I'm buying myself a 12-string... but which one?

[Zox]

Hi! I have considered an acoustic 12-string for quite som time now, and now have decided to buy one. The only problem is, i'm not quite sure which one to buy. I have been looking a little on some of Takamines guitars, and also one som of the cheaper Martin models.
I now need your help. Any idéas/tips are welcome!

Thanks!

[Rotti]

Well I would definately try and look at some of the Made in Canada acoustics such as Seagull, Norman, Simon & Patrick (my fav), and Art & Lutherie. They are excellent value. Martins are awsome, but are more expensive. Even the cheapest Martins sound great though. Just make sure it has a solid top. Some of the Taks are laminate tops even though they are not cheap.

[elcid]

Seagull, Simon & Patrick, and a third one (I think its La Patrie) are all the same maker. They are made by LaSiDo, but they are killer guitars for the money.

[Rotti]

Seagull, Norman, Simon & Patrick, and Art & Lutherie are all made by Lassido but I think there are different branches of the company. They are all quite different. And all very good. Simon & Patrick guitars are thier best IMO and they are named after the two sons of the owner.

[C.Thep]

I really liked the Takamine 12 string. I played through an amp too, it sounded great. Pretty good value too.

[bikeman]

I've got two acoustic 12-strings:

A Martin J12-15:

http://www.mguitar.com/guitars/choos...z&g=n&m=J12-15

and an Aria AW75-T in black:

//www.ariausa.com/series/aw75/aw75.html

Obviously they're very different. I paid £800 for the Martin and £175 for the Aria. The Aria is VERY musical for such a cheap guitar, and if you're not a brand snob I would definitely recommend trying one out. Superb value for money. A very bright and jangly sound and my "take anywhere" strumming guitar. This guitar nails Wanted Dead or Alive by Bon Jovi perfectly.

The Martin is fantastic and has a really smokey, mellow tone due to the mahogany top. A really deep and full sound with a very smooth top end. A more subtle 12 string tone. It's great for songs like Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd and Hotel California by the Eagles.

You may think two 12-strings is excessive, but the difference in the guitars is so great I've kept both as they cover different ground musically. I'd try a few out in your price range, and even some above it, so you can see what suits you and the tone you're looking for.

Whatever you go for - you can't beat the sound of a good 12 string

[smurfdaddydog]

I love my Taylor 355-CE, the least expensive Taylor 12 I know of. My experience has been, for me, I like a jumbo body with a cut away. It helps take away some of that hollow treble in cheaper production guitars (especially if they have maple sides and back) The Yamaha compass stuff is nice to, but if money is an object I would say Taylor if you can get it, one of the seagull (or its other counterparts if you can't get a Taylor). Now if money is no object, find a luthier and have them build your dream 12, it will be at least twice as much, but it will be worth it. Again, just my opinion.

[Zox]

Thanks for all the tips guys! Tommorow i'll go to the music-shop and see what they have.