AudioFu Chart · October 2026
Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars for Intermediate 2026
The top pick is Takamine G Series GD30CE Dreadnought ($562). Ibanez AEG5012 12-String gives you the most for the money at $388. Taylor 150ce leads the high end. Ranked by the AudioFu Index from 80 models across 22 brands, prices checked every night.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Top 10
Full detail for the 10 highest AudioFu Index scores. Every other model is listed below.
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- Nut width48 mm (1.89")
- Scale643 mm (25.31")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
The GD30CE-12N is a fantastic entry point into the world of 12-string acoustics. It offers a surprisingly balanced sound with that characteristic shimmering chorus, and the built-in tuner is a real convenience. Ideal for singer-songwriters or players wanting a fuller sound without a premium price tag.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers a bright, articulate 12-string tone
- Mahogany back and sides provide warmth and sustain
- TP-4TD preamp offers reliable amplification with a built-in tuner
Cons
- 12-string guitars are inherently harder on the fingers, requiring more strength
- Mahogany can sometimes lack the complex overtones of rosewood or maple
69AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$562 now$562€499 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale648 mm (25.51")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardEbony fingerboard
The 150ce 12-string is a solid choice for players wanting that iconic 12-string chime with Taylor's renowned playability. The torrefied top gives it a nicely aged character right out of the box, and the ES-2 system makes it stage-ready. It's a great option for singer-songwriters or anyone looking for a full, vibrant sound without the premium price tag.
Pros
- Solid torrefied spruce top delivers a warm, responsive, and aged tone.
- Taylor ES-2 electronics offer excellent amplified tone with useful EQ controls.
- Sapele laminated back and sides provide structural stability and a balanced sonic foundation.
Cons
- Laminated back and sides limit the ultimate resonance and complexity compared to all-solid wood.
- 12-string guitars can be physically demanding; this one might fatigue less experienced players.
69AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,124 now$1,124€999 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 guitar uses a real spruce top for a punchy sound, which is great for live gigs. The plastic parts are cheap but hold up okay for the price. It fits players who want a jumbo shape with thick strings and built-in tuning.
Pros
- Solid Sitka spruce top delivers strong projection and attack
- T-bar undersaddle pickup ensures stable, consistent tone
- Large 45 mm nut width aids fretting on thick strings
Cons
- Okoume back and sides lack the resonance of solid wood
- Plastic nut and saddle can affect intonation over time
64AudioFu
Index↓ 10.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$472 · Aug 17$422 now$422€375 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width50 mm (1.97")
- Scale643 mm (25.31")
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardRosewood fingerboard
The Framus Hootenanny 12 TN is a seriously good-sounding 12-string. It’s got that classic round-shoulder dreadnought vibe with a warm, full tone that’s perfect for folk, country, or adding some shimmer to your strumming. A great option for players looking for vintage character and solid construction without an exorbitant price tag.
Pros
- Solid Sapele back/sides deliver warm, resonant bass response.
- Sitka spruce top provides excellent projection and clarity.
- Mahogany neck offers comfortable playability and sustain.
Cons
- 12-string guitars are inherently harder on the fingers, requires build-up.
- Sapele can sometimes lack the visual 'bling' of more exotic woods.
61AudioFu
Index↓ 14.5%since Aug 17 · lowest so far$1,315 · Aug 17$1,124 now$1,124€999 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width47.5 mm (1.87")
- Scale644 mm (25.35")
- Strings12-string
- FingerboardLaurel fingerboard
This GD74CE-12U is a seriously impressive 12-string dreadnought – the solid spruce top really shines, and the maple back keeps things focused. It’s a great option for players wanting a bright, chimey 12-string voice with usable amplification, especially suited for folk, country, or layered textures in a band setting.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers a bright, shimmering 12-string tone.
- Maple back and sides provide a balanced, articulate response.
- Takamine TP-3G preamp offers effective, easy-to-use onboard EQ.
Cons
- The 12-string construction makes it noticeably heavier than a standard dreadnought.
- Maple can sometimes lack the warmth of mahogany, requiring EQ adjustment.
60AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$1,113 now$1,113€989 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale643 mm (25.31")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
This Fender CD-140SCE-12 is a great entry point into the world of 12-string guitars. The spruce top gives it that classic shimmer, and the Fishman electronics make it surprisingly versatile for stage or recording. It's a solid choice for singer-songwriters or anyone wanting that lush, layered sound without a premium-priced investment.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers bright, shimmering 12-string tone
- Ovangkol back/sides add warmth and sustain
- Fishman electronics offer surprisingly good amplified sound
Cons
- 12-string guitars are inherently harder on the fingers
- Ovangkol can sometimes exhibit a slightly 'woody' tone initially
59AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$438 now$438€389 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Fender California Deluxe Villager E
CA DLX Villager E BLK · Fender
11 for sale on Reverb2 finishes at Thomann
- Nut width47 mm (1.85")
- Scale629 mm (24.76")
- Frets20 frets
- Fingerboard radius305 mm (12.01")
- Strings12-string
This guitar uses a solid spruce top and mahogany body for a bright yet warm sound. The Fishman preamp helps it play well through an amp without sounding thin. It has a slim neck that feels easy to reach any fret. It suits players who want a clear tone on stage without spending a fortune.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers strong projection for the price
- Mahogany body adds warmth and mid-range clarity
- Fishman CD-1 preamp gives clear, balanced amplified tone
Cons
- No specific body depth listed, may feel heavy
- Ivory pickguard can scratch easily and look cheap
59AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$505 now$505€449 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Takamine GJ72CE-12 BSB G70 Series 12-String Jumbo Cutaway…
GJ72CE-12BSB · Takamine
19 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale644 mm (25.35")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
The GJ72CE-12BSB is a fantastic 12-string offering a lot of bang for your buck. It’s got a lovely, clear voice, a comfortable neck, and a reliable pickup system for stage work. This is a great choice for singer-songwriters or players wanting a shimmering, full sound without a premium-priced investment.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers a bright, resonant, and articulate tone.
- Quartersawn X-bracing enhances projection and structural stability.
- Takamine TK-40D preamp offers excellent feedback resistance and accurate amplification.
Cons
- 12-string guitars inherently have higher string tension, requiring more finger strength.
- Jumbo body can be unwieldy for smaller players or those preferring a more compact instrument.
56AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$730 now$730€649 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
Takamine GJ72CE-12 NAT G70 Series 12-String Jumbo Cutaway…
GJ72CE-12-Nat · Takamine
19 for sale on Reverb1 finish at Thomann
- Nut width47.6 mm (1.87")
- Scale644 mm (25.35")
- Frets20 frets
- Strings12-string
The GJ72CE-12 is a fantastic 12-string for players wanting a big, resonant sound without a premium price tag. The solid top really shines, and the built-in tuner is a lifesaver. It's a great choice for singer-songwriters and rhythm players needing a full, vibrant 12-string voice for stage or studio.
Pros
- Solid spruce top delivers bright, shimmering 12-string tone.
- Quartersawn X-bracing enhances projection and sustain.
- The TK-40D preamp offers excellent feedback rejection and accurate amplification.
Cons
- The jumbo body can be a bit unwieldy for smaller players.
- 12-string guitars inherently require more frequent string changes due to higher tension.
56AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$730 now$730€649 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗ -
- Nut width45 mm (1.77")
- Scale634 mm (24.96")
- Strings12-string
This Ibanez is a solid 12-string option for players wanting a bright, amplified acoustic. It's surprisingly playable for a 12-string, thanks to the comfortable neck profile, and the onboard tuner is a real convenience. Ideal for singer-songwriters or anyone wanting a fuller, richer acoustic sound without a premium-priced tag.
Pros
- Spruce top delivers a bright, responsive acoustic tone.
- Okoume back and sides add warmth and projection.
- Ibanez Tbar II pickup provides a usable amplified sound.
Cons
- Okoume can sometimes lack the complexity of mahogany or rosewood.
- The high-gloss finish might feel a little thick for some players.
