A twelve-string acoustic creates a lush, shimmering sound that makes everything you play sound bigger and more textured. This CD-140SCE 12-String pairs that magic with a solid spruce top and ovangkol body for genuinely good tone, plus Fishman CD-1 electronics so you can plug in when you need to be heard. The single cutaway is especially welcome on a 12-string, where you might want to explore higher voicings and melodic runs.

The fact that Fender includes a hardshell case at this price is a real value -- cases for 12-string guitars can be surprisingly hard to find and expensive to buy separately. The dreadnought body provides the volume and low-end fullness that helps all those paired strings ring out with presence. Whether you're after that classic Byrds jangle or the orchestral sweep of an unplugged 12-string, this is a lot of instrument and accessories for the money.