Tacoma DