Best 12-String Electric Guitars
The electric 12-string guitar produces the definitive jangle tone of 1960s rock: The Beatles (George Harrison's Rickenbacker 360/12 on "A Hard Day's Night"), The Byrds (Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker), Tom Petty, R.E.M., and The Eagles.
Like acoustic 12-strings, each string is paired with a companion — bass strings (E, A, D, G) with strings an octave higher; treble strings (B, high E) with unison strings. The natural chorus/shimmer effect is the defining characteristic.
What Makes Electric 12-String Different
Narrower string spacing: 12 strings in a standard guitar neck width — strings are closer together. Takes adjustment from 6-string playing.
Higher string tension: Tuning 12 strings creates more neck tension — 12-string electrics need robust necks.
Pickup response: The paired strings' slight tuning/phase differences create a natural chorus effect that is amplified by electric pickups — especially noticeable with Rickenbacker's toaster pickups.
Best 12-String Electric Guitars
Rickenbacker 360/12 — £2,200 | Best Electric 12-String
Semi-hollow thinline body, two Rickenbacker Hi-Gain humbuckers (toaster pickups), R-style tailpiece, 12-string headstock, Rick-o-sound stereo output. The Rickenbacker 360/12 is the definitive electric 12-string — the jangle is unmistakable and immediately recognisable.
The Beatle connection: George Harrison's Rickenbacker 360/12 was given to him by the company in 1963 — the "A Hard Day's Night" opening chord is this guitar. Roger McGuinn (Byrds) is the other defining 12-string electric Rickenbacker player.
Best for: Players who specifically want the Rickenbacker jangle sound. Players who want to recreate Beatles/Byrds tone authentically.
Fender Electric XII — £1,400 | Best Non-Rickenbacker 12-String Electric
Offset waist body (Jazzmaster-influenced), Fender-designed split pickup (specifically designed for 12-string), longer 25.5" scale, individual saddle bridge for accurate intonation. The Fender Electric XII was originally produced 1965–1969 and relaunched in recent years.
Best for: Players who want electric 12-string character with Fender body aesthetics and pickup voicing.
Danelectro 12SDC — £450 | Best Budget Electric 12-String
Semi-hollow Danelectro construction (Masonite body), lipstick pickups, 12-string configuration. The Danelectro 12SDC is the most affordable genuine electric 12-string — the lipstick pickups and semi-hollow body produce a bright, jangly tone reminiscent of the 1960s originals.
Best for: Budget players who want electric 12-string character without Rickenbacker prices.
Eastwood Sidejack 12 — £600 | Best Mid-Range Electric 12-String
Mosrite-inspired offset body, two Eastwood humbuckers, 12-string configuration. Eastwood specialises in reproducing vintage and obscure guitar designs — the Sidejack 12 brings Mosrite surf aesthetics to 12-string electric.
Best for: Indie, surf, and 60s-inspired players who want 12-string jangle at mid-range price.
Electric 12-String Tuning
Most electric 12-strings are tuned to standard pitch — the paired strings handle the octave relationship automatically by string gauge selection. Lighter string gauges (9-46 or 10-48 for the main strings, with octave pairs) reduce tension. Some players tune down a half-step (-1 semitone) to reduce tension and ease playability.
Choosing Between These Four
Want the exact, historically definitive electric 12-string tone? The Rickenbacker 360/12 isn't just a strong option — it's the actual instrument that created the genre's reference sound with Harrison and McGuinn. If authenticity to that specific jangle matters, nothing else fully substitutes.
Want 12-string character with different body aesthetics and pickup voicing? The Fender Electric XII's offset body and purpose-designed split pickup offer a genuinely different (not lesser) take on electric 12-string tone, worth considering if the Rickenbacker's specific sound isn't what you're after.
Need genuine electric 12-string character on a real budget? The Danelectro 12SDC's lipstick pickups and semi-hollow Masonite construction deliver an authentic 1960s-adjacent bright jangle at a fraction of Rickenbacker pricing — a real instrument, not a compromise toy.
Drawn to surf and 60s-inspired aesthetics at mid-range price? The Eastwood Sidejack 12's Mosrite-influenced design fills a specific niche between the Danelectro's budget positioning and the Fender/Rickenbacker's premium pricing.
Common Mistakes
Underestimating the adjustment period from 6-string playing. As the FAQ below notes, narrower string spacing and higher tension genuinely change the playing feel — expect several weeks of adaptation, not an instant transition, even for experienced 6-string players.
Using standard 6-string string gauges on a 12-string. The paired-string tension math is different — lighter gauges (9-46 or 10-48 for the main strings, with appropriately matched octave pairs) are standard specifically to keep overall neck tension manageable; using heavier gauges than recommended risks excess strain on a neck not built for it.
Assuming any 12-string guitar produces "the" jangle tone. As the guide explains, the jangle comes from the specific combination of paired-string chorusing and bright pickup voicing (Rickenbacker toasters, Danelectro lipsticks) — a 12-string with a warmer humbucker voicing produces a related but distinctly different character.
Buying a 12-string as a first electric guitar. The narrower spacing, higher tension, and general playing adjustments make a 12-string a poor choice for players still building fundamental technique — it's an instrument best added once 6-string playing is already comfortable.
ToneStakr's Take
For players who specifically want to chase the Beatles/Byrds jangle sound, the Rickenbacker 360/12 is worth the investment precisely because it's not just a good 12-string — it's the actual reference instrument the entire jangle-pop and folk-rock tradition was built around. For players wanting genuine 12-string character without that price tag, the Danelectro 12SDC delivers real, usable jangle rather than a diminished imitation, making it the strongest budget recommendation here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 12-string electric guitar?
The Rickenbacker 360/12 (£2,200) for the authentic, historically definitive jangle tone. The Danelectro 12SDC (£450) for the best budget electric 12-string with genuine character.
What is the electric 12-string jangle sound?
The natural chorusing effect produced by paired strings with slight tuning and phase differences, amplified by bright pickups (Rickenbacker toasters, Danelectro lipsticks). This combination produced the defining sound of The Beatles, The Byrds, and later Tom Petty and R.E.M.
Is 12-string electric harder to play than 6-string?
Yes — narrower string spacing and higher overall neck tension require real adjustment. Most players adapt within two to four weeks of regular playing, though chord changes and bends may feel noticeably different even after that adjustment period.
Do I need a special amp for a 12-string electric guitar?
No — a standard guitar amp works fine. Some players prefer amps with more headroom and clarity (like a clean Fender-style platform) to let the natural chorusing effect and additional harmonic complexity come through clearly, but no special equipment is required.
Can I tune a 12-string electric down for easier playing?
Yes — some players tune down a half-step to reduce string tension and improve playability, similar to techniques used on standard 6-strings. This is a reasonable adjustment, particularly for players still acclimating to the instrument.
Is the Fender Electric XII a good alternative if I don't want a Rickenbacker?
Yes, genuinely — it's not simply a Rickenbacker substitute but a distinctly voiced instrument in its own right, with a purpose-built split pickup and different body design. Worth considering on its own merits rather than only as a fallback option.