Been playing 12 string, professionally for over 45 years. Have owned
most of them, and almost gave up playing. The 12 string evolution has been a very painful, and longtime coming. I've played Martin's, Guild's, Gibson's, German Hoyer's, Japanese Yamaha's. They all sounded great, but were horrible playing instruments. Not until the production of lighter gauge, custom designed strings; and the complete re-engineering of the guitar's neck, did I rediscover the joy of playing a 12 String Guitar. 10 years ago, while waiting for the yearly checkup of my 1966 Martin 0018, I pulled a top end, Norman 12 String, off the rack and gave it a run. To my dumbfounded suprise, it had the smoothest action of any guitar I'd ever played. After talking to my Lutier, Mark, I rushed home to get my checkbook, and literally, changed my life.   As far as I'm concerned, the Canadian guitar maker, Godin,
his son's Simon and Patrick, the high-end Norman and Seagull guitar's, are the best thing's going. Selling my 50 year old Martin; (need's to be played). Can't put down my 12 String.