If you’re looking for a way to improve the sound of your 12 string acoustic guitar, then you need to consider upgrading your strings. Strings can have a huge impact on the tone and playability of your instrument. However, with so many options available, it can be difficult to know which strings are right for your needs.
The first factor to consider is the material of the strings. Common options include phosphor bronze, which offers a warm and balanced tone, and coated strings, which can last longer without losing their sound quality. Gauge is also important – lighter gauge strings are easier to play, while heavier gauge strings offer a fuller tone. Finally, consider your playing style and the genre of music you typically play – certain strings may be better suited for fingerpicking, while others are best for strumming.
Are you tired of your guitar sounding dull and lifeless? Do you want to bring out the full potential of your instrument? If so, you need to upgrade your strings. But where do you start? With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right set for your needs. In this article, we’ll discuss what factors you need to consider before making a purchase. Are you ready to take your guitar playing to the next level? Read on to learn more!
10 Best Strings For 12 String Acoustic Guitar
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1
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Ideal for beginners who want a high-quality 12-string acoustic-electric guitar with an upgraded starter kit and sleek black design.
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2
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The product is ideal for musicians who want a 12-string acoustic-electric guitar with a bold and visually striking design.
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3
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Ideal for musicians looking for a high-quality 12-string acoustic-electric guitar with a sleek and stylish black finish.
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4
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The product is ideal for musicians and guitar enthusiasts who appreciate a high-quality 12-string acoustic guitar with a rich, full-bodied sound.
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5
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Ideal for musicians who prefer a rich, full sound and want the versatility of acoustic-electric playability.
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6
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Ideal for musicians looking for a high-quality 12-string acoustic guitar with a bright, full-bodied sound and stylish design.
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7
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The product is ideal for beginners and experienced musicians looking for a quality acoustic guitar bundle at an affordable price.
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8
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The product is ideal for musicians who want a clear and resonant sound with 12 strings for richer harmonies.
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9
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Ideal for musicians seeking a high-quality 12-string acoustic-electric guitar with a jumbo cutaway design.
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10
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Ideal for musicians seeking a versatile and high-quality 12-string acoustic electric guitar with a sleek design.
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1. 12-String Bundle: Vangoa's Upgraded Guitar Starter Set
The Vangoa 12-String Acoustic-Electric Dreadnought Guitar is a high-quality instrument that produces an outstanding sound. Its AAA spruce top and sapele back and sides create a well-balanced and warm sound, while the 12 strings provide a wider range of sound and have louder and punchier effects. The dreadnought body enhances the loud, full, impressive sound, making the echo-like sound more stunning.
The tuning pegs with 18:1 ratios offer more precise tuning, and the chrome-plated sealed design prevents gear against dust and liquid erosion, ensuring that it is durable and long-lasting. The bone nut and saddle efficiently transfer the vibration, making the sound better.
The guitar has a perfect design, with the strings nicely close together and a slender size C-shape neck that has a cozy hold. The cutaway ensures access to all frets, which is limitless on song performance. The lowkey matte finish makes it far more durable and easy to clean.
The built-in truss rod balances the tension caused by strings or temperature change shrinking, making the neck straight and durable. The perfect height of the strings allows your hand to stay in a more natural and comfortable position.
The guitar is acoustic-electric, with a built-in EQ and preamp that offers more sound options and larger sound projection in large areas. It comes with an audio cable, so you could play it acoustically or plug it in for the perfect stage show. The package also includes a 5 mm zipped padded bag, backup string set, and everything needed to start playing right away. Vangoa offers a 1-year warranty and fast response service.
