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              Best 12 String Acoustic Guitars in 2023

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

              Out of the more than 2000 guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones. 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.

              1. Guild F-512E Natural

              Compare
              Guild F-512E Natural
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 89
              Build quality 92
              Value for money 73
              Overall Score 88
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • 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
              • Compare Specs >
              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

              All Prices

              2. Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String

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              Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String
              FIND IT ON:
              Guitar Center logoMusician's Friend logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 89
              Build quality 92
              Value for money 73
              Overall Score 88

              Player Feedback

              • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
              • Pickups power: Clean (3 votes)
              Own it? Share your opinion
              FIND IT ON:
              Guitar Center logoMusician's Friend logo
              • 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
              • Compare Specs >
              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

              All Prices

              3. Martin HD12-28

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              Martin HD12-28
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logoGuitar Center logoMusician's Friend logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 89
              Build quality 88
              Value for money 71
              Overall Score 86

              Player Feedback

              • 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)
              Own it? Share your opinion
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logoGuitar Center logoMusician's Friend logo
              • 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
              • Compare Specs >
              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. Guild F-512E Maple Antique Burst

              Compare
              Guild F-512E Maple Antique Burst
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 86
              Build quality 89
              Value for money 71
              Overall Score 86
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • From Guild's 2019 Guild Usa series
              • Made in United States
              • 12 strings
              • 25.625"'' scale
              • 12" Fretboard Radius
              • Solid Sitka Spruce top
              • Arched Flamed Maple back
              • Flamed Maple 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 Guild Usa Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Gotoh SE701 Open Gear in Gold tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Guild F-512E Maple Antique Burst
              • Made in United States
              • 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. Takamine EF381DX

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              Takamine EF381DX
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 86
              Build quality 87
              Value for money 75
              Overall Score 85

              Player Feedback

              • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
              • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
              Own it? Share your opinion
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • From Takamine's 2021 Legacy series
              • Made in Japan
              • 12 strings
              • 25.4"'' scale
              • 12" Fretboard Radius
              • Solid Spruce top
              • Maple back
              • Maple sides
              • Mahogany neck
              • Rosewood fretboard
              • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
              • Fixed bridge
              • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Gotoh tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Takamine EF381DX
              • 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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              6. Takamine EF400SC TT

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              Takamine EF400SC TT
              FIND IT ON:
              Playability 82
              Sound 88
              Build quality 85
              Value for money 75
              Overall Score 85

              Player Feedback

              • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
              • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
              Own it? Share your opinion
              FIND IT ON:
              • From Takamine's 2018 TT series
              • Made in Japan
              • 12 strings
              • 25.4"'' scale
              • 12" Fretboard Radius
              • Solid Thermal Spruce top
              • Solid Indian Rosewood back
              • Indian Rosewood sides
              • Mahogany neck
              • Rosewood fretboard
              • Bridge pickup: CT4B II (Preamp/Active)
              • Fixed bridge
              • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Takamine tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Takamine EF400SC TT
              • Made in Japan
              • Expensive Wood
              • Bone Nut
              • Top Brand Pickups
              • Electronics
              • Bone Saddle
              • Solid Top Wood
              • Solid Back Wood
              • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
              • No Locking Tuners
              • Laminated Side Wood
              • No Compound Radius Fretboard
              • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
              • No Strap Lock

              7. Takamine P6JC-12

              Compare
              Takamine P6JC-12
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 88
              Build quality 85
              Value for money 75
              Overall Score 85

              Player Feedback

              • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (2 votes)
              • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
              • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
              • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
              Own it? Share your opinion
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • From Takamine's 2015 Pro Series 6 series
              • Made in Japan
              • 12 strings
              • 25.4"'' scale
              • 12" Fretboard Radius
              • Solid Spruce top
              • Solid Flame Maple back
              • Maple sides
              • Maple neck
              • Ebony fretboard
              • Bridge pickup: CTP-3 CoolTube (Preamp/Active)
              • Fixed bridge
              • Acoustic Asymmetrical C Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Takamine Gold tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Takamine P6JC-12
              • Made in Japan
              • Expensive Wood
              • Bone Nut
              • Top Brand Pickups
              • Electronics
              • Bone Saddle
              • Solid Top Wood
              • Solid Back Wood
              • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
              • No Locking Tuners
              • Laminated Side Wood
              • No Compound Radius Fretboard
              • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
              • No Strap Lock

              All Prices

              8. Martin Grand J-16E 12 String

              Compare
              Martin Grand J-16E 12 String
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logoAmazon logoReverb logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 89
              Build quality 86
              Value for money 76
              Overall Score 86
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logoAmazon logoReverb logo
              • From Martin's 2021 16-17 series
              • Made in United States
              • 12 strings
              • 25.4"'' 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 Matrix VT Enhance NT2 (Preamp/Active)
              • Ebony bridge
              • Acoustic 12 String Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Chrome Enclosed Gear tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Martin Grand J-16E 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

              All Prices

              9. Guild F-512 Natural

              Compare
              Guild F-512 Natural
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 86
              Build quality 85
              Value for money 69
              Overall Score 84
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • From Guild's 2018 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: (/)
              • Indian Rosewood bridge
              • Acoustic C Shape Set neck
              • 20 Medium frets
              • Gotoh SE701 Open Gear in Gold tuners
              • Compare Specs >
              Strengths & Weaknesses
              Guild F-512 Natural
              • Made in United States
              • Expensive Wood
              • Bone Nut
              • Bone Saddle
              • Solid Top Wood
              • Solid Side Wood
              • Solid Back Wood
              • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
              • No Locking Tuners
              • No Top Brand Pickups
              • No Electronics
              • No Compound Radius Fretboard
              • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
              • No Strap Lock

              All Prices

              10. Alvarez DY70CE12SHB

              Compare
              Alvarez DY70CE12SHB
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              Playability 82
              Sound 86
              Build quality 87
              Value for money 75
              Overall Score 85
              FIND IT ON:
              Sweetwater logo
              • 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
              • Compare Specs >
              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

              All Prices