12 String Acoustic Guitar Advice?

[JamesMio]

I'm toying with the idea of getting a 12 String acoustic for fannying about with and re-picking up the guitar again. I've spotted an Ibanez in our local music shop for about £300, which is really about what I would be looking to spend.

There's also a Freshman dealer in town here, does anyone have any experiences of either brand? I used to have a 6-string Ibanez acoustic, and whilst it played really nicely it wouldn't hold it's tune worth a toss so I'm a bit sketchy about them now. (It was at least 3rd hand before I bought it so it may well have taken a bash in it's former life!)

Have you played it? Play the guitar, see what you think. I've never played a 12 string before, but it migth be easier if you get back into playing with a 6-string first?

Ibanez are generally good guitars...your old one musta had shot tuners!

Matt

[JamesMio]

The Ibanez in the shop did play nicely, really nicely in fact!!

I've not stopped playing as such, I've got an old vintage Telecaster that I occasionally pick up for a quick twang on (criminal having such a beast sat unused so often I know!), but just prefer the acoustic side of playing. Plus I'm rubbish at electric stuff!!

[fizzwheel]

Not got any experience of either of the brands you are looking at.

I've got a Takamine Jasmine 12 string, it sounds beautiful, its got a massive body on it so you get good volume and tone to.

So they might be worth looking at it was £289 when I bought it years ago so it oughta be in your price range.

I play it mostly as a 6 string though as I like the wider fretboard as it feels more comfy than a normal 6 string does. I also found the 12 strings made mincemeat out of my fingers as I had to rebuild my calllous' up on my fingers.

I know somebody that has a 12 string Yamaha for sale , I have an Ibanez Iceman IC550 and that beast plays beautifully

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Ooh, ohh, a Paul Stanley guitar... I want one now!!!

Sorry dude , only 20 of these were made in error , you can get an IC500 but not a 550 like mine , Ibanez still send me emails to this day enquiring if I would like to return it to them for a princely sum of money ......... No Deal is my reply

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Sorry dude , only 20 of these were made in error , you can get an IC500 but not a 550 like mine , Ibanez still send me emails to this day enquiring if I would like to return it to them for a princely sum of money ......... No Deal is my reply

Hmm, going to Anglesey for a track day in August. Must start plotting a smash and grab raid on the way past.

You shall have to pop in and give her a whirl mate

Don't worry about brand names, play a couple and it will be painfully (intended) obvious which are the good ones, a sweet playing 12 is a joy to own. I made my own out of a 6 string which came out pretty well (if bizarre looking at the headstock). If playability is more important than volume, a set of super light 12 string sets make a big difference.