- Produces an outstanding sound
- Strings nicely close together, won't take much muscle strength to play
- Built-in truss rod balances the tension caused by strings or temperature change shrinking, making the neck straight and durable
- Acoustic-electric, with a built-in EQ and preamp that offers more sound options and larger sound projection in large areas
- Package includes everything needed to start playing right away
- Vangoa offers a 1-year warranty and fast response service
- – None found
2. Gretsch G5022cwfe-12 Rancher Falcon White 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The guitar being reviewed is a Jumbo Cutaway guitar, with a body made of solid spruce top and laminated maple back and sides. The body back is arched laminated maple, while the body sides are laminated maple, and the body top is solid spruce with a gloss polyester finish. The neck is made of mahogany and has a fretboard made of rosewood, with gold sparkle and binding and B/W/B/W purfling. It has a scale length of 25 inches (635 mm), consisting of 21 vintage-style frets and Neo-Classic 'Thumbnail' position inlays. The nut width of the guitar is 1.875 inches (47.6 mm). The guitar comes with a Fishman Sonicore pickup as special electronics to provide excellent sound quality for performances.
When it comes to the overall design of this guitar, it has a classic and traditional look to it. The arched laminated maple back, combined with the solid spruce top, provides a full-bodied and balanced sound. The Fishman Sonicore pickup is another added convenience that makes it easy to connect to amplifiers for professional performances. The vintage-style frets and Neo-Classic 'Thumbnail' position inlays are designed to provide comfortable playing for beginners and professionals alike.
Overall, this guitar is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a traditional and classic guitar design. With its combination of solid spruce top and laminated maple back and sides, the sound quality is balanced and full-bodied. The Fishman Sonicore pickup is a convenient addition that makes it easy to connect to amplifiers for professional performances. The vintage-style frets and Neo-Classic 'Thumbnail' position inlays make it easy for beginners and professionals to play comfortably.
- Full-bodied and balanced sound due to its combination of solid spruce top and laminated maple back and sides
- Convenient Fishman Sonicore pickup for professional performances
- Comfortable and easy to play due to its vintage-style frets and Neo-Classic 'Thumbnail' position inlays
3. Takamine G Series Gd30ce-12 Dreadnought 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar Black
Introducing the new Dreadnought Cutaway Gloss Body Acoustic Guitar, a perfect combination of style and sound. This guitar is designed to deliver a powerful and clear sound with its Quartersawn 'X' bracing. The Gloss finish gives it a sleek and elegant look that is sure to turn heads. The guitar features a Mahogany body back and sides, which not only adds to the overall aesthetic of the guitar but also enhances the tonal quality. The Dreadnought Cutaway shape allows for easy access to the upper frets, making it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned players. Whether you are playing rhythm or lead, this guitar is sure to impress.
Crafted with precision, this guitar is built to last. Its durable construction ensures that it can withstand the rigors of regular use, and its high-quality materials ensure that it will produce a consistent sound for years to come. The Dreadnought Cutaway Gloss Body Acoustic Guitar is a must-have for any musician looking for a reliable and stylish instrument.
- Powerful and clear sound
- Sleek and elegant Gloss finish
- Durable construction ensures longevity
- Easy access to upper frets with Dreadnought Cutaway shape
- High-quality materials ensure consistent sound
4. Westerly Atb 12-String Acoustic Guitar.
The Guild D-2612CE Deluxe is an exceptional 12-string dreadnought guitar that will take your performances to the next level. It boasts a solid spruce top that produces a clear and powerful voice with a pronounced bass response, while the arched striped ebony back and sides add to its unique tonewood. The gloss finish highlights the guitar's stunning striping pattern, making it a beautiful addition to any collection.
This guitar is built to last and is a testament to Guild's legacy of crafting quality 12-string instruments. The arched back and twelve strings give the D-2612CE Deluxe unparalleled projection and sustain, making it a powerful tool for any musician. The mother-of-pearl rosette and Guild Peak headstock logo add a touch of elegance, while the pau ferro fingerboard and bridge provide a smooth playing experience.