60AudioFu
IndexStableno change since Aug 17Aug 17$388 now$388€345 at Thomann · in stockCheck price ↗
All 80 12-String acoustic guitars
Same index, same nightly prices — compact. Colour options of one model share a row. Tap a photo to zoom.
- 11
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BSBreedlove · 2 finishes54↓ 37.6%$562€499$562€499Check ↗
- 12
Yamaha APX700II-12 Thinline Acoustic/Electric Cutaway 12-String…APX700II-12 NT · Yamaha54Stable$955€849$955€849Check ↗
- 13
Fender Tim Armstrong Signature Hellcat-12Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12 · Fender53Stable$562€499$562€499Check ↗
- 14
Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12-String Cutaway with…G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher · Gretsch52Stable$787€699$787€699Check ↗
- 15
Guild Westerly Collection D-1212D-1212 Nat Westerly · Guild52Stable$899€799$899€799Check ↗
- 16
DAngelico Premier Fulton Aged BurstDAngelico · 2 finishes50Stable$449€399$449€399Check ↗
- 17
Breedlove Artista Pro Concert BA 12 CE WBreedlove50↓ 25.0%$1,012€899$1,012€899Check ↗
- 18
Framus Vintage Hootenanny 12 SB NitroFramus50↓ 17.9%$1,061€943$1,061€943Check ↗
- 19
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String RosewoodMartin Guitar · 2 finishes48Stable$989€879$989€879Check ↗
- 20
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/BagHarley Benton · 5 finishes58Stable$348€309$348€309Check ↗
- 21
DAngelico Premier Fulton Caramel BurstDAngelico46Stable$449€399$449€399Check ↗
- 22
Guild F-2512E Maple Westerly ArchbacGuild · 2 finishes46Stable$667€593$667€593Check ↗
- 23
Godin Mahogany Folk 12 Rustic B A/EGodin46Stable$1,124€999$1,124€999Check ↗
- 24
Ibanez AEG1221-BOTIbanez45↓ 5.3%$440€391$440€391Check ↗
- 25
ESP LTD TL-12LTD TL-12 BK · ESP43Stable$843€749$843€749Check ↗
- 26
Baton Rouge X11S/FC-12Baton Rouge · 3 finishes50Stable$370€329$370€329Check ↗
- 27
Baton Rouge X34S/D-12Baton Rouge42Stable$483€429$483€429Check ↗
- 28
Baton Rouge AR61S/ACEC-12Baton Rouge42Stable$730€649$730€649Check ↗
- 29
Guild D-2612CE Deluxe ATBGuild42Stable$782€695$782€695Check ↗
- 30
Breedlove Discovery S CN SAT. BLK DBL12Breedlove42Stable$899€799$899€799Check ↗
- 31
Breedlove Pursuit EX S Concert SW 12Breedlove42Stable$1,012€899$1,012€899Check ↗
- 32
Harley Benton Cust.Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/CaseHarley Benton48Stable$381€339$381€339Check ↗
- 33
Ibanez AW5412CE-OPN ArtwoodIbanez41Stable$469€417$469€417Check ↗
- 34
Yamaha FG820-12 NTIIYamaha41Stable$517€459$517€459Check ↗
- 35
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE4412-5-GOvation41Stable$613€545$613€545Check ↗
- 36
Ovation Pro Series Elite 2058-TX-5-GOvation41Stable$955€849$955€849Check ↗
- 37
Ovation Pro Series 2751AX-5-G Std.BallOvation39Stable$1,124€999$1,124€999Check ↗
- 38
Harley Benton Custom Line King-12 CE NTHarley Benton50Stable$336€299$336€299Check ↗
- 39
Ibanez PF1512ECE PerformancePF1512ECE-NT · Ibanez · 2 finishes44Stable$332€295$332€295Check ↗
- 40
Applause Traditional AB2412-5SApplause36Stable$375€333$375€333Check ↗
- 41
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12 w/BagHarley Benton48Stable$291€259$291€259Check ↗
- 42
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12BKSHarley Benton48Stable$280€249$280€249Check ↗
- 43
Harley Benton Cust. Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/BagHarley Benton46Stable$291€259$291€259Check ↗
- 44
DAngelico Premier Bowery 12 LS VNaturalDAngelico46Stable$280€249$280€249Check ↗
- 45
DAngelico Premier Bowery 12 LS TBCBDAngelico46Stable$280€249$280€249Check ↗
- 46
Gibson J-45 StandardJ-45 Standard 12 String VSB · Gibson64Stable$3,341€2,969$3,341€2,969Check ↗
- 47
Taylor 254ce PlusTaylor61Stable$1,574€1,399$1,574€1,399Check ↗
- 48
Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition354ce · Taylor61Stable$2,700€2,399$2,700€2,399Check ↗
- 49
Taylor 354ce Studio Special Edition354ce Studio Special Edition H · Taylor58↓ 8.3%$2,475€2,199$2,475€2,199Check ↗
- 50
Taylor 250ce-BLK PlusTaylor56Stable$1,799€1,599$1,799€1,599Check ↗
12-String Acoustic Guitars by the numbers
Measured across all 103 models we track, not a sample.
