I'm looking to purchase a 12 string acoustic guitar. My budget is $500.00.
I don't really know much about acoustic guitars (especially 12-strings), so any suggestions for the one I should get?

PS: I'm hoping for one w/ a cutaway but I haven't been able to find any 12 string acoustics with cutaway (only acoustic-electrics), and I really just want to stick to a plain acoustic.
So post what kinds you guys think are worth getting! (just acoustics please, unless it's a very good acoustic-electric that you think might change my mind >.<)

Thanks for anyone who posts!

A 12 string guitar can be quite tricky if you're learning guitar I guess you know what you're doing.
Anyway, as it is acoustic I always recommend Yamaha for acoustic, they're pretty good if you ask me (from experience).

I looked up for some models and here's something you might wanna check up.
Yamaha Apx70012 - This is a nice 12 string guitar with rosewood neck. Although you may not like it much cause it is acoustic electric but IMO you should consider it. I've seen it at USD $350.
Washburn D10SCE12 - This is another good guitar but it is acoustic electric. I'm sorry it's going to be with cutaway and electric-acoustic or without cutaway and acoustic only I forgot the price of this one but it's about USD ~$400 if I remember correctly.
Ibanez AEL2012E - This is another electric-acoustic guitar from (what I think) one of the most overrated brands ever. It lists at USD $399.99 but I'm pretty sure it gets to be cheaper.

So here's your acoustic only without cutway options:
Washburn D10 - Lists at USD $389.
Yamaha FG720S-12 - USD $329.95
Fender CD10012 - USD $229.95, but let's leave fender for when you get an electric, meaning I do not recommend a fender acoustic.


Here's the link I found most of the stuff.
http://shopping.yahoo.com/s:Acoustic%20Guitars:54605-Number%20of%20Strings=12-String

Thanks for posting!
I was looking at this one personally, what do you think of it?
http://www.samash.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_AD60S12%2012%20String%20Acoustic%20Guitar_-1_10052_10002_-49971788_cmCategorySA182554
How do you think it would compare to the ones you posted before, better, worse?

Dang that's unfortunate about the cutaway not being on acoustic 12-strings, I just wonder why this is
Makes me lean a little more towards an acoustic-electric, might get one after all... all depends on how important I decide the cutaway is in the end lol

It honestly isn't about the cutaway, in my opinion. I'd personally pick the acoustic electric as you can plug it and amplify it, additionally you would be able to record songs which is pretty cool. I know it sounds like it's not something everybody would do, I mean like, recording high quality songs but that isn't just the case eventually you'll want to record your covers and send them to friends and such.
Now, the cutaway is another great advantage but mostly depends on what genre and style you're planning or play already. Which is only for you to consider or not.

As to the Alvarez, their boom age was long ago I guess since I had a friend that had two Alvarez and they were all old year models. The sound was okay, it was clean and it was great for recording (it was acoustic electric). The tone was a bit bright for my taste, though, but then again I play mostly Jazz guitar so I'm kinda used to lower notes and sharper tones.
In fewer words, the Alvarez would be just like any of the guitars I have posted.

You can take a look at reviews by people that bought it, though.
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/reviews?base_pid=518738&page=1

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Dec 1 2008, 5:10 am by Corbo.

I have an acoustic Alvarez myself, (not a 12-string, mind you) and I love it. The action is amazing. It's almost like playing an electric it's so nice. In fact... the action on it is better than my Fender.

Not sure how relevant that was, but I figured I'd chip in my two sense about how satisifed I am with my Alvarez.

Alvarez and Yamaha acoustics have impressed me when I've played them.
Though I'm not very knowledgable about 12-strings. It does seem that for acoustics you don't really need to go for one of the major electric brands (Gibson, Fender, Ibanez, etc.) and that other brands are putting out amazing products at cheaper prices.

If you're willing to step slightly out of your price range or go used, you might want to think about getting a Takamine. The ones that are being sold on Musician's Friend these days all seem to be cutaway Acoustic-Electrics. (though going used you're probably going to be getting an older model, anyway)

While I mention the subject of used guitars, I would seriously consider going used for an acoustic. Not only do you save money, but the wood has had a number of years to settle in and develop tone and that does wonders. It will probably need a setup and more likely some cleanup work, but it's definitely worth it.

But do yourself a favor and look up anything you plan to buy on Harmony Central... the people there in general seem to know very much what they're talking about as compared to other sites.

Post has been edited 3 time(s), last time on Dec 1 2008, 11:49 pm by Mini Moose 2707.

Well, I did it.
I sprang for an Acoustic-Electric model, I just couldn't stand the idea of not being able to reach those last couple of frets!
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Alvarez-Fusion-Series-FD60S12-Thin-Body-Dreadnought-12String-AE-Cutaway?sku=518813
There it is guys, I hope I made the right decision; as of right now, though, I'm feeling pretty good about it.
I've always loved Alvarez's, not sure how they do when it comes to electronics, but their non-amplified tone is brilliant as it is
Any halfway decent amplified is fine by me, as it wasn't my main criteria.

Anyways thanks for all your help guys, I'll prolly post back how good I like it once it's arrived