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Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars Under $1,000 2025

Affordable 12-string acoustic guitars under $1,000 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: November 5, 2025 • Next update: November 12, 2025

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Folk Rock For Jangle Pop For Celtic For Country For Acoustic Rock For Campfire Sessions
BRANDS: Harley Benton Taylor Guild DAngelico Takamine Martin Guitar Framus Ibanez Furch Fender
Ovation Pro Series Elite 2058-TX-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Ovation Pro Series Elite 2058-TX-5-G

by Ovation
Acoustic Rock Country Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Heavier neck and higher action

Ovation Pro Series Elite 2058-TX-5-G12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Contour BowlSolid spruce topOptimised...

⭐ 4.5/5 (45 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 520757
$934
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Conc 12-St CE - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Conc 12-St CE

by Breedlove
Jangle Pop Celtic Country
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Conc 12-St CE12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayTop: Solid...

⭐ 4.6/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612749
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Hummingbird 12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Epiphone Hummingbird 12

by Epiphone
Folk Rock Celtic Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Epiphone Hummingbird 1212-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupInspired by Gibson CollectionBody shape: Square Shoulder...

⭐ 4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 501125
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood LH

by Martin Guitar
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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha APX700II-12 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Yamaha APX700II-12 NT

by Yamaha
Folk Rock Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Yamaha APX700II-12 NT12-String Acoustic GuitarAPX seriesCutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: NatoNeck:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 259612
$956
Buy at Thomann View Details
ESP LTD TL-12 BK - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

ESP LTD TL-12 BK

by ESP
Acoustic Rock Folk Rock Celtic
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • More expensive string replacement

ESP LTD TL-12 BKSteel-string Guitar12-stringCutawayBack & sides: MahoganyTop: MapleNeck: MahoganyFretboard:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (40 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 439365
$802
Buy at Thomann View Details
Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood

by Martin Guitar
Campfire Sessions Folk Rock Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Martin Guitar D-X2E 12-String Rosewood12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupType: DreadnoughtTop: SpruceTop and sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 581261
$967
Buy at Thomann View Details

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.

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