The Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars for Every Style in 2024

If you’ve been playing acoustic guitar for a while, then you’ve probably thought about adding a 12-string acoustic to your collection. 

However, 12-String acoustic guitars can be plagued with tuning and intonation issues, bulky necks, and uneven action. This can make the guitar not fun to play and kill your creativity.

Let’s help you avoid this!

I will show you how to find a great 12-string acoustic guitar by listing some of my favorite models on the market today. I’ll also tell why each one made the list and what makes them unique.

My choice for the best 12-string acoustic guitar goes to the Breedlove Pursuit ECO Pursuit Exotic Concert CE for those strapped on time. In terms of price, playability, construction, and sustainability, you can’t find a better option out there.

However, there are compelling reasons to go with one of the other acoustic guitars on this list, so let’s begin!

The Best 12 String Guitars in 2024 at a Glance

• Editor’s Choice: 
  Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic S 12-String Concert CE
• Best for Budget: 
  Ibanez Artwood AW5412CE
• Best for Recording: 
  Taylor 362ceV 12-Fret
• Best for Gigging: 
  Takamine TSP-158C12
• Best for Flatpicking and Strumming: 
  Martin Grand J-16E
• Best Premium: 
  Guild F-512E Jumbo

There are many incredible options these days for a great 12-string guitar. However, in terms of price, playability, sustainability, sound quality, and design, the Breedlove ECO Pursuit Concert CE stands out over the others.

The first thing that makes this Breedlove acoustic guitar special is its 100% sustainably built. Breedlove utilizes sustainably harvested, locally-sourced Myrtlewood for the top and has developed EcoTonewood for the back and sides.

EcoTonewood is a laminate but consists of sustainable cut African Mahogany in the center with laminate veneer for the outside. This use of hardwood helps the guitar’s resonance while also keeping the cost of the guitar low. The EcoTonewood provides a beautifully open sound that you won’t get in other acoustic guitars with a laminated construction.

One of the most common issues with 12-String acoustic guitars is that they are big, bulky, and hard to play.

The Breedlove ECO Pursuit 12-String remedies this problem by utilizing a slim neck design with a 16″ radius. This gives the neck a thinner feel, almost like an electric guitar.

This is a fantastic guitar for newbie guitarists who want to get into the distinctive and inspiring sound of a 12-string, while also an excellent instrument for advanced players looking for a 12-string for up-the-neck noodling.

Breedlove also makes beautiful guitars. The Myrtlewood is harvested in their backyard in Bend, Oregon, USA, and has a unique grain pattern that will make this guitar stand out in a crowd and spark conversations.

Not only is this guitar beautiful looking, but the construction of this guitar is world-class. You will be hard-pressed to find an owner of a Breedlove that has anything bad to say about it.

With this 12-String construction, the quality shines through regarding intonation. 12-string acoustic guitars often have issues sounding in tune as you play up and down the neck. However, I’m happy to report the Breedlove ECO Pursuit 12-String has excellent intonation in every playing position.

The guitar’s tone is slightly brighter but remains clear and “chimey.” I attribute this to the Myrtlewood top, which has a similar tonal balance to maple.

The Fishman Presys Electronics and Pickup System allows you to connect this unique guitar to a PA or amplifier for live performance.

For acoustic guitar players interested in the best 12-String guitar that won’t break the bank and a purchase you can feel great about, then the Breedlove ECO Pursuit Exotic S 12-String Concert CE is the guitar for you!

Ibanez is often associated with highly shreddable electric guitars. However, overlooking their acoustic guitars would be a mistake, especially for players on a budget.

The Artwood collection is impressive and features solid Okoume tops and an open pore finish. This design makes a lightweight and responsive guitar, especially for a guitar at this price point.

Okoume is similar to mahogany and features a warm, rich, and robust sound. A slight compression to the tone helps even out the tone, making the guitar more focused and even.

The laminated Okoume back and sides give the guitar durability that won’t warp or crack as easily from minor drops and weather changes.

However, the laminated construction does take some of the life and tonal depth out of this 12-string guitar. You get slightly more than what you pay for 🙂

Ibanez acoustics has brought their high-playability electric guitar expertise into their acoustic lineup. This guitar features a 15.75” radius which makes the guitar feel slim in hand and is excellent for beginners and players with small hands.

