Best Breedlove 12-String Acoustic Guitars 2026
Premium Breedlove 12-string acoustic guitars - legendary tone and craftsmanship
Last updated: September 1, 2026
⚡ The best 12-string acoustic guitars in 2026 are Breedlove Discovery S CN SAT. BLK DBL12 (top pick), Breedlove Artista Pro Concert BA 12 CE W for tighter budgets, and Breedlove Pursuit EX S Concert SW 12 for pros — selected from 7 options, priced $926–$1,390, ranked by brand, price and popularity.
Breedlove Discovery S CN SAT. BLK DBL12
by
Breedlove
Nut width
47.6 mm (1.87")
Scale
648 mm (25.51")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
This guitar uses a solid spruce top and mahogany body for a balanced tone. The double course strings give it a rich sound perfect for fingerstyle playing. It works well in small rooms or with a pickup on stage. A great choice for players who want clarity without the cost of a full-size model.
PROS
- • Solid European Spruce top offers bright, responsive attack
- • African Mahogany back and sides provide warm mid-range
- • Double course 12-string design adds unique harmonic texture
- • Fishman Presys 1 pickup ensures reliable on-stage performance
CONS
- • Satin black finish shows scratches and wear quickly
- • 12-string action may feel heavy for smaller hands
- • No listed weight makes shipping and handling difficult
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 636544
$927
Breedlove Artista Pro Concert BA 12 CE W
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Celtic
Key Feature:
This guitar uses solid spruce and myrtlewood for a balanced tone that cuts well. The twenty-fret neck lets you reach high notes easily, and the pickup system works for gigging. It fits players who want solid wood construction without sacrificing range.
PROS
- • Solid European spruce top for bright attack
- • Solid myrtlewood back and sides for warmth
- • Fishman Flex Plus-T pickup system included
- • 20 frets allow playing up the entire neck
CONS
- • Ovangkol fingerboard may be unfamiliar to some players
- • No specific weight or action specs listed
- • Tortoise binding adds bulk but no other detail
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 636542
$1,390
Breedlove Pursuit EX S Concert SW 12
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Jangle Pop
Acoustic Rock
Folk Rock
Key Feature:
This guitar plays like a solid block of wood. The myrtlewood top hits low notes hard, while the mahogany body adds warmth. The Fishman pickup handles the extra strings without getting muddy. It is a great choice for players who like a punchy, mid-focused sound.
PROS
- • Solid myrtlewood top for strong bass response
- • African mahogany body offers warm, mid-heavy tone
- • Fishman Presys I pickup handles low strings well
- • Ovangkol fingerboard provides fast, smooth playability
CONS
- • 48mm nut width is very wide for small hands
- • Concert SW model lacks a strap button
- • No wood finish type mentioned in description
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 636561
$1,042
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BS
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Celtic
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
This Breedlove Discovery S is a fantastic entry point into the world of 12-string guitars. The solid top really shines, offering a surprisingly full sound for a guitar in this price range, and the Fishman pickup is a solid choice for live gigs. It’s ideal for singer-songwriters or players wanting a shimmering, layered acoustic sound without the premium price tag.
PROS
- • Solid European spruce top delivers a surprisingly rich and balanced tone.
- • African mahogany back/sides offer warmth and projection for 12-string clarity.
- • Fishman Presys I provides a usable, clean amplified signal for stage performance.
- • Ovangkol fingerboard offers a smooth playing experience with good durability.
CONS
- • 12-string guitars are inherently harder on the fingers, requiring more calluses.
- • The laminated back and sides limit the potential for long-term sonic aging.
- • Matt black finish, while aesthetically pleasing, can show fingerprints easily.
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612765
$927
Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Conc 12-St CE
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Jangle Pop
Celtic
Country
Key Feature:
This Pursuit Exotic S 12-string is a really interesting offering. The myrtlewood top gives it a unique, airy voice that sits well in a mix, and the Fishman pickup is surprisingly good for amplified performance. It's a great choice for players looking for a comfortable 12-string with a pleasant, balanced tone—especially those who appreciate a slightly less aggressive 12-string experience.
PROS
- • Myrtlewood top delivers a surprisingly bright, shimmering high-end.
- • African mahogany back provides warmth and excellent sustain.
