Looking to buy a 12 string

[Joj]

My knowledge on equipment has always been pretty poor, i suppose it's even worse when it comes to less common issues like these.

 

Anyway, I tried an electro-accoustic tanglewood guitar in town today, and have decided i now want one. Not quite sure which make and model to go with though.

 

Basically what i want most is a really nice sound/tone, i'm not fussed about it being a classic or vintage model, i just want it to last and sound great for as long as possible. Looking to spend in the region of

[texas twelve]

If you look on ebay, sometimes you can find a Guild 12 that is at least 10 years old. I say go for the older ones because you know that the neck is ok. Some cheap 12's sound great for about 3 years, and then the neck starts to self destruct. Guilds, especially older ones, are build like tanks, and will last forever. Mine is about 21 years old and still going strong.

 

Some of the the newer brands may be great long term; we just don't know because they havn't been around long enough to know.

[studyscoot]

I can't get over how great taylor 12's sound. A friend has a 755 30th that rings forever. I know that taylors (and other american guitars) bring a pretty penny across the atlantic, but you might find a 355 that is worth considering. I've seen a few 355's around for under a grand, but that here in the USA.

[studyscoot]

Opps, you're looking at tanglewoods. My bad

[Joj]

nah it's cool mate, i'm not solely looking at tanglewoods. Trying to get as many recomendations as i can, so i can try a bunch out before i make my decision. so yeah, recommend away i suppose

[Freeman Keller]

Joj, there have been a lot of discussions about 12 strings on this forum lately. Unfortunately the search engine doesn't seem to like "12 string" and other critera ("12string") don't work very well.

 

Obviously these guys are biased towards Martin but here is a recent thread on the Martin forum

Best 12 string

 

What kind of music do you play and how will you play your 12 string? Strum, flatpick or fingerpick? Sing along or solo? How important is plugging in? Do you play much up the neck (intonation often goes to hell)?

 

Even tho I own and love my D12-28 if I was going to do it over again I would probably buy a Guild if I planned to play mostly in standard tuning at concert pitch (nice jangly sound and the double truss rod) or a Taylor for altered tunings and tuned down. The one I really covet is the LKSM or an old Bozo, but I play mostly Kottke style slide and really tune it down.

 

At the top of your price range are some nice Guilds, Larrivees and the Taylor 355. Get out and try them if you can. Some folks like the Carvin cobalt - it is a little on the high side but does come with a p/u. Don't know about getting one across the pond tho.

 

Last but not least, 12 strings guitars are under tremendous forces (there was a thread here recently on the tension on the top of a 12'er). Be cautious with used guitars and be careful with inexpensive ones.