I began to get interested in 12 strings as a result of skulking about in Neil Harpe's website and from time to time hearing some very intersting sounding instruments...or maybe it's just Neil's great playing. I don't know. So I bought a 1970's vintage Harmony Stella that was a near wreck and had Larry Stevens do a little work on it. Not bad for less than $180 all in. I like playing it, but it's not quite what I am looking for for the long haul. I'm sort of a guitar snob (please don't give me any crap about it), and I recently added an investment grade Gibson that is fantastic, but it's not a guitar that I'd feel comfortable taking out into the weather or traveling with.

Yesterday, I found a new Seagull Coastline S12. Cherry back and sides and cedar top. Holy Shit! I played it along side two maple Guilds, one made in China for around $1000 and the other selling for around $1700. I also compared it to four Taylors, two mahogany with spruce tops and two all koa models. They were priced from $1700 to around $2700.

Cutting to the chase, the Segaull selling for just under $500 including a super light and very cool Tric case, was clearly the best of the lot! The neck and action are perfect for me, (a little narrower than the older guitars). The sound is full and bright. It has that jingle-jangle sound that I love in a 12 string, and it's loud. I can play it lightly or I can lean into it; it really sounds great. Makes me happy. These guys up in Canada are doing some really good work, and at reasonable prices. Thought I'd pass it along.

[This message has been edited by raggyblues (edited 04-27-2008).]

Glad you like the Seagull. They are definately great values.

To drive-south. I bought the 1961 B-45 that was on Neil Harpe's site. It's a very lovely piece. Pristine, except for a couple of capo gouges on the back of the neck. The saddle needs a little attention in order to be set up correctly for my style of playing,and I intend to have that done soon. It is bassy, yet very smooth and balanced. It's got that Gibson growl, but not as much volume as the Seagull which really sings.

I also have a Guild D25-12 from 1990 that is stable like a rock. It stays in tune forever.

Enjoy your' new 12's. You should consider setting one up for slide and keep 1 in standard tuning.

I enjoy 12 fret guitars a great deal. The shorter reach is easy on my arthritis, and they usually sound quite good (I guess because of bridge and soundhole placement). So, I have commissioned Mr. Stevens to build a 12 fret J-185. We're using mahogany and Adirondack spruce. Nothing at all fancy, we're not even using binding on the back. We just want to test my hunch that it will sound great and be really accomodating to play. Oddly, I've never seen or heard of one on the market.

We'll keep you posted.

I saw a case full of Seagulls at Elderly today and they sure are inexpensive - lotta bang for the buck. The only thing that troubles me is I often see them on the used list being sold "As-Is" w/ things that need being done - on 3 and 4 year old guitars.