A 12-string doubles up each string into a course, so every chord rings with a built-in shimmer. Strum a few open shapes and it can sound like two guitars playing at once.
That richness has a cost, since all those extra strings pile on neck tension, slow down tuning, and ask for a wider reach. Build quality matters more here than on a standard six, and a weak neck or thin laminate wood turns the instrument into a chore.
We ranked 10 acoustic guitars of the twelve-string kind on tone, playability, build, and value. The picks run from a collector-grade flagship down to an affordable first instrument.
Here’s the quick comparison first.
Quick Comparison Chart
| # | Product | Our Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Taylor 652ce Builder's Edition 12-String | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 2 |  |
Guild F-1512 12-String Acoustic | ★★★★★ | Check Price |
| 3 |  |
Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB Jumbo Cutaway | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 4 |  |
Seagull S12 Spruce Sunburst | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 5 |  |
Takamine GD30CE-12 Dreadnought | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 6 |  |
Ovation ExoticWoods Collection 12-String | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 7 |  |
Yamaha FG820 12-String | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 8 |  |
Ibanez PF1512ECE 12-String | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 9 |  |
Oscar Schmidt by Washburn OD312CE | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
| 10 |  |
James Neligan LYN-D12 LYNE Series | ★★★★☆ | Check Price |
Twelve Strings, Ten Very Different Builds
Body shapes stretch from the Takamine GJ72CE-12’s room-filling jumbo down to the Seagull S12’s concert hall, with the Ovation’s round Lyrachord bowl sitting in a category of its own. Where you land changes the shimmer more than any spec sheet suggests.
Solid wood marks the dividing line in price. The Taylor 652ce pairs a torrefied spruce top with V-Class bracing and the Guild F-1512 adds solid rosewood, while the Oscar Schmidt and James Neligan hold the entry price for a first 12-string.
1. Taylor 652ce Builder’s Edition 12-String
Taylor 652ce Builder's Edition 12-String
Premium 12-string with torrefied Sitka spruce top, maple back and sides, V-Class bracing, and an ebony fingerboard.
Pros
- Torrefied Sitka spruce top for rich, opened-up tone
- Maple back and sides keep notes clear and articulate
- Beveled cutaway and low action for easy playability
- Ebony fingerboard with a smooth, fast feel
Cons
- Sits at a serious premium price point
- High-end finish needs careful maintenance
We start at the very top with the Taylor 652ce Builder’s Edition, the classiest 12-string on this list. A torrefied Sitka spruce top sits over maple back and sides, and Taylor’s V-Class bracing gives the whole instrument remarkable clarity, volume, and sustain.
Few acoustic-electric hybrids feel this refined.
Of course, class is what you’d expect when you’re forking out this kind of money, but the 652ce is more than a work of art. A beveled cutaway, low action, and rolled fingerboard edges over an ebony board make it shockingly easy to play.
The onboard ES2 electronics translate that gorgeous tone faithfully when you plug in.
2. Guild F-1512 12-String Acoustic
Guild F-1512 12-String Acoustic
All-solid jumbo 12-string with a Sitka spruce top, Indian rosewood back and sides, and a vintage Guild neck.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top over solid Indian rosewood
- Jumbo body delivers a full, chimey 12-string voice
- Vintage Guild neck with comfortable 1 7/8-inch nut
- Includes a lightweight Guild poly foam case
Cons
- Large jumbo body feels heavy to some players
- Priced higher than most on this list
If you want a more classic, all-solid 12-string, the Guild F-1512 is hard to beat. It pairs a solid Sitka spruce top with solid Indian rosewood back and sides for the crisp, chimey voice of a true 12-string, delivered with the pronounced low-end presence of a jumbo body.
Twelve strings and jumbos are both Guild specialties, so you’re getting a pedigree here.
The F-1512 is surprisingly approachable for a jumbo. The vintage-shaped Guild neck with its 1 7/8-inch nut leaves plenty of room for both finger- and flat-picking, and the all-gloss natural finish looks the part.
It even ships with a lightweight Guild poly foam case.
3. Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB Jumbo Cutaway
Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB Jumbo Cutaway
Jumbo cutaway 12-string with a solid spruce top, flame maple sides, and Takamine's versatile TK-40D preamp.
Pros
- Solid spruce top with flame maple back and sides
- Lush, robust jumbo 12-string projection
- TK-40D preamp with tuner, 3-band EQ, and gain
- Slim mahogany neck and bound rosewood fingerboard
Cons
- Jumbo dimensions feel big for smaller players
- One of the pricier options here
Takamine proves it can build a great guitar just as well as it builds pickups and preamps with the GJ72CE-12BSB. A solid spruce top sits over flame maple back and sides, producing all the lush, robust sound players expect from a jumbo 12-string, with trebles that stay warm and clear.
