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Best 12-String Acoustic Guitars under 1000

  • Post published:June 2, 2022

A 12-string acoustic guitar has double the strings compared to a 6-string guitar.

It is braced differently, the neck is wider and sometimes heavier and bulkier. It just has a different feel with a full rich sound and volume.

A 12-string model has double of every string (E, A, D, G, B, and E). It allows for standard tuning, but the strings are doubled up.

Finding the best 12 string acoustic guitar under 1000 does not have to be a difficult proposition.

You just need to choose a guitar that is designed to produce a superior tone and the best player experience.

It should be made of solid A grade materials for consistent quality.

The 12-string instrument you select needs to be responsive and exciting to play.

Top Pick

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar is our top pick. This model features hand-selected materials, forward-shifted scalloped bracing, outstanding player experience, and awesome tone.

It is built and tuned to deliver an extremely resonating and rich sound that is perfect in every way.

The Best 12 String Acoustic Guitars Under 1000

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Spruce

  • Solid guitar body
  • Mahogany back, sides, and neck
  • Spruce top with scalloped bracing
  • Bi-level rosewood bridge
  • Rosewood fretboard

Whether you are a beginner or an expert, the Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 String will give you the best performance. It is the perfect 12-string version of the famous AD60.

It has a select spruce top with scalloped bracing. The sound of the spruce top evolves and matures with time.

The scalloped bracing; on the other hand, makes the guitar more responsive with more bass and louder sound.

You’ve got solid mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck with a slim taper profile, a rosewood fingerboard with mother of pearl inlays, a solid maple bridge plate, and easy to tune hardware.

This 12-twelve string model is remarkably easy to play even for enthusiastic beginners. You can play some simple open chords, which will sound great.

If you are a seasoned player and you want to switch over to twelve-string acoustics, then this is a great way to start.

The dreadnought body gives you a quintessential 12-string acoustic guitar that boasts ultra-playability and superior volume.

The dovetail design provides you with a structurally strong neck joint to help strengthen your playing experience.

Pros

  • The sound of the top evolves and matures with time
  • Scalloped bracing makes the guitar more responsive
  • Dreadnought body has superior playability and volume
  • The dovetail neck joint is structurally strong
  • Premium diecast tuners are extremely easy to tune

Cons

  • May not be the best model for some beginners

Fender CD-60SCE Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specs

  • Solid spruce top
  • Mahogany back and side
  • Walnut fretboard
  • Fishman classic pickups
  • Rolled fingerboard edges

If you are a big fan of acoustic-electric guitars, you will love this incredible 12-string dreadnought model from Fender.

One of Fender’s best-selling acoustic guitars, the CD-60SCE provides a big bright sound of a spruce top and mahogany back and sides.

This model features an innovative cutaway; so, it is slightly smaller and thinner compared to the standard version.

In addition to having a solid spruce top, the guitar also features scalloped X bracing, providing you with a rigid bracing that supports the top.

The bracing is lighter and moves more to give you greater volume and resonance.

It has a new version of the Fishman Classic pickups with active onboard preamp and tuners.

These pickups are superior sonic upgrades that are capable of delivering the classic humbucking sound without inductance or noise issues.

This pickup system provides three different voices, including a single-coil tone, hot-rodded humbucker, and a PAF humbucker.

Its compensated bridge and diecast tuners provide enhanced intonation. The 25.3-inch scale shapes the unique voice of the guitar.

The Fender CD-60SCE has rolled fingerboard edges, which create a very relaxed fret-hand feel. This makes the neck super easy to play.

Pros

  • Creatively designed dreadnought body produces a big bright sound
  • Scalloped X bracing gives greater volume and resonance
  • Fishman pickups eliminate inductance or noise issues
  • Compensated bridge design provides enhanced intonation
  • Rolled fingerboard edges provide a relaxed fret-hand feel

Cons

  • It is only available in two color options

Blueridge Guitars 12 String Acoustic Guitar

Specs

  • Solid spruce top
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Parabolic top braces
  • Rosewood bridge
  • Bone nut and saddle

The guitar abundance of style is designed to catch the eyes of players with vintage tastes.

The guitar’s big body guarantees superior acoustic performance.

With an innovative solid spruce top and mahogany sides and back, this guitar produces all the volume and tone you need.

When it ages, the sound of the spruce top evolves and matures slowly.

You’ve got a balanced mahogany neck with an adjustable truss rod for ease of play and superior alignment.

The guitar features parabolic braces with maintained overall strength and reduced to a minimum deflection.

These braces will produce a quick response with a focused bottom end and pronounced mid-range.

The six-in-line closed-back tuners are fitted with round buttons for superior instrument balance and tuning accuracy.

These tuners have a gear ratio of 14:1 that allows for finer tuning. The scale length of 25.6-inch enhances the guitar’s playability and tone.

Blueridge Guitars implements a dovetail neck joint that is fundamentally strong and helps strengthen the instrument when playing.

The bone nut and saddle combination will give you a stable point that allows for maximum sound energy transfer.

