Best 12 String Acoustic Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best 12 string acoustic guitars.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Guild F-512E Natural

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Guild F-512E Natural
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Playability 73
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 69
Overall Score 84
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  • From Guild's 2019 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany with Walnut Center Strip neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Anthem with Volume, Mix, and Phase Controls (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SE701 Open Gear in Gold tuners
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  • From Guild's 2019 Guild Usa series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 25.625"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid Indian Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany with Walnut Center Strip neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs Anthem with Volume, Mix, and Phase Controls (Preamp/Active)
  • Indian Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh SE701 Open Gear in Gold tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild F-512E Natural
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

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Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String
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Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 88
Build quality 92
Value for money 71
Overall Score 86

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
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  • From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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  • From Gibson's 2021 Modern Acoustic series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Mahogany back
  • Solid Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs VTC (Preamp/Active)
  • Reverse Belly, Rosewood bridge
  • Acoustic Slim Taper Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Ivory Tusq Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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3. Martin HD12-28

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Martin HD12-28
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Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 80
Sound 88
Build quality 88
Value for money 70
Overall Score 85

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (3 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
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  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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  • From Martin's 1931 Standard series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood back
  • Solid East Indian Rosewood sides
  • Select Hardwood neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman (Preamp/Active)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Performing Artist Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin HD12-28
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Compensated Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Takamine TSP158C-12

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Takamine TSP158C-12
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Playability 80
Sound 84
Build quality 84
Value for money 73
Overall Score 83

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Takamine's 2020 Thinline series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Arched Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT-3N (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
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  • From Takamine's 2020 Thinline series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 24.8"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Arched Maple back
  • Maple sides
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: CT-3N (Preamp/Active)
  • Fixed bridge
  • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Takamine tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine TSP158C-12
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Alvarez DY70CE12SHB

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Alvarez DY70CE12SHB
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 85
Build quality 87
Value for money 72
Overall Score 82
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  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Chrome tuners
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  • From Alvarez's 2022 Yairi series
  • Made in Japan
  • 12 strings
  • 25.512"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid AA Sitka Spruce top
  • East Indian Rosewood back
  • East Indian Rosewood sides
  • One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint neck
  • Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp/Active)
  • Rosewood Direct Coupled bridge
  • Acoustic Alvarez Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Gotoh Chrome tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DY70CE12SHB
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

6. Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB

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Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 84
Build quality 89
Value for money 67
Overall Score 82

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (7 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (7 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (6 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Sweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Taylor's 2020 600 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Maple back
  • Solid Maple sides
  • Hard Rock Maple neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 18 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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  • From Taylor's 2020 600 series
  • Made in United States
  • 12 strings
  • 24.9"'' scale
  • 15" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Solid Maple back
  • Solid Maple sides
  • Hard Rock Maple neck
  • West African Crelicam Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp/Active)
  • West African Crelicam Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic Taylor Standard Set neck
  • 18 Medium frets
  • Gotoh tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor Builder's Edition 652ce WHB
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Electronics
  • Synthetic Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. Fender Villager 12-String

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Fender Villager 12-String
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Musician's Friend logoFender logoSweetwater logo
Playability 85
Sound 84
Build quality 72
Value for money 85
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Fender's 2013 California series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 24.72"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Laminated Mahogany back
  • Laminated Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman-designed preamp system (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic Slim C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Sealed Nickel tuners
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  • From Fender's 2013 California series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 24.72"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Spruce top
  • Laminated Mahogany back
  • Laminated Mahogany sides
  • Mahogany neck
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman-designed preamp system (Preamp/Active)
  • Modern Viking bridge
  • Acoustic Slim C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Sealed Nickel tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender Villager 12-String
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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8. Yamaha LL16-12 ARE

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Yamaha LL16-12 ARE
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability 80
Sound 85
Build quality 72
Value for money 79
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (13 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (14 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From Yamaha's 2014 L series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce with A.R.E. top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany + Rosewood (5-Ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Passive System + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Passive)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast Gold (TM29G) tuners
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  • From Yamaha's 2014 L series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Engelmann Spruce with A.R.E. top
  • Solid Rosewood back
  • Solid Rosewood sides
  • Mahogany + Rosewood (5-Ply) neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Passive System + SRT Piezo Pickup (Preamp/Passive)
  • Ebony bridge
  • Acoustic C Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Die-Cast Gold (TM29G) tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha LL16-12 ARE
  • Expensive Wood
  • Electronics
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Solid Side Wood
  • Solid Back Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Low-Quality Material Saddle
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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9. Washburn D10SCE-12 String

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Washburn D10SCE-12 String
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Playability 77
Sound 85
Build quality 70
Value for money 87
Overall Score 77
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  • From Washburn's 2017 Heritage series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II 301T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Diecast tuners
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  • From Washburn's 2017 Heritage series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25.3"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Sitka Spruce top
  • Mahogany back
  • Mahogany sides
  • Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod neck
  • Ovangkol fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Presys II 301T w/tuner (Preamp/Active)
  • Ovangkol bridge
  • Acoustic Washburn Heritage Set neck
  • 20 Medium frets
  • Chrome Diecast tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn D10SCE-12 String
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Electronics
  • NuBone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

10. Ibanez AE2912

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Ibanez AE2912
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 86
Build quality 69
Value for money 82
Overall Score 77
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  • From Ibanez's 2020 AE series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Okoume top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
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  • From Ibanez's 2020 AE series
  • Made in China
  • 12 strings
  • 25.6"'' scale
  • 15.748" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Okoume top
  • Okoume back
  • Okoume sides
  • Nyatoh neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Ibanez AP11 Magnetic (Preamp/Active)
  • Pau Ferro scalloped bridge
  • Acoustic Comfort Grip Set neck
  • 20 Jumbo frets
  • Ibanez tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AE2912
  • Bone Nut
  • Electronics
  • Bone Saddle
  • Solid Top Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • Laminated Side Wood
  • Laminated Back Wood
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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