Members crj55 Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 I know this topic may get asked alot but anyone got any ideas on a good, easy playing and good balanced sounding 12 string acoustic electric guitar? Was hoping to find a good "USED" one or maybe a new one for about $500 and LESS if possible. I will be playing unplugged at home and plugged in with a band. I would hope to find one that stays in tune well, with good action( not too high up the neck) and no buzzing although I know adjustments can be made hopefully. Also hopefully no feedback problems. How would you compare an Alvarez AJ60SC 12, Takamine EG523SC 12, or maybe an Ovation 6751 Balladeer??? How about Seagull M12? Any others that would be good picks?? Thanks for any ideas!!!
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 The one that I am familar with that continously gets good reviews is the Seagull S12+. You can alway add a pickup. If you are going to play primarily plugged in the Calvin Cobalt C980 might be worth checking out - a friend has the six string version and it is pretty good amplified. The Martin J12-15 is liked by a lot of folks. You might also look at good used 12's - by pushing your budget a bit you might be able to find a good Guild or a Taylor 355. With other used 12's (old Taks, Yamies, etc) really check the neck angle and other structural issues - many are pretty much unplayable and not worth fixing. But if it is sound to start with a 12 can be set up to play almost as easily as a sixer.
Members Samilyn Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 I've heard the Seagull and liked it, but I've never had the opportunity to play one. And IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Martin. But I'm a "Martin person" anyway, so consider that opinion highly biased
Members Mikeo Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 Ovatations kinda suck. don't buy and import guitar either. There a few things on ebay right now that are in your price range Taylors, martin Gibson, and this.http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-JF-30-12-Acoustic-12-string-Guitar-VG-Condition_W0QQitemZ140165488239QQihZ004QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem I'm not a huge Guild fan, but they build a very sweet 12 string, that you can pass down to grand kids. It's a buy it now thing for US $759.00,plus they want 50 bucks to ship it. This one is not with out issues, but seems to need now work at the present time. I'll check it over real well again.
Members Mikeo Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 keep you eye on this one, it's made at the RI plant http://cgi.ebay.com/1994-GUILD-d4-12-NT-HR-12-String-guitar_W0QQitemZ120170008792QQihZ002QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http://cgi.ebay.com/1994-GUILD-d4-12-NT-HR-12-String-guitar_W0QQitemZ120170008792QQihZ002QQcategoryZ2385QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Members crj55 Posted October 13, 2007 Author Members Posted October 13, 2007 Thanks for the ideas on 12 stringers. It would seem like Seagull is popular and that not much support for USED lower priced Ovations, Taks or Alvarez.That surprises me as I thought there were good reviews on these guitars in the reviews section at HC. Also I did not think that Taylor, Martin or Guild would be available for under $500. I know that some Alvarez and Takamine guitars are made in Korea but I don't know how consistent the quality is?
Members Terry Allan Hall Posted October 13, 2007 Members Posted October 13, 2007 I know this topic may get asked alot but anyone got any ideas on a good, easy playing and good balanced sounding 12 string acoustic electric guitar? Was hoping to find a good "USED" one or maybe a new one for about $500 and LESS if possible. I will be playing unplugged at home and plugged in with a band. I would hope to find one that stays in tune well, with good action( not too high up the neck) and no buzzing although I know adjustments can be made hopefully. Also hopefully no feedback problems. How would you compare an Alvarez AJ60SC 12, Takamine EG523SC 12, or maybe an Ovation 6751 Balladeer??? How about Seagull M12? Any others that would be good picks?? Thanks for any ideas!!! Of those you listed, the Alvarez AJ60SC 12 is heads above the rest, but I'd also suggest looking for a used Guild...they can sometimes be found in your price range or just a bit above.
Members happy-man Posted October 14, 2007 Members Posted October 14, 2007 I have a Martin D12X1 and it is my humble opinion that anyone looking for a 12 string needs to try one. It has a laminate back, sides and neck and a solid spruce top. It is very easy to play. I believe it is $600 new, but I got mine one year old with a hard shell case for $460 (shipping included). When I got mine I was looking for something in the $500 price range. I played everything I could side by side. When I found the Martin it seemed like nothing else came close. There are a few others on this forum that also have the D12X1. Some can't get over the amount of man made materials in this guitar, but my criteria was only price, sound and playability. In the $500 range, or any other price range for that matter, this 12 string rocks. I'm taking it out to an open mic tonight. I just mic it; it has plenty of volume. Scott O
Members crj55 Posted October 14, 2007 Author Members Posted October 14, 2007 I will check out the Martin D12X1. What models of used Guild 12's would be close to the $500 area in good used condition? Do you all prefer to add a pickup to an acoustic 12 string guitar or is it better to buy a factory acoustic electric with eq and preamp etc? I have heard good things about some add on pickups !
Members happy-man Posted October 14, 2007 Members Posted October 14, 2007 When I bought my guitars I wanted to get the best sound and playability for the money I had to spend. That meant that if I got one with electronics I'd have to get less of a guitar. I figured I could always add electronics later if I wanted it. Turns out for me I have yet to install any electronics in any of my acoustic guitars. I only play at church and open mics and have found using a mic to be adequate. I've heard the same opinion from others on this forum: get the guitar you want, then if you want electronics, get the electronics you want. I guess if the guitar you love the unplugged sound of also has great electronics, and you really want electronics, then it's not an issue. Scott O
Members Glenn F Posted October 14, 2007 Members Posted October 14, 2007 Another vote for the Seagull S12. Mine has a little bit of fret buzz up the 11/12th 6th fret and above, but that hasn't so far stopped me from falling in love with it. As per my thread on the universe playing a joke on me, a few stores in my general area have dropped prices significantly on a few higher end 12 strings, but I wouldn't really, at this point, exchange my S12 for any of them.
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