Reasonably priced 12 string
 

My son has turned into a very good guitarist. He plays only acoustic, and his main guitar is a Taylor 210CE (which I had to buy him to get his grubby mitts of my 814CE).

The other night at a friend's house, he had his first 12-string experience, with a 40-yo Takamaine. Seeing the look on his face as he laid into the first few chords was one of the best experiences of my life.

I had a 12 string when I was his age, and, as guitar players know, they are pretty specialized and limiting, and often end up gathering dust (mine did). That said, I'd love to get him one, but want something fairly reasonable--less than $1000. That rules out Taylors, etc. I'm wondering if anyone has a relatively low-cost rig they are happy with?

thanks

Terry

I had a Guild GAD-212 that was a great sounding guitar. Guild and Taylor are known for their 12 strings.

Guild is the only company I know that actually builds a 12 string correctly. Have for years. Go Guild. I had an F13 I believe years ago. I have a Takamine acoustic electric bass. It's well built, good sound and excellent fit and finish. That said I know nothing about their 12 strings.

I would get on board with this one.
Copy Guild J65 12 String by Takamine 1976 Model 395MS (Maple Solid) Law Suit | eBay

Agree on the Guilds. They seem to just get better with age.

As to Guilds, I played a mid 70's F40 six string I would have killed for. The owner wasn't gonna let go of it, though, even from her cold, dead fingers! Better than just about anything I've played lately.

Terry

Our guitarists love their Takamines. Stay away from Ovations!!

I hear ya on the Ovations.

How old are the Takamines? That's what Springsteen plays. I saw him do a solo show a couple years ago--two and a half hours of just him. Had not realized before then what a good guitarist he is.

Here's a good deal on a GAD F212....
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I have a Washburn Prarie Song 12 string - excellent guitar. Have had it since 1980 and the neck is still true like the day I received it. Washburn is a reasonably priced guitar and is endorsed by the folks like Craid Chaquico (Jefferson Starship turned solo jazz guitarist)

Alvarez makes a good sounding / well made guitar at a reasonable price. I believe that they also make a 12 string.

Taylor all the way.

I had a Martin D12-20. Loved the sound, but too much work to maintain. Traded it in for a Taylor dreadnaught.

Still miss having a 12 tho...