Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars Under $500 2025

Affordable 12-string acoustic guitars under $500 - great value without compromising quality

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

Baton Rouge X34S/D-12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Baton Rouge X34S/D-12

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
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12 w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12 w/Bag

Campfire Sessions Jangle Pop Celtic
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12 w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line...

4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag

Jangle Pop Celtic Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E LH...

4.8/5 (13 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12BKS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12BKS

Acoustic Rock Country Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Custom Line CLD-10SCE-12BKS12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: Dreadnought with cutawaySolid...

4.6/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT

Jangle Pop Campfire Sessions Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NTSteel String Guitar12 StringCutawayDreadnoughtTop: SpruceBody & Sdies: MahoganyNeck:...

4.8/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Cust.Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Harley Benton Cust.Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Case

Celtic Acoustic Rock Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Cust.Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E SB*12-String...

4.5/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag

Jangle Pop Campfire Sessions Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT*12-String...

4.6/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT

Country Campfire Sessions Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • More expensive string replacement

Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E NT12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupStyle: JumboTop: selected solid spruceBack...

4.4/5 (26 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Fender CD-140SCE-12 WA Nat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Fender CD-140SCE-12 WA Nat

Campfire Sessions Country Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Fender CD-140SCE-12 WA Nat12-String Westernguitar with pick-upConstruction/shape: Classic Design Dreadnought with...

4.8/5 (54 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton Cust. Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Harley Benton Cust. Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Bag

Folk Rock Celtic Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Distinctive 12-string character
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Harley Benton Cust. Line CLJ-412E 3SB w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton Custom Line CLJ-412E SB*12-String...

4.7/5 (15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN w/Bag

Country Campfire Sessions Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN*A 12-string Acoustic Guitar*Body...

4.6/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
DAngelico Premier Fulton Natural - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

DAngelico Premier Fulton Natural

Country Celtic Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • Heavier neck and higher action

DAngelico Premier Fulton Natural12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupConstruction: Grand Auditorium with single...

4.8/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez AW5412CE-OPN Artwood - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Ibanez AW5412CE-OPN Artwood

Folk Rock Jangle Pop Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Ibanez AW5412CE-OPN Artwood12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupDesign: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid okoumeBack...

4.8/5 (29 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
DAngelico Premier Fulton Caramel Burst - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

DAngelico Premier Fulton Caramel Burst

Folk Rock Jangle Pop Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • Higher string tension and effort

DAngelico Premier Fulton Caramel Burst12-String Acoustic Guitar with PickupConstruction: Grand Auditorium with single...

5.0/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WN

Acoustic Rock Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance
  • • Limited single-note clarity

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Nat WNA 12-string Acoustic GuitarBody shape: Classic design dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid...

4.4/5 (48 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10

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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