Suggestions for an easy-to-play 12 string?

[kmckenna45]

I'm looking for an inexpensive 12 string to us for in home recording. I used to have a Danelectro - which was nice. I don't need its to be electric - but I'd really like it to not have a big dread body. And I'd like it to be easy to play. So - I'm wondering what would fit the bill. I don't think a pure 12 string dread would be good for me.

Anyone have opinions on 10 year old Ovation 12 strings? I know the neck joint can be a problem on older models.

Any smaller body 12 string acoustics out there - that I could get used for $500? Or a smaller hollow body electric?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

[FingahPickah]

Originally Posted by kmckenna45

I'm looking for an inexpensive 12 string to us for in home recording. I used to have a Danelectro - which was nice. I don't need its to be electric - but I'd really like it to not have a big dread body. And I'd like it to be easy to play. So - I'm wondering what would fit the bill. I don't think a pure 12 string dread would be good for me.

Anyone have opinions on 10 year old Ovation 12 strings? I know the neck joint can be a problem on older models.

Any smaller body 12 string acoustics out there - that I could get used for $500? Or a smaller hollow body electric?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Breedlove has a variety of easy-to-play good sounding imports..

[BobSC]

A few months ago I tried out a Yamaha APX700II-12 which is close to your price range but I returned it since it didn't come with a case and I was looking for something with a little better build quality. I actually liked the Yamaha APX700II-12 a lot, has a smaller body and I thought it was very easy to play. I wound up getting a Taylor 352ce that I like. I still have an Ovation 12 string that I bought new in 1980. I have not played the Ovation in many years but I thought the Yamaha was whole lot easier to play than my Ovation.

[The Orb]

I've gone through a stupid, unjustifiable number of acoustic 12-string guitars: Takamine, D'Angelico, Taylor, Breedlove, Fender, Martin, Oscar Schmidt, Gretsch. I've kept my Yamaha LL16-12 the longest because it's been the easiest to play and sounds the best. It has the shape of a jumbo but the size of a dreadnought. Also, it's all but impervious to temperature and humidity changes.

L I N K

[guitargabor]

It may be a challenge to acquire such an instrument for that price range.Most of the low cost 12 strings will have a dreadnought shape.

I too have owned various 12 strings over the years .My current one is a Martin HD 28 12 which is superb in my hands, except for the size.

It's short scale and 1 13/16 inch neck helps playability.

The depth of this model is 4 7/8 inches which I believe is a major factor adding to the bulk and the "sore shoulder" syndrome.

The Taylor 150e I owned for a while was very easy to play.You might find one used in your price range.

Larrivee produced an OM body 12 string about 15 -20 years ago.

Recently, I played a older Takamine F400 12 string at a local GC.Excellent in every way and comfortable,light in weight too.

Best of luck in your quest!

[Mirosh]

I had those criteria and found a used Breedlove AC250/SM-12 that had low but uneven action and was easy to play. Eventually I did more work on it (fret leveling, new saddle, etc.) and now it is even easier. I agree a good setup is likely worth the expense.

The body is a concert size, much smaller than a dread or a jumbo, pleasant to look at and to hold. And it sounds great.

[gfirob]

I just bought a Harley Benton Rickenbacker clone for about $350. An electric 12 string is going to have lighter strings and easier to adjust action, so that was my rational, and I have been pretty impressed with the build quality of other Harley Benton electrics I have seen in the flesh. I don't know how they do it, other than their business model, but I don't think anybody else can touch them for price and quality, in the low end guitar world.

[donlyn]

Suggestions for an easy-to-play 12 string?

Originally Posted by kmckenna45

I'm looking for an inexpensive 12 string to us for in home recording. I used to have a Danelectro - which was nice. I don't need its to be electric - but I'd really like it to not have a big dread body. And I'd like it to be easy to play. So - I'm wondering what would fit the bill. I don't think a pure 12 string dread would be good for me.

Anyone have opinions on 10 year old Ovation 12 strings? I know the neck joint can be a problem on older models.

Any smaller body 12 string acoustics out there - that I could get used for $500? Or a smaller hollow body electric?

Suggestions?

Thanks.

Biggest suggestion is to learn to love a larger body guitar.

In that price range, the one that comes to mind is a Guild 2512 spruce over laminate maple arch-back Jumbo. Tremendous sound coming from this one. I would recommend playing before paying to make sure you like it. For the record, I own one.

Especially in a seated position, a Jumbo body is actually quite easy to play since the small waist allows it to sit low on your leg and easily reach all strings without killing your shoulder. I have four 12 string guitars, all large body Jumboes, including the Taylor 458e-R Grand Orchestra which is a Jumbo with a wider waist. I am of medium size at 5'8" and age-shrinking, and have no trouble playing any of these. And they all came well-set up, to the point of few tweaks were required.

So during you search, find one and try it.

And I fingerpick all my instruments, so 'feel' is very important to me.

An increase in budget can open up a larger variety of 12 string guitars, including getting a used one. Taylor 355's don't cost too much used and are a fine guitar in all respects. And a Guild 1512 solid spruce over solid rosewood Jumbo lists for only a grand with no electronics aboard, and comes with a stupendous padded gig bag. (I have one of these too.)

Don
.

[Benjo]

If you are 5' 8" or shorter, I advise you to avoid jumbo bodies if you'll be playing sitting down. I had two jumbo I had to sell due to shoulder pain caused by my shoulder always being raised up due to the larger body.

[L20A]

After having to sell my 12 string due to hand problems,
I recently found an Alvarez 8 string that has replaced my desires for a 12 string.
This is a Grand Concert size acoustic/electric guitar that has a lot of the 12 string sound and shimmer but is far easier to play.
The neck is narrower and thinner than a 12 string neck.
I had the guitar set up with a very low action and it plays as easy as my 6 string guitars now.

Don't confuse it with the Baritone 8 string though.

[1stGuitar]

Yamaha has a 12 string in their FG series that looks pretty nice and sounds good too. It is also pretty easy to as far as 12 strings go. $379 US new. It fits your budget so it might be worth taking a peek at.

[CharlieBman]

Originally Posted by Mirosh

I had those criteria and found a used Breedlove AC250/SM-12 that had low but uneven action and was easy to play. Eventually I did more work on it (fret leveling, new saddle, etc.) and now it is even easier. I agree a good setup is likely worth the expense.

The body is a concert size, much smaller than a dread or a jumbo, pleasant to look at and to hold. And it sounds great.

for ^this^. Had mine for 16+ years and it still gets played.

[Neil K Walk]

I like the Taylor 254ce but the new ones list for $1000.