AudioFu Chart · November 2026
Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars 2026
The top pick is Martin Guitar Grand J-16E 12-String ($2,231). Ibanez AEG5012 12-String gives you the most for the money at $385. Martin Guitar HD1228 leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 85 models across 21 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: November 8, 2026
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All 12-String Acoustic GuitarsTop 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Nut width46 mm (1.81")
- Scale645 mm (25.39")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
This is a 12-string acoustic with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It has a built-in Martin E1 pickup, so you can plug it into an amp when you play live or record. It suits you if you want a 12-string with a built-in pickup for both playing at home and on stage.
Pros
- Solid spruce top gives this guitar a sturdy foundation for its sound
- Solid rosewood back and sides, with an ebony fingerboard and ebony bridge
- Built-in Martin E1 pickup, so it is ready to plug into an amp
Cons
- Acoustic-electric, so it needs an amp or PA system to be amplified
80AudioFu
Index↓ 31.1%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$3,237 · Aug 17$2,231 now$2,231€1,998 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width48 mm (1.89")
- Scale643 mm (25.31")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
You get a 12-string dreadnought with a solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, and a cutaway that lets you reach the higher frets. The built-in Takamine TP-4TD preamp and tuner make it easy to plug in and check your tuning. It suits you if you want a 12-string you can play acoustically or plug into an amp.
Pros
- Solid spruce top gives this guitar a solid tonewood foundation
- Built-in Takamine TP-4TD preamp with tuner for easy plugged-in playing
- Quartersawn x Bracing adds build detail to the top
76AudioFu
Index↓ 1.0%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$557 · Aug 17$552 now$552€494 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
You get a 12-string dreadnought with a cutaway, a solid heat-treated spruce top, and Taylor's ES-2 pickup with active volume, treble and bass controls. It suits you if you want a 12-string that you can also plug in. The included gig bag and factory strings mean you can start playing right away.
Pros
- Solid torrefied spruce top, a heat-treated wood, for the main body of the guitar
- Taylor Expression System 2 pickup with active volume, treble and bass controls
- NuBone nut and saddle, C-Class Bracing and an ebony fingerboard
75AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,115 now$1,115€999 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Fingerboard radius382 mm (15.04")
- Strings12-string
- BodySapele body
You get a 12-string acoustic with a Sitka spruce top, sapele back and sides, and a Taylor ES2 pickup. It suits you if you like the sound of a 12-string and plan to play with an amp or PA. The hardshell case helps keep it safe when you travel to gigs.
Pros
- Sitka spruce top is paired with sapele back and sides
- Taylor ES2 pickup lets you plug straight into an amp or PA
- Ebony bridge and Crelicam ebony fingerboard use dark hardwood throughout
Cons
- Twelve strings mean more string changes and tuning than a six-string
73AudioFu
Index↓ 29.6%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$2,678 · Aug 17$1,887 now$1,887€1,690 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width48 mm (1.89")
- Scale647.7 mm (25.5")
- Frets20 frets
- Fingerboard radius400 mm (15.75")
- Strings12-string
This is a 12-string acoustic with a solid Sitka spruce top, a built-in pickup and preamp, and balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs. It suits you if you want a 12-string that can plug straight into a sound system or recording setup. The built-in tuner makes it easy to check your tuning as you play.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top, with Okoume body and Nyatoh neck
- Ibanez AEQ-TP2 preamp with integrated tuner and volume, bass, treble controls
- Balanced XLR and 1/4" outputs for connecting to a PA or recording gear
67AudioFu
Index↓ 10.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$468 · Aug 17$419 now$419€375 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale634 mm (24.96")
- Strings12-string
This is a 12-string acoustic with a spruce top and a cutaway, so you can reach the upper frets. It has an Ibanez T-bar II pickup and a preamp with a built-in tuner, which helps when you plug in to play with a band. It suits you if you want a 12-string you can play amplified and tune without adding extra gear.
Pros
- Spruce top with Okoume back and sides
- Ibanez T-bar II pickup paired with the AEQTTS preamp
- Preamp system includes a built-in tuner
Cons
- No case or gig bag is included
66AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$385 now$385€345 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
This is a 12-string acoustic with a solid torrefied spruce top and an ES2 pickup, so you can plug it in. The Grand Auditorium body has a cutaway, which makes the upper frets easier to reach. It suits you if you want a 12-string that you can play unplugged or amplify when you need to, and it comes with a gig bag.
Pros
- Solid torrefied spruce top gives the guitar a sturdy, well-built foundation.
- C-Class bracing is built into the top for structure.
- ES2 Expression System pickup lets you plug the guitar in and amplify it.
66AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,562 now$1,562€1,399 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.5 mm (1.87")
- Scale644 mm (25.35")
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This is a 12-string dreadnought with a cutaway, a solid spruce top, and maple back and sides. You get a built-in Takamine TP-3G preamp with volume, bass, mid and treble controls, so you can shape your tone without extra gear. It suits you if you want a 12-string that plugs in and comes with a gig bag.