There’s enough projection to assert itself even unplugged.
A slim mahogany neck and 12-inch-radius bound rosewood fingerboard keep this big-bodied ax comfortable to play, while the cutaway puts the upper frets within reach. The standout, though, is the TK-40D preamp, which adds a built-in tuner, three-band EQ, gain, a mid-contour switch, and a notch filter for serious stage versatility.
4. Seagull S12 Spruce Sunburst
Seagull S12 Spruce Sunburst
Canadian-made concert-hall cutaway 12-string with a solid spruce top, wild cherry sides, and a built-in tuner.
Pros
- Solid spruce top with wild cherry back and sides
- Compact concert-hall body is easy to play
- Tapered headstock keeps tuning stable
- Godin EPM Quantum IT pickup sounds great plugged in
Cons
- Smaller body has slightly less low-end heft
- Sunburst gloss top can show fingerprints
Seagull’s reputation for great guitars at fair prices continues with the S12 Spruce Sunburst, our favorite small-body pick. The Canadian-made concert-hall body wears a solid spruce top finished in a shimmery gloss, with wild cherry back and sides for a satin look and a snug, easy-playing profile.
It’s a guitar that just itches to be strummed.
Tuning up and staying in tune is a breeze thanks to Seagull’s renowned tapered headstock, which improves string-tension stability, plus an easy-to-use integrated tuner. The Godin EPM Quantum IT pickup and preamp system is simple in design and outstanding in performance, so the S12 sounds just as enchanting plugged in as it does acoustically.
5. Takamine GD30CE-12 Dreadnought
Takamine GD30CE-12 Dreadnought
Cutaway dreadnought 12-string with a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and onboard electronics for the money.
Pros
- Spruce top and mahogany back and sides for warm tone
- Cutaway dreadnought projects a bold, full voice
- Onboard preamp makes amplification simple
- Excellent bang-for-buck from a trusted brand
Cons
- Tuning stability can wander under heavy strumming
- Ovangkol fingerboard is fairly plain
For players chasing the full 12-string sound without spending a fortune, the Takamine GD30CE-12 offers the best bang for the buck. It’s an upscaled, cutaway version of Takamine’s legendary GD30 dreadnought, and despite the smaller body volume the cutaway creates, it still projects a bold, full dreadnought voice.
A spruce top works with mahogany back and sides to capture all that 12-string energy, while a mahogany neck keeps things comfortable. Takamine’s onboard preamp makes amplification simple for gigs and practice.
The tuning pegs aren’t the most stable under heavy strumming, but for the price this is a tremendous value.
6. Ovation ExoticWoods Collection 12-String
Ovation ExoticWoods Collection 12-String
Distinctive 12-string with a layered quilted maple top, Lyrachord deep-contour bowl, and OP Pro Studio preamp.
Pros
- Eye-catching layered quilted maple top
- Lyrachord deep-contour body is very light
- OP Pro Studio preamp with OCP1K pickup
- Well-balanced, articulate tone with great sustain
Cons
- Rounded composite back slips on the lap
- Bowl-body tone divides traditional players
You can always bank on Ovation to craft a guitar that’s as striking to look at as it’s to play, and the ExoticWoods Collection 12-String is no exception. A layered quilted maple top tops the company’s signature Lyrachord deep-contour bowl, and the whole build is extremely light, letting you play comfortably from just about any position while maximizing acoustic output.
The tone is well-rounded and articulate with excellent sustain, and the OP Pro Studio preamp with OCP1K pickup means it sounds gorgeous plugged in. The rounded composite back can slip on your lap, and the bowl-body voice divides traditionalists, but for a distinctive, stage-ready 12-string it’s a genuinely interesting option.
7. Yamaha FG820 12-String
Yamaha FG820 12-String
Beginner-friendly dreadnought 12-string with a solid Sitka spruce top, mahogany sides, and an adjustable truss rod.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top is rare at this price
- Mahogany back and sides give a mellow, balanced voice
- Adjustable truss rod for dialing in the action
- Legendary Yamaha FG build quality and reliability
Cons
- Purely acoustic, with no pickup fitted
- Plain dot-inlay cosmetics
Yamaha’s FG line has opened up the acoustic experience for millions of players, and the FG820 12-String is one of the best beginner 12-strings you can buy. The headline feature is a solid Sitka spruce top, which is rare at this price and only sounds better as it ages.