The guitar also features a Fishman Sonicore electronics and pre-amp, so you can bring your guitar out on the road.

Having onboard electronics is an excellent feature for any guitar. However, the electronics often have an unappealing “quack” that won’t fully translate the acoustic sound to the stage with more affordable guitar models.

Unfortunately, the Ibanez AW5412 electronics suffer a bit from this common issue.

Also, another thing to note for those considering purchasing is that to get the most out of this guitar, you should get a basic guitar set-up after purchase. The action can often be high, making playing this guitar a little difficult after unboxing. This isn’t a knock on Ibanez as a company, as this is a common issue for many guitars in this price range.

Another negative about this guitar is that it doesn’t come with a gig bag or case. So you must account for your final purchase price to ensure proper care of your guitar.

All in all, for the price point, build, and sound quality, you can’t go wrong with the Ibanez Artwood AW5412CE for your new 12-string acoustic guitar.

Want to discover more options for the best budget acoustic guitars?

Check out my Best Acoustic Guitar Roundups for the following price ranges:

• Best Under $300
• Best between $300-$500

When searching for the best 12-string acoustic guitar for studio sessions, there are some design features you should consider:

• Comfortable and easy to play for long periods
• Focused, punchy, and balanced tone
• Versatility in genres and playing styles
• Great intonation

Finding a guitar to tick all these boxes, especially considering the inherent issues associated with a 12-String guitar, can be difficult.

However, Taylor Guitars has an answer!

Taylor is no stranger to modern, innovative, and forward-thinking guitar making. They have recently brought this ingenuity to the 12-String guitar.

There is much to love about the Taylor 362ce 12-Fret V-Class guitar for recording and general playability.

First, the short-scale mahogany neck (24.875”) creates a more “slinky” playability that is super comfortable for a 12-string guitar.

Secondly, Taylor Guitars has designed a bridge with six bridge pins, which creates a more exact breakpoint for all 12-strings. This will give the guitar a smoother, more consistent feel and make changing the strings easier.

These design functions make for great recording sessions, especially when recording take after take.

Third, the grand concert body style, 12-fret design, and solid mahogany top, with Tasmanian blackwood back and sides, produce a very articulate, smooth, and rich acoustic sound.

Thanks to the mahogany top, the tone’s slight compression produces very even dynamics across all 12 strings.

This helps get you a more “radio-ready” tone out the gate and will require less mixing in post-production.

The Taylor 362ce also features impressive, innovative features that make this guitar stand out for recording applications.

The V-Class bracing helps the acoustic guitar resonate more evenly, giving a guitar near-perfect intonation, dynamics, and sustain.

The 362ce’s V-Class design also gives this guitar great versatility whether you’re a strummer or fingerstyle player.

Also, you won’t be plagued by intonation issues that other 12-String guitars often suffer from.

There is nothing worse than laying down a perfect take in the studio only to discover your guitar sounded out-of-tune in specific positions on the neck. This problem is only amplified by the “under the microscope” accuracy of microphones.

This guitar also features Taylor’s patented Expression 2 Electronics and pickup system. This system provides a superior plugged-in tone that adds clarity and depth to your recorded tone.

All in all, if you’re looking for a modern, innovative, and highly comfortable 12-string guitar to record with, then the Taylor 362ce V-Class is a perfect guitar to add to your collection!

To take a more in-depth look at the best Taylor acoustic guitars, please read my article “The Best Taylor Acoustic Guitars For All Styles and Budgets”

Takamine guitars are the grandfather of modern acoustic-electric guitar design. They were the first to introduce the under-saddle pickup, revolutionizing the on-stage guitar.

So it would only make sense to look to Takamine to find the best 12-string acoustic guitars for the stage.

The Takamine TSP-1548C12 is a thinline Japanese, 12-string featuring a solid Sitka spruce top and arched maple back and sides.

This is a classic tonewood comparison for big, bold tones that you want in a stage guitar. Sitka spruce has a wide dynamic range and will give back what you put into it. This is further helped by the maple back and sides which help bring great projection to the spruce top.

The thinline body makes this guitar lightweight and feels like an electric guitar in your hands. The small body cavity also helps reduce feedback that you might find with more traditional acoustic guitar body styles.

What also makes this guitar so great for the gigging musician is Takamine’s proprietary CT4B II Preamp. This pre-amp design features tube circuitry that fattens up the plugged-in tone and produces a guitar sound that is warm and natural.

