• From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Topic: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

I'm looking into getting one,

I played a Breedlove Atlas? and it played like butter.
A lot of the Martins don't have a pickup in them.
The Ovations move on me. the backs make them slide up.

Looking on opinions. You can go electrice on me too... doesn't have to be an acoustic. Doublenecks? I'm open to it. I just want something that plays nice, and is comfy to my fretting hand.

Ebay has cool DIY kits for double necks, 12 string strat, and 12 string les paul (bolt-on) kits. pretty cheap too.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

I have a breedlove 6 string... absolutely love it. I plan on getting the 12 string to match it

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: N.Wales, UK
  • Registered: 2009-03-06
  • Posts: 2,183

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

I had a nice Yamaha 12-string - mid range.

I've never really tried a bad Yamaha.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

I tell you if your wanting a great acoustic electric ovation's adams models sound fantastic.  Its upper end but the celeberties models sound just as good maybe not as nice as far as features but playablity and sound are beautiful on all those ovations.  Maybe do the Jimmy Page thing and get one with a 12 on the top and a 6 string on the bottom, or maybe a mandolin those sound great too!

AD3THREE's Website

5 Reply by Sonicboom (edited by Sonicboom 2010-12-03 21:12:04)

  • Registered: 2010-07-09
  • Posts: 122

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

Although I don't currently own a 12-string, I have played several different brands because that will be my next guitar purchase.  I prefer Taylor to Martin, Ovation, Takamine, Guild and Yamaha.  A lot depends on your wallet though.

Taylors are very consistent with a nice clear, almost jangley tone, and their relatively thin, narrow neck is nice if you have small hands.  The one trade-off with a thin neck is that you can't use really heavy gauge strings.  Most people don't like heavy strings on an acoustic anyway, so that may not be an issue.  Plus, most Taylors have pickups so they can be amplified.

Lots of pros (e.g. the Eagles) use Tachamine, so they must be pretty good (and roadworthy).

Guitars: '79 LP Custom, '01 Dickey Betts Goldie - 80 of 114, '00 Chandler Lectraslide
Amps: '00 Marshall 1987x, '70 Marshall 1959 SL, 4x12 JBL D120s
'64 Vibroverb - JBL D130, '66 Super Reverb - CTS Alnicos
'77 Peavey Deuce (great for melting stubborn ear wax)
  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

Hey Nic, I can't say that I'm anywhere near proficient but I really loved the Taylor 855ce that I got to play around with when I toured Taylor's factory earlier this year. The same design is available in more affordable models such as the 355ce. There's just something about the sparkling tones you can get out of a Taylor. As for an electric, I love my Rickenbacker 330/12 but the RIC sound is more "niche-y" (is that a word?) for '60s era pop and rock (think Beatles, The Byrds, The Who). I have the Rickenbacker 660/12 on my wish list (some day). The LE Tom Petty models go for big bucks, but the standard 660/12s retail for around $2500 new. You can do a bit better on the used market. The 660s have a wider neck than other 12 string RICs (like the 330, 360 & 620) and the single coil "toasters" are wound a bit hotter (7.5K) than the vintage "toasters" like on my 325c58 (5.5K). If you get a chance to pick up and play either the Taylor a/e  or Rick 660/12 please do it before you decide.

Major Tom to ground control...
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

RICjunkie wrote:

Rick 660/12 please do it before you decide.


My best friend growing up... his dad had the Ricky John Lennon sig. model. He kept it in the case and only took it out around Christmas time. I got to play it once. Loved it.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • BBJ
  • BBJ
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  • From: Edinburgh
  • Registered: 2006-09-25
  • Posts: 299

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

I have a Yamaha FG720S 12 string that I fitted with a Shadow pickup. Works fine for me.

'Try as you might to keep a lid on a good time, you can't do it. When people want to have a good time....' - Billy Gibbons
  • Registered: 2010-03-20
  • Posts: 536

Re: What's the most comfortable 12 string?

This sounds crazy, esp as I have an undeserved reputation for a gear whore....but oneof my fave 12 strings is the ancient old bolt on neck Eko!!!

I love 'em and what's great is the neck is so big and strong it sounds great with a good pup and stays in tune.

"Who wants an orange whip? Orange whip? Orange whip? Three orange whips...."

JB LP Goldtop No. 290- Aged...rather like me.