12 string guitar recommendations

[OctaneV8]

Hi guys, I'm looking for advice on purchasing a 12 string acoustic guitar, perhaps with electro amp built-in if the package is right.


Yamaha has interested me with their sturdy, high standard of manufacturing and I already have a pacifica electric which offers good quality and value.

Questions,

Would anyone know what is the difference between their APX and FGS range of 12 string guitars?


Also is the nut width important: this seems to be around 43mm on Yamaha.

I have seen some guitars have 46mm, for example the Canadian Seagull range which seems to get good reviews.

Hoping to try some different examples before I can really decide what feels best.

Many thanks.

[davepoth]

Seagull guitars do have wider necks than most, even in the six string models - it's good for fingerstyle. I'd say that whichever feels nicest is the one to buy. In that sort of price range, don't discount Tanglewood.

[PVN]

I have a Yamaha APX 8-12 which I have owned for for about 12 years or so from new. To my mind it was the best sounding 12 string on the market at that time both acoustically and amped up. Especially amped up due to the piezo bridge pick up and the suspended microphone with variable mixing. A lot of 12 strings at that time, and maybe now for all I know, just had a bridge pick up which gave a very bright sound that, for me, didn't work with the already bright natural 12 string sound.

At 6'5" I have quite large hands and find the neck is a good width. I don't have any problem fitting three fingers on for an A chord for example. It's also fine for finger picking.

The build quality is excellent as you would expect from Yamaha. The sound is still good and despite loads of use the neck is still true and the action good. I would thoroughly recommend one. I haven't tried the later generations so can't comment on them. I hope this helps.

PVN