This electronics and pre-amp section ensures that you retain the smooth and robust acoustic sound when plugged into a PA system and includes a built-in tuner.

There’s also a built-in three-band EQ for easily tweaking your tone to fit any venue and playing situation.

The Takamine TSP-158C12 also features a glossed maple neck and an ebony fretboard that feels glassy under your fingers. This playability feels terrific as you move up and down the neck and is excellent for various genres and playing styles.

When you pick up the Takamine TSP-158C12, you will quickly see why Takamine is a guitar brand loved by artists such as Bruce Springsteen, Blake Shelton, and Garth Brooks.

With high-quality construction, great electronics, and easy and versatile playability, there’s little doubt that the TSP-158C12 will be your go-to 12-string guitar for your next gig!

To take a more in-depth look at the best Takamine acoustic guitars, please read my article “The Best Takamine Acoustic Guitars for Performing Artists“

Sometimes you want a 12-string acoustic guitar that isn’t subtle and will produce a rich, loud sound.

Martin’s Grand J-16E perfectly fits the bill.

At first glance, you will notice this is a very large-bodied guitar. It might seem intimidating at first, but as you inspect it further, you will see that Martin has thoughtfully considered how to maximize playability with this guitar.

First, this guitar features a triple-0 (000) body depth (4 1/8”) which is more shallow and comfortably snugs up against the body.

Second, the ebony fingerboard is tapered. This acoustic guitar is very playable for various styles up and down the neck.

The Martin Grand J-16E features a solid Sitka spruce top, East Indian Rosewood back, and sides for a classic tonewood pairing.

The solid Sitka spruce top with scalloped bracing is a very dynamic tonewood that will put out what you put into it. This is perfect for those with heavier strumming hands and plays with picks.

The pinched waist of this Jumbo body also helps focus the sound and creates a smooth and robust tone that is perfect for strumming. Each note within the chord is articulate and balanced and will project across the room.

The Martin Grand J-16E also has the Fishman Matrix VT Enhance NT2 pickup system. This set-up includes a popular Matrix under-saddle pickup and an advanced Enhance element that may be mixed into the signal through controls within the soundhole.

The Martin Grand J-16E 12-String Guitar is a fantastic guitar with a rich sound, accessible playability, and excellent craftsmanship that will last you a lifetime!

To take a more in-depth look at the best Martin acoustic guitars, please read my article “The Best Martin Acoustic Guitars for the Tone-Obsessed Player”

Look no further than the Guild F-512E Jumbo if you want a classic, rich, full-toned 12-string acoustic guitar.

This 12-string guitar features a solid Sitka spruce top and a flamed maple back and sides. This tonewood combination produces a thunderous guitar that projects sound across a room.

The solid Sitka spruce top also has a wide dynamic range that won’t lose clarity when played hard, while the flamed maple back and sides enhance the bright sound of the octave strings.

Overall this guitar’s tone is a beast!

The Guild F-512E Jumbo is also an understated beauty. It might not be as flashy as some of the other acoustic guitars on this list, but you will see that Guild spares no detail when you inspect it closely.

A genuine bone nut and saddle is on top of an Indian rosewood bridge. This combination helps with the resonance of the guitar while maintaining excellent intonation.

The Gotoh SE700 open-gear tuners are of the highest quality, so you can be confident that none of your 12 strings will slip out of tune while you play.

This 12-string guitar also features a mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard. This is my favorite neck tonewood combination, providing a smooth playing experience.

The Guild F-512E also features LR Baggs Anthem electronics for an authentic and inspired plugged-in tone no matter what system you play through.

If you are looking for that 12-string guitar tone you’ve heard on countless classic records, then your only option is the F-512E!

Buyer’s Guide

While I’m sure my recommendations will suit most guitar players, there are still many other great options I missed that are worth your time and attention.

I’ve put this buyer’s guide together to assist you in your research so that you can make an informed decision based on your requirements as a guitar player.

Body Shape

12-string acoustic guitars often use big, meaty body styles like a dreadnought or jumbo. These body styles support the added tension of the extra strings.

However, recent innovations from companies such as Taylor have been pushing the limits of what a 12-string acoustic can be. So in recent years, smaller body shapes have been introduced that are definitely turning heads and changing the 12-string landscape.

