Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars for Shimmering Chords

The best 12-string acoustic guitars are the ones that keep the extra tension under control: the Yamaha FG820-12 and Fender CD-60SCE 12-string are the sensible value picks, the Taylor 150ce 12-string and Yamaha APX700II-12 are the easiest to play on stage, and the Guild D-1212 and Martin D-12E are the choices for a richer, solid-wood chime. A 12-string doubles every string except the lowest in pairs, and that pairing is what produces the shimmering, choir-like sound that makes strummed chords on a 12-string so recognisable.

Key takeaways

• A 12-string carries roughly twice the string load of a six-string, so build quality, bracing and neck stability matter more than on any other acoustic.
• Look for a wide nut and a comfortable neck profile first; fingering is the main reason people give up on 12-strings.
• Tuning down a whole step is a common way to ease tension and tone, and it is a fair test of whether a guitar is built to cope.
• A cutaway and pickup are worth having on a 12-string, because the chorus effect is a favourite on stage and in worship bands.

Our top picks

Top pickYamaha FG820 12-String Solid Top Acoustic Guitar

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Also greatYamaha APX700II 12-String Thinline Acoustic-Electric Guitar

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Also greatYamaha L-Series LL16 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar with

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Also greatFender CD-60SCE 12-string Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

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How We Chose These 12-String Acoustics

We did not play these guitars. The list is built from maker information, dealer listings and published reviews, and every model here is a current, widely stocked 12-string that is clearly sold as a 12-string, not a six-string with extra strings added. Because a 12-string’s build is its biggest variable, we focused on construction type (solid top, laminate body, all-solid), neck and nut comfort, electronics and the practical limits of each tier. Where exact dimensions were not confirmed in sources we reviewed, we describe the guitar in general terms and say so, and we recommend checking the maker page before you buy. We kept to two models per brand, and prices are described only in broad tiers.

12-String Acoustic Guitars at a Glance

1. Yamaha FG820-12: Best Value 12-String for Home Players

• Dreadnought-style body in Yamaha’s FG range, 12 strings
• Solid top, as stated in the product name
• No electronics, no cutaway
• Check the maker page for the exact nut width and scale length before ordering

Best for: a first 12-string for home playing, recording and songwriting.

Skip if: you need to plug in without adding a pickup.

Pros

• A solid top gives the 12 strings a lively, resonant voice that laminate guitars at this tier cannot match.
• Acoustic-only means fewer parts, which keeps the price in check.
• The FG name is one of the most widely stocked in Yamaha’s lineup, so setup help and strings are easy to find.

Cons

• No pickup.
• Like any 12-string, it needs patient tuning and a good setup.

The FG820-12 is the 12-string to buy if you want to find out whether the format suits your music. It lacks the extras, but it has the part that matters: a solid top that can move air under the load of twelve strings.

2. Fender CD-60SCE 12-String: Best Budget Cutaway With a Pickup

• Dreadnought body with a cutaway, 12 strings
• Fishman pickup and preamp, per the listing for the CD-60SCE family
• Part of Fender’s CD-60 range, which uses a solid top on its six-string models
• A related CD-140SCE 12-string with a hardshell case is also sold

Best for: students, church players and band beginners who want to plug in from day one.

Skip if: you want an all-solid body or very low action out of the box.

Pros

• Cutaway and electronics at an entry-level tier.
• A familiar brand with plenty of replacement parts and setup knowledge.
• Easy to resell.

Cons

• Budget 12-strings often need a professional setup to feel comfortable.
• Check the exact top wood on the listing you are buying.

If you only need a guitar for the chorus effect on one or two songs in a set, this is a cost-effective way to get it. The CD-60SCE is a stage-ready starting point, and a fresh set of strings and a setup often make the difference between frustration and fun.

3. Ibanez AEG5012: Best for Easy Playability on a Budget

• AEG-series cutaway acoustic-electric with 12 strings
• Dark Violin Sunburst finish as listed
• Onboard electronics, as in the other AEG models
• Confirm top and neck specs on Ibanez’s page, since series details have changed over the years

Best for: players who find standard 12-strings heavy to hold and awkward to fret.

