[builtmyownbass]

I don't have a steel string acoustic, and I have decided that if I am going to get one, it would have to be a 12 string. So, is there any particular good brand I should get, or are they all pretty much the same?
Not sure about budget yet, so anything good for it's value would do. I probably wont spend more than $800 though.

I am also looking for a good classical guitar, so any suggestions on them would be much appeciated, too.

Thanks in advance.

[rickc]

Not sure if this is of any help, but a friend of mine has a 12 string made by Eko, an Italian built acoustic. They were pretty commonplace in the sixties and seventies but then I think they went out of production.
They are still available widely on the secondhand market ( at least in the U.K they are ).
They are still reasonably priced at present ( well within your budget ) but I think that the value of them will rise steadily as they are a great sounding instrument, and my guess is that they will be sought after in the not too distant future ( that is my prediction, though some will probably disagree ).
Anyway, might be worth looking out for.
If you were thinking of something new, then I am pretty sure that most of the major manufacturers have something in their catalogues.
I don't know how you feel about Fender acoustics. Some don't like them, but I have a catalogue in front of me with the JG-12CE-12 model. Looks like a nice instrument, and don't know much about Fender 12 strings, I had a 6 string once and was very happy with it. Have a look at the fender website for details.

[rickc]

Just to mention.......The Eko brand was actually branded as Eston in Australia. You can read about them on Fetishguitars.com

[AcousticSmash]

Yamaha makes a decent 12 string for about 300 bucks. Suggested above was Fender, I personally do not like their acoustic guitars as the construction feels cheap and the woods feel rather rough to the touch. Simon and Patrick make good 12 strings, or a Takamine if you want. You should really try before you buy though and see what you like. I have a 80's Yamaha 12 string, which above the problems with the action being high, the guitar is very solid in build quality and it has a nice sound, however from what I know, 80's Yamaha 12 strings were prone to high action.

[okiejohn]

I traded a junker Ibanez and a couple of fishing trips for a new Seagull M12 and a hard case last spring, The guitar was great right out of the box.

[jumping_jack_splash]

can youget 12 string resonators?
just wondering

[The_buffalo]

can youget 12 string resonators?
just wondering

I saw a picture of Glen Campbell playing an electric 12 string Dobro on the cover of his "Hey Little One" LP (about 40 years ago).

[lowden]

I still reckon the Guild 412 is one of the best 12 strings available, but at over $1500 it might be just a bit outside your range, but maybe second-hand - if you can find one.

Most makers offer 12 strings and someone earlier suggested Seagull, good maker, good price

Have a good look around online, but make sure to play one before buying. 12 strings with their thicker necks can take a little bit of getting used too if you've spent the last few years playing 6 strings. A few days would see you converted.

Also check out some old recordings of Leo Kottke for some 12 string finger picking.

This post has been edited by lowden: 22 September 2006 - 03:41 PM

[ninjato]

Taylor 655CE

http://www.taylorgui...px?model=655-CE


Here's my 655CE pictured on the left next to my 815CE Brazilian/Spruce

[TriDot77]

I've heard both S&P and Seagull so I'll just give my 2 cents...

I too was in the market for a 12 string, and the best I had available in my price range were Seagulls and S&P. Now these are made by the same company, (Luthier, I believe?) but the S&P were ment to be a step up from Seagulls. I played both and found that while the Seagulls had a very clear treble tone, the S&P was much more balenced and rounded. Best advice is to just go out and play them untill you you find what you prefer. I prefered the S&P, and I don't regret it (it was also on sale for $400 or $450 CDN, I can't remember which), so that made things easier.

[annoying_2001]

check out the tak 12-strings. you can find their better ones on ebay for just under the 800. also try to look for second hand martins and taylors, sometimes you can find them for a resonable price.

[builtmyownbass]

Taylor 655CE

http://www.taylorgui...px?model=655-CE


Here's my 655CE pictured on the left next to my 815CE Brazilian/Spruce

$$ $$

Also, thanks for the help everyone!

This post has been edited by builtmyownbass: 22 September 2006 - 05:52 AM

[ninjato]

Taylor 655CE

http://www.taylorgui...px?model=655-CE


Here's my 655CE pictured on the left next to my 815CE Brazilian/Spruce

$$ $$

Also, thanks for the help everyone!

I was lucky. After 2003, the same 2 guitar pictured shot up $500+ especially the Braz/Spruce Jumbo which they pushed up to the 900 Presentation series only and I think they only make Grand Concert sizes. I got the Jumbo craze and couldn't play anything smaller.

The 2003 655CE was $2800 and the Braz was $2700 and I beleive I haggled it down a few hundred on each.