If you can find a used Guild for a good price, w/a good straight neck, needing little repairs, & not seriously abused, it is probably the way to go. Though Guild 6-string's are more variable, their 12's are (were) usually great; I own a Martin, a Gibson, a Cheap Alvarez, and a heartbreaking Takamine (in 12-strings) The first 3 sound quite good; possibly the old Gibson's the best but it's huge (more-or-less classical width) neck is a major handful. I too have encountered some used Yamaha's that seemed good.

In terms of newer 12's, I'd have to fall back on what many other's have said; for the hi-$$ it's hard to fault the Taylor's I've played, but amazingly enough, I've been almost equally impressed by the Seagul 12's; they appear to be more consistant than their 6's, & really excellent, &, while less pretty, sound & finger great - Somewhat hard to beat at any price, & they are extremely reasonably priced, if you shop well.. I'd look seriously at several of the Seagull 12's before buying anything. As many others have said - If at all possible, get around, play a lot of 12's before comitting. Of course, there'll always be another time...

As for the heartbreaking Takmine: Solid top, rosewood sides & back, beautiful.. outstanding sound, (w/your eyes closed you might well have thought it was one of the great Guilds), fingered well, great price due was cracked. Went to disassemble it to do needed repairs & found the &**%$#**&@ neck is DOWELLED ON!!! CHEAP TRICK!! DISGUSTING!! Can't de disassembled in the normal mannagable manner & hardly worth repairing... DO NOT BUY A TAKAMINE unless you can bet your life it will not need major repairs.

1 man's opinion

Cheers, BK