12-string recommendation?

[LGOberean]

A friend is wanting to get a 12-string acoustic. Actually, he's probably going to need an acoustic/electric. He's been playing for years, but in recent years he's been working a lot and putting kids through college, so he tells me that a month can go by between times of playing. He's wanting to change that, and get back into it with something familiar.

About 20 years ago he had a 12-string, but it was stolen. He plays folk-rock, Southern rock, Classic rock. I don't know exactly what his budget is; if I were to guess I'd say probably under a grand, maybe $750 or so.

So what would you recommend?

[FirstBassman]

I've had Déjà vu 'again' moments here on the forum before.

But this is 'Déjà vu again' many times over.

[Chiogtr4x]

I'd recommend this Seagull, as it is quality, affordable, and an easy player.I am not a 12-string player, but a buddy of mine has owned an earler version of this for years, and loves his. This is the acoustic -electric version:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...16927000010000

[BucksStudent]

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

I've had Déjà vu 'again' moments here on the forum before.

But this is 'Déjà vu again' many times over.

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by FirstBassman

I've had Déjà vu 'again' moments here on the forum before.

But this is 'Déjà vu again' many times over.

Originally Posted by BucksStudent

Oh, yeah, that's right ... I forgot the official TDPRI policy of avoiding asking questions that have been asked before, and the related official policy of creating as many zombie threads as possible.

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by Chiogtr4x

I'd recommend this Seagull, as it is quality, affordable, and an easy player.I am not a 12-string player, but a buddy of mine has owned an earler version of this for years, and loves his. This is the acoustic -electric version:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guita...16927000010000

Well, that sure is a pretty option. I'm not normally a fan of those skinny headstocks, but with an extra set of tuning keys, even that looks alright to me.

The solid cedar/cherry combination of tonewoods on the body, how does that sound? Bright and jangly, or warm and full?

[BucksStudent]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Oh, yeah, that's right ... I forgot the official TDPRI policy of avoiding asking questions that have been asked before, and the related official policy of creating as many zombie threads as possible.

We just had a thread just like this. *Shrugs*

[studio1087]

I had an entry level Martin D12X1 (they cost about $550) and I had the luthiers at Elderly Instruments install a Fishman Thinline in it (another $135) and I had the guitar for about 4 years. I paid another $90 for a Martin 300 series hard case. The money adds up in a hurry.

I play acoustic and electric about 50/50.

I sold the Martin not long ago and bought a Yamaha FG720S12 (which is a $320 guitar) and I like the Yamaha feel and tone better. I have a couple better Martins and I love Martin guitars. I'm trying to tell you that for $320 the FG720S12 is a really nice solid top 12 string.

Yamaha FG720S12 Link

I wouldn't hesitate to order one of these online..use one of 15% off coupons that come in your email and use the money that you save to buy a case. Have a luthier put a pickup in it for another $135 and enjoy it.

Unless if you're going to play 8+ hours of 12 string weekly, I wouldn't spend more. I play my 12 string a few hours every week and I'm delighted with this guitar.





I like Seagull guitars. I have a Seagull Grand Parlor and I've played many Seagull 12 strings. The Yamaha is easier to play than the Seagull 12's that I've played. I can play fingerstyle on my FG720S12 with ease.

I'm not convinced that a $700 12 string is going to satisfy you much more than a $300 Yamaha.

Been there - done that. (My opinion).

12's and resonators are great. They bring new life to any old song that you've played on a 6 string for years and years. Great fun.

[Chiogtr4x]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Well, that sure is a pretty option. I'm not normally a fan of those skinny headstocks, but with an extra set of tuning keys, even that looks alright to me.

The solid cedar/cherry combination of tonewoods on the body, how does that sound? Bright and jangly, or warm and full?

I'd go with 'warm and full', but truthfully I just don't hear much of a tonal distinction when it comes to any 12 string.

