12-String Guitars - Directory w/ AI Reviews

Acoustic and electric 12-string guitars for rich, chorus-like tones

Twelve-string guitars feature six pairs of strings (courses) that are strummed together, producing a rich, shimmering chorus effect. The doubled strings create a naturally full sound that makes a single guitarist sound like two playing in unison. They are popular in folk, rock, and pop music for their lush, jangly character.

History

The 12-string guitar appeared in the United States in the early 1900s, likely influenced by Mexican and Italian doubled-string instruments. Lead Belly popularized the instrument in the 1930s and 1940s with his powerful playing style. The 1960s folk revival and British Invasion brought 12-strings into mainstream rock, most famously through The Byrds and The Beatles.

Characteristics

Each of the four lowest courses pairs a standard string with an octave-higher string, while the top two courses are tuned in unison. This creates natural chorusing and octave effects that fill out the sound spectrum. The higher string tension requires a sturdier build, and players often tune a half or full step down to reduce finger strain.

Notable Players

Roger McGuinn of The Byrds defined the jangly 12-string electric sound with his Rickenbacker 360/12 on "Mr. Tambourine Man." Lead Belly's powerful acoustic 12-string playing influenced generations of folk and blues musicians. George Harrison's use of the Rickenbacker 12-string on "A Hard Day's Night" helped popularize the instrument in rock music.

Buying Guide

Twelve-string guitars demand more finger strength, so a well-set-up instrument with low action is essential for playability. Consider starting with an acoustic 12-string from a reputable brand like Taylor, Martin, or Guild. If you find the tension too high, try lighter-gauge strings or tuning down a half step.

Fun Facts

The opening chord of The Beatles' "A Hard Day's Night" is one of the most analyzed sounds in music history and prominently features George Harrison's 12-string Rickenbacker. Despite having 12 strings, the instrument is still played with standard six-string chord shapes.

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String 1 4.7 New Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Gibson $3,499 Professional USA 1 review The legendary J-45 acoustic voice expanded into 12-string territory with solid spruce top and walnut back, delivering layers of shimmering harmonic complexity in a cinematic round-shoulder dreadnought package. Guild F-1512 Jumbo 12-String 2 4.7 New Guild F-1512 Jumbo 12-String Guild $1,899 Advanced China 1 review A jumbo-body 12-string with all-solid rosewood and spruce delivering enormous, richly layered harmonic interaction, carrying forward Guild's legendary reputation as the defining name in 12-string guitars. Taylor 150e 12-String Dreadnought 3 4.7 New Taylor 150e 12-String Dreadnought Taylor $899 Intermediate Mexico 1 review Accessible 12-string acoustic-electric with solid spruce top, layered walnut body, and ES2 electronics delivering shimmering, full sound in a stage-ready package. Yamaha FG820-12 12-String Dreadnought 4 4.7 New Yamaha FG820-12 12-String Dreadnought Yamaha $359 Beginner China 1 review Affordable 12-string dreadnought with a solid spruce top and mahogany body, delivering full, cohesive tone and comfortable playability for players new to 12-string guitars. Guild F-2512E Jumbo 12-String Guitar 5 4.6 New Guild F-2512E Jumbo 12-String Guitar Guild $649 Intermediate China 1 review A jumbo 12-string acoustic-electric with solid spruce top and arched maple back delivering massive shimmer and bass, featuring Fishman pickup for stage performance and classic Guild aesthetic. Taylor 254ce 12-String Grand Auditorium 6 4.6 New Taylor 254ce 12-String Grand Auditorium Taylor $1,099 Intermediate Mexico 1 review Grand Auditorium 12-string with solid spruce top and ES2 pickup offering superior note clarity and a more manageable body than dreadnought 12-strings. Fender Villager 12-String V3 7 4.4 New Fender Villager 12-String V3 Fender $399 Beginner China 1 review A concert-body 12-string acoustic-electric with solid spruce top delivering bright, articulate shimmer, featuring Fishman electronics and a compact body that is more comfortable than jumbo 12-strings. Takamine GJ72CE-12 Jumbo 12-String 8 4.4 New Takamine GJ72CE-12 Jumbo 12-String Takamine $799 Intermediate China 1 review Jumbo cutaway 12-string acoustic-electric with solid spruce top, flame maple body, and Takamine TP-4TD preamp for powerful, shimmmering stage-ready sound. Epiphone DR-212 12-String Guitar 9 4.2 New Epiphone DR-212 12-String Guitar Epiphone $249 Beginner China 1 review A budget-friendly 12-string acoustic guitar that makes the shimmering chorus-rich sound accessible, with a dreadnought body and slim taper neck that eases the transition from six-string playing. Martin D-X2E 12-String 10 4.2 New Martin D-X2E 12-String Martin $649 Beginner Mexico 1 review A Martin 12-string dreadnought with solid spruce top and Fishman electronics, delivering classic shimmer and harmonic richness at an accessible price with weather-resistant HPL construction.