[kidblast]

Hi all

Looking to scoop up another 12 string, but trying to keep the cost to somewhere under a kings ransom (that means Gibson choices are not applicable!)

Wondering if any of yous guys have had your hands on either one of these?

So far the front runners are:

Washburn Comfort 12: https://www.washburn...5sce-12-string/
Guild F-1512E https://guildguitars...esterly-f-1512/
Takamine GJ72CE (natural) https://www.takamine.com/GJ72CE-12NAT

I am leaning towards the Washburn, I sort of like that bevel/arm rest

Yet, that Guild seems to be a fine guitar, as does the Takamine

any advice, or insights on any of these?

This post has been edited by kidblast: 05 November 2018 - 11:31 AM

[ThemisSal]

I cant helps with those, but I did try out a 12 string two years ago... a Taylor https://www.taylorgu.../acoustic/362ce

It was about $1600 I think, and after ten days I brought it back just because I couldnt see myself fitting it in to what I do like I thought I could.

However, it was great. especially plugged in. Nice rich sound and a small body too. It really was like a parlor trick for me though. Used it on two songs... hahaha. But the err was mine and not Taylor's.

Good luck Kid.

[rbpicker]

A guy at a local open mic plays a Taylor 12 string and it sounds very good. It is a 3- or 4 series I think. He has it strung with flat wound strings and they impart a nice full but mellow sound. Works for what he does with it (fingerstyle blues).
Rb

[Jalex]

I own a Taylor 150e it plays easy and sounds great. Worth a look and not pricey especially if you find a gently used one.

[kidblast]

Thank ya boys!


yea, Taylors are hard to beat. and I love my Taylors, (have 2) and truth be told, my first plan is the Taylor 522ce 12fret 12str. still on the fence, I don't know if ~$3k for a 12 string is really what I need to do, not that I don't want it, cuz I'd be lyin if I said otherwise, but trying to look at some reasonable alternatives along the way.

The 300 / 400 series are good options too, but they're not that far off from the 500s. and I do like those. (Have a 514NYCE, a great guitar)

I did go to a few stores to have a look at what might be hanging on the walls, but nothing there I had on the list unfortunately. A GC in Portsmouth NH while I was on vacation was one stop, and it was rather disappointing. The necks on almost all of them were a horror show (major bows) and a new Takamine Dreadnaught, which was unboxed 2 days before I got there, already had a nasty gash in the top. (a Black one, which is not my choice of color, and made that scratch jump right out at me) waste of time...

[Jinder]

I’d go for the Takamine, they’re hugely underrated guitars in my opinion and are making some wonderful instruments at the moment. Glorious plugged in tone too.

[billroy]

Is Gibson used out of the question... not sure about anything about anything except it's a Gibson 12 string for $900- worth a look maybe? (no affiliation) Guess my question to the team is does anyone have any experience, opinions on Gibson 12 strings from the '70s and pitfalls one should look out for... or is it shiny new you're looking for?

[kidblast]

Jinder, on 05 November 2018 - 01:45 PM, said:

I’d go for the Takamine, they’re hugely underrated guitars in my opinion and are making some wonderful instruments at the moment. Glorious plugged in tone too.

thx Jinder, they are the ones so far with the best reviews hands down, haven't read a bad one yet It may breach the short list

[ThemisSal]

kidblast, on 05 November 2018 - 02:04 PM, said:

thx Jinder, they are the ones so far with the best reviews hands down, haven't read a bad one yet It may breach the short list

Also... I have a Takamine P3DC that I am selling (not relevant to you) that I bought a few months ago. The only reason I am selling it is because of the Gibby J45 maneuver I just pulled. So while I havent played a Tak 12 string, I can tell you the quality of my P3DC is fantastic... Whoever buys my used one will be lucky.

Of your three I would lean TAK... I should have said that in my first post.

[zombywoof]

In the $600 to $1K you can score a 1970s Westerly-made Guild 12 string.

[Versatile]

So much good stuff around today MIC etc at very low prices.....

Personal current go-to is a Taylor 354 12 str

Also a Breedlove and formerly an Ovation.....

Recently sold the Takamine mentioned earlier....very good VFM, looks and build quality

There is even a Fender lurking in the undergrowth somewhere with a Baggs P/U at a ridiculously low price.....

Happy Hunting.....

V

[BluesKing777]

I could drag out the classic joke (Pete Seeger).......



“12 strings - you spend half your life tuning the instrument and the other half playing out of tune”.


I had a 64 Gibson 12 string with the massive neck and 2” plus nut.......long gone and don’t miss it. I have never tried a new Taylor type ‘convenient to play’ 12 string.....won’t.



BluesKing777.

[Alex_78]

zombywoof, on 05 November 2018 - 03:31 PM, said:

In the $600 to $1K you can score a 1970s Westerly-made Guild 12 string.

Yes!!!

[ThemisSal]

On AGF
https://www.acoustic...ad.php?t=519269

[AngelDeVille]

I bought my J-45 because I thought it sounded as good as a friends Takamine.

I like the Guild too.

[Dave F]

I've owned a few 12 strings and they all fell victim to 'sell'em because it doesn't get played".
A few years ago I got a good deal on a U.S. made Martin 12 string so now I don't feel bad if it sets around for a while.

[kidblast]

Dave F, on 05 November 2018 - 09:38 PM, said:

I've owned a few 12 strings and they all fell victim to 'sell'em because it doesn't get played".
A few years ago I got a good deal on a U.S. made Martin 12 string so now I don't feel bad if it sets around for a while.

YES! This is exactly what is straying me from a 500 series Taylor, or one of the US Made Guilds. (all in the $3k range new)

The other issue is the neck, I'm starting feel the effects of father time, and I believe I have some mild flare ups of the arthritic nature coming on in my fretting hand index finger knuckle.

Anyway, very good points made here, and I appreciate everyone's thoughts on this, even tho it opens up more options that I have been considering, it's a good eye opener.

I would go used if the price was right, the setup was good and it wasn't used for a cheese cutting board..

[FZ Fan]

Early this summer I got a Martin J12-16GT that was new old stock for about $1200. It is a fabulous guitar. It think it even as an ebony board. Its a Martin and do not know if you like them. I saw a few others on Reverb at around the same price, but the one I got was free shipping.

[kidblast]

FZ Fan, on 06 November 2018 - 10:42 AM, said:

Early this summer I got a Martin J12-16GT that was new old stock for about $1200. It is a fabulous guitar. It think it even as an ebony board. Its a Martin and do not know if you like them. I saw a few others on Reverb at around the same price, but the one I got was free shipping.

I tried a few at GC last week, not sure of the model, they were imports, necks were a bit on the large side, and unfortunately so badly bowed they were unplayable,

[FemmeParallell]

All i can add is i've played a new Guild 12 string, i believe it was the F-2512E, they sound nice but they are made in China (in case that matters to you)