You just get that full-sound, and if you can tune it and its comfy to play- win, win! I think the goofy Seagull headstock looks much better as a 12-string

edit: my buddy that has the Seagull 12-string, also owns a 6-string with the same body/neck woods, and it sounds very nice: clear, even-toned, not boomy or lacking in depth

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by BucksStudent

We just had a thread just like this. *Shrugs*

Not really.

It took me a while to track down what you were referring to, but I think I may have finally found it. There was a thread started back in August where the OP was considering a Guild 12, but did ask for other opinions. That thread got a dozen or so responses and died a quick death.

For the record, I did a search for threads on 12-strings before I drafted my OP. I found a thread that was all about an old Eko? (I think that was it, not familiar w/ the brand) 12-string that he had bought on eBay or something. That thread wasn't about asking for suggestions for a 12-string.

The thread back in August was buried in the middle of the third page of archives. I didn't see it when did my initial search. And I'm pretty sure that if I had resurrected that months old thread for my purposes, it would have been at least on the questionable side of things. Might have drawn me the "zombie" accusation. Can't win for losing, I guess.

However, as Moderator Tim Armstrong said about a year ago on this subject of "Zombie threads,"

Originally Posted by Tim Armstrong

We keep the old threads precisely because they're full of information.

However, we strongly prefer that NEW posts be made in CURRENT threads. If that means starting a new thread on an old subject, that's just fine.

Tim

So this thread is "just fine" from an official point of view. Can we please move on now?

[LGOberean]

Thanks, John, for the heads up about the Yamaha.

As I said before, this is not for me, but for a friend. He plays well, but he tends to get rusty because he goes for long spells without playing. He's a Strat guy, BTW. But years ago he had a 12-string that he just really enjoyed, and wants that again. He's capable of picking out his own guitar. I just wanted to be up on the subject in case he asked for my input.

I'll check out the Yamaha if I can find one. Are these pretty commonly available?

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by studio1087

I had an entry level Martin D12X1 (they cost about $550) and I had the luthiers at Elderly Instruments install a Fishman Thinline in it (another $135) and I had the guitar for about 4 years. I paid another $90 for a Martin 300 series hard case. The money adds up in a hurry.

I play acoustic and electric about 50/50.

I sold the Martin not long ago and bought a Yamaha FG720S12 (which is a $320 guitar) and I like the Yamaha feel and tone better. I have a couple better Martins and I love Martin guitars. I'm trying to tell you that for $320 the FG720S12 is a really nice solid top 12 string.

Yamaha FG720S12 Link

I wouldn't hesitate to order one of these online..use one of 15% off coupons that come in your email and use the money that you save to buy a case. Have a luthier put a pickup in it for another $135 and enjoy it.

Unless if you're going to play 8+ hours of 12 string weekly, I wouldn't spend more. I play my 12 string a few hours every week and I'm delighted with this guitar.





I like Seagull guitars. I have a Seagull Grand Parlor and I've played many Seagull 12 strings. The Yamaha is easier to play than the Seagull 12's that I've played. I can play fingerstyle on my FG720S12 with ease.

I'm not convinced that a $700 12 string is going to satisfy you much more than a $300 Yamaha.

Been there - done that. (My opinion).

12's and resonators are great. They bring new life to any old song that you've played on a 6 string for years and years. Great fun.

This is the same recommendation I was going to make. This is probably the best bang for your buck 12 string being made.

[LGOberean]

Good grief!

Okay, so I guess you and FirstBassman (who posted his "deja vu" comment in that thread as well) were thinking about a thread about solidbody and semi-hollow electric 12s. But, again, I asked about acoustic or possibly acoustic/electric 12-strings. I am asking about a different guitar. It's a different subject, different thread, and perfectly legit.

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by Stuco

This is the same recommendation I was going to make. This is probably the best bang for your buck 12 string being made.

Okay, thanks. I'm definitely going to have to look for one of these Yamaha FG720S12s and check it out. As I asked John, do you know if this guitar is readily available or commonly in stock? Am I likely to find one of these in my local GC?

