Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars for Beginner 2026
Perfect 12-string acoustic guitars for beginner - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
GENRES & STYLES:
For Folk Rock
For Jangle Pop
For Celtic
For Country
For Acoustic Rock
For Campfire Sessions
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Baton Rouge X34S/D-12
by
Baton Rouge
Campfire Sessions
Folk Rock
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Baton Rouge X34S/D-1212-String Acoustic GuitarStyle: DreadnoughtTop: solid spruceBack and sides: WalnutNeck:...
⭐
4.4/5
(55 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 586729
$472
#3
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Lakewood D-14-12 CP 2024
by
Lakewood
Acoustic Rock
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • Heavier neck and higher action
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Lakewood D-14-12 CP 202412-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupType: Dreadnought with CutawayTop: Solid mahoganyBack and...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 591429
$2,749
#4
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
DAngelico Premier Fulton Aged Burst
by
DAngelico
Folk Rock
Country
Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • Limited single-note clarity
DAngelico Premier Fulton Aged Burst12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupConstruction: Grand Auditorium with single...
⭐
4.6/5
(7 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610593
$439
#5
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Richwood A-7012-VA
by
Richwood
Campfire Sessions
Celtic
Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
- • Full, lush strumming sound
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
- • More expensive string replacement
Richwood A-7012-VA12 String Acoustic GuitarMaster SeriesStyle: Auditorium OOOTop: AA solid sitkaX Scalloped bracingBack...
⭐
4.5/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 582216
$769
#6
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Taylor 264ce-K DLX
by
Taylor
Folk Rock
Jangle Pop
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
- • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • Heavier neck and higher action
Taylor 264ce-K DLX12-String Steel-String GuitarType: Grand AuditoriumWith cutawayTop: Solid Hawaiian KoaC-Class...
⭐
4.4/5
(12 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 591598
$2,419
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Furch Red Pure Gc-SR 12 String a
by
Furch
Campfire Sessions
Jangle Pop
Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive 12-string character
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
- • More expensive string replacement
Furch Red Pure Gc-SR 12 String12-String Acoustic GuitarRed Series - the highest class of Furch guitars in terms of...
⭐
4.9/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 605412
$3,519
#9
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Lakewood M-32-12 CP Grand Concert 2024
by
Lakewood
Country
Jangle Pop
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Full, lush strumming sound
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • More expensive string replacement
- • Heavier neck and higher action
Lakewood M-32-12 CP Grand Concert 202412 String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Grand Auditorium with cutawayTop:...
⭐
4.6/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 592194
$3,409
#10
⭐
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
#11
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TS
by
Framus
Acoustic Rock
Folk Rock
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • Heavier neck and higher action
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 TS12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Round Shoulder DreadnoughtBack and sides: Solid...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 609914
$1,099
#12
⭐
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
#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
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Taylor Custom #1: Windward Coast
by
Taylor
Folk Rock
Celtic
Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
- • Great for rhythm guitar work
- • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
- • Heavier neck and higher action
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Taylor Custom #1: Windward Coast12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupLimited to 25 piecesType: Grand Concert with...
⭐
4.5/5
(36 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610435
$9,899
#15
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Taylor Legacy Edition 855e
by
Taylor
Country
Folk Rock
Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
- • Full, lush strumming sound
- • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
- • Higher string tension and effort
- • More complex tuning and maintenance
Taylor Legacy Edition 855e12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupType: JumboTop: Solid Sitka spruceX-BracingBack and...
⭐
4.5/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 601464
$4,175
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.