Pros
- Solid spruce top is the main tonewood of this guitar
- Double X bracing supports the solid spruce top
- Built-in Takamine TP-3G preamp with volume, bass, mid and treble controls
Cons
- Twelve strings mean more work when tuning and changing strings than on a six-string
64AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,104 now$1,104€989 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition
354ce Studio Special Edition H · Taylor
20 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Strings12-string
This is a 12-string guitar with a solid Sitka spruce top, sapele back and sides, and a Taylor ES-2 pickup. You can plug it into an amp when you want to be heard in a band or on stage. It suits you if you want the extra strings of a 12-string and a guitar that comes with a gig bag for travel.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top gives a strong, well-known tonewood base for this 12-string
- Taylor ES-2 System pickup lets you plug in and play through an amp
- V-class bracing and a chamfered edge add to the solid build
Cons
- At 12 strings, it is a specialist instrument rather than an everyday 6-string
63AudioFu
Index↓ 8.3%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$2,678 · Aug 17$2,455 now$2,455€2,199 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width46 mm (1.81")
- Scale645 mm (25.39")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
You get a dreadnought 12-string with a solid spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides. It has an ebony fingerboard, a bone nut and a case, so it is ready to travel with you. It suits you if you want a full-size 12-string built from solid woods and made in the USA.
Pros
- Solid spruce top gives this 12-string a solid tonewood base
- Solid rosewood back and sides paired with a mahogany neck
- Abalone fingerboard inlays and antique white herringbone binding add detail
Cons
- Its 645 mm scale and dreadnought body make it a large guitar to handle
63AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$5,022 now$5,022€4,498 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 85 12-String acoustic guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Fender California Deluxe Villager ECA DLX Villager E BLK · Fender · 2 finishes62Stable$501€449$501€449Check ↗
- 12
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TNFramus · 5 finishes61↓ 14.5%$1,115€999$1,115€999Check ↗
- 13
Taylor 250ce-BLK PlusTaylor60Stable$1,785€1,599$1,785€1,599Check ↗
- 14
DAngelico Premier Fulton LS Matte BlackDAngelico · 4 finishes59Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 15
Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12-String Cutaway with…G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher · Gretsch59↓ 8.0%$718€643$718€643Check ↗
- 16
Takamine GJ72CE-12 BSB G70 Series 12-String Jumbo Cutaway…GJ72CE-12BSB · Takamine59Stable$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 17
Takamine GJ72CE-12 NAT G70 Series 12-String Jumbo Cutaway…GJ72CE-12-Nat · Takamine59Stable$725€649$725€649Check ↗
- 18
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NTHarley Benton · 5 finishes58Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 19
Yamaha APX700II-12 Thinline Acoustic/Electric Cutaway 12-String…APX700II-12 NT · Yamaha58Stable$948€849$948€849Check ↗
- 20
Fender Tim Armstrong Signature Hellcat-12Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12 · Fender57Stable$557€499$557€499Check ↗
- 21
Guild Westerly Collection D-1212D-1212 Nat Westerly · Guild56Stable$892€799$892€799Check ↗
- 22
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NTHarley Benton55↓ 10.0%$300€269$300€269Check ↗
- 23
Guild Westerly Collection F-1512F-1512 Nat Westerly · Guild55↓ 1.0%$1,160€1,039$1,160€1,039Check ↗
- 24
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BSBreedlove · 2 finishes54↓ 50.1%$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 25
Taylor 454ce-R Tobacco Sunburst TopTaylor54↓ 27.6%$2,668€2,390$2,668€2,390Check ↗
- 26
Taylor Legacy 855eLegacy Edition 855e · Taylor53Stable$4,129€3,698$4,129€3,698Check ↗
- 27
Guild F-512E Natural USAGuild · 3 finishes52↓ 2.0%$5,470€4,899$5,470€4,899Check ↗
- 28
Baton Rouge X11LS/F-AB-12 FolkBaton Rouge · 3 finishes50Stable$233€209$233€209Check ↗
- 29
Breedlove Discovery S CN SAT. BLK DBL12Breedlove50↓ 44.4%$496€444$496€444Check ↗
- 30
Breedlove Pursuit EX S Concert SW 12Breedlove50↓ 50.6%$496€444$496€444Check ↗
- 31
Breedlove Artista Pro Concert BA 12 CE WBreedlove50↓ 41.7%$780€699$780€699Check ↗
- 32
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB NitroFramus50↓ 17.9%$1,053€943$1,053€943Check ↗
- 33
Takamine EF381DXTakamine · 2 finishes50Stable$2,678€2,399$2,678€2,399Check ↗
- 34
Godin A12 Ultra Dlx LightburstGodin49↓ 15.0%$2,846€2,549$2,846€2,549Check ↗
- 35
DAngelico Premier Bowery 12 LS VNaturalDAngelico48Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 36
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12BKSHarley Benton48Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 37
DAngelico Premier Bowery 12 LS TBCBDAngelico48Stable$278€249$278€249Check ↗
- 38
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12 w/BagHarley Benton48Stable$289€259$289€259Check ↗
- 39
Ibanez PF1512ECE PerformancePF1512ECE-NT · Ibanez · 2 finishes48↓ 4.1%$316€283$316€283Check ↗
- 40
Harley Benton CLG-70SR CE 12 SBKHarley Benton48Stable$334€299$334€299Check ↗
- 41
Ibanez AW8412CE ArtwoodAW8412CE-WK · Ibanez48Stable$367€329$367€329Check ↗
- 42
Harley Benton Cust.Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/CaseHarley Benton48Stable$378€339$378€339Check ↗
- 43
DAngelico Premier Fulton Caramel BurstDAngelico48Stable$445€399$445€399Check ↗
- 44
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String RosewoodMartin Guitar · 2 finishes48Stable$981€879$981€879Check ↗
- 45
Yamaha LL16-12 ARELL 16-12 A.R.E NT · Yamaha48Stable$1,339€1,199$1,339€1,199Check ↗
- 46
Taylor Next Generation 552ce 12-Fret552ce 12-Fret Next Generation · Taylor48Stable$3,572€3,199$3,572€3,199Check ↗
- 47
Taylor Legacy K65e LTDTaylor47Stable$7,256€6,499$7,256€6,499Check ↗
- 48
Harley Benton D-200CE-12BKHarley Benton46Stable$122€109$122€109Check ↗
- 49
Harley Benton D-200CE-12NTHarley Benton46Stable$122€109$122€109Check ↗
- 50
Harley Benton D-200CE-12NT w/BagHarley Benton46Stable$133€119$133€119Check ↗
12-String Acoustic Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 110 models we track, not a sample.
