Best 12-string guitars 2024: our pick of 12-string acoustic and electric guitars

A Fender Villager 12-string acoustic on a guitar stand at a gig
(Image credit: Future)

It happens at some point in every guitarist's career. Whether you finally want to play 'Hotel California' or 'Wish You Were Here' properly, or just fancy trying an instrument a little different from your regular six-string, we all get the bug to try one of the best 12-string guitars.

A 12-string lends a totally unique tone to your playing thanks to its doubled strings, with the bottom four strings doubled an octave higher and the top two doubled in unison. A 12-string will add a completely different timbre to those tired old licks and chord progressions, allowing you to inject new life into your songwriting and performances.

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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