Best 12 Strings Guitar Buying Guide
Table of Contents
One thing unites many of the most influential songs of the previous 60 years. They were performed with a 12 strings guitar! Many beginners who pick up a guitar for the first time want to play their favorite music, thus wanting to acquire the best 12 strings guitar for beginners is a natural next step!
The 12 strings guitar, not to be confused with the double neck guitar, contains 6 pairs of strings. They are tuned similarly to a six-string guitar, but with distinct octaves for each pair of strings.
We’ll go over 6 strings vs 12 strings guitar, what to look for in a 12 strings guitar, and tuning these instruments in more detail later, but first, here are our four best 12 strings guitars!
The Best 12 Strings Guitars
Do you want more in-depth reviews? In the following section, we’ll go over each instrument individually so you know exactly what you’re getting! Here we have selected 4 best 12 string guitars for you:
Ibanez AEG 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Specifications
| Brand | Ibanez |
| Color | Dark Violin Sunburst |
| Top Material Type | Spruce |
| Body Material | Spruce |
| Back Material Type | Sapele, Spruce Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Sapele Wood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | Piezo |
| Hand Orientation | Left, Right |
| Number of Strings | 12 |
Features
- Ergonomics: Features a small and simple preamp that has only two control knobs, volume, and shape
- Tone Control: At-a-glance tone control offers natural acoustic sound
- Versatility: Enables the players to go from low, fat and powerful tones
- Mechanism: Easy-to-read onboard tuner with LCD (liquid crystal display) for clear readibility
- Purpleheart: Produces a rich mid-range with a crisp high end
The Ibanez AEG 12 strings is our preferred choice. This is also our most affordable 12 strings guitar option, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a terrific instrument!
The Ibanez is an acoustic electric 12 strings guitar that was created to assist electric musicians in making the switch. To that purpose, the guitar has a 25″ scale length and a slimmer AEG body.
The tiny scale and thin body will remind electric players of their instruments much more than the other dreadnought 12 string guitars on this list.
However, the tiny body of this instrument has several limitations. The smaller sound chamber does not project as well as the other instruments on this list when performed acoustically. This results in a gentler tone that lacks the assertiveness of many 12 string instruments.
Takamine GD30CE-12NAT Dreadnought 12-String Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Specifications
| Brand | Takamine |
| Color | Natural |
| Top Material Type | Spruce |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| Neck Material Type | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | Piezoelectric |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
Features
- Solid spruce top and mahogany back and sides that produce a rich, resonant sound
- Slim mahogany neck and 12″-radius rosewood fingerboard provide great feel and playability
- Takamine TP-4TD preamp system gives you a built-in tuner and three-band EQ and gain controls for excellent amplified performance and versatility
- Rosewood bridge. Nut Width-1.875 inch
- Elegant Natural gloss finish
The Takamine G Series 12 Strings guitar, our top pick and “Amazon’s Choice,” is a stage-worthy instrument you won’t be sorry to own!
This guitar’s Dreadnought size results in a bolder, maybe richer, and often louder tone than the Ibanez, yet the cutaway body shape and small neck make it quite playable.
This guitar also includes the Takamine TP-4TD preamp and electronics system, which is one of the most popular on the market today.
If you are a beginner or intermediate searching for a 12 strings guitar that will last, this is an excellent choice. If you wish to take the stage, consider this guitar’s bigger sibling, the Takamine Pro Series 3 12 String Acoustic Electric Guitar!
Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Specifications
| Brand | Fender |
| Color | Natural |
| Top Material Type | Spruce |
| Body Material | Plastic, Mahogany, Walnut |
| Back Material Type | Walnut Wood |
| Neck Material Type | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Material Type | Mahogany |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Scale Length | 25.3 Inches |
| Number of Strings | 12 |
Features
- Solid Spruce Top with Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
- 25.3″ scale mahogany neck w/20 fret walnut fingerboard
- Fender ‘Easy-to-Play’ shaped neck with rolled fretboard edges
- Crème Plastic nut
- Case Not Included
The Fender CD-60 series appears on several of our acoustic guitar lists, and the 12 string version was an obvious choice for the best 12 strings guitars!
This guitar bears many similarities with the Takamine, such as the spruce top, mahogany body, dreadnought body type with cutaway, and X bracing system.
The electronics system distinguishes this instrument from the Takamine. In our perspective, the Fishman Classic cannot compete with the Takamine.
If you don’t want to spend the extra $150 for the Takamine, this instrument is hard to top in this price range. This is a low-cost, high-quality instrument that is ideal for getting started with 12 string guitars!
Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought Twelve String Guitar
Specifications
| Brand | Alvarez |
| Color | Brown, Black |
| Top Material Type | Spruce |
| Body Material | Laminated-and-solid-wood |
| Back Material Type | Mahogany |
| Neck Material Type | Mahogany |
| Fretboard Material Type | Rosewood |
| Guitar Pickup Configuration | Fishman |
| Hand Orientation | Right |
| Scale Length | 25.59 |
Features
- Hand selected, ‘A’ grade, solid Sitka spruce top
- Hand sanded, scalloped bracing
- Mahogany back and sides
- Paua abalone and mother of pearl inlays
- Lifetime limited warranty
The Alvarez Artist Series is the final instrument on our list. The Artist Series is an award-winning guitar line that has gained acclaim in both the United States and Europe.
