I have 2 yamaha 12 strings, lower end models.. The volume and tone are fine, but the necks are terrible. The rod is sprung on the oldest, but it's used now for slide work. The newer one, I tune down a step, even for fingerpicking in open tunings (c,g,d). It rings like a bell, has good clarity, but the action is a little higher than I like. I can't get it adjusted down without causing buzzing. It compares favorably to Alverez and Takemine 12-strings, but was blown WAY out of the water by a Breedlove Atlas and a Taylor 12. But, my used yamaha, cost 150 bucks.