- • Fishman Presys I offers clear, usable amplified tones without harshness.
- • Concave body enhances comfort and improves upper fret access.
CONS
- • 12-string guitars are inherently harder on the fingers; requires more strength.
- • Myrtlewood's tonal characteristics can be somewhat subtle, lacking extreme projection.
- • Ovangkol fingerboard might feel slightly less smooth than ebony to some players.
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 612749
$1,158
#6
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Breedlove Solo Pro Concert 12-Str CE EB
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Frets
20 frets
Strings
12-string
Celtic
Country
Folk Rock
Key Feature:
This Solo Pro Concert 12-string is a beautifully crafted instrument, offering a rich, balanced voice perfect for singer-songwriters and players wanting a full, shimmering sound. The solid woods and Fishman electronics make it a versatile option for both stage and studio, and the comfortable neck profile encourages extended playing. It’s a premium-priced instrument that delivers a lot of value for the discerning 12-string enthusiast.
PROS
- • Solid Western Red Cedar top delivers warm, responsive, and complex overtones.
- • Mahogany back and sides provide a balanced, focused tone with excellent projection.
- • Fishman Flex Plus-T system offers a natural amplified tone with discreet controls.
- • Breedlove Gold tuners ensure precise and stable tuning performance, a premium touch.
CONS
- • The 12-string format can be demanding on playability, especially for beginners.
- • Solid African mahogany can sometimes exhibit a slightly drier tone compared to other woods.
- • Edgeburst finish, while attractive, might not appeal to players preferring a more understated look.
⭐
4.8/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
8/10
Detail:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 612685
$1,390
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE EB
by
Breedlove
Nut width
48 mm (1.89")
Scale
643 mm (25.31")
Strings
12-string
Country
Folk Rock
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
This Breedlove Discovery S is a surprisingly versatile 12-string. The solid top provides a lovely, bright chime, while the mahogany back keeps it from getting too brittle. It's a great option for intermediate players looking to explore the 12-string world without a premium-priced investment.
PROS
- • Solid European spruce top delivers bright, shimmering 12-string tone.
- • African mahogany back/sides provide warmth and sustain.
- • Fishman Presys I system offers reliable, stage-ready amplification.
- • Cascade binding adds a touch of elegance without excessive cost.
CONS
- • 12-string guitars inherently have higher string tension, demanding more finger strength.
- • Edgeburst finish, while attractive, might be prone to fingerprints and scratches.
- • Concave body shape can feel less familiar than traditional acoustic designs.
⭐
4.7/5
AudioFu Score
Specs:
6/10
Detail:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 617366
$927
12-String Acoustic Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 105 models in this category, so «wide», «short» or «expensive» mean something you can check.
Price
median $927
from $219 to $5,426
Nut width
median 48 mm (1.89")
from 45 mm (1.77") to 50 mm (1.97") · 103 models
Scale
median 645 mm (25.39")
from 630 mm (24.8") to 650 mm (25.59") · 99 models
Frets
median 20
from 20 to 21 · 72 models
Neck profile
C
most common · 7 models
Strings
median 12-string
from 12-string to 12-string · 103 models
Fingerboard
rosewood, ebony, jatoba
most common · 46 models
Body
mahogany, maple, okoume
most common · 5 models
Fingerboard radius
median 382 mm (15.04")
from 305 mm (12.01") to 406 mm (15.98") · 6 models
How This List Is Built
We don't play these instruments — we're a catalog, not a review desk, and we'd rather say so than pretend otherwise. This page covers 7 of 105 12-string acoustic guitars from the Thomann catalogue, which is the largest single source of specification data in this category: 7 in detail, the rest listed with their specifications.
Position is computed, not curated. We parse the manufacturer's own description into actual values — nut width, scale, fret count, fingerboard radius, size, alloy — and rank on them: how many specifications a model has published, how many of them are measurable numbers, and how precisely it meets this page's criterion. A product image adds a little. Price is not a ranking signal: it tells you nothing about whether a neck fits your hand. The same inputs always produce the same order, so nothing here is shuffled to look fresh.
What this list is good for: narrowing a category down to a shortlist by spec and budget. What it isn't: a substitute for hearing an instrument. Before you buy, read hands-on reviews and, where you can, play it. Full methodology.
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.
