Budget 12 string

[Dessery]

Hi guys

I'm looking at getting a 12 string after Christmas. As much as I want one, I don't expect it to become a primary guitar so I don't want to spend a fortune on it but am thinking up to around £500.

I want it for both fingerstyle and slide. I have been looking at the Takamine GD30-12. Sound clips I have heard sound good and it has one of the widest necks I've seen which is a bonus. Only problem is I won't be able to try one easily so I was wondering if anyone here has tried one at all?

Also the Vintage Paul Brett 12 string looks really nice too but again, finding one to try is really hard!!

Alternatively, can you recommend anything in the same sort of price bracket?

Many thanks as always!!
David

[blueshome]

Find a 50's or 60's Harmony - they sound great, are solid wood and are ladder braced for the old blues sound. Guild also are very good, maybe at the top of your price range but you might find a 2nd hand deal.

[Quarterquay]

I'd let you try my Paul Brett 12 string Dessery but I've a feeling we're not even in the same country so...

I love mine but I don't have the guitar knowledge or confidence to give it a technical review, but if you search 'Paul Brett' on the forum one or two people have one and/or speak well of them. I have the 6 string too and play that a lot.Other than my Blues 28 they're my go to guitars of the moment except when I'm at my girlfriend's house where I have a Gretsch Jim Dandy stashed. Now if Gretsch made a Jim Dandy 12 string...

[SoloBill]

Hi David,

When I was looking for a 12 string not so long ago I listened to as many as I could online and decided to get a Fender CD-160SE for around £350 which I am pleased with.

Bill

[slide496]

I got a Fender Tim Armstrong electric/acoustic- it has a stylized sound. This what it sounds like in my hands played both ways. It was on sale and ran in the $300 range. Daddyslide, Behringer Ultraacoustic AT108 for the electric.



Lawdy,
Harriet

[Dessery]

Hi all

Thank you for you input, that's really helpful!!!

@quatrequay - thank you for your very generous offer, very kind of you but as you say, I don't think we're too close!! It's great to hear positive feedback on the Paul Brett though!!

blueshome - I would love a 60s harmony one but sadly there few and far between, they only ones I've seen gave been about £800 before shipping and import duty as there all in the US. If I fall in love with playing a 12 string though, I may look at that further down the line.

@harriet - thanks for the clip, sounding good I did look at that one but I have to admit I dismissed it because of the smaller neck as I have pretty big hands.

At the moment I am leaning more towards the Paul Brett. I haven't been able to find anywhere that says the nut width on it, does anyone know?

Many thanks again
David

[Misterkevster]

David
.....my Brett has the nut width at 1 7/8" and string width 1 7/12" at nut.

I currently have mine strung/tuned down to B (cheers to Steve Phillips!)...and think it's geat for the money.

Can see that you're in Southampton....but if you're passing Leeds sometime, you're welcome to have a look!

Kev

[Dessery]

Hi Kev

Many thanks for the info, that's really helpful and your very generous offer, sadly I don't think I'll be passing by anytime soon but it's much appreciated!!

Good to hear another happy customer!! What strings do you use for that tuning?

Many thanks
David

[beefheart]

Hello David. I bought a Chinese Guild a few months back on eBay. It says GAD 46410 in the label inside the soundhole. I haven't played it for a wee while but it's a decent guitar. I have extra-light strings on it and I'm sure it will benefit from a heavier gauge and a visit to my local luthier to get the action a bit better. Very loud. I can't remember exactly what I paid for it but not much more than 300 including delivery.

Peter

[bluesshow]

I too would recommend the Paul Brett 12 string and if I hadn't needed a washing machine I would still have it. Sold to one Gerry Cooper of this parish

[obrienp]

Plus one for a second-hand Chinese Guild. I have a GAD F212 and it is a brilliant guitar. All solid spruce and mahogany. Mini jumbo/overgrown OM body. Fantastic sound and built like a tank: twin trussrods, extra thickness round the soundhole, etc. Also it is really nicely built, with heringbone backstripe etc. If you can find one secondhand I would go for it. I am sure it could take much heavier strings than the 10s I have on it. To be honest I can't see why anybody would want to pay 5 times as much for the USA built model but then again, I haven't had the pleasure of doing an A-B comparison.