12 fret Acoustic Guitars - Are They Better??

For those getting arthritis in their hands, the 12-fret guitar is much better. I have a Taylor 322 CE and it eases up a bit on the left hand index finger joint especially when playing the open C, Dm, or Am chord. Recently, I've tuned the guitar down a full step, put a capo on the second fret, and makes it SOOOO much easier on arthritic hands. It does limit the play up 12 frets, but hopefully will give me another 2-5 years of playing!

It's funny (for me at least) that Martin guitars are usually associated with deep lows and the Taylor guitars with brightness, but when it comes to 12-fretters, the Taylors have more bass and the Martins are brighter.

Willie Nelson has done pretty good with a 12 fret guitar.

You guys always put out great content. I like the 00 Martin.

Took me a long time to decide on my Taylor 812ceN and it's the best decision I've ever made when it comes to guitars. Love the sound and the look.

12 fret guitars - Are they better?? YES!

1:59 very true, I do. Even with capo on 3rd fret (ex: playing Landslide) I don't venture much up the neck.

I want all of them!!!!!

Just got a 322E Taylor. LOVE IT! I discovered 12 fret acoustics about 20 years ago and now have 3 of them.

I invested in a Taylor 312ce 12 Fret LTD NAMM 2018 a month back and just love it. With crisp clear fundamentals combined with melodically accompanying overtones, this guitar delivers a warm and vibrant tonal quality with strong base projection, a full bodied mid range and strong highs, what’s not to like? As a finger picker, this guitar hits all the notes with such clarity and vibrancy. And the level of control, moving from subtle nuances to bold punchy voicing, this guitar has it all... in abundance. Of course, like all Taylor 12 Fret guitars, the playability is outstanding. And finally, the cleverly selected tone wood combination of a Lutz Spruce top with Tasmanian Blackwood back & sides and a sunburst finish, this guitar is not only a complete experience to play but also fantastic to look at. Playing and owning this guitar is a genuine pleasure. Nice one Taylor...

Way back in the 80' as early teen I learned on a small 12 fret steel string slotted head guitar passed from my grand father, didn't know these were called "parlor" :) I played it to death. For me this is still where I "feel home", now getting back to this size.

Great comparison, thanks! I think though that what you're saying about the slotted headstock and nut breaking angle has to be checked. The angle of the strings is often the same, because the neck/headstock angle is less sharp than on a plain headstock, to compensate the fact that strings are plunging into it...

I thank for your opinions. Some reviewers don’t even talk about the guitars, but only experienced guitarists can tell the good ones from the bad ones. So, I need your opinions.

Bought my 1st high end acoustic. Played 10-12 guitars, but simply could not get away from the taylor 812 12 fret absolutely love it.

I've played pretty much everything and I'm always perusing in guitar stores but the best acoustic I've ever played was the comparatively modest Tanglewood TW73. Join at 12 fret, diminutive in size, Asian made (but so what...) and the thing just sings. Incredible guitar. My friend won't sell me his so I'm gonna have to win at ebay.

I’ve been rocking a Taylor 322 (no cutaway) for almost two years now. Absolutely love it!

I will say this for 12 fret guitars if it wasn’t for the Taylor 812 E my wife bought almost 2 years ago she would not be the player and songwriter and singer she is today, she has limited mobility in her left hand because of an accident and arthritis and a full-size guitar was making it very hard for her to play but once she got her Taylor 12th fret everything changed she may only be able to play five Open cowboy chords but now she can play them extremely well so thank you to Taylor for bringing back the 12th fret guitar, her next one she wants is a koa k12

I like the Parlor style guitars because it’s easy to play on the couch, or even lying on the bed. It’s the natural al choice of the travel guitar, so I end up playing more than the dreadnaught style ones. Also, even the parlors’ range of the sounds (from low to high) is limited for their small bodies, I felt that the sound of the parlor( spruce top mohagany back/side) projects better than other guitars(according to my subjective feeling). Also, I can enjoy the sounds of th steel string, which is a good contrasting view with the classical guitars.

They sound sparkleier.. Lol.. More magical.. Dreadnaught have like a good boom if you need it and they also produce a decent strum.. 12 fret guitars are for more intricate pieces.. I prefer them tbh

Very nice, especially the Taylors..