12-string under 450$? Recommendations..

[kerpi]

Hi!

 

I really really love 12 string guitars, and as soon as i can sell my old classical nylon string, i'd like to buy one in this price range..Im looking for a John Butler Trio, Jack Rose, Pierre Bensusan kinda tone...(i know "tone is in the fingers" but still)

Can You recommend me some nice guitars, that could cover that?

Thanks,

 

David

[Freeman Keller]

Only one consistantly comes to the top of the list - the Seagull S12+. It is cedar over cherry (lam) and seems to be well built and very playable (not always true for inexpensive 12's). Also be on the lookout for a good used Taylor 355 - might be a little above that price but worth considering if you can find one. That and a Guild (F212 or similar) are the only used 12's I recommend.

 

Otherwise, unfortunately, there are not too many options

[C70man]

Only ever played a Guild...didn't have to look further.

[kerpi]

takamine? fender? Are those worth a try?

[ESL94]

 

Only ever played a Guild...didn't have to look further.

 

 

He would have to save a lot more to get the Guild. I do agree that make great 12s!

[Samilyn]

First, a vote for the Seagull S12. Great 12-er for the bucks.

 

But if you want to save up just a bit more, check out Martin D12X1 with the solid spruce top. I have one and dearly love it. It simply shreds many more expensive 12-ers - very surprising for a git that's mostly laminate.

[AlexB]

the alvarez seems to be pretty good too.

it got decent reviews on HC and it's only $20 bucks more than ur price.

 

 

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-AJ60S12-Artist-Series-Jumbo-12String-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518792

[Samilyn]

 

takamine? fender? Are those worth a try?

 

 

Takamine = worth trying

Fender = probably not

[Cripes]

Had a Seagull 6. Great guitar but I don't know about their 12 strings. Where those are concerned I believe your best options are Taylor or Guild. Those are above your $-amount but nevertheless the only 2 I'd seriously consider for build quality. Check out the used market for them.

 

Fender? I'd wink at it knowing it's going to self-destruct before I do. Fender does not do acoustics justice. Never played a Takamine.

[Freeman Keller]

 

Takamine = worth trying Fender = probably not

 

 

New Tak = worth looking at

Used Tak = be very careful

Fender = absolutely not

 

The Taks will be dreads which will be OK strummers, but sure won't give you a Bensusan tone no matter what your fingers do.

 

Another guitar that gets high marks at the Cafe' is the Martin J12-15 - I've only played one and it probably had dead strings. I have also heard good things about some Breedlove 12's but have no personal knowledge. What is available where you live?

[Damon67]

the alvarez seems to be pretty good too. it got decent reviews on HC and it's only $20 bucks more than ur price. http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-AJ60S12-Artist-Series-Jumbo-12String-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=518792

 

I'll second that. I own one. It has the option to add a soundhole mic or magnetic pickup and blend the sounds as well. I bought the pickup for $40 or so.

 

It's really an unbelievable guitar for the price.

 

Mine:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[garthman]

Hello David

 

I am a big fan of Crafter guitars. They are excellent quality instruments and are reasonably priced. Their D8/12 model retails for approx

[kerpi]

Here in Hungary, we have Fenders, Takamines, Washburns, Ibanezes and stuff like that. We have Martin and Furch also but those are really expensive here ("absolutely not worth it expensive").

But there is the possibility of eBay although i dont like to buy something without trying it out first, especially if its a guitar, or You can always drive to Vienna which is 250 km which has some more serious guitar shops, so i think im gonna go with that.

The Seagull and the Alvarez look really good to me (unfortunately the Guild is not my price range). Are there any sound clips available on the net?

[Freeman Keller]

 

Here in Hungary, we have Fenders, Takamines, Washburns, Ibanezes and stuff like that. We have Martin and Furch also but those are really expensive here ("absolutely not worth it expensive"). But there is the possibility of eBay although i dont like to buy something without trying it out first, especially if its a guitar, or You can always drive to Vienna which is 250 km which has some more serious guitar shops, so i think im gonna go with that. The Seagull and the Alvarez look really good to me (unfortunately the Guild is not my price range). Are there any sound clips available on the net?

 

 

My friend and sometimes poster Eppito has a Seagull and I am trying to post some of his clips at the Annex but unfortunately they are not up yet. I could try to e-mail the mp3's to you if you want to PM me your addy or with hope they will be up in a week or so.

 

I've only played one S12 but I was very impressed with it and Eppito just gushes when he talks about his. One minor concern I have about the 'gull is the cedar top is softer that spruce and I don't know how it will hold up (I think that is part of the reason it sounds good out of the box)

 

If Damon67 has any songs on his Alvarez I would be happy to put them on the Annex too. Another acoustic/electric 12 that gets good marks is the Carvin 980 - again a bit above your price point but a pretty nice guitar (particularly plugged).

 

You might also want to lurck at the Cafe' - there have been several threads about less expensive 12 strings

 

UMGF 12 String Cafe'

[Freeman Keller]

Kerpi, just saw this at the Cafe' and there was quite a buzz about it - $350 or so on sale

 

http://www.acoustic-avenue.dyndns.info/Photo%20Gallery/071222_MorganMonroeMMV12CE/index.html

 

Here is the thread

 

http://p072.ezboard.com/ftheunofficialmartinguitarforumfrm150.showMessage?topicID=595.topic

 

What I can see in the pics would appeal to me - smaller bodied 12 string with a shorter scale - I can hear Bensusan in this one LOL

[spijk]

Norman B20-12. Made in Canada. Check it out:

 

http://www.normanguitars.com/modelb2012.htm

[kerpi]

Thanks but i really want to play the guitar first before buying it, so buying it online is not an option for me. Meanwhile i checked around and i've found a shop in Budapest, that stores seagulls, but they only have the Seagull Coastline S12 Cedar (is it the same as the S12+?) for 500$...So i think im gonna have to save up some more. Gear in Eastern Europe costs a lot unfortunately.

Also have You heard about Baton Rouge or Stanford? I tried out a Baton Rouge a year ago, and it was a wonderful guitar but it was 900 euros...

[JerseyGuy]

I have the Seagull Coastline 12 and really love it, almost as much as my old vintage Taylor 655 12. Be sure you play the thing a few times and are okay with the neck, which is wider and thicker than most. But the sound is outstanding,strong across high, mids and lows. Also, +++ on Freeman's cautions on buying a used 12; there is a lot of stress on the box from those 12 strings and neck and bridge and bracing problems happpen to the best made. My Taylor just had to have the neck reset. Finally, heed Samilyn's advice to check out the Martin D12X1; yes it's laminate but she is right that the sound is outstanding for the price.

 

Welcome to the forum and good luck.

[missedmyexit]

I'll second that. I own one. It has the option to add a soundhole mic or magnetic pickup and blend the sounds as well. I bought the pickup for $40 or so. It's really an unbelievable guitar for the price. Mine:

 

What pickup do you have on that? I'm thinking of getting up pickup for my 12 String not to hijack the thread but was curious.

[Damon67]

Keith, it's an Alvarez ACM50 clip on mic made for the Alvarez System 600T Mk II preamp. I would imagine it would work with any preamp that has an input for a 3.5mm stereo plug.

 

More info:

http://www.alvarezgtr.com/electronics.php

[Damon67]

Freeman - the Alvarez is rather new for me and I have yet to record anything. I'll put that on my list of to do's. I'll try the same thing mic'd, amplified, and even direct in.