Mahogany back and sides round out a mellow, well-balanced tone that suits vocal accompaniment beautifully.
A smooth rosewood fingerboard accommodates any playing style, and an adjustable truss rod lets you dial in the action as those twelve strings settle in. There are no onboard electronics here, but for build quality and tone at this price, the FG820 is tough to beat as a first 12-string.
8. Ibanez PF1512ECE 12-String
Ibanez PF1512ECE 12-String
Affordable cutaway dreadnought 12-string with a spruce top, okoume sides, and an AEQ-2T preamp with tuner.
Pros
- Deep, percussive tone with sparkling overtones
- AEQ-2T preamp with onboard tuner and 2-band EQ
- Comfortable action makes fingering easy
- Reliable build from a trusted guitar brand
Cons
- Okoume back and sides are laminate
- Tone lacks the depth of all-solid rivals
The Ibanez PF1512ECE proves you don’t need to break the bank for a twelve-stringer. It delivers a deep, percussive sound with rich, sparkling overtones and plenty of volume, thanks to the projection of its cutaway dreadnought body.
A spruce top pairs with okoume back and sides, an African hardwood with mahogany-like sonic properties.
The AEQ-2T preamp adds an onboard tuner, two-band EQ, and volume control, so the PF1512ECE comes along comfortably to stage performances and recording sessions. Great tuning stability and a comfortable action make fingering easy, even if you’re coming straight from a six-string.
The laminate okoume can’t match all-solid rivals for depth, but it’s a great step-up model.
9. Oscar Schmidt by Washburn OD312CE
Oscar Schmidt by Washburn OD312CE
Wallet-friendly cutaway dreadnought 12-string acoustic-electric in a striking trans-blue gloss finish.
Pros
- Very affordable entry into 12-string playing
- Cutaway dreadnought with built-in electronics
- Eye-catching trans-blue gloss finish
- Low action makes for an easy setup
Cons
- Laminate construction limits tonal depth
- Build quality can vary unit to unit
The Oscar Schmidt by Washburn OD312CE proves a decent dreadnought-sized 12-string can be had for a very wallet-friendly price. It’s our best budget pick, offering a cutaway acoustic-electric body in a striking trans-blue gloss finish that stands out from the sea of natural-topped 12-strings.
The built-in electronics simplify amplification if you decide to play for a bigger crowd, and the cutaway plus low action make for an easy, comfortable setup right out of the box. Laminate construction means it won’t match the tonal depth of pricier models, and build quality can vary a little from unit to unit, but the value on offer is hard to argue with.
10. James Neligan LYN-D12 LYNE Series
James Neligan LYN-D12 LYNE Series
Compact dreadnought-style 12-string acoustic built as an affordable, easy-strumming entry-level instrument.
Pros
- One of the cheapest ways into a 12-string
- Compact dreadnought body is comfortable to hold
- Surprisingly decent projection for the price
- A forgiving choice for total beginners
Cons
- Onboard electronics get noisy under heavy attack
- Tone and parts are basic compared to rivals
Wrapping up the list is the James Neligan LYN-D12, one of the cheapest ways to get into 12-string playing. It’s a compact dreadnought-style instrument built for beginners, and while it won’t disappoint as far as projection goes, it keeps things simple.
The body is comfortable to hold and forgiving for newcomers still finding their way around a guitar.
For the money, the LYN-D12 offers surprisingly decent tonal response, with a reasonable dose of bass and clear highs. The onboard electronics can get a little noisy under heavy attack, and the parts are basic compared to the rest of this list, but as a low-risk first 12-string it does the job well enough.
Final Thoughts
The Taylor 652ce Builder’s Edition is the finest 12-string acoustic on this list, and it isn’t especially close. The torrefied spruce top, maple back and sides, and V-Class bracing combine for a tone and clarity nothing else here matches, and Taylor somehow made a premium 12-string that’s genuinely easy to play.
If budget is no object, this is the one to own.
If you want all-solid woods without going fully boutique, the Guild F-1512 and its jumbo body are a brilliant compromise, while the Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB brings the best stage electronics in the group. For smaller hands, the Canadian-made Seagull S12 is the most comfortable pick of the bunch.
On a tighter budget, the Yamaha FG820 12-String is the standout. A solid spruce top at a beginner price makes it the smartest first 12-string here, and it’ll keep rewarding you as your playing grows.
Whatever your budget and style, there’s a twelve-stringer above ready to add a whole new dimension to your sound. Good luck!