The following are the common body styles you will find when shopping for your next 12-string.

00 or Grand Concert

A Grand Concert is a great body type for solo artists and singer-songwriters. It creates an intimate, balanced, and articulate tone.

They’re also beautiful instruments for fingerpickers and lighter strummers. The tiny, pinched waist has a quick response that favors delicate playing styles.

These guitars will lack the projection of a dreadnought or jumbo body, but what it lacks in loudness, it makes up for in clarity and depth.

Dreadnought

Dreadnought guitars have a powerful, deep low end. On the other hand, this low-end emphasis may sometimes result in a muddy mid-range. This can result in chords not sounding balanced and clear.

The Dreadnought body type is great for musicians who play with other loud acoustic instruments and need to cut through the mix.

Jumbo

The Jumbo-sized acoustic guitar is a beautiful combination of dreadnought and grand concert guitars. A jumbo offers the projection and loudness of a dreadnought but with the note articulation of a smaller-bodied concert guitar.

As the name states, Jumbos are large and may be tough to play for those with small hands.

Tonewoods

Tonewoods significantly impact your musical instrument’s sound, playability, and price.

Often when dealing with most mid-range to high-end 12-string acoustics, you will have an all-solid wood construction.

I’ll quickly go over the most common woods for the top, back, and sides.

Topwood

An acoustic guitar’s soundboard (or top wood) is a critical construction component. It has the most influence on your instrument’s projection, playability, and dynamics.

Here are the most frequently used soundboard tonewoods on 12-string guitars.

Spruce

Spruce is versatile and dynamic tonewood and can fit many playing styles and musical genres.

Spruce is the most frequent tonewood in acoustic guitar construction, and it’s a fantastic choice for a balanced and classic-sounding acoustic guitar.

While there are many options for Spruce, the most common is solid Sitka spruce.

Mahogany

The warmth and depth that a good mahogany guitar offers are well-known for folk, blues, and indie musicians.

When used as a top wood, mahogany has several advantages. One of them is that it naturally compresses the guitar’s tone, which reduces its dynamic range. This may benefit players who want their playing to sound more uniform and even with less effort.

Cedar

Cedar is a soft tonewood that resembles spruce. However, It lacks the same dynamic range as spruce but has a warm tone that you won’t often hear in other tonewoods.

It’s a wonderful choice for musicians who lightly strum and fingerpick.

The disadvantage of cedar is that it doesn’t have fantastic projection. This means the sound will degrade if played with a heavy strumming hand.

Body Wood

The body wood construction influences the guitar’s general EQ response.

Here are the most common body woods and their sound characteristics:

Mahogany

Mahogany is a popular wood for guitar body construction. It has a distinct tone, sustain, warm midrange, and mellow sound.

This is an excellent body wood for recording artists and guitarists who haven’t yet mastered their strumming hand.

Rosewood

Rosewood is a beautiful tonewood with a scooped midrange that works well for singer/songwriters.

The “smiley face” EQ curve helps the vocalist occupy that frequency range and prevents clashing between the voice and the instrument.

Rosewood also has rich overtones and a smooth high end.

Maple

Maple is one of the most beautiful-looking tonewoods that can often seduce a player to purchase on looks alone.

However, not everyone loves the sound of maple, and it has a specific purpose in many guitar designs.

Maple’s lack of overtones makes it a perfect tonewood for strumming. It helps keep each note within a chord articulate and balanced. Maple doesn’t color the sound and helps create a loud-sounding guitar.

Maple is often used for Jumbo acoustic guitars for this reason.

Scale Length

12-String guitars are often full-scale (around 25.5”). However, manufacturers like Taylor make short-scale 12-string designs that produce less string tension.

This is great for players who might suffer from arthritis or other ailments that make fretting more difficult.

So, consider the scale length when sorting through what the best 12-string acoustic guitars will be for you.

FAQ

The most common questions about 12-string acoustic guitars.

To Recap

12-string acoustic guitars are an exciting and inspiring option for musicians exploring new and inspiring musical territories.

As you can see, a wide variety of 12-string acoustics available on the market today offer different benefits depending on your needs and budget!

For those looking for the most affordable, sustainable, and playable 12-string acoustic, then the Breedlove Pursuit ECO Pursuit Exotic Concert CE is a great choice