12-String Acoustic Recommendation

[bcab17]

I'm looking for a 12-string (acoustic; acoustic-electric even better, but not necessary). The max I want to spend is $800. I started out thinking Takamine, but when a salesman put this little Breedlove Atlas AC250/SM acoustic-electric ($799) in my hands I thought it sounded better, and played easier than the Takamines I tried. Then I picked up a $550 Martin D12X1 12-String acoustic (no pre-amp). Compared to the beautiful Breedlove, which looked more expensive than its price, the plain-Jane Martin almost looked like a "beginner's special"...but when I played it, I thought the Martin's deep, rich sound was better than any of the others I tried. My eye kept going back to the Breedlove, but my ear kept going to the Martin.

 

Has anyone had any experience with these guitars? Any thoughts on this comparison? Are there others in this price range I should consider?

 

Thanks for your help!

[Terry Allan Hall]

I'd look for a Guild (new or used) or a Taylor (used), but the Breedlove is probably nice, too...Martins are "iffy" when it comes to 12ers, but you may have found an exceptional one (they do come up from time to time).

[Cripes]

I have to side with Terry on this one. I haven't tried Breedlove's 12 strings but I do have some experience with Martin and Guild and of those 2 I think Guild would be my first choice. I have played the Taylor 355 and it's also a great guitar. It's easier to play than a Guild because it has a slimmer neck profile. Guilds have fairly chunky necks. Soundwise, Guild still stands out as the best I've heard but for the bang-for-buck I'd have to point to the Taylor. Martins are okay but their 12 strings are not what they do best and their neck profiles are not as playable, IMO, as the Guilds and Taylors.

 

As far as structures go, Guilds are built to last. I have no experience with that in other 12 strings. I do know that Breedlove comes from the factory with an internal Bridge Doctor which, IMO, for a 12 string is a definite plus over the long haul.

[OldGuitarPlayer]

I'm looking for a 12-string (acoustic; acoustic-electric even better, but not necessary). The max I want to spend is $800. I started out thinking Takamine, but when a salesman put this little Breedlove Atlas AC250/SM acoustic-electric ($799) in my hands I thought it sounded better, and played easier than the Takamines I tried. Then I picked up a $550 Martin D12X1 12-String acoustic (no pre-amp). Compared to the beautiful Breedlove, which looked more expensive than its price, the plain-Jane Martin almost looked like a "beginner's special"...but when I played it, I thought the Martin's deep, rich sound was better than any of the others I tried. My eye kept going back to the Breedlove, but my ear kept going to the Martin. Has anyone had any experience with these guitars? Any thoughts on this comparison? Are there others in this price range I should consider? Thanks for your help!

 

Funny you should mention that Martin D12X1. I tried one out recently as well. I had the same experience but..not only did I like it's sound ...it was also the only 12 string in the store that was intonated properly and in tune when I played it. It was telling me that it "was the one"... I'd like to get it but I really have no use for a 12 string..or so I keep telling myself

 

OGP

[happy-man]

I went for the Martin D12X1, and I love it. It's certainly a different beast; only thing wood is the top... but oh what a top. Plays like a dream, and sounds wonderful. I've been neglecting my dreadnoughts since I bought a parlor guitar a few neeks ago, but last night I took the 12 string Martin to an open mic. I play it mic-ed. I have had the guitar about a year, and have never once played it at an open mic when I didn't get a compliment on the sound. Last night was no exception.

 

Scott O

[OldGuitarPlayer]

I went for the Martin D12X1, and I love it. It's certainly a different beast; only thing wood is the top... but oh what a top. Plays like a dream, and sounds wonderful. I've been neglecting my dreadnoughts since I bought a parlor guitar a few neeks ago, but last night I took the 12 string Martin to an open mic. I play it mic-ed. I have had the guitar about a year, and have never once played it at an open mic when I didn't get a compliment on the sound. Last night was no exception. Scott O

 

Great...now I really want one

 

 

OGP

[Glenn F]

The Taylor 355 isn't made anymore, so it'd have to be second-hand.

[Glenn F]

Ok,

 

I just played a Seagull S12 for about an hour and a half this afternoon, at my local shop. It was well set-up, had a very soft, shimmery cedar sound, that went from very soft to room-filling. A few people in the shop came over to hear me play it, and they seemed impressed, as well. My reservation about the Seagull has always pertained to the neck width, but the setup on this was such that the extra millimeters on the neck didn't bother me at all.

 

I also played a Taylor 355CE, and a MartinJ-12-16 GT. The Taylor was impressive, but the touch was not as good as the Seagull (!) nor did it stay in tune as well. Also, the Elixirs didn't do it justice. The Martin buzzed on the second fret, and I didn't like the Micarta fingerboard. They both had more 'Oomph' than the Seagull in the lower frequencies, but I think this was partly due to the strings.

 

There doesn't seem to be anything at that price to compete. I could wait and get a Taylor or Martin next year, but the thought of spending

[Freeman Keller]

The Seagull S12+ is well liked at the UMGF 12 String Cafe' for a "moderate" priced 12. There are also some folks who liked the J12-15 (or 17?) Martin. I really agree with previous posters who say the best two are used 355's and various Guilds - a lot of that depends on whether you like the necks and how you want to play it (fingerpick the Taylor, strum the Guilds). No experience with Breedloves (personally don't like the bridge or headstocks, but YMMV). Of course I have two 12's - an old D12-28 that I have a love/hate relationship with and my little homemade fingerpicker (OM12-41 if martin were to make one) that I dearly love.

 

For electronics the taylors are great, and the 355CE is available new (but out of your price range). I was favorably impressed with the six string Carvin C980 (more impressed plugged than unplugged) - the 12 string version might be one to consider.

[Glenn F]

The thing that amazes me about the Seagull is how well it stays in tune up the neck. But, yeah, if you can get a Taylor 355 second-hand in good shape for $800.00 or less, go for it.