We appreciate the tone the Alvarez generates thanks to its forward shifting scalloped FTSM bracing design, solid spruce top, mahogany sides, and a design that tries to obtain the greatest sound from the setup.
This instrument has the same Fishman electronic system as the Fender.
Many reviewers state that this instrument is easily worth twice the price! Some people even compared it to more expensive Gibsons and Martins. If you’re searching for a low-cost alternative for your first 12 strings guitar, you can’t go wrong with the Alvarez Artist Series!
Six string guitars vs. twelve string guitars
Before deciding between a 6 string and a 12 strings guitar, there is just one significant difference between them. It’s actually fairly clear… The number of strings is the difference. However, the number of strings has an impact on many other aspects of how these two play.
Without a doubt, the 6 string guitar is the most popular and is the go-to guitar for many guitar players and their distinct styles. A 6 string guitar, whether finger-picked or strummed, is available in a variety of designs and tone woods. If you hear a lot of tunes, chances are the acoustics are played on a six string guitar.
12 strings guitars are more difficult to learn on because they require more precision with the fretting hand than 6 string guitars.
Choosing Tonals
When it comes to tonals, you’ll be pleased to learn that a six-string guitar offers a wide spectrum of tones, from warm to bright. Having saying that, they don’t come close to the range that a 12 strings guitar can provide.
A 12 string guitar has double the number of notes as a 6 string guitar. As a result, the lower four strings are tuned to a higher octave than is typical for a six-string tuning. This means that you’ll hear the same sharp, crisp bottom notes on your E and G strings, but also a glittering, dazzling higher octave of the same note.
A 6 string instrument just cannot compete with the complexity and vitality of a 12 string s guitar’s sound.
What characteristics should I look for in a 12 Strings Guitar?
Owning the best 12 string electric guitar is always a good idea, and there are numerous reasons for doing so. However, you must also be aware of any potential drawbacks. When Purchasing a 12 Strings Guitar, Look For These Features:
- A 12 string guitar is made up of choruses that produce the same sound as two independent guitars playing together. A wonderful alternative is to use a 12 strings guitar instead of a 6 string guitar. This will offer more full-bodied sounds.
- Because of the required expertise to produce accurate sounds for each song, the songs being played may make a difference in the overall performance of the 12 string. A 12 string requires a significant amount of upkeep.
- Incorrect pitch can ruin the experience for everyone involved. Knowing how to make modifications is crucial, but if you don’t, you might skip a 12 string.
What kind of player is ideal for 12 strings?
For experienced guitarists, playing a 12 strings guitar is a terrific option. They also provide greater motivation to play than the 6 string does. Most of the oldies are played on a 12 strings guitar, so having one on hand is essential.
Furthermore, the 12 string will produce the correct sound every time it is required, eliminating the need to experiment with other guitars.
Is playing a 12 string more difficult?
Yes, playing a 12 string guitar is more difficult. Playing 12 strings guitars is not easy for many people. For each note, the fretting hand must hold down two strings, necessitating precise hand positioning. If you’re fingerpicking rather than strumming, you’ll have the identical issues on that side of the guitar.
In fact, due to the additional strings, even skilled guitarists may find it difficult to play at first. More finger strength and accuracy are required to fret the notes precisely.
Aside from the aforementioned obstacles, you may encounter the following:
• Difficult picking owing to doubled strings
• More attention required so that muting does not occur
• Increased straining may occur due to the broader neck
Advice for Newcomers
The newbie player who is determined to master the best 12 strings electric guitar should consider using a neck that is broad due to the necessity to extend further when you pluck the chords.
Not only that, but fretting may be tough if your hands have not yet adjusted. Furthermore, you must be able to tune properly. The last thing you want to do is waste valuable time tweaking only to lose interest once you’re ready.
It all comes down to having the proper tone for your 12 string. You will notice that it improves performance and that the sound does not disappoint. Finally, you will be eager to play whenever possible.
How to Tune a Twelve-String Guitar
If you need to tune your 12 strings guitar, keep in mind that it may be tough due to the strings that make up a 12 string guitar and how each pitch might be influenced. The first four strings are tuned simultaneously, while the remaining strings are tuned octaves apart.
Because the strings are duplicates, their tuning must be exact. If tuning is not done properly, you will notice an unwelcome negative influence. With greater neck tension, tuning may need to be reduced in order to reach a capo. This is what will give you the best-sounding 12 string electric guitar available!
The Last 12 String Notes
A 12 strings guitar may add a level of sophistication to your playing and tone that few other instruments can. However, they are far more difficult to play and are not suitable for everyone. If you’ve decided to remain with 6 strings after reading our evaluation, you might be interested in our article on the finest 6 string acoustics or our fingerpicking guitar guide.