Bone saddles have superior performance compared to plastic saddles.

Pros

  • Solid spruce and mahogany produce superior tone
  • Balanced neck and adjustable truss rod improve playability
  • Parabolic braces offer quick response
  • The 25.6-inch scale improves playability and tone
  • Has a beautiful natural high-gloss finish

Cons

  • It does not come with a carrying case

Takamine G Series GD30CE-12 Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar

Specs

  • Spruce, mahogany body
  • Spruce top
  • Dreadnought cutaway body
  • Takamine TP-4TD preamp
  • Split saddle bone bridge

This is a great dreadnought style guitar with some great features. The best of Takamine’s creativity is seen in this amazing 12-string acoustic guitar.

It comes with a solid spruce top, rosewood fretboard, mahogany back and sides, and mahogany neck.

It is available in black with a gloss finish and natural with an elegant natural gloss finish.

This high performing acoustic-electric has the Takamine TP-4TD preamp.

This is a preamp system that is easy to use, it is very functional, and has that great Takamine sound quality you have been expecting.

It features a three-band EQ (treble, middle, bass), low battery indicator, and built-in digital tuner.

This preamp is very easy to use and dial in the sound you need for any playing situation.

We appreciate the design of the split saddle bone bridge, which does a good job of coupling the split saddles with the palathetic pickup.

This gives the unwound strings a superior grouping compared to wound strings for more focus on fundamental notes.

You get higher gain before feedback and pure natural sound.

Last but not least, this instrument has a nice slim neck profile that is very comfortable and easy to play.

Also, the neck has a good finish, making it smooth and comfortable for longer periods.

Pros

  • It is available in black or natural with a gloss finish
  • High performing preamp offers superior sound quality
  • Provides a higher gain before feedback
  • The slim neck profile improves playability
  • The dreadnought body is balanced and louder

Cons

  • Some models may come with defective electronics

Oscar Schmidt OD312 Natural 12 String Dreadnought Guitar

Specs

  • Spruce body
  • Ebony top, back, and fretboard
  • Maple neck
  • Hardtail guitar bridge
  • Fully adjustable truss rod

If you are looking for a decent quality 12-string guitar without breaking the bank, look no further than the OD312 from Oscar Schmidt.

This amazing guitar has a spruce body, ebony back, ebony wood top, and maple neck with a natural finish.

The superior stiffness of the spruce body gives you the much desired classical sound.

Not to mention that as the spruce ages, the sound evolves and matures. The ebony provides a very bright top end and well-defined low end.

The guitar’s dreadnought style body is deeper, which is great because it adds depth for more volume, sustain, as well as resonance.

It comes equipped with graph tech nuts and saddles, which are great for improving tuning stability.

The hardtail bridge is integrated with fully adjustable saddles for superior height level and intonation.

The bridge is well-designed and sturdy. It does not feature nasty sharp edges or buzzing. It has exceptional string spacing for great playability.

It has a fully adjustable truss rod that ensures the neck stays straight by counteracting the natural tendencies in the tonewood and the pull of the strings.

When the truss rod is tightened, the neck straightens by resisting string tension and vice versa.

Pros

  • The spruce body gives a quality classical sound
  • The ebony tonewood offers a very bright top-end
  • The hardtail bridge has superior string spacing for better playability
  • Dreadnought style body offers a deeper volume and sustain
  • Adjustable truss rod ensures the neck stays straight

Cons

  • It is possible to receive a model that will not stay tuned

Teton 12 STR 12 String Acoustic Guitar

Specs

  • Mahogany body
  • Spruce wood top
  • Mahogany back and neck
  • Dreadnought style
  • Fishman ISYS electronics

Are you a big fan of cutaway dreadnought acoustic guitars? If you are, then look no further than the Teton 12 STR 12 String Acoustic Guitar.

This amazing guitar comes with a top Sitka spruce wood, which is great because this is a well-rounded tonewood with superior sonic projection and tonal qualities.

The tone of the top is even and it does not highlight any frequency above another.

Another good thing about this tonewood is the fact that it does not get muddy when playing at high volumes.

You will appreciate the dreadnought body shape, which provides a nice balance between high, mid, and low frequencies.

Unlike conventional body shapes, this vintage design will not scoop the mid-range, instead, it will bring it up.

The guitar comes equipped with the Fishman ISYS electronics, which do a good job of complementing the natural acoustic tone of this incredible instrument.

When paired with the Fishman Sonicore pickup, these electronics reproduce the best sonic qualities.

Another factor that makes this amazing guitar from Teton sound so good is the bone nut and saddle.

The bone nut gives a nice stable point for superior anchoring as well as the transfer of energy.

Pros

  • Well-rounded tonewoods provide great tonal qualities
  • The body does not get muddy when you hit high volumes
  • Dreadnought style body provides a great balance between high, mid, and low frequencies
  • Fishman ISYS electronics reproduce good sonic qualities

Cons

  • Limited color options are available
  • Possible quality issues with some models

Takemine GJ72CE-12NAT 12-String Acoustic Guitar

This model is both electric and acoustic. Therefore, it is perfect for those who want to plug and improve their favorite songs.