The D-2612CE Deluxe comes equipped with a Fishman Sonitone pickup with volume and tone controls, allowing you to amplify your sound with ease. Whether you're playing in a small venue or on a large stage, this guitar will deliver a consistent and high-quality sound. Please note that natural wood has a unique spirit, and the product shipped may appear lighter or darker in color than the product shown here.
- Solid spruce top produces a clear and powerful voice with a pronounced bass response
- Arched striped ebony back and sides add to the guitar's unique tonewood
- Gloss finish highlights the stunning striping pattern
- Twelve strings and arched back give unparalleled projection and sustain
- Fishman Sonitone pickup with volume and tone controls makes amplification easy
- – None identified
5. Ibanez Aeg 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Dark Violin Sunburst)
The product boasts of a small and simple preamp that features only two control knobs, volume, and shape, making it ergonomic and user-friendly. The at-a-glance tone control offers a natural acoustic sound, which enhances the overall performance of the player. The product is highly versatile, allowing the players to switch effortlessly between low, fat, and powerful tones. The onboard tuner comes equipped with an easy-to-read LCD (liquid crystal display) that ensures clear readability. The product features a purple heart that produces a rich mid-range with a crisp high-end, perfect for any music genre.
The product's small and simple preamp makes it easy to use and comfortable to hold, while the at-a-glance tone control enhances the player's performance. The product's versatility allows players to switch between different tones, making it ideal for various music genres. The onboard tuner with a clear LCD ensures easy readability, making it convenient for players on stage. The purple heart feature produces a rich mid-range and a crisp high-end, adding depth and clarity to any music played.
- Small and simple preamp for ease of use
- At-a-glance tone control offers natural acoustic sound
- Versatile for various music genres
- Onboard tuner with an easy-to-read LCD
- Purpleheart produces rich mid-range and crisp high-end
6. Westerly 12-String Jumbo Archback Guitar
The Guild F-2512E Maple is a stunning combination of a twelve-string and a jumbo guitar, both of which Guild has been known for since 1954. This guitar is designed to deliver a full-toned, impressively voiced acoustic experience, thanks to its solid spruce top, maple sides, and arched maple back. The jangly tone that is characteristic of Guild's twelve-string guitars is present in the F-2512E Maple, making it a popular choice for musicians who want a bright sound.
Guild's signature arched back design enables the F-2512E Maple to produce great volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound. The Fishman-designed AP-1 electronics ensure that the guitar's sound is captured accurately when it is amplified. The pau ferro fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, pearl rosette, period-correct tortoiseshell pickguard, and satin polyurethane finish all contribute to the guitar's high quality.
It is important to note that natural wood has a unique spirit and can vary greatly in color richness and wood grain. As a result, the product shipped may appear lighter or darker in color than the product shown here.
- Combination of a twelve-string and a jumbo guitar for a full-toned, impressively voiced acoustic experience
- Solid spruce top, maple sides, and arched maple back deliver a jangly tone
- Guild's signature arched back design provides great volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound
- Fishman-designed AP-1 electronics ensure that the guitar's sound is captured accurately when it is amplified
- Pau ferro fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, pearl rosette, period-correct tortoiseshell pickguard, and satin polyurethane finish contribute to the guitar's high quality
- – None found
7. Janerock's Complete 12-String Guitar Bundle
Experience a full and vibrant tone with this 12 string guitar, featuring the classic dreadnought body design. The combination of spruce top and mahogany back and sides material produces a richer and brighter sound that will surely captivate your audience.
The neck of this 12 string guitar is equipped with a built-in adjustable truss rod, ensuring stability and maintaining tuning for a longer period of time. Additionally, the chrome-plated sealed design of the gear prevents dust and liquid erosion, making it durable and long-lasting. This feature also provides more precision in tuning, giving you a more accurate sound every time.
This 12 string guitar comes complete with a gig bag, strap, tuner, picks, and strings so you can start playing right away. The gig bag provides protection and easy transportation, while the strap ensures comfortable playing. The tuner, picks and strings are all essential accessories for any guitar player, making this package a great value for your money.