Skip if: you prefer a traditional dreadnought shape and tone.

Pros

• The AEG series is built for comfort and stage use.
• Electronics are included.
• Good entry point to see if you enjoy the 12-string sound.

Cons

• Less acoustic volume than a solid-top dreadnought.
• Specs vary by year, so check the listing.

Think of the AEG5012 as a plugged-in guitar first and an unplugged guitar second. If your 12-string will mostly be heard through an amp or PA, that trade-off works well.

4. Taylor 150ce 12-String: Best for Clean Plug-In Tone

• Dreadnought 12-string with a cutaway, per the product title
• Taylor 100-series build, which pairs a spruce top with layered back and sides
• Taylor electronics
• Comes in natural finish

Best for: gigging players who want a reliable, balanced 12-string that is comfortable to play.

Skip if: you need an all-solid guitar or a vintage tone.

Pros

• Neck comfort matters a lot on a 12-string, and Taylor’s necks are widely discussed in published reviews as easy to play.
• Cutaway and electronics are included.
• Cutaway and pickup are ready for the stage.

Cons

• Priced in the upper-middle of this list.
• Layered back and sides.

The 150ce is the guitar to pick if your priority is how the instrument feels in your fretting hand for a whole set. The clean voicing also sits well in a mix.

5. Yamaha APX700II-12: Best Thinline 12-String for the Stage

• Thinline cutaway acoustic-electric, 12 strings
• Natural finish as listed
• Onboard electronics
• Body is thinner than a dreadnought, which helps comfort and feedback control

Best for: stage players who stand for long sets and fight feedback.

Skip if: you want a big acoustic voice for unplugged playing.

Pros

• A thinline body is easier on the arm and chest.
• Less prone to feedback at volume.
• Cutaway aids upper-fret access.

Cons

• Quieter acoustically than a dreadnought.
• Specs differ across production years, so confirm on the listing.

The APX line is built around a thin, stage-oriented body, and the 12-string version brings that comfort to an instrument that is otherwise heavy to hold. If you play loud and live, it is a better fit than a deep-bodied dreadnought.

6. Guild D-1212: Best All-Solid Classic 12-String

• Dreadnought body, 12 strings, Westerly Collection
• All solid woods, per the listing
• Gig bag included in the listing
• Acoustic-only configuration in this version

Best for: players who want a rich, traditional 12-string sound with the depth of solid wood.

Skip if: you need electronics or a cutaway.

Pros

• All-solid construction gives the best sustain and complexity in this group.
• Guild lists 12-string dreadnoughts as a dedicated model, so this is a purpose-built 12-string rather than a conversion.
• Gig bag included.

Cons

• Needs humidity care (maker guidance is 40 to 50 percent relative humidity).
• No pickup as listed.

The D-1212 is the 12-string that feels like an instrument rather than an effect. It repays careful playing and tuning, and it is the best option here for recording at home.

7. Martin D-12E: Best Premium Plug-In 12-String

• Dreadnought 12-string, Road Series, spruce top (the listing names sapele for back and sides)
• Per Martin’s D-12E page: 25.4 inch scale, 1 3/4 inch nut, 20 frets, 14-fret join
• Martin E1 electronics with built-in soundhole tuner
• FSC-certified Richlite fingerboard, Performing Artist neck with High-Performance Taper
• Softshell case included in the listing

Best for: working players who want a premium 12-string with built-in electronics and a comfortable neck.

Skip if: you are shopping at the budget end.

Pros

• A tuner is built in, which is a real convenience when you have twelve strings to tune.
• Neck profile is designed for fast playing.
• Case included.

Cons

• Sits at the top of this list in cost.
• Different finishes and tonewood variants exist; match the exact model name.

The D-12E is the 12-string for players who plan to keep one guitar for many years. Martin’s own page for the model lists a standard 25.4 inch scale, which keeps the feel close to a regular dreadnought.

