AudioFu

Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars 2026

Top-rated 12-string acoustic guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Folk Rock For Jangle Pop For Celtic For Country For Acoustic Rock For Campfire Sessions
BRANDS: Harley Benton DAngelico Guild Taylor Framus Martin Guitar Takamine Fender Furch Ibanez
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH

by Martin Guitar
Folk Rock Jangle Pop Celtic
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupLeft-handed modelStyle: DreadnoughtTop:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581263
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar HD1228 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Martin Guitar HD1228

by Martin Guitar
Folk Rock Campfire Sessions Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar HD122812 String Acoustic Guitar2025 ModelType: DrednoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.7/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 606094
$5,004
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Jangle Pop Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String 202412-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand JTop: Solid SpruceBack and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 592687
$3,299
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar HD1228 LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar HD1228 LH

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Jangle Pop Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar HD1228 LH12-String Acoustic Guitar2025 ModelLeft-handed modelTyoe: DreadnoughtTop: Solid spruceBack and...

⭐ 4.8/5 (16 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606099
$5,147
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Jangle Pop Campfire Sessions Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT*12-String...

⭐ 4.6/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 539731
$356
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Folk Rock Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupType: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceTop and sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 581261
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine P3DC-12 w/Softcase - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Takamine P3DC-12 w/Softcase

by Takamine
Folk Rock Celtic Country
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Takamine P3DC-12 w/Softcase12-String Acoustic Guitar with Pick UpType: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: solid CedarBack:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (52 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 579176
$1,572
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB Nitro - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB Nitro

by Framus
Jangle Pop Folk Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB Nitro12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609985
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 HP - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 HP

by Framus
Campfire Sessions Folk Rock Country
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 HP12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.9/5 (27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609910
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E SB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E SB

by Harley Benton
Celtic Country Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E SB12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: JumboSolid top made of selected...

⭐ 4.5/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 465261
$329
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Celtic Acoustic Rock Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH...

⭐ 4.4/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605292
$378
Buy at Thomann View Details
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TN

by Framus
Folk Rock Campfire Sessions Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Heavier neck and higher action

Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TN12 String Acoustic GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...

⭐ 4.8/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 609916
$1,319
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher

by Gretsch
Acoustic Rock Campfire Sessions Celtic
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Jumbo with cutawaySolid spruce topBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 331629
$743
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB

by Takamine
Folk Rock Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB12-String Steel-String GuitarJumbo with cutaway designSolid spruce topQuartersawn X-bracingFlamed...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 444413
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12

by Fender
Country Folk Rock Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More expensive string replacement

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12Steel-String Guitar12-StringBody shape: ConcertTop: Solid mahoganyBack & Sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 288728
$534
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 12-string acoustic guitars typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

Related Best Lists

POPULAR

Best ST Style Guitars

TOP

Best Humbucker Pickups

POPULAR

Best Distortion Pedals

POPULAR

Best Single Cut Guitars

RELATED

Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitars

TOP

Best 4/4 Size Classical Guitars

We use cookies to improve your experience. Learn more