Purchasing new 12 string

[Josey]

Hey, this is my first topic so im not too sure if this is the right place to come, but i'm sure you can help anyway

 

I've been looking at purchasing a 12 string acoustic for a while, and just recently i have been asked to play at a wedding and going to cover songs like "Hotel California". So i have decided it's time to purchase a 12 string.

 

My price range is 100-200 pounds, but i may go offer if it's a good deal.

 

I'm currently thinking Electro-acoustic as i like to play live and record etc..

 

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/fender-cd-160-e-12/69418

 

I was wondering if the Ibanez is good? i can't find any reviews for it and i'm a bit of a noob when it comes to acoustic/elec acoustics.

 

Any help is greatly appreciated

[DeepEnd]

Regarding Ibanez, I own one (an AW120) and I'm very happy with it. But the general advice hereabouts is to find a used Guild or Taylor 12-string since they're built significantly sturdier than the competition. I doubt you could find one and add an aftermarket pickup without breaking the budget though.

[Freeman Keller]

Welcome, Josey, and this is most certainly the place to ask. There are quite a few of us who own and play 12 strings. With the current exchange rate at about 1:2 you are looking at guitars in the $400 or less range US. The one that always comes to the top of that discussion is the Seagull S12+. It will not have electronics and may not be available on your side of the pond, but give it a look if you can. A pickup can always be added to a guitar that doesn't have one.

Ibanez is generally thought of as a pretty good guitar by forumites, but I know nothing about their 12's. And unfortunately, Fender acoustics are not regarded very well and I would expect their 12's to be similar.

The problem with a 12 string is that things you might overlook on a sixer can make a 12 unplayable. If the action is at all high they can be a bear to play, most intonate poorly, and due to 50 percent more tension on the top they can suffer structural damage. Many people tune down one or two semitones to both make them a little easier to play and to reduce the tension - this may or may not be a problem if you are playing with others or singing.

I would suggest playing a bunch of them - and include Guilds and Taylors in the mix (they will be above your price point, but are considered some of the best made 12's today). I would really hesitate to buy without playing - you may find as one forumite did that his new $100 12 string required refretting and a whole bunch of setup work to make it reasonably playable. Hang around the Cafe' and search old threads for "inexpensive 12 strings" - you'll find a lot of great information here

UMGF 12 String Cafe'

Don't let me turn you off, just take your time and shop wisely. A 12 string is the Grand Piano of the guitar world, but twice as many strings can also be twice as many problems. Keep us posted

[dhoenisch]

I made a post about cheap sub $100 guitars and mentioned my 12-string Carlo Robelli. Here's a link to that post: http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1851050

Dan

[Samilyn]

My vote goes to the Seagull if it's available in the UK. Sorry it won't have electronics for what you're looking to spend, but overall, they're very nice-sounding 12-ers.

[Josey]

Thanks for the great help guys, i'll look through the sources you gave me and post back tomorrow

[Samilyn]

BTW, Josey...Sorry I didn't say this before.....

 

Welcome to HCAG. Glad to have you here.

[JerseyGuy]

My vote goes to the Seagull if it's available in the UK. Sorry it won't have electronics for what you're looking to spend, but overall, they're very nice-sounding 12-ers.

 

 

Samilyn, I'm surprised you're not touting your Martin DX model, which I think is the best value in a 12 around and more likely to be available across the pond. I have a Seagull 12 and love it, although the neck is wide and thick, not to everyone's liking.

 

Also, heed Freeman's advice, even the best made 12s will need serious attention after a bunch of years. I just had the neck reset on my Taylor 12. But happy hunting, welcome to this forum, the most helpful place on the web for acoustic git advice, they've taught me a boatload of stuff.

[T.B.]

Checkout Walden 12 String as well.
http://www.waldenguitars.com/steel/natura/D552.html

In the US a Walden 12 string cost give or take $249.00 (USD) = 127.00 (GBP)

Welcome Josey.

