Which is the best body size for a good 12 string acoustic sound?

The majority of 12 string acoustic guitar bodies are dreadnought shapes. This is because the bigger size and greater projection works particularly well with the extra harmonic information from the strings to produce a loud, full and satisfying sound. The general rule is essentially the bigger the better, so you'll find some great 12 string acoustics like the Alvarez AJ80CE featuring a larger Jumbo body size. There are exceptions such as the Taylor 352CE 12 string, which has been designed specifically to produce a large and beautiful sound with a smaller Grand Concert body shape.

How is a 12 string guitar tuned?

The normal tuning for a twelve string involves tuning the secondary string on the lower four strings an octave higher than its partner, so the two bottom strings are both tuned to E with the thinner string being one octave higher than the thicker one. This carries through until we reach the upper B and E strings, which are tuned in unison. The tuning going from low to high looks like this: E (+1 octave), E, A (+1 octave), A, D (+1 octave), D, G (+1 octave), G, B, B, E, E. All standard guitar tuners will recognise these pitches so you should be fine to use whichever you prefer.

Are 12 string guitars more difficult to play?

There is a little period of adjustment when learning to play two strings at once instead of one. Plus there is a good deal more tension across the extra strings which may make holding down barre chords slightly more difficult for a little while. Thankfully, your hands will quickly grow accustomed to the changes and the resulting tones are more than worth the small adjustments required.

Why choose a 12 string acoustic guitar rather than a 6 string acoustic guitar?

Most players considering a 12 string acoustic guitar already own a regular 6 string. The 12 string is a popular choice both as an alternative to the standard 6 string as well as an additional option for creating new sounds. Solo performers may enjoy the fuller sound it gives to accompany their vocals while others use it as a fresh approach to writing and creating music.

What is Nashville tuning?

Nashville tuning is a special tuning that uses only the higher strings from a twelve string guitar, ignoring the 'normal' strings. Nashville tuning gets its name from lots of Country music producers who use guitars specially strung and tuned to that specific tuning to add sparkle and dimension to their recordings. It is relatively normal to see 12 string guitars in studios with half of their strings removed to achieve this sound. Both 6 string and 12 string acoustic and electric guitars can utilise Nashville tuning if careful tuning and selection of string gauge is used.

12 String Guitars | guitarguitar

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Aged Mahogany 12 String Guitar

(3)

£219.00 £299.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

D'Angelico Premier Fulton LS 12 String Satin Vintage Sunburst

(3)

£219.00 £299.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought 12-String

(8)

£299.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Spring Sale

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12-String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

(4)

£749.00 £879.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Epiphone Songmaker DR-212 Dreadnought 12 String Natural

(14)

£269.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Martin X Series DX2E 12 String Spruce/Mahogany

(6)

£695.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

(1)

£899.00 £1,027.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Fender CD-140SCE 12 String Natural

(1)

£349.00 £389.99

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

£449.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Tanglewood Winterleaf 12 String Autumn Vintage Burst

(1)

£369.00

Out of Stock

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Natural Walnut Fingerboard

(7)

£279.00 £299.99

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

(3)

£1,299.00 £1,450.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

(1)

£499.00 £551.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Amber 12 CE Myrtlewood

£899.00 £929.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

£279.00 £329.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

(2)

£299.00 £349.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Faith Naked Venus 12 String

£649.00 £759.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

£2,299.00 £3,034.80

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

£849.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Takamine GD30CE-12-BLK 12 String Black

£425.00 £459.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT

(1)

£569.00

Out of Stock

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

£3,299.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Sigma DM12E+

(3)

£299.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

(1)

£635.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Takamine EF381SC 12 String Electro Acoustic Black Gloss

£1,299.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

(1)

£429.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Breedlove Discovery S Concert Edgeburst 12 CE Sitka Spruce/Mahogany

£649.00 £749.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Fender Villager 12 String Walnut Fingerboard Aged Natural

£499.99

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12 String Electric White

(2)

£639.00 £759.00

Out of Stock

Ibanez PF1512 Natural

(3)

£249.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Ibanez AW5412CE Open Pore Natural Artwood

£439.00

Out of Stock

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined

(1)

£3,765.00

Out of Stock

Martin Grand J16E 12 String

£2,475.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Takamine P3DC-12

(1)

£1,349.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Takamine PTU141C 12 String Tobacco Sunburst

£1,599.00

FREE Delivery

Available to Order

Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

£2,999.00 £3,994.80

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

£979.00 £1,174.80

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

New

Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

£1,999.00 £2,698.80

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Vintage Statesboro Dreadnought Electro Acoustic 12 String Whisky Sour

£169.00 £229.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

In Stock

Vintage VTR800PB-12 Electro Viator Paul Brett 12 String Travel Guitar

£369.00 £499.00

Get it Sunday, May 19

or FREE delivery on Monday

In Stock

Stores Nationwide

Shipping Worldwide

Free Next Day Delivery

Sell your Guitar

Expert Advice

12 String Guitars

Filter

D'Angelico Premier Fulton Aged Mahogany 12 String Guitar

D'Angelico Premier Fulton LS 12 String Satin Vintage Sunburst

Alvarez Artist Series AD60-12 Dreadnought 12-String

Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Hummingbird 12-String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Epiphone Songmaker DR-212 Dreadnought 12 String Natural

Martin X Series DX2E 12 String Spruce/Mahogany

Yamaha APX700II 12 String Natural

Fender CD-140SCE 12 String Natural

Epiphone Hummingbird Pro 12 String Aged Cherry Sunburst Gloss

Tanglewood Winterleaf 12 String Autumn Vintage Burst

Fender CD-60SCE-12 Natural Walnut Fingerboard

Yamaha LL16ARE12 12 String Natural

Yamaha FG820-12 Natural 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

Breedlove Pursuit Exotic S Concert Amber 12 CE Myrtlewood

Ibanez PF1512ECE-NT Natural High Gloss

Ibanez AEG5012 Black High Gloss

Faith Naked Venus 12 String

Taylor 362ce Grand Concert All Mahogany

Sigma GJA12-SG200 Jumbo 12 String Vintage Sunburst

Takamine GD30CE-12-BLK 12 String Black

Takamine GJ72CE-12NAT

Gibson J-45 Standard 12-String Vintage Sunburst

Sigma DM12E+

Sigma DM12-SG5 12 String

Takamine EF381SC 12 String Electro Acoustic Black Gloss

Fender Tim Armstrong Hellcat Acoustic 12 String Walnut Fingerboard

Breedlove Discovery S Concert Edgeburst 12 CE Sitka Spruce/Mahogany

Fender Villager 12 String Walnut Fingerboard Aged Natural

Gretsch G5022CWFE-12 Rancher Falcon Jumbo 12 String Electric White

Ibanez PF1512 Natural

Ibanez AW5412CE Open Pore Natural Artwood

Martin HD12-28 Re-imagined

Martin Grand J16E 12 String

Takamine P3DC-12

Takamine PTU141C 12 String Tobacco Sunburst

Taylor 552ce 12 Fret 12 String Grand Concert

Taylor 150ce Dreadnought

Taylor 352ce 12 Fret 12 String

Vintage Statesboro Dreadnought Electro Acoustic 12 String Whisky Sour

Vintage VTR800PB-12 Electro Viator Paul Brett 12 String Travel Guitar

Keep up with our latest offers, news & events