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Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars Under $800 2026

Affordable 12-string acoustic guitars under $800 - great value without compromising quality

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

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 DAngelico Guild Taylor Framus Martin Guitar Takamine Fender Furch Ibanez
Richwood A-7012-VA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ovation Celebrity Elite CE4412-5-G - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE4412-5-G

by Ovation
Jangle Pop Campfire Sessions Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Heavier neck and higher action

Ovation Celebrity Elite CE4412-5-G12-String Steel-String GuitarWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBody design:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 418526
$600
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Villager 12-String AGN - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Fender Villager 12-String AGN

by Fender
Country Campfire Sessions Celtic
Key Feature:
• Natural octave doubling
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Heavier neck and higher action

Fender Villager 12-String AGN12-Steel-String Guitar with PickupTop: Solid SpruceBack and sides: SapeleNeck: Nato with...

⭐ 4.9/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 570858
$548
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild F-2512E Maple ATB Westerly - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Guild F-2512E Maple ATB Westerly

by Guild
Campfire Sessions Celtic Folk Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Natural octave doubling
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Guild F-2512E Maple ATB Westerly12-String Acoustic GuitarBody shape: JumboTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: MapleArched...

⭐ 4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 469018
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12 - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12

by Fender
Country Folk Rock Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More expensive string replacement

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat 12Steel-String Guitar12-StringBody shape: ConcertTop: Solid mahoganyBack & Sides:...

⭐ 4.5/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 288728
$534
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB

by Takamine
Folk Rock Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Takamine GJ72CE-12BSB12-String Steel-String GuitarJumbo with cutaway designSolid spruce topQuartersawn X-bracingFlamed...

⭐ 4.9/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 444413
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild F-2512E Maple Westerly Archbac - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Guild F-2512E Maple Westerly Archbac

by Guild
Acoustic Rock Campfire Sessions Country
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More expensive string replacement

Guild F-2512E Maple Westerly Archback12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupJumbo body designSolid spruce topMaple...

⭐ 4.4/5 (32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 378816
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher

by Gretsch
Acoustic Rock Campfire Sessions Celtic
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

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Falcon Rancher12-String Acoustic GuitarType: Jumbo with cutawaySolid spruce topBack and sides:...

⭐ 5.0/5 (28 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 331629
$743
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE BS - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

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
Buy at Thomann View Details
Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE EB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE EB

by Breedlove
Country Folk Rock Campfire Sessions
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Full, lush strumming sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited single-note clarity
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Breedlove Discovery S Conc 12-St CE EB12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupStyle: Concert with cutawayBack and...

⭐ 4.5/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 617366
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD30CE-12B - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Takamine GD30CE-12B

by Takamine
Country Jangle Pop Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
✗ CONS
  • • Higher string tension and effort
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Takamine GD30CE-12B12-String Steel-String Guitar with PickupDreadnought design with cutawaySolid spruce topMahogany...

⭐ 5.0/5 (38 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 423930
$582
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GD30CE-12N - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Takamine GD30CE-12N

by Takamine
Campfire Sessions Jangle Pop Acoustic Rock
Key Feature:
• Full, lush strumming sound
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive 12-string character
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • More complex tuning and maintenance

Takamine GD30CE-12N12-String Acoustic GuitarDesign: Dreadnought with cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides:...

⭐ 4.8/5 (44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 423927
$549
Buy at Thomann View Details
Yamaha CPX700II-12 NT - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Yamaha CPX700II-12 NT

by Yamaha
Country Folk Rock Jangle Pop
Key Feature:
• Rich, shimmering chorus effect
✓ PROS
  • • Natural octave doubling
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • Heavier neck and higher action
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Yamaha CPX700II-12 NT12-String Acoustic GuitarCPX SeriesWith cutawayTop: Solid spruceBack and sides: NatoTranslucent...

⭐ 4.7/5 (37 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 259541
$692
Buy at Thomann View Details
Takamine GJ72CE-12-Nat - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Takamine GJ72CE-12-Nat

by Takamine
Jangle Pop Campfire Sessions Country
Key Feature:
• Great for rhythm guitar work
✓ PROS
  • • Rich, shimmering chorus effect
  • • Great for rhythm guitar work
✗ CONS
  • • More expensive string replacement
  • • Higher string tension and effort

Takamine GJ72CE-12-NAT12-String Steel-String GuitarJumbo design with cutawaySolid spruce topQuartersawn X-bracingFlamed...

⭐ 4.9/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 442126
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Guild D-2612CE Deluxe ATB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Guild D-2612CE Deluxe ATB

by Guild
Country 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

Guild D-2612CE Deluxe ATBSteel-String GuitarBody shape: Dreadnought with cutawayBack and sides: Striped ebonyTop: Solid...

⭐ 5.0/5 (22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 469033
$681
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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