What is your favorite 12-string

[iDavid]

I'm getting more and more into acoustic guitar and sold a bunch or pedals and what-not...

I've got about 1,000 to burn. Any ideas on a good 12-string?

What are you guys playing?

 

[teleking36]

i think Guild makes the best 12-string. there's one on ebay right now with a Buy It Now option for $1000 even. It's a '78 Guild F212. here's the link: guild f212

 

[teleking36]

here's another guild. great price. guild D25-12

 

[Chiba]

I'll probably get hung from a rafter for this, but Alvarez make a really good 12-string called the AJ60SC-12. I'm pretty sure it's made in Korea; I got mine when Mars was going down for about $350.

Stays in tune, plays like a dream. The neck is excellent, not too wide but wide enough at the nut for easy finger placement. Spruce top and maple body panels - my guess would be laminates, but I don't know for sure.

Sounds beautiful - shimmery, clean, and very open. A touch bright - but come on, that's why you play a 12-string in the first place Records very well and is just a joy to play.

--chiba

 

[MichaelK]

Originally posted by Chiba
I'll probably get hung from a rafter for this, but Alvarez make a really good 12-string called the AJ60SC-12. I'm pretty sure it's made in Korea; I got mine when Mars was going down for about $350.

Nothing wrong with that. I've played some great cheap assembly line guitars, but the thing is, they are a crapshoot. The one hanging next to it - same model number, close serial number - might be an absolute dog. If I found one I even halfway liked for $350 I'd snap it up.

I used to love Guild 12-strings back in the day.

 

[Porkchop Xpress]

Back in July I got to try out a bunch of nice 12 strings. There were acually some very nice Alverez and Takamine 12's in there, but the Taylor 354 just got me. It sounded great, the electronics can't be beat without an expensive mic and it was a pre joy to play. I was very impressed. Someday when I am out of debt and can talk my wife into it, I will buy one.

 

[OOG]

Taylor
Leo Kottke

vaseline cannon

 

[Boogie92801]

I like the taylors but I abree with teleking, Guild consistently makes a great 12 string. The necks are like bats and they stay in tune.

 

[Comfort Player]

Taylor 455

Best bang for the buck in the Taylor Line around 1300 new, 1000 used.

I play mine every day, now if I only knew something other than "Wish you were Here"

 

[waxnsteel]

Taylor's 12 string spacing is the best. They sound great, but tthey play incredibly well.
As for tunes, go for, Give A little Bit, Hole Hearted, To Be With You, Southern Cross, and Wanted: Dead or Alive. Always fun tunes!

 

[SteveK]

Yep, another vote for the Taylor 12 string My 6 string is a Martin OOO that I've had for years. I looked for a 12 string for a long time, and finally found my Taylor. With these 2 and my nylon string I'm set as far as acoustics go.

 

[Chris Rice]

The Taylor and Guild 12s are very nice.

My dad has a limited edition Takamine that I really enjoy playing.

The best 12s I've ever heard belong to a guy I play upright bass for. He has a 70's Bozo that used to belong to Bob Gibson. His backup is a Bozo built by Yairi (the man, not the company ).

Here he is with the Bozo (the non-Yairi):
http://ricketymusic.com/rick2inststandfull.jpg
Boy, that's a big picture. Changed to a link through the magic of editing.

http://guitars.net/bozobell.htm

 

[Timmo]

I bought a Guild F-412 all maple 12 string in 1979 and I STILL miss that thing.
It nailed anything Led Zepplin.
It was a piano with 12 strings.
Great, great guitar.

 

[teleking36]

I agree with you Timmo. I had a '76 Guild 12 string that was absolutely beautiful!! Early Guild 12-strings IMO are the best sounding 12-strings to date.