Also Consider

• Fender CD-140SCE 12-string: a cutaway with Fishman electronics and a hardshell case in the package, good if you want a case included at a low tier.
• Takamine GD-37CE 12-string: a dreadnought cutaway acoustic-electric, listed in a pearl white finish for players who want a distinctive look.
• Taylor 254ce Plus 12-string: a step up in the Taylor line with a Grand Auditorium shape, which is a smaller body than a dreadnought.

What About a 12-Fret Acoustic Guitar?

People searching for 12 fret acoustic guitars often mean one of two things. A 12-fret guitar is a six-string whose neck joins the body at the 12th fret, which gives it a short-bodied, intimate voice. A 12-string has twelve strings in six pairs. They are unrelated features, and none of the guitars in this guide are 12-fret-join models. If you want the 12-fret feel, look at parlor and small-body guitars; if you want the chorus sound, stay with this list.

Match the 12-String to Your Music

If you are torn between two models, pick the one whose neck feels better in your hand. On a 12-string, comfort decides whether the guitar gets played or ends up in the closet.

What Changes When You Move From Six Strings to Twelve

The jump is more physical than musical. The neck is wider, so chord shapes feel familiar but take a little more finger spread. Every fretted note needs enough pressure to press two strings at once, which tires the left hand until calluses and strength catch up. The right hand adapts faster: a pick glides across the pairs and the doubled strings add an automatic shimmer, so even simple open chords sound full. Many players find that fewer notes sound better on a 12-string, and that simple, open voicings often beat complicated jazz shapes.

Tone also behaves differently. The octave strings add high-frequency content that can sound glassy on a bright spruce top and sweet on a mahogany one. On a cutaway acoustic-electric, a mid-scoop on the preamp can make the sound clearer in a band, because the high doubled strings already supply plenty of top end. If a guitar sounds harsh, try slightly heavier-gauge lower courses or a softer pick before you blame the instrument.

Playing Styles That Suit a 12-String

• Open-chord strumming. The classic use. Open chords like G, D, A and E ring beautifully, and a light, even strum lets the pairs blend.
• Arpeggios and picked patterns. Each note sounds with its partner, so slow arpeggios sound like a harp. Keep the pattern simple.
• Capo play. A capo shortens the vibrating length of all twelve strings and raises pitch, so check intonation afterwards. Use a capo made for 12-strings or one with an adjustable tension so it does not pull the pairs out of tune.
• Open tunings and drop tunings. Dropping a whole step reduces tension and gives a darker tone. Open tunings suit slide and folk styles, but they change the load on the neck, so check the maker’s guidance before making them routine.
• Layering. In a studio or worship band, a 12-string played with a six-string adds width without extra volume. Pan them apart in a mix for a classic wide sound.

Amplifying a 12-String Cleanly

A 12-string is a demanding instrument to amplify. The doubled strings can produce a tinny top end through a piezo pickup, and the low strings can rumble in a large dreadnought body. A few habits help. Run the pickup through a preamp or DI box instead of straight into a guitar amp if you can. Use a gentle low-cut filter to tame boom, and a small cut in the upper mids to remove glare. If the guitar has a phase switch, use it to fight feedback. Thinline bodies such as the Yamaha APX700II-12 are naturally friendlier here, while a deep dreadnought needs more attention at high volume.

At home, a reasonably quiet room and a single condenser microphone placed about a foot from the 12th fret are enough to capture the chorus effect without exaggerating the string noise. If you record often, a solid-top guitar with no electronics, like the Yamaha FG820-12 or Guild D-1212, will usually give you the most natural sound on tape.

Ownership and Maintenance Notes

String changes are the main chore. Replace the strings one pair at a time, or one half of the set at a time, so tension is never removed from the neck for long. Twelve strings put steady load on the neck, so check the relief every season: the neck should have a slight forward bow under string tension, and it will change with humidity. Keep the guitar in its case in very dry or hot conditions. If you notice the saddle leaning forward or the top rising behind the bridge, take it to a repair shop before it becomes a larger problem.

12-String Buying Guide

Construction and bracing

Twelve strings put a lot of load on the top, so a solid top matters more than it does on a six-string. Laminate bodies are tough and stable, which is why many budget 12-strings use them, but they give up some resonance. All-solid guitars reward you with more sustain and complexity but need humidity care.