Median $776 — half of all 12-String acoustic guitars here cost less.
median of 108 models · 45 mm (1.77")–50 mm (1.97")
median of 104 models · 630 mm (24.8")–650 mm (25.59")
median of 73 models · 20–21
median of 108 models · 12-string–12-string
How to choose the best 12-String acoustic guitars
Bracing Pattern
The single biggest factor. 12-strings need robust bracing. Look for scalloped bracing or X-bracing specifically designed for the increased tension. Weak bracing leads to a muddy, lifeless sound and potential structural issues down the road.
Neck Profile & Width
A wider neck is almost mandatory for comfortable 12-string playing. That's a lot of strings crammed in there! Also, the neck profile needs to feel good in your hand - a chunky C shape might be manageable, but a thin D shape could become a wrist workout quickly.
String Gauge & Setup
Factory setups on 12-strings are often atrocious. High action is common to compensate for the increased tension, but it'll be brutal on your fretting hand. Be prepared to have it professionally set up, and consider lighter gauge strings to ease the strain.
Tonewoods
While any tonewood can work, mahogany tends to offer a warmer, more balanced tone that cuts through the inherent shimmer. Spruce tops are standard, but a Sitka top will generally be brighter and more responsive than a Engelmann top.
Headroom & Breakup
12-strings are inherently prone to breakup. You need a guitar with enough headroom to handle the increased output without sounding brittle or fizzy. A darker voicing often helps tame the high-end chaos and provides a more usable sound.
Buying guide
So, you're thinking about a 12-string? They're gorgeous, no doubt, but they're not just a regular six strung up with extra strings. That shimmering, chorus-like sound is addictive, but it demands a different level of respect - and a different kind of guitar. We'll break down what you need to know before dropping serious cash on one, because a bad 12-string is really bad.
Don't chase the looks alone. A cheap 12-string will likely be a frustrating experience - high action, muddy tone, and a neck that feels like a wrestling match. Spend your money on a well-built instrument with a solid bracing pattern and a comfortable neck.
A good setup is non-negotiable; factor that into your budget. And be realistic - a 12-string isn't a drop-in replacement for a six-string; it's a different beast entirely.
How the AudioFu Index works
Five measured signals and nothing else — no stars from strangers, no “tested by experts” we didn’t do. The weights are fixed and public. We don’t play these instruments; we measure the market around them.
This chart covers 110 12-String acoustic guitars from the Thomann catalogue. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
AudioFu earns a commission when you buy through our Thomann links. It never changes the order — the index does.
- Demand40%
How many of this exact model are for sale on Reverb right now — what musicians actually buy and resell.
- Lineup20%
How many finishes Thomann stocks — makers expand the models that sell.
- Price15%
Where the price has moved since we started tracking in August.
- Specs15%
How completely the maker documents it.
- Maker10%
How deep the brand’s range is in this category.
Questions
Are 12-string guitars hard to play?
Yes, they absolutely can be. The increased tension and wider neck require more finger strength and dexterity. It's not a beginner's instrument.
Can I use the same strings on a 12-string as a six-string?
No. 12-strings need heavier gauge strings to withstand the doubled tension. Using lighter strings will result in a floppy, out-of-tune mess.
Why do 12-string guitars need so much setup?
The increased string tension puts a lot of stress on the neck and bridge. A proper setup ensures the action is manageable and the intonation is accurate.
Are 12-strings good for recording?
They can be amazing! That chorus-like shimmer adds a lot of depth and richness to recordings. But be careful - they can also easily overwhelm a mix if not handled properly.
What's the difference between an 'octave' and a 'course' 12-string?
Most 12-strings use 'courses' - pairs of strings tuned in unison. Octave 12-strings have strings tuned an octave apart, which is a much rarer and more complex design.
