Suggestions for a good 12-string electric?

[DHart]

I have the itch to get a 12-string electric guitar. Solid body, or semi-hollow/hollow is great.

Can you folks suggest available options for excellent 12-string electrics that are not super-expensive? My budget is up to around $1000 to $1500, or so.

Thanks buddies!

DHart

 

[brookdalebill]

The newer Danelectro 12s are great bang-for-the-buck guitars, IMO.

 

[runstendt]

There are a few models you might want to look into. The Guild Starfire 12-ST or a Gretsch G5422G-12 would be safe bets, and Eastwood and Italia also makes some really cool guitars in that price range that would be a bit different. As long as you stay away from Cozart and other equivalent brands you can't really go wrong. Schecter used to make some really tempting 12 strings, so if you can find one to try that might be worth pursuing as well. Please let us know what you get. I'm definitely a 12 string addict myself, but to play and to listen to, but I can only afford to live vicariously through others' purchases at the moment.

Guild Starfire I 12-ST 12-string Semi-hollow Electric Guitar - Cherry Red

12-string Electric Guitar with Mahogany Body, Mahogany Neck, Rosewood Fingerboard, and 2 Humbucking Pickups - Cherry Red

www.sweetwater.com

12 String Guitars

See why guitarists around the world choose our vintage remake guitars that play, sound, and look better than the classics they pay tribute to.

eastwoodguitars.com

Rimini 12

The Rimini 12 string version is a powerhouse piece in your arsenal. A rich and unique sound will be just what the doctor ordered to capture that luxurious sound. The Wilkinson Mini-Humbuckers accentuate the rich chambered acoustic sound. Choose from Pearl fronts, beautiful natural wood backs and...

www.italiaguitarsusa.com

What is not in that price, sadly, is Rickenbacker.

 

[AAT65]

I’d second the suggestions of both Danelectro and Eastwood.

 

[Donny Osmond fan]

I have the itch to get a 12-string electric guitar. Solid body, or semi-hollow/hollow is great.

Can you folks suggest available options for excellent 12-string electrics that are not super-expensive? My budget is up to around $1000 to $1500, or so.

Thanks buddies!

DHart

 

[Donny Osmond fan]

The brand it Italia.

 

[DHart]

One that I'm considering (though more $$$$ than I originally planned for) is this Taylor T5z 12-string.

I have the six-string version of this guitar and really LOVE it! The build quality/neck is awesome, the size is great, and it plays easily more like an electric guitar, than an acoustic. And has a subtle acoustic tone which I enjoy unplugged.

So, perhaps the 12-string version would be a good one for me, too? Plugged in, it will have more of an amplified acoustic tone, than an solid-body electric would have.

 

[IMMusicRulz]

One that I'm considering (though more $$$$ than I originally planned for) is this Taylor.

I have the six-string version and LOVE it! The size is great and it plays more easily like an electric guitar, than an acoustic. And has a subtle acoustic tone which I enjoy unplugged.

So, perhaps the 12-string version would be a good one for me, too?

If you want you can buy the Taylor 12 string, if you want it really badly. I also would suggest an Eastwood 12 string or Guild Starfire XII 12 String, if you like retro guitars.

 

[Mike_LA]

Don't discount off brands, I've played a few unknown instruments that are wonderful.
My Sanatoga is an awesome instrument.
Though you got to play one first to know.

 

[Donny Osmond fan]

Don't discount off brands, I've played a few unknown instruments that are wonderful.
My Sanatoga is an awesome instrument.
Though you got to play one first to know.
View attachment 1078987

How much I want one?

 

[DHart]

Wow... this Reverend came up on my radar and sounds fabulous!

 

[craigs63]

One that I'm considering (though more $$$$ than I originally planned for) is this Taylor T5z 12-string.

I have the six-string version of this guitar and really LOVE it! The build quality/neck is awesome, the size is great, and it plays easily more like an electric guitar, than an acoustic. And has a subtle acoustic tone which I enjoy unplugged.

So, perhaps the 12-string version would be a good one for me, too? Plugged in, it will have more of an amplified acoustic tone, than an solid-body electric would have.

It might just be the picture, but the spacing on this Taylor looks like it'd be hard to play (pairs of strings too far apart vs. distance between pairs)? I bought a nut for my Ric 360/12 from Rickysounds that tries to do the opposite (put the pairs a little closer, and spread them out).
For the OP's question, I second the Dano 12 string reissue suggestion. 12 saddle bridges too, if they're still being made like the "original" reissues from late 1990's.

 

[stormsedge]

I have an inexpensive Cozart...it does what it is supposed to.

Were I looking for another, I would give Harley Benton a look (<$300):

🎸 Harley Benton RB-612CS Classic Series

12-String Electric Guitar Type: Semi-hollow, Body: Okoume, Set-in neck: Maple, Fingerboard: Laurel, Fingerboard inlays: Dot, Neck profile: C, Body and neck binding, 22 frets, Fingerboard radius: 350 mm, Scale: 628 mm, Nut width: 48 mm, Double...

www.thomannmusic.com

Or Gretsch in the 5400 series (~$1k).

 

[AAT65]

Wow... this Reverend came up on my radar and sounds fabulous!

The Airwave 12s do seem pretty good - I’d rather have a smaller fretboard radius though. And they aren’t stunningly cheap… but they demos do sound good.

 

[Blrfl]

As much as I love my Guild SF-V mechanically, the electricals are a nightmare.

The Harley-Benton satisfied my urge for a 12-string electric, but it will require some time spent setting it up after it arrives. Still very high in bang for the buck.

 

[DHart]

The more I consider, the more I think I might need to spring for the Ricky. I have some instruments I can give up in sale/trade.

 

[jkingma]

I concur with the Danelectro suggestions. I stupidly sold mine a few years ago. Big mistake. Huge mistake.

 

[DHart]

I concur with the Danelectro suggestions. I stupidly sold mine a few years ago. Big mistake. Huge mistake.

Some YouTube comparisons had the Dan sounding thin and perhaps overly bright when compared to the Ricky... how would you compare the tone between the Dan and the Ricky?

 

[jkingma]

The brand it Italia.

That's gorgeous. Would go nice beside my Maranello.

 

[jkingma]

Some YouTube comparisons had the Dan sounding thin and perhaps overly bright when compared to the Ricky... how would you compare the tone between the Dan and the Ricky?

I've never played a 12 string Ric, and for me it's hard to tell from recorded music when you don't know what the signal is going through.