I got my first 6-string
Down at the 5 & Dime
Played it 'till my fingers bled
Was the summer of 69.....

Well, not quite. It was 1974and it was a 12 string jumbo acoustic. Cost me £40 and I learned to play on it. Thing is, I need a new one as the old one is just about unplayable. The top is bowed all outa shape, and you could drive a bus through the gap between the strings and the fret board. The Frets are all worn down and stuff. Shame really, cos' it used to sound wonderful.

The last time I played it was for some old folks on New Years Day. They loved it cos they don't get much in the way of entertainment, but by the time I'd finished my fingers were blistered and bleeding. I have a nerve/muscle disorder (among other things) so my hands aren't what they used to be.

So why am I telling you this? I'm thinking of buying a new one. I did a search last night on the net and there are literaly thousands. So let's narrow the field a bit. I need a left-hand 12 string acoustic with some sort of elecro pick-up. Tanglewoods look nice but I've never played one.
Oh and my budget is about £300-£400 ($800)

Thanks for reading this.
(Remarks about rendering one in Bryce will be ignored.)

so is this you then Chris? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdTtcOM_kcA

Oh, but wouldn't it be nice to be able to use Bryce as a 'replicator'!

I've played for forty . . .   erm, for a long time. Guitars, in my experience, are somewhat a matter of personal preference, assuming you get a decent quality model. With your budget that should be no problem.  My only advice is that if you can't find one you like with a pickup on it, there are some excellent pickups available - 
Here are a couple from Martin:
http://www.musician.com/product/Martin-Thinline-Goldplus-Acoustic-Pickup-System?sku=300255

http://www.musician.com/product/Martin-Thinline-332-Acoustic-Guitar-Pickup?sku=300251

Helpinstill also makes a nice line. These are designed to not go in the sound hole but under or just behind the bridge. This makes for far better performance and cleaner appearance as well.

Anyway, good luck in your search. It's always good to hear of another musician going the mile to preserve their art. Music is wonderful, but there's nothing quite like playing it yourself.

Ken

I started with a Yamaha 6-string in '73. You could slice cheese with it, but I taught myself how to play (I'm left handed as well). Alas, I discovered after 6 months, that I play backwards and upside-down, but I still get a kick out of freaking out othe guitarists..;)

Not much of an expert on Acoustics, but there's any number of places that will sell through the mail, and on line. I get something (or used to) called The Musician's Friend. Catalog of all sorts of musical stuff.

If you're having finger problems, I'd recommend going to a couple of music shops and trying things out first. One thing that might be up your alley is a Fender acoustic with an 'electric' neck. You're looking for an 'action' on the strings that's fairly close to the fretboard (so you don't have to push hard to make chords, etc).  I don't know what the problem is (whether strength, control, or both), but there's no substitute for just picking one up and playing for awhile.

Hope you find out what you're looking for.

Gog: Yeh! I wish! Actually I prefer JerryC's version. His nps is much higher and I prefer his guitar. I wish I could get hold of that backing track just for the hell of it!!!!!!!

 I do have an electric. I had it built for me about 20 years ago. It's beautiful, but it's a six and very heavy. And the amp - a Session Sessionette 75 - wieghs a ton and I can't carry it around anymore, even with a car !!!

Svarg: I have a Barcus Berry (SS) on the acoustic but I was thinking I'd prefer a built-in pickup. I've been playing for around 32 years- not that I'm any good now, although I did have my own band - rock, pop middleoftheroad stuff. I could play any rythmn you can name, but I stick to pretty traditional stuff these days.

Pakled: (whether strength, control, or both),  all of these and more. I have a tremor I have to deal with sometimes too. But thanks for the good advice. I heard that Fender acoustics aren't that good though. Yeh, a nice low action would be cool and I'd have to use very light strings, say 007 up.

OK,.............I've been playing for 40 years,..............played proffesionally for 18 years, I still play in bands as an avocation(anybody wants the latest CD, just e-mail me with your home addy and I'll send you one),..............I would recommend you look at Takemine, quality and value, a very good  guitar IMO. Or Taylor,..........a bit more expensive, but still a good value.