Trina

[ESL94]

Welcome, Josey, and this is most certainly the place to ask. There are quite a few of us who own and play 12 strings. With the current exchange rate at about 1:2 you are looking at guitars in the $400 or less range US. The one that always comes to the top of that discussion is the Seagull S12+. It will not have electronics and may not be available on your side of the pond, but give it a look if you can. A pickup can always be added to a guitar that doesn't have one. Ibanez is generally thought of as a pretty good guitar by forumites, but I know nothing about their 12's. And unfortunately, Fender acoustics are not regarded very well and I would expect their 12's to be similar. The problem with a 12 string is that things you might overlook on a sixer can make a 12 unplayable. If the action is at all high they can be a bear to play, most intonate poorly, and due to 50 percent more tension on the top they can suffer structural damage. Many people tune down one or two semitones to both make them a little easier to play and to reduce the tension - this may or may not be a problem if you are playing with others or singing. I would suggest playing a bunch of them - and include Guilds and Taylors in the mix (they will be above your price point, but are considered some of the best made 12's today). I would really hesitate to buy without playing - you may find as one forumite did that his new $100 12 string required refretting and a whole bunch of setup work to make it reasonably playable. Hang around the Cafe' and search old threads for "inexpensive 12 strings" - you'll find a lot of great information here UMGF 12 String Cafe' Don't let me turn you off, just take your time and shop wisely. A 12 string is the Grand Piano of the guitar world, but twice as many strings can also be twice as many problems. Keep us posted

 

 

Freeman has some wise words...

 

I have a Seagull M12, my first 12. I didn't do much research, I just wanted one for such a long time & had the $ for it. I had owned other Seagull's in the past & liked there wided necks, price, action & the way it fit my hands.

 

Once I got it home, played it, & found that it was going need to have some adjustments to fit my style of playing. It took the tech some time make those adjustments to the action, then changed the nut & saddle to bone. Now I & love its playability & action.

 

Knowing what I know now about 12 strings, I'm going to do more research with different brands, saved more $, taken more time and shop wisely for my next 12.

[garthman]

Hello & Welcome

Crafter guitars are just about the best value-for-money instruments on the market in the UK at the moment (IMO). They do a few 12 strings models but I would suggest the D8/12 at around

[paganskins]

I'm assuming you're also in the UK as your price range was given in pounds.
I played a nice auditorium size, cutaway a/e 12 when trying out acoustic amps before Christmas, it was possible this one: TW145/12-SC b-band electrics, RRP

[Samilyn]

Samilyn, I'm surprised you're not touting your Martin DX model, which I think is the best value in a 12 around and more likely to be available across the pond. I have a Seagull 12 and love it, although the neck is wide and thick, not to everyone's liking. Also, heed Freeman's advice, even the best made 12s will need serious attention after a bunch of years. I just had the neck reset on my Taylor 12. But happy hunting, welcome to this forum, the most helpful place on the web for acoustic git advice, they've taught me a boatload of stuff.

 

 

I was going by Josey's stated budget criteria and am under the impression that the Martins are more expensive in the UK. I think the Seagull is somewhat less expensive, but still a good 12-string value.

 

Of course, if I'm wrong, I hope some of our friends in the UK will set me straight.

 

But yes, if a Martin D12X1 is available within Josey's stated price range, then I would indeed recommend it over the Seagull because I like the sound better. And sound preference, as we all know, is highly subjective.

[Glenn F]

You also might want to look at Norman guitars. They are made by the same company as the Seagull. See what the going rate for a Norman B-20 12 is. I saw one down on Denmark St. when I was in London in September.

 

Cheers,

 

Glenn

[Scott Fonseca]

Welcome to HCAG! +1 on the Seagull, over here, it is very nice for the price.

[Josey]

Hey again.

Currently i'm hooked on the MD-50, reading some reviews it look good value, i also have a Crafter electro-acoustic which has served me well for 2 years now. Only problem was my Crafter acoustic - the action was slightly too high so anything above 12 fret was barely playable, this was fixed with a bit of sand paper but i would obviously rather not have to worry about it again.

So do any of you own the MD-50? If so could you possible fill me on the action and the quality of the intonation? The local shops here don't have this guitar in so thanks for any help!

Josey

[Josey]

Sorry to bother again, has anyone got

http://www.guitarampkeyboard.com/en/ibanez-ael-2012e/12583

As i am tempted towawrd that and the MD-50

http://www.themusicroom-online.co.uk/product_info.php/cPath/60/products_id/639

Thanks again.

[eor]

do you guys have alvarez guitars out there? eor wanted one a long time ago, an they seem to be regarded pretty well by some of the guys here. aren't there some 12 string recordings in the annex, too? maybe paw through those, too. see freeman's sig for a link.

love,
eor