Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars 2026
Top-rated 12-string acoustic guitars 2026 - expert picks for every budget and skill level
Last updated: January 28, 2026 • Next update: February 4, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Folk Rock
For Jangle Pop
For Celtic
For Country
For Acoustic Rock
For Campfire Sessions
#1
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar HD12-28
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Country
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Natural octave doubling
- • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • More expensive string replacement
Martin Guitar HD12-2812-String Acoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack and sides: solid rosewoodNeck:...
⭐
4.4/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 556311
$4,399
#2
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Takamine GD30CE-12B
by
Takamine
Country
Jangle Pop
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
- • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Takamine GD30CE-12B12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupDreadnought design with cutawaySolid spruce topMahogany...
⭐
5.0/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 423930
$582
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH
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
#4
⭐
5.0/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
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
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag
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
#6
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Takamine EF381SC w/Softcase
by
Takamine
Folk Rock
Country
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Full, lush strumming sound
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Takamine EF381SC w/Softcase12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: solid spruceBack...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 579110
$1,759
#7
⭐
5.0/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB HP
by
Framus
Acoustic Rock
Campfire Sessions
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Natural octave doubling
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • Limited single-note clarity
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB HP12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...
⭐
5.0/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610780
$1,209
#8
⭐
4.5/5
(28 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String
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
#9
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor 354ce
by
Taylor
Campfire Sessions
Country
Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • Heavier neck and higher action
Taylor 354ce12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupBody: SapeleV-class bracingTop: Sitka spruceSet-in neck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 608873
$2,749
#10
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Urban Ironbark
by
Taylor
Country
Campfire Sessions
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
- • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
- • Heavier neck and higher action
- • More expensive string replacement
Taylor 552ce 12-Fret Urban Ironbark12-String Acoustic Guitar with Pickup500 SeriesStyle: Grand Concert with...
⭐
4.6/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 571896
$2,519
#11
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Maton SRS70C-12 w/ Case
by
Maton
Acoustic Rock
Celtic
Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
- • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
- • More expensive string replacement
Maton SRS70C-12 w/ Case12-String acoustic guitarStyle: Dreadnought with Venetian cutawayTop: Solid sitka spruceBack and...
⭐
4.5/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 530215
$2,474
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BS
by
Breedlove
Celtic
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Natural octave doubling
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • Limited single-note clarity
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BS12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612765
$714
#14
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Guild F-512E Natural USA
by
Guild
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Natural octave doubling
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • Heavier neck and higher action
Guild F-512E Natural USA12-String Acoustic GuitarTraditional seriesDesign: JumboTop: Solid AAA sitka spruceBack and...
⭐
4.4/5
(45 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 444313
$4,839
#15
⭐
4.9/5
(27 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
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.
