Best 12 String Dreadnought Guitars in 2026
Here you'll find the best 12 string Dreadnought style 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.
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. Martin HD12-28
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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 (7 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (6 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| Martin HD12-28 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Martin | |
| Year: | 1931 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | United States | |
| Series: | Standard | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Enclosed Gear | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Select Hardwood | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Diamonds and Squares Long Pattern | |
| Scale Size: | 24.9" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Performing Artist | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 46mm (1.811'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Martin HD12-28
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
All Prices
2. Takamine EF400SC TT
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (5 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Show All Specs
| Takamine EF400SC TT | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Takamine | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | TT | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Thermal Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Fixed | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Takamine | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.4" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Asymmetrical C | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 46mm (1.811'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | CT4B II (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Takamine EF400SC TT
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
All Prices
3. Alvarez DY70CE12SHB
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: V (2 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (2 votes)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Alvarez DY70CE12SHB | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Alvarez | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Yairi | |
| Colors: | Shadowburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid AA Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Rosewood | |
| Back Material: | Rosewood | |
| Bridge: | Rosewood Direct Coupled | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Chrome | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood/12th Fret Inlay | |
| Neck Material: | One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint | |
| Decoration: | Abalone Design at 12th fret | |
| Scale Size: | 25.512" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Alvarez | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.75" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Alvarez DY70CE12SHB
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
4. Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: D (12 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (11 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (10 votes)
- Pickups power: Clean (9 votes)
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| Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Taylor | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Mexico | |
| Series: | 200 | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Lutz Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Maple | |
| Back Material: | Maple | |
| Bridge: | West African Crelicam Ebony | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Satin Black | |
| Fretboard: | West African Crelicam Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | Hard Rock Maple | |
| Decoration: | Small Diamonds | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Taylor Standard | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15" | |
| Nut: | Ivory Tusq | |
| Nut Width: | 47.6mm (1.875'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Expression System 2 Electronics (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX
Taylor 250ce-BLK DLX
- 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
- Made in Mexico
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
5. Washburn D10SCE-12 String
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Show All Specs
| Washburn D10SCE-12 String | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Washburn | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Heritage | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Ovangkol | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Diecast | |
| Fretboard: | Ovangkol | |
| Neck Material: | Satin Mahogany with 2 way Truss Rod | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.3" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Washburn Heritage | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | NuBone | |
| Nut Width: | 47mm (1.85'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Presys II 301T w/tuner (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Washburn D10SCE-12 String
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
All Prices
6. Fender CD-140SCE 12-String
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (5 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (4 votes)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Fender CD-140SCE 12-String | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Fender | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | Classic Design | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Ovangkol | |
| Back Material: | Ovangkol | |
| Bridge: | Walnut | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome Die-Cast | |
| Fretboard: | Walnut | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | 3mm Pearloid Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.3" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Fender 'Easy-to-Play' shape with rolled fretboard edges | |
| Frets: | 20 Vintage | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | NuBone | |
| Nut Width: | 45mm (1.77'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman CD-1 Preamp (Preamp / Passive) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Fender CD-140SCE 12-String
Fender CD-140SCE 12-String
- Expensive Wood
- NuBone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- NuBone Saddle
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
7. Guild D-2612CE Deluxe Antique Burst
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What our users think
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| Guild D-2612CE Deluxe Antique Burst | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Guild | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Westerly Collection | |
| Colors: | Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Sitka Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Ebony | |
| Back Material: | Ebony | |
| Bridge: | Pau Ferro | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Guild Closed-Gear in Nickel | |
| Fretboard: | Pau Ferro | |
| Neck Material: | Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | 5mm Dots - Mother-Of-Pearl | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic Guild Westerly Collection | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.906'' (23mm) | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 16" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Guild/Fishman GT-1 with Volume and Tone controls (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Nickel | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Guild D-2612CE Deluxe Antique Burst
Guild D-2612CE Deluxe Antique Burst
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Bone 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
All Prices
8. Yamaha FG820-12
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What our users think
- Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
- Tuning stability: Not bad (2 votes)
- Weight: Lightweight (2 votes)
- Neck profile shape: C (24 votes)
- Neck speed (thickness): Fast (19 votes)
Show All Specs
| Yamaha FG820-12 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Yamaha | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | FG / FGX | |
| Colors: | Natural | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Mahogany | |
| Back Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Rosewood or Walnut | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Die-Cast Chrome (TMW28) | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood or Walnut | |
| Neck Material: | Nato | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic C | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.75" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 46mm (1.811'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | ( / ) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Yamaha FG820-12
Yamaha FG820-12
- Expensive Wood
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- No Electronics
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
9. Ibanez AW5412CE
Show All Specs
| Ibanez AW5412CE | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Ibanez | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | Indonesia | |
| Series: | ARTWOOD | |
| Colors: | ||
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Solid Okoume | |
| Sides Material: | Okoume | |
| Back Material: | Okoume | |
| Bridge: | Laurel | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Ibanez | |
| Fretboard: | Laurel | |
| Neck Material: | Nyatoh | |
| Decoration: | White dot inlay | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic C Shape | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Ibanez T-bar Undersaddle (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Ibanez AW5412CE
Ibanez AW5412CE
- Electronics
- Solid Top Wood
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in Indonesia
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- No Top Brand Pickups
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. Harley Benton CLD-10SCE-12 BK
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Show All Specs
| Harley Benton CLD-10SCE-12 BK | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | Harley Benton | |
| Year: | 2019 | |
| Configuration: | N/A | |
| Strings: | 12 | |
| Made in: | China | |
| Series: | Custom Line | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Hollowbody | |
| Body Material: | Spruce | |
| Sides Material: | Sapele | |
| Back Material: | Sapele | |
| Bridge: | Pau Ferro | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Chrome-plated die-cast | |
| Fretboard: | Pau Ferro | |
| Neck Material: | Okoume | |
| Decoration: | Dot | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Acoustic C Shape | |
| Frets: | 20 Medium | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.748" | |
| Nut: | Plastic | |
| Nut Width: | 48mm (1.89'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Pickups: | Fishman Presys-II preamp with built-in tuner (Preamp / Active) | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE-12 BK
Harley Benton CLD-10SCE-12 BK
- Top Brand Pickups
- Electronics
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- Made in China
- No Expensive Woods
- No High-Quality Nut
- Low-Quality Material Saddle
- Laminated Top Wood
- Laminated Side Wood
- Laminated Back Wood
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
