Best 12 String Guitar in 2024 You Shouldn’t Miss Out

When you're ready to upgrade your guitar playing to the next level, it's time to consider a 12-string. You can find these guitars in many different shapes and sizes, but we've rounded up our favorites here.

We know that choosing the right instrument is a big deal, so we've researched and tested each model that made this list. We also included helpful customer reviews from those who have used each one.

If you want more about the best 12 string guitar before making your decision, check out our full review below!

• Best Overall: Guild Guitars F-2512E Maple 12-string Acoustic Guitar
• Best Affordable: JANEROCK 12 String Acoustic Guitar Cutaway
• Best Left-Handed: Sawtooth Mahogany Series Left-Handed 12-String Dreadnought Guitar
• Best Jumbo: Takamine Jumbo Cutaway 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
• Best Premium: Taylor 100 Series 2017 150e Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

1. Best Overall: Guild Guitars F-2512E Maple 12-string Acoustic Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Guild

• Color: Blonde Satin

• Top Material Type: Maple

• Body Material: Spruce

• Back Material Type: Maple

• Neck Material Type: Mahogany

• Fretboard Material Type: Pau Ferro

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezoelectric

• String Material Type: Phosphor Bronze

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

The Guild F-2512E 12-string acoustic guitar is a throwback to the earliest days of twelve-string guitar design and construction. Combining two of Guild’s most iconic specialties – twelve-string and jumbo guitars – results in a full-toned, impressively voiced acoustic instrument with the bright, jangly tone characteristic of Guild. The arched-back design allows for significant volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound. Natural wood has a unique spirit and varies significantly in color richness and wood grain; each instrument possesses its unique character.

Pros

• Wonderful tone, distinctive jangle.

• Nice and low action.

• Lightweight.

• The neck is well-proportioned and easy to play.

Cons

• Lack of an onboard tuner.

2. Best Affordable: JANEROCK 12 String Acoustic Guitar Cutaway

Specification

• Brand: JANEROCK

• Color: Black

• Top/ Body Material Type: Spruce

• Back/ Neck Material Type: Mahogany

• Fretboard Material Type: Peltogyne

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Custom-removable-pickups

• String Material Type: Steel

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

The JANEROCK 12-string acoustic guitar is made of solid wood, which can guarantee the quality of sound and better sustain. The combination design of the dreadnought body and cutaway makes it fit for singing and playing. The spruce top & mahogany back & sides material bring you richer and brighter sound. This 12-string acoustic guitar features a built-in adjustable truss rod, which makes the neck of the instrument more stable and maintain tuning. Its chrome-plated sealed design prevents gear against dust and liquid erosion, durable & long-lasting，offer more precise in tuning. This guitar comes with gig bag, strap, tuner, picks and so on.

Pros

• A good solution for all guitar players, beginners to advanced.

• Matte black finish.

• Richer and more vibrant overall tone.

• Easy to tune and play.

• Excellent price.

Cons

• Not good strings, nuts, saddle, and pins.

3. Best Left-Handed: Sawtooth Mahogany Series Left-Handed 12-String Dreadnought Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Sawtooth

• Color: Left-Handed

• Top Material Type: Mahogany

• Body Material: Wood

• Back Material Type: Mahogany

• Neck Material Type: Mahogany

• Fretboard Material Type: Ovangkol

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: Piezoelectric

• String Material Type: Bronze

• Hand Orientation: Left

Product's Summary

Designed with left-handed players in mind, this acoustic guitar features a solid mahogany top, mahogany neck, sides, and back. The Ovangkol bridge and fingerboard give it a warm tone. It has a 25.5" scale length, 1-7/8" nut width, and Tortoise pickguard with custom Sawtooth inlays. Fishman EQ 1SYS301 Preamp/Tuner lets you plug in and play or add effects whenever you want to give your sound more versatility or power. A gloss finish completes the look of this great instrument.

Pros

• Lefty with large hands and sensitive ears rejoice.

• Quiet, clear sound: not tinny but mellow with a bass resonance.

• Set up perfectly from the factory.

Cons

• You should change the factory strings.

4. Best Premium: Taylor 100 Series 2017 150e Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specification

• Brand: Taylor

• Color: Natural

• Top Material Type: Sitka Spruce

• Body Material: Laminated

• Back Material Type: Layered walnut

• Neck Material Type: Sapele Wood

• Fretboard Material Type: Ebony

• Guitar Pickup Configuration: ES2

• String Material Type: Nylon

• Hand Orientation: Right

Product's Summary

With a great combination of sound, playability, and style, Taylor's 100 Series makes the guitar-playing experience great to everyone with real wood. Layered walnut backs and sides and new architecture make it even more dynamic and volume. For starters or intermediaries, this guitar accelerates your growth and enhances your enjoyment.

Pros

• Plays as easily as a 6-string.

• Lightweight and beautifully crafted.

• Clear, vibrant sound.

• Easy-to-reach strings.

Cons

• High price.

1. What are the different types of 12 string guitars?

There are two main types of 12-string guitars: electric and acoustic. Electric is more common thank to its ease of use and ability to be plugged into an amp. Acoustic 12 strings produce a fuller sound than traditional acoustics because they have more strings than the standard 6-string acoustic guitar.

2. What is the best material for a 12 string guitar?

Poplar wood is the most common choice for this type of instrument. It's durable, lightweight, and easy to work with. You can also use other types of wood or even composite materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber.

3. What kind of tuning system should I get for my 12 string guitar?

You'll need to know that there are two kinds of tuning: standard and dropped. The standard tuning is what you're probably used to from your six-string—EADGBE if you want to use the same strings as on your other guitars, though there are other options too. Dropped tuning will have all of the strings tuned down by a half step (one fret). For example, if your six-string is tuned EADGBE, your 12 string might be tuned BEADGBE, which gives it a lower sound and makes it easier for fingerpicking styles such as bluegrass or folk music.

If you first try to play the 12 string guitar, any of the top picks in our review will be a good place to start. They all have unique strengths, and you’ll probably find one for your needs and budget.

Remember that the best 12 string guitar is the one that makes you want to keep practicing. The one that makes it feel like there’s no end to it—and believe us, there isn’t!

So get out there and start playing!

See more:

• Best Bass Guitars

• Best Strings For Acoustic Guitars