Oscar Schmidt OD312CE 12-String Dreadnought Cutaway Acoustic Guitar - Tobacco Sunburst Finish | Perfect for Live Performances, Studio Recording & Campfire Singalongs

Despite a two day delay in UPS hub in Louisville, KY, my delivery was a day sooner than originally expected as UPS upgraded the service due to the delay. I was supposed to get it on the 24th, I received the instrument on the 23rd via UPS and it got to me in perfect condition, tuned down about a step which is a good thing when shipping or storing a 12-string unused for an extended period. I immediately tuned it to concert pitch and had to tweak the truss rod just a bit to get rid of a few string buzzes, but otherwise it was otherwise pretty well set up and the tuning drift is well within what one would expect from strings that have just been tuned to concert pitch for the first time. Playing the Bb bar cords at the first fret is easier on this than on most 6 strings I've played. Beautiful instrument but no front strap post but the neck seems rugged enough to use a guitar strap with the attachment strap just above the nut. Good action, brilliant, clean tone and the tuner was close enough that it will get you well within an acceptable range. My sister and I played a duet, with her guitar tuned on another tuner and it was close enough that we didn't need any tuning tweaks to sound good together.I have been playing since I was 13 and am now a part the Geritol generation with a bad back but nimble fingers and good ears and this is one of the nicest 12 strings I have ever played. The neck is a bit thicker than some 6 strings 12 strings I've played in the past, but the instrument is very well made, quite attractive and has a very good degree of tone and balance up and down the neck. The harmonics are spot-on at the 12th and 7th frets and with the flat fingerboard, capos a lot better than many 6 and 12-strings I have played. I am imagining that my descendants are going to be using this instrument a long after I'm gone.This is one of the best bangs for the buck I have ever found out there and I would recommend this as a viable guitar for anyone who wants to play a 12-string. It may not have a fancy name and not cost more than a 2010 Hyundai, but it is a serious, good quality instrument. This is the second 12-string I've owned. My previous 12-string was a very high end Yamaha bought in the 1990s and this plays and sounds better than one I paid over twice the price for (or almost 4 times as much for in terms of 1990s dollars) and would undoubtedly sell for at least $800 nowadays.One thing is does have is both 1/4" (6.35mm) and DIN sockets so it will be good for any kind of sound setup. This is a serious instrument and Taylor has done a really good job of keeping their sound in what is essentially to Taylor as Applause is to Ovation. It may be relatively inexpensive, but it is a serious instrument with all the features that make high-end instruments easy to set up as well. Even if it doesn't project as well as a few higher end makes, it will hold up to most situations and the pickups sound good enough on an amp where this is essentially an non-issue as the equalization on the pickup is very nicely done. The guitar came with both a 1/4 guitar cord and the Allen wrench for the truss rod and that is all one really needs if the guitar is well made. The machine heads are a good design, and are the kind that are adjustable, if you know what you are doing - just use the proper sized Phillips screw driver in excellent condition to prevent damage to the screw heads and tweak it in stages to prevent over tightening which will accelerate wear on the machine heads. The overall quality of components, plus a quick look at the interior bracing and construction with an angled inspection mirror and flashlight showed good, well-glued bracing and over all good construction. An extremely good instrument for the price.