Median $899 — half of all 12-String acoustic guitars here cost less.
median of 101 models · 45 mm (1.77")–50 mm (1.97")
median of 97 models · 630 mm (24.8")–650 mm (25.59")
median of 70 models · 20–21
median of 101 models · 12-string–12-string
How to choose the best 12-String acoustic guitars
Playability
12-strings are inherently tougher on the fingers. Neck profile, string gauge, and action are absolutely critical for an intermediate player to avoid frustration and injury. A chunky neck or high action will make barre chords feel like a workout.
String Spacing
The wider string spacing on a 12-string can be a hurdle. It demands a bit more precision, especially when fingerpicking. Models with a slightly wider nut width (1 7/8" or even 2") can be a lifesaver.
Bracing & Tone
The added tension of 12 strings puts a lot of stress on the top. Good bracing is essential for preventing sinking and maintaining structural integrity. We're looking for a balanced tone - not overly boomy or brittle, with some sustain and a touch of that shimmering complexity without being muddy.
Headroom & Breakup
A 12-string's headroom is lower than a 6-string's; it'll start to breakup sooner when driven. This can be a good thing for a warm, vintage vibe, but it also means you need to be mindful of dynamics and how it sits in a band context. Too much breakup can quickly become a mess.
Pickup Voicing (if applicable)
Many intermediate players will want to plug in for rehearsals or smaller gigs. The pickup voicing needs to be natural and retain the 12-string's unique character, not turning it into a generic acoustic sound. Avoid overly bright or harsh pickups.
Buying guide
So, you're thinking about stepping up to a 12-string? It's a beautiful thing - that shimmering chorus, the extra harmonic complexity - but it's not just a regular acoustic with extra strings. For the intermediate player, the challenge isn't just learning to strum it, it's finding an instrument that's playable and won't leave your fingers shredded. Let's break down some solid options that won't break the bank or your wrist.
Don't chase the cheapest option; 12-strings take a beating. A solid top (Sitka or Engelmann) is a must, and don't be afraid to spend a little more on a comfortable neck profile. Playability trumps aesthetics every time.
Look out for overly thick finishes which can dampen the top's resonance; a satin finish is often preferable. Finally, consider the case - these guitars are more fragile than their 6-string counterparts.
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 103 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 acoustics harder to play than 6-strings?
Absolutely. The increased string tension and closer string spacing demand more finger strength and precision. It's a definite learning curve, so start slow and build calluses.
What string gauge should I use on a 12-string?
Stick with lighter gauge strings initially - typically around .010-.047. Heavier strings will make it even tougher to play and can put excessive stress on the neck.
Can I use a capo on a 12-string?
You can, but be cautious. The added tension can make the neck warp over time, especially on less expensive models. Use it sparingly and only in the lower frets.
How do I keep a 12-string in tune?
12-strings are notorious for tuning instability. Invest in quality locking tuners - they'll make a significant difference. Regular setup adjustments are also crucial.
Will a 12-string cut through a band mix?
It can, but it's not a given. The added strings provide more harmonic content, which can help it stand out. However, it's also prone to muddiness, so EQ and careful monitoring are essential.
