom 12 string, but I sold it to get a slightly smaller body Taylor that would also be easier to maintain. (A neck reset on the Guild cost more than I paid for it originally.) The Taylor doesn't have the really big voice, but it has a great action and tone quality - and will be relatively easy to reset the neck when the time comes. It cost about $1500 new a couple of years ago and I would expect it to hold it's value better quite well.

[vintage40s]

Originally Posted by robbyfowler6

What are some good either American or Canadian made 12 strings under 2k? Preferably solid wood guitars

Today I took this one off of Reverb:
https://reverb.com/item/22766502-bre...s-2006-natural
And consigned it to Steilberg String Instruments for about the same amount.
https://www.stringinstruments.com
It was incredibly good and is mint in my opinion. About $1400 list in 2006, bought for about $1100 from them back then, now down to $750 used. Solid rosewood with abalone -- price such a guitar now. I can no longer play it at age 75 with two left hand operations.

[skinnerb]

The former Flagship for Taylor, the 555, is not only a powerhouse, but rings with a sweet voice. Mine is 28 years old and is structurally perfect, no mean trick, with no bulging or bellying and with a straight neck.They go for around $1500 and are a fine choice.

[pjmacd]

Wow, that was fast! vintage40s's Breedlove is already listed as sold.

[Brucebubs]

Keep a look out for a Taylor 458eR.
Same Grand Orchestra body and rosewood back & sides as the top model 858 which replaced the old jumbo 855.
I can find brand new 458eR's online for $2599.00 so a used one should fit your budget.

[donlyn]

12 string acoustics

Originally Posted by robbyfowler6

What are some good either American or Canadian made 12 strings under 2k? Preferably solid wood guitars

robbiefowler6,

Seems to me you asked about the same question recently in a thread titled "Best 12 string acoustic" from a few days ago.

I have two solid wood 12 string guitars and both are exceptional instruments. Each was acquired for less than the 2k price you mentioned.

I bought the 355 new, nearly 20 years ago. Can now be had 'used' for less than 1k.

When Taylor made the 858e Grand Orchestra 12 string it got my attention, but seemed a wee bit pricey. Then Taylor made the 458e-R (R is for Rosewood) Grand Orchestra and that got my wallet. Saw one for sale from a forum member for a really fair 'no-need-to-haggle' price and bought it ears unheard. First time I ever bought without testing.

My end result is that the 458e-R has the best 12 string sound I've ever heard. And yes, of course this is a subjective opinion. The big body size has a lot to do with that, combined with the playability of the instrument. For what it's worth, mine is currently strung with an Elixir Light gauge PB 12 string set, and I tune it down a half step to D#. (Old habit.) A 'G7th Newport 12 string capo with compensated string pad' can be quickly used to bring it up it to standard tuning, and without needing any re-tuning.

I fingerpick all my instruments, including the 12 strings. My fingernails are my picks.

The 458e-R sounds really great when fingerpicked. Just saying.

And fingerpicking "Pipeline" on a 12 string is a real crowd pleaser.
Also applies to "Walk Right In", a great sing-along.

Brucebubs has it totally correct when he wrote,

Keep a look out for a Taylor 458eR.

Don

PS> There are many other threads on this site about 12 string guitars from all manufacturers.

[Teherie]

After a lot of looking, I landed on a special order Larrivee LV-03 12 string with a mahogany top 14 years ago.

The list price on a new stock 12 string L-03 brings it down below your $2k limit when you apply the discounted price and there are used ones around.

I tried Taylor, Martin, Alvarez, Yamaha and Guild and I've never had a moment of remorse by choosing Larrivee. This guitar is great for strumming and finger picking and if properly set up is one of the easiest playing, best sounding 12 strings I've ever seen.

[zombywoof]

I agree on the Westerly-built Guilds. For under $2K there are also the Gibson B25-12s although you can also still snag a B45-12.

[boombox]

Originally Posted by zombywoof

I agree on the Westerly-built Guilds. For under $2K there are also the Gibson B25-12s although you can also still snag a B45-12.

+1 on a vintage B25-12 or B45-12 - can be found for half your top budget for a player's guitar. I've even seen Guild 512s and JF30-12s in the UK for below your top figure - and we have to play much higher prices than folks in the US.

[Dru Edwards]

Originally Posted by Wade Hampton

Seagull and Simon & Patrick. Made in Canada by the same parent company, there's nothing else on the market that's made in North America that's remotely as good for their price range.

I personally prefer their less expensive models, which feature solid cedar tops with laminated cherry backs and sides; I think those are the best-sounding guitars that Seagull and Simon & Patrick make. They're especially cheap on the used market: I bought a Seagull twelve string with those specs off the Anchorage Craigslist for $250. As a rule, you can find used ones in the $250-$350 price range, perhaps a bit more if it has built-in electronics.

If you don't find any on your own local Craigslist for a while, you might consider placing an ad that says: "Want to buy a Seagull or Simon & Patrick 12 string." That might shake one loose for you.

Just a thought.


Wade Hampton Miller

+1. I bought 3 used Simon & Patricks at local pawn shop and guitar store on the first strum. All of them have solid tops and laminated back/sides and one of them is a 12 string. Definitely worth a try.

[Mooh]

As a rule, I like the S&P and Seagull 12 strings, though I don't have one. I've considered a few as a second 12 string to the Beneteau. The Godin made guitars are quite consistent in quality and tone in my experience (I have/had a few).

[pickitPaul]

How about the Martin D12-20, great 12 string. Ask Eric Clapton.