Acoustic 12 string guitar!

[Zork]

For some time already I'd like to own an acoustic 12 string. Under the impression that this is something most people hardly play I was not sure if I really should. Also, my fathers 12-string is super hard to play and it's really no fun. But: I got the Guild Starfire 12 string electric a few months ago and I play it all the time, albeit most of the time unplugged which is fun but sounds not so nice. And I found out that the nut width of my dad's guitar is nothing short of 54mm which makes it so uncomfortable to me. So here I am, looking for an acoustic 12 string guitar.

At first I looked for a small neck. I even ordered a brand new Fender Villager XII but send it back. I just didn't like its sound and feel. I then looked for small neck plus small body, because I don't want a super loud guitar. Something like those Regal parlour sized 12 strings but this is rare and expensive. I had the opportunity to get a Japanese made Ibanez from the 80s, all solid wood even, for very small money but didn't bite because it was a Dreadnaught with a maple body - too loud, too big, I thought. I then looked into Ovations. I think they look cool, have an appealing sound even though a bit special and are quite affordable. Also comfortable neck. But I came to the conclusion they are too soft sounding for my taste. I realized I want a big piano-like tone. So opposite direction: A Guild Jumbo! But then again, these are really, really loud and I don't find Jumbos visually very appealing. Now I increasingly get the feeling I'm overthinking this and I should just look what is available in my area so I can try it out in person.

There are a few Japanese Martin copies from the 70s, Terada and stuff like this, some high end guitars that are completely out of my price range like a Lakewood, a Yamaha APX which is small sized with a slim neck but looks like the 90s, some super cheap Chinese Amazon guitars. To cut a long story short, there are three guitars I consider:

1.: An Eastman E1D 12 DLX, which is an all solid contemporary Dreadnaught at a good price point and which is apparently an excellent choice: https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/ ... 23-74-4420
The problem: It doesn't have any vibe at all. It's as sexy as a screwdriver: Does the job but that's it.

2.: An Ibanez Concord Hummingbird. Obviously the inferior guitar in terms of quality but if you have seen my guitar collection in the "show your guitar" thread, you'll agree that it fits right in: https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/ ... 13-74-4740
It's a bit pricey for what it is but I think this can be sorted.

3.: A Guild Dreadnaught that looks to be the best of them all but is in Hamburg, so I can't try it out: https://www.kleinanzeigen.de/s-anzeige/ ... 71-74-9431

I'm leaning towards the Ibanez. It's definitely the least good guitar from a rational point of view and I'm sure the others sound better but it's in my area, it's relatively affordable, it's looking great and I don't think I need a bombastic sounding mega guitar to noodle around with in my living room. I also have fond memories of a Cimar Hummingbird 12 string I used to play in my youth, even though it wasn't mine, had a gaping hole in the side and was strung as a 6 string.

I'm just leaving my thoughts here. Maybe you can help me find some insights to what I actually want.

[dubkitty]

i’m not trying to be mean, but it sounds like you want something that doesn’t exist in the current market. small 12-strings, e.g. B-series Gibsons, tend to go wonky and fall apart because the body and bracing can’t bear the load of the string tension. they also tend to get muddy in the low end. assuming they have low end, which is often not the case.

[dubkitty]

the Guild is exhibiting bellying below the bridge and sinking in front of it. i wouldn’t recommend it. the Ibanez is probably acceptable, but i don’t love the adjustable saddle which is a copy-and-paste from period Gibsons. it might give you more high overtones, though. whether that’s good or bad depends on your taste.

i would go with the Eastman simply because it’s newer and shows no visible issues. maybe put it in a roomfull of smokers for mojo acquisition.

[Zork]

Oh, good eye on the Guild! I haven't noticed yet but yes, it's clearly visible.

[backwardsvoyager]

geez, 54mm nut width is what you'd get on a 6-string bass, that sounds like torture

guild acoustics are phenomenal but I'd be looking at earlier examples than the one you posted, and I wouldn't buy one without seeing it in person.
a friend of mine has a 70s F212 which is the nicest 12-string I've played by a huge margin. if I was in the market I probably wouldn't even look at other brands.

as far as small-body 12s go, there is the Maton EM12/EMD12 which is a very decent modern option, but maybe quite expensive or hard to find in your neck of the woods.

curious to hear what you end up with!

[dubkitty]

bridge lift/bellying is the first thing i look for in used acoustics. eventually that's going to have to be re-braced.

[dubkitty]

Guild used to make a "grand orchestra" sized 12 called the GAD-F212. i also spotted this little guy which might be right up your street:

https://www.gear4music.com/us/en/G4M/Vi ... dhand/740N

brett.jpg

[dubkitty]

i see images are still screwed up.

[dubkitty]

also this Harmony blast from the past which would suit your aesthetic:

https://reverb.com/p/harmony-h1230-12-s ... gJTPvD_BwE


thank god the page truncates that link.

[dubkitty]

there's also Taylor, but their guitars in general are low on bass and built to be used with a pickup.

[dubkitty]

or this wacky little number:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/167918431044?c ... gKX4PD_BwE