It’s not cheap but it is unbeatable, and very practical for a 12-string. It’s the sound of The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and its jingle-jangle brightness changed music history for keeps.

It’s the semi-acoustic that George Harrison played on the Fab Four’s debut US tour – a 1963 360/12, gifted to him by Rickenbacker’s Francis C. This is the most iconic 12-string you can get your hands on. Its mono/stereo outputs and mix control should set your imagination alight! This Rickenbacker is unusual for a 12-string guitar in that it’s strung with the low strings first, then its octave-up double. This is the George Harrison 12-string guitar that inspired The Byrds, The Beach Boys, and all those prodigiously talented West Coast musicians who bloomed fully in the mid-60s. It’s a fair price for an exceptionally constructed instrument, which is why it graces our best 12-string guitars guide.Īnother top pick of ours is the Rickenbacker 360/12. This stunning 12-string guitar is designed for the stage and the studio, with a low end authority offering a neat counterpoint in the EQ for that top end chime.

The Takamine P3DC is a sparkling jewel in the brand’s Pro Series, and is a contemporary dreadnought cutaway that has sumptuous playability. Before we unveil our full list of the best 12-string guitars, let’s look at a couple of our favorites… Best 12-string guitars: Guitar World's choice

It can also add an ethereal quality to your solo performance.ĭepending on the chord progression and the fingering, the best 12-string guitars can sound medieval or pure folk jangle. With the bottom, four strings doubled an octave higher, and the top two doubled, the 12-string guitar has a wider frequency range, adding textures and overtones and a top-end that glistens in a mix.

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