I played in bands for about 13 years, but as we rarely got paid, I doubt that makes us professionals..;) (Best take was $1,000 for doing a gig on the deck of the USS NC, and they paid us before we set up!....nubies..;)

I have a 12 string, it's...uh..hang on a sec (reaches over) Epiphone. A cheapy, but does ok.
Been out of the business for a number of years..but hope you find something like what you want.

I was semi-pro for nearly 12 years. Earned a small fortune. Made a couple of records - you remember 45's ?   Then my health collapsed.

I once played at Wembly with QUEEN on their Kinda Magic tour!!  They were in the stadium and I was in a pub across the road................true!

Played a pub in North London when a brick came through the window. Dented the lead guitarist's Strat and nearly took my head off. Glass everywhere. I packed my guitar there and then and went home. The landlord said it had nothing to do with our playing, and paid us.  I reckon if we'd have had a drummer he'd have died.

I remember we got a gig in a social club and the year's contracts were up for grabs. We played the sound-check and they gave us the contracts, so we couldn't have been that bad. 
 I was asked to go on tour in Ireland, but at the height of the 'Troubles' they couldn't guarentee my safety so I said no. 
Jeez! but this brings back some memories..................

Well, I’ve just started playing a 6 string steel acoustical guitar and am taking evening classes at a local college. Ang25 has even gotten into it. Anyway, not real much I could depart to you all guitar salts, but I hope you make a great buy Bryster. Music always brings joy.

I second Takemine. A great guitar for the price. I have a 26 year old Martin HD-28 in mint condition but I rarely play it. My real passion is my Gibson RB-250 Mastertone 5-string banjo, its a blast to play. Since learning the banjo I've lost interest in the guitar.

I've been playing for about two years and can manage a mean version of Twinkle, Twinkle....

Sigh...I used to have a left-hand Gibson-SG...........but I broke the neck......the only time I nearly cried on stage..................I'm sure I posted a pic of its replacement here somewhere.....

Looks like Takamine and Taylor don't do left-handers.......but thanks for the tips anyways.

Having said that, the list of pros who own a Taylor is awesome. Geddy Lee, Greg Lake.....etc etc

I had a Sears 'SG' in my misspent yute (first electric..I've had about 3), the pickups were so shoddy you could shout into them, and hear it through the amp. Also made a good cheese grater and cat-scratcher..;) Always wanted a Les Paul, but could never afford one (if you have to ask..;)

'63 Gibson Melody Maker, '72 Strat, 2003 Strat (my baby), Marshall 100w amp. My garage was filled with PA equipment for years until I finally sold it off. Now I can get the car in there. Played for a living for many years (30 years ago), but I never wore spandex. I tease our bass player to this day. He keeps insisting his wasn't Leopard skin, just bright blue, but now I got his kids calling him "Leopard Skin Tights Man". He, of course, loves me for this.
You can hear a few of my tunes over at AcidPlanet.com where I'm 'KGraves'. Not as much rock these days, but I'll never quit playing my ax!

Attached Link: http://www.jerryc.co.uk/

I don't play guitar, but I have known Kurt Listug (who owns Taylor Guitars) for about 40 years or so (we went to junior high and high school together).

He was and still is a really nice guy.  Shall I ask him for a deal on a 12 string whatchamacallit and see if he whacks me one upside my head??

Oh, never mind ... I just read the post where you said they don't do "left handers".  I wonder why not??  I'll have to ask Kurt.

Attached Link: http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/AN16LH.htm

... I got a left-handed penny whistle... :biggrin: If I could get a Taylor, I would!! Very nice guitars!

You might try South Paws of Texas in Houston. They deal strictly in lefthanded axes.

Sackrat: Thanks for the link! Just goes to show I'm no good at hunting things done on the net!!

Ricky: Way to go, girl! Yes please,  go ask him if he has a Taylor 12-string LEFT-HAND jumbo with a desent pick-up.......If he wacks you one, I'll sort him out with the back-end of my current 12-string.....

Raven: Many thanks for the link! I'll give it a shot but don't expect to see the results here....:lol:

Svarg: Many thanks to you too, my friend!

Taylor 12-string left hand jumbo with a decent pick up.  Got it.  I'll call on Monday and ask him.