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Okay, thanks. I'm definitely going to have to look for one of these Yamaha FG720S12s and check it out. As I asked John, do you know if this guitar is readily available or commonly in stock? Am I likely to find one of these in my local GC?

I think you should be able to try one out at GC. It's a pretty popular model. If not, I wouldn't be afraid of ordering one. Yamaha has a very consistent product.

[studio1087]

Any Guitar Center that I've been in has the Yamaha.

They are very common.

I've never played a dud. I ordered mine from Sam Ash when they had a 15% off coupon deal. My FG720S12 was pretty much perfect right out of the box. It had D'Addario strings right from the factory.

That Body Glove heavy backpack/gig bag is a bag that I used to take camping with a different Yamaha dread. The 12 string fits the bag perfectly as the headstock is only about 2 inches longer than a standard dread headstock.

I think that Yamaha rules the market at $330 and less.

I made this video a few months ago. It's not the best video but it gives you some info........



I sort of said this up above but the quality and price point makes sense to me. 12 string guitars are great. I'm a big Leo Kottke and Leadbelly and Keller Williams and CSN fan....I love 12 string but there's only so many hours of 12 string that I'll play in a week. If I ever spent $1500 on a 12 it would probably be a shameful waste (maybe that's just me). I think that if the average Strat player had this Yamaha 12 and a Seymour Duncan "Woody" sound hole pop-in pickup ($40) they could have a great time.

It's just right for me.

[LGOberean]

Thanks again, John. That's helpful stuff. I thought earlier that I would get to my local GC this week, but it's looking like not. The busyness of the season and all. Probably just as well. It's probably crazy busy and LOUD this week in the GC.

Of course, it's impossible for me to say just how much my friend is going to actually play the 12-string he hopes to acquire in the new year. I'm thinking initially, at least, quite a bit. I'm basing that on the sentimental factor in this.

Early in his guitar playing days he had a 12-string that he loved, and it was stolen. Shortly thereafter, he had a chance to play rhythm guitar in a 6 member band, and he wound up buying a Strat for that application. They are still together, albeit with a couple of personnel changes over the years. At this point in their lives, however, they play just 4-6 gigs a year.

So I'm guessing that if he gets another 12-string, he's going to be all over it, at least initially. And because he's in a band, he might want an acoustic/electric. Haven't asked him about that part; haven't seen him since we were at his lake house Sunday night for a party. I played and sang for the most part, but he and another friend each took a turn with my guitar.

[braderrick]

Wow, let me say I'm sorry for all the cry babies that don't want you to ask new questions on here. I'm not much help on this subject but the guitar I learned to play on (still my dad's) is an old martin sigma. It is a great guitar and you can find them very affordable. His is actually the first year 1971 version with the zero fret and was made in Japan. Dad has gotten lazy though and usually just keeps 6 strings on it haha, definately get a good tuner to try and keep it in tune. Hope ya find a good one.

[studio1087]

I'll talk about similar guitar topics with fellow guitar enthusiasts over and over and over with a smile on my face.

I enjoy the guitar.

I really enjoy the guitar.

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by braderrick

Wow, let me say I'm sorry for all the cry babies that don't want you to ask new questions on here. I'm not much help on this subject but the guitar I learned to play on (still my dad's) is an old martin sigma. It is a great guitar and you can find them very affordable. His is actually the first year 1971 version with the zero fret and was made in Japan. Dad has gotten lazy though and usually just keeps 6 strings on it haha, definately get a good tuner to try and keep it in tune. Hope ya find a good one.

I think we're on a roll now. The last half dozen or so posts have been positive, and helpful. Again, this is not for me, but I want to be knowledgeable and helpful for my friend if he seeks out my input. And for that matter, who knows but that a 12-string might be in my future?

Originally Posted by studio1087

I'll talk about similar guitar topics with fellow guitar enthusiasts over and over and over with a smile on my face.

I enjoy the guitar.

I really enjoy the guitar.

That comes through loud and clear, John, and it's appreciated.