Neck width and profile

Twelve strings need room. A nut around 1 3/4 inches, like the Martin D-12E page lists, is comfortable for most hands; wider nuts help with the doubled strings but stretch your reach. Always check the neck profile description, because a slim C shape can transform a 12-string.

Strings and tuning

Typical 12-string sets pair each string with an octave string on the lower four courses and a unison string on the top two. Light sets are common: Ernie Ball Earthwood 12-String Light (9-46) and D’Addario XT 12-string light (10-47) are examples of available options, and Martin sells an extra-light 10-47 12-string set. Lighter sets reduce tension and make fretting easier, but may sound a little thinner. If your guitar struggles with tension, tuning down a whole step is a common solution.

Action and setup

High action is the biggest reason players give up on a 12-string. Have a shop check the string height at the first and 12th frets, and make sure the truss rod is set with a slight bow rather than a perfectly flat neck. Pair this with new strings and you will often feel the difference immediately.

Electronics and cutaway

If you play live, a pickup is nearly essential; a 12-string is hard to mic cleanly. A cutaway helps with upper-fret solos. A built-in tuner, like the one on the Martin D-12E, saves time between songs.

Body shape

Dreadnoughts give the most volume; thinline bodies give comfort and feedback control; grand-auditorium shapes sit in between. Decide whether you want a big unplugged sound or an easy stage instrument.

Left-handed players

A few makers list left-handed 12-strings, but availability is limited and changes often. Confirm before ordering.

Tuning a 12-String: A Practical Routine

1. Replace strings in pairs. Mismatched old and new strings will drift out of tune against each other.
2. Tune the octave strings first. Tune each course by ear against its partner, then check the pair against a tuner.
3. Stretch the strings. New 12-string sets stretch a lot; expect to retune several times in the first day.
4. Check the bridge and saddle. Make sure each string sits in its slot cleanly and the saddle height is even.
5. Keep a clip-on tuner handy. Even guitars with built-in tuners benefit from a second opinion between songs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 12-string guitars harder to play?

They are harder at first because the neck is wider, tension is higher and each fret requires pressing two strings. With a good setup and light strings, most players adapt within a few weeks.

What are the best 12-string guitars under 1000?

Within the under-1000 tier, the Yamaha FG820-12, Fender CD-60SCE 12-string, Ibanez AEG5012, Taylor 150ce 12-string, Yamaha APX700II-12 and Guild D-1212 all sit in or near that range. The Martin D-12E sits above it.

What are the best 12-string acoustic electric guitars?

For stage use, the Taylor 150ce 12-string, Yamaha APX700II-12 and Martin D-12E are the strongest options here thanks to their electronics and neck comfort.

Can I use six-string strings on a 12-string?

No. A 12-string needs its own paired set. Using six-string strings would leave half the nut slots and tuners empty and defeat the point.

Why is my 12-string always out of tune?

Fresh strings, a stiff truss rod, or worn tuners are common causes. Stretch new strings thoroughly and consider having a shop check the setup.

Should I tune a 12-string down?

Many players tune down a whole step to reduce tension and soften the sound. Check your guitar maker’s guidance before you do it regularly.

Do 12-strings need special care?

Humidity and string changes are the main concerns. Maker guidance from Martin and Taylor suggests 40 to 50 percent relative humidity, and replacing strings regularly helps maintain tuning.

Which 12-String Should You Buy?

• Value and home use: Yamaha FG820-12.
• Cheapest way to plug in: Fender CD-60SCE 12-string.
• Comfort-first budget stage guitar: Ibanez AEG5012.
• Clean tone and neck comfort: Taylor 150ce 12-string.
• Thinline for long gigs: Yamaha APX700II-12.
• All-solid chime for recording: Guild D-1212.
• Premium with built-in tuner: Martin D-12E.

Sources

Martin Guitar D-12E product page; Yamaha, Fender, Ibanez, Taylor and Guild product listings; Martin and Taylor care guidance; Ernie Ball, D’Addario and Martin string product pages.

Last updated: October 2026