Its back and side are made of flame maple. Moreover, the model hits the remark for playability and design.

The neck is made of mahogany, and the top is made of solid spruce. Besides, this guitar comes with an integrated tuner that allows you to tune with ease.

Pros

  • High-quality build
  • Electrical and acoustic ability
  • Excellent tone due to sides made of Maple

Cons

  • The tone seems to be too bright for some

Epiphone DR-212 Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic Guitar

Another great 12-string acoustic guitar to consider is the Epiphone DR-212. It includes six strings.

Moreover, the guitar has amazing construction to support the tension of 12 strings. You will also get a great balance.

Although the model is affordable, it is popular for its playability and quality.

It brings an excellent tone as well as vivid sound. Plus, the model comes with a wonderful look that suits everyone.

Pros

  • Mahogany body
  • Breathability due to spruce top
  • Go-to for Folk, Rock, Country, and Blues

Cons

  • None

Ibanez 12-String Acoustic Guitar

This acoustic guitar is one of the most affordable choices. It is sure not to break your bank. It comes with mahogany back and sides.

Also, there is a Sitka Spruce top. These features offer you an articulate tone.

Besides, the model comes with an AEQ-2T preamp. Therefore, it ensures to provide you with an accurate tone. It is also simple to install strings.

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Offer great tone

Cons

  • None

Faith KFSE12 Naked Sturn 12-String Acoustic Guitar

If you are looking for a positive playing experience, you should consider getting this acoustic guitar. It promises to allow you to create the best work. Also, it has a Solid Engelmann Spruce Top. Moreover, there is Mahogany back and sides.

It also features the Fishman Presys 1 preamp. Therefore, it helps to maintain the warmth of your instrument when you play it through an amplifier.

Additionally, the model comes with a low battery indicator, a built-in tuner, as well as a volume knob. Therefore, it is ideal for those who want to perform live.

Pros

  • The Fishman Presys 1 preamp for the ideal warmth
  • A built-in tuner, low battery indicator, and a volume knob
  • Affordable price
  • A 30-day guarantee

Cons

  • None

Yamaha FG820 Acoustic Guitar

This brand is known as one of the most desired models of all time. Its tone is sure to warm your heart.

Also, it has many great features. It comes with scalloped bracing. Therefore, the model is as simple as the ones in the industry.

Another great point about this product is its cost. It has an affordable price. Therefore, it will not break your bank.

Pros

  • Well-balanced sound
  • Affordable price
  • Simple to slide up/down the neck without hindrance
  • Simple to fingerpick

Cons

  • Requires to substitute the strings

Things to Consider When Looking for 12 String Acoustic Guitar Under 1000

The choice of the best twelve-string acoustic guitar under 1000 is huge, but not all the models you come across will meet your expectations. But here are a few things you can consider to find the best model.

Quality construction

The best twelve-string acoustic guitar you choose needs to feature a high-quality construction.

Materials used in the construction should be hand-selected because this guarantees consistent quality.

For example, choose a 12-string acoustic with a finely-grained, strong, and stiff top.

The best quality construction will produce sounds that are powerful, open, and warm. The registered bass and trebles will be balanced concerning each other.

An innovatively constructed model will feel exciting to play from the moment you hold the guitar in your hands.

Type of bracing

Braces are strips of wood that are glued to the top and back of the acoustic guitar to give strength and support.

The twelve-string acoustic guitar you choose should be reinforced with innovatively designed braces for superior strength and support.

There are three major types of bracing you can consider, x-bracing, fan-bracing, and transverse bracing.

We highly recommend x-bracing (voiced and scalloped). This type of guitar bracing is named after the two main struts that cross each other to form an X just below the soundhole.

A 12 string acoustic guitar with an x-bracing top will not vibrate messily, which makes it the best for producing warm, rich tones you have been looking for.

Size

The 12-string acoustic guitars come in various sizes, including small, medium, and large sizes.

If you are looking for ones for kids or teenagers, you should choose small-sized models.

However, adults need a midsize or large-sized guitar.

Cost

In terms of prices, you should look for ones that are not too expensive as you can invest in it.

Go for a model that is affordable and cheap for you. However, you shouldn’t choose a too cheap model since its price may affect its quality.

Shade

Everyone has their favorite color. Therefore, you can choose one with your favorite color. This factor depends on your preference.

Final Thoughts

The winner of this roundup is Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar. This unique brand is well-known for using hand-selected materials.

The top of the Alvarez is made of solid Sitka spruce. The top does not only look attractive, but it is also finely grained and strong. The mahogany sides and back emphasize treble and bass with a woody sound.

The scalloped x-bracing along with a high brace position gives this 12-string guitar a distinctive sound. The Fishman guitar pickups are exceptional.

They produce a full and warm humbucking sound. The pickups have a flexible surround that reduces howling in high volume playing sessions.