- Produces a full and vibrant tone with its dreadnought body design
- Built-in adjustable truss rod ensures stability and maintains tuning
- Chrome-plated sealed design prevents dust and liquid erosion, making it durable and long-lasting
- Comes complete with a gig bag, strap, tuner, picks, and strings, making it a great value for your money
8. Takamine Tsp-158c12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar – See-Thru Black
The 12-string acoustic-electric guitar is a stunning instrument that is perfect for both beginners and professionals alike. It features a Sitka spruce top that is known for its excellent sound quality and durability, ensuring that it will last for years to come. The ebony fingerboard adds a touch of elegance and provides a smooth playing experience that is perfect for any style of music. The maple back and sides provide a warm, rich tone that is sure to please any listener, while the maple neck ensures that the guitar is comfortable to play for extended periods of time. This guitar is finished in a beautiful see-thru black that adds a touch of style and sophistication to any performance or recording session.
Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned professional, this 12-string acoustic-electric guitar is an excellent choice. Its high-quality construction and beautiful design make it a top choice for musicians of all levels.
- High-quality Sitka spruce top for excellent sound quality and durability
- Ebony fingerboard for a smooth playing experience
- Maple back and sides for a warm, rich tone
- Comfortable maple neck for extended playing sessions
- Stylish see-thru black finish adds a touch of sophistication to any performance or recording session
9. Takamine Gj72ce-12nat Jumbo Cutaway 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar
The jumbo 12-string guitar is a perfect combination of solid spruce top and flame maple back and sides that produces robust sound beyond players' expectations. It features a slim mahogany neck and a 12-inch radius bound rosewood fingerboard that provides excellent feel and playability. The Taka mine TK-40D preamp system is installed with a built-in tuner, three-band EQ and gain controls, mid-contour switch, notch filter, and EQ bypass switch, providing players with ultimate versatility and exceptional sound quality. Its elegant natural gloss finish adds an extra layer of beauty to this already stunning guitar.
- Solid spruce top and flame maple back and sides create a perfect combination for a robust sound.
- Slim mahogany neck and 12-inch radius bound rosewood fingerboard provide excellent feel and playability.
- Taka mine TK-40D preamp system gives players ultimate versatility and exceptional sound quality.
- The built-in tuner, three-band EQ and gain controls, mid-contour switch, notch filter, and EQ bypass switch enable players to tailor their sound to their liking.
- The elegant natural gloss finish adds an extra layer of beauty to the already stunning guitar.
10. Esp Ltd Tl-12 Thinline 12-String Acoustic Electric Guitar, Black
The LTD TL-12 Black is a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar that is perfect for any musician. With a Mahogany Body and a Maple Top, this guitar delivers a rich and warm tone that is perfect for any style of music. The Mahogany Neck and Rosewood Fingerboard provide excellent playability and comfort, making it easy to play for long periods of time.
This guitar is equipped with a Rosewood Bridge that features a Graphtech Nubone XB Saddle, which enhances the overall tone and sustain of the guitar. The Set-Neck Construction and 25" Scale with 22 Jumbo Frets create a solid and stable playing experience, while the Thin-U Neck Contour ensures a comfortable and natural feel for your hands.
The Pickup on this guitar is a B-Band Electret Film Transducer, which delivers a clear and natural sound that accurately captures the nuances of your playing. The B-Band T-7 Preamp with Onboard Tuner allows you to easily adjust your sound, and ensures that you are always in tune.
Overall, the LTD TL-12 Black is an excellent choice for any musician who wants a high-quality acoustic-electric guitar that delivers exceptional tone, playability, and versatility.
- High-quality materials provide rich and warm tone
- Comfortable playability with Set-Neck Construction and Thin-U Neck Contour
- B-Band Electret Film Transducer Pickup captures natural sound
- B-Band T-7 Preamp with onboard tuner for easy adjustments
Best Strings For 12 String Acoustic Guitar FAQs
Are coated strings a good option for a 12 string acoustic guitar?
Coated strings are a great option for a 12 string acoustic guitar, as they can provide a longer lifespan and a brighter tone compared to uncoated strings. The coating on the strings can protect them from dirt, sweat, and oils, which can cause corrosion and reduce the lifespan of the strings. This is especially important for a 12 string guitar, as the extra tension and stress on the strings can cause them to wear out more quickly.
Coated strings also tend to have a smoother feel and produce less finger noise, which can make playing more comfortable and enjoyable. However, it's important to note that coated strings may not be ideal for everyone, as some guitarists prefer the natural feel and sound of uncoated strings. Ultimately, the decision to use coated or uncoated strings comes down to personal preference and playing style. It's always a good idea to experiment with different types of strings to find the ones that work best for you and your guitar.
Can I use electric guitar strings on a 12 string acoustic guitar?
No, you cannot use electric guitar strings on a 12 string acoustic guitar. The strings for an acoustic guitar are thicker and have a higher tension than those for an electric guitar. The tension of the strings is important for the sound of the guitar and can affect the playability of the instrument. Using electric guitar strings on an acoustic guitar can result in poor sound quality and potentially damage the guitar. It is important to use the correct strings for your specific instrument to ensure the best sound and longevity of the guitar. Additionally, 12 string acoustic guitars require specific sets of strings designed for that specific instrument, which are not interchangeable with electric guitar strings or other types of acoustic guitar strings.
How often should I change the strings on my 12 string acoustic guitar?
As a general rule, it is recommended that you change the strings on your 12 string acoustic guitar every 2-3 months if you play frequently. However, the frequency of string changes can vary based on a number of factors such as the type of strings you use, how often you play, and the humidity and temperature conditions in which you store your guitar.
It's important to keep in mind that old strings can affect the overall sound and playability of your guitar. Aged strings can lose their tone and become dull, making it harder to produce a clear and full sound. Additionally, old strings can also become harder to play due to dirt and grime buildup, making it more difficult to execute certain techniques like bending and vibrato.
If you notice that your guitar's tone is lacking or that the strings are difficult to play, it may be time to change them. Ultimately, the best way to determine when to change your guitar's strings is to pay attention to how they sound and feel over time.
What are the best strings for a 12 string acoustic guitar?
When it comes to choosing the best strings for a 12 string acoustic guitar, there are several factors to consider. It's important to select strings that provide a balanced tone and good projection, while also being durable enough to withstand regular playing.
One popular option is phosphor bronze strings, which are known for their warm, rich tone and long-lasting durability. These strings provide a good balance between brightness and warmth, making them suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
Another option is silk and steel strings, which have a softer, more mellow tone that is well-suited to fingerpicking and other delicate playing styles. These strings are also easier on the fingers, making them a good choice for players who are just starting out.
Ultimately, the best strings for a 12 string acoustic guitar will depend on your personal playing style and musical preferences. It's important to experiment with different types of strings until you find the ones that sound and feel the best for you.
What gauge of strings should I use on my 12 string acoustic guitar?
When it comes to choosing the right gauge of strings for your 12 string acoustic guitar, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, the gauge of the strings will affect the overall tone and feel of your guitar. A heavier gauge will produce a fuller, richer sound, but may be more difficult to play, while a lighter gauge will produce a brighter sound and be easier to play.
It's also important to consider the type of music you'll be playing and your playing style. If you play primarily fingerstyle or strumming, a lighter gauge may be more suitable, while if you play primarily with a pick, a heavier gauge may be better.
Ultimately, the best gauge of strings for your 12 string acoustic guitar will depend on your personal preferences and playing style. It's worth experimenting with different gauges to find the one that feels and sounds best for you. As a general rule, medium gauge strings (0.012 – 0.054) are a good place to start for most players.