12 string recommendations please

[vbf]

Greetings everyone. I post like a madman in the Guitars In General forum but first time poster here in the Acoustic Instruments forum. So please go easy on the newb. :) I mostly play electric but have the occasion to play acoustic and could use a decent acoustic/electric 12 string. I'm looking to trade in the no greater than $500 range, if possible. I recently heard a lady playing an Ovation 12 string that sounded pretty good. I guess I could look at those but open to suggestions. Thank you in advance.

[lamenlovinit]

pretty limited in the 500 range. Just try all the usual suspects in your price range to see which one fits your "electrified" hand best would be my approach if I were in your shoes. You want to jump up into $900 and an older Taylor 555 would be a pro level instrument. Almost twice as much as you want to spend but worth every penny. Wide neck, but very thin. Well relatively... We are talking a 12 string acoustic.

[vbf]

pretty limited in the 500 range. Just try all the usual suspects in your price range to see which one fits your "electrified" hand best would be my approach if I were in your shoes. You want to jump up into $900 and an older Taylor 555 would be a pro level instrument. Almost twice as much as you want to spend but worth every penny. Wide neck, but very thin. Well relatively... We are talking a 12 string acoustic.

Perhaps you are right....and I appreciate your candor. I do need a pro level instrument and I need to set my sights higher. :aok

[thedanny]

I would suggest a used Taylor...they make great 12 strings. I have a 2001 555 that I got for $750 on ebay several years ago and I love it, very playable...which is more than can be said for most 12 strings. Make sure you get a good tuner though, tuning those puppies can be a nightmare.

[sixstringslut]

I used to work with an American Indian dude that playe 12's. He was probably the best I had ever heard, sounded like 3-4 guitars, realy. He would tune the extra coarse slightly flat. Didn't sound the greatest individualy but together it was major wow!

BTW same with pianos, if they are tuned perferct, they sound dead and volumeless.

[thedanny]

If you could find a Guild for a good price that would be another option. I believe Guild and Taylor make the best 12 strings.

[rjsc5]

I have an Alverez Yairi 12 string with a solid top that has a great action and tone. I would guess you could find a used one for around your price.

[frquent flyer]

Find an old guild 212 or a taylor 555. I have had both ,still have the guild 212. Get a good one,enjoy it and retain the value.

[vbf]

Thanks, everybody, really appreciate it.

[Auriemma]

Take a look at Ovations {USA made, not the Celebrity series). The Balladeer Standard I have sounds excellent unplugged and great plugged in. The neck plays more like a electric than any acoustic 12 you will find... bar none. Al though, the round back does take some getting used too.

[drive-south]

I was lucky to be able to find my Guild D25-12 for $375 but that was 20 years ago. You won't find one at this price today. More like $1k.

Taylor 355 is a great 12 and probably the most popular 12 out there, but you will need to double your' budget to buy a good used one.

Breedlove also makes nice 12s. Some are imported and may fit your' budget.

The (made in China) Guild D212 is well above your' budget as well, but you may find a used one at that price point. The GADs don't hold their value as well as the US-made Guilds.

$500 doesn't buy much these day.

[ricoh]

My pal is a 12 string man. His Taylor's play nice and easy.

[rockinstephen]

I have a very nice Blue Ridge 140-12. Yeah yeah, I know, It's Chinese made, but BR's offer excellent value and quality for the price. Well worth checking out...

[small axe]

i second the used taylor option

[PeeCee]

I agree with the used Taylor recommendation also.

[googoobaby]

I had a USA Ovation Balladeer that I found in that price range and it was beautiful sounding (and I'm not a fan of Ovation 6s). I ended up replacing it with an Ovation Melissa Etheridge that wasn't that much more expensive, and I like that as much as the Guild 12s I've played.

[Fendegibs]

I love my Guild 212

[mill1341]

If you're committed to the $500 price cap, check out a Seagull Coastline 12 string. They have cherry laminate back and sides that give them a very nice sound - warm and mellow, but still clear enough to hear the 12 string jangle. They typically run between $300-400 used, and around $500 new.

[filg]

+1 on the Seagull. Just purchased one recently and love it. I dont understand why more people feel that way.

[Stevil]

i recently picked up an Ibanez AEL2012E for $400. sounds pretty damn good to me. tuner & a fishman pickup are built in. i wish the action was a lil lower further up on the neck & might get a friend to work on that one of these days. i'm sure the suggestions above will keep you happy in the long run, but if yer firm on your price cap it's a good 'bang for the buck' option.

[gear007]

Another suggestion for a used Taylor.
I would not go cheap on a 12. You really need a well built guitar in order to handle the stress of the strings, stay in-tune, and properly set up. I used a Martin D-12-28 for years. It was an outstanding guitar and recorded especially well. Taylor 12's are held in high regards and have a reputation for their ease to play. Never owned one, but have borrowed and played several in shops. They are nice.

[milk bone]

Walden possibly.
I've never played one of their twelve strings but i've been impressed with everything else I've tried. Great bang for the buck.........

[zumaboy]

I used to own a Simon & Patrick S12 (same guitar as the Seagull) that got me by until I got the money for my Taylor 855. It was a nice guitar.

[Pa'ani]

If you can find a used Larrivee 12 string that'll be the way to go!

[High Voltage]

Hate to recommend above your price but a used Taylor is a great way to go. I got one earlier this year. For every gig I've used it on the MD has always been very happy with the sound and intonation. Very easy to play as well. I got a 355CE for right above 1K. I saw cheaper online through Ebay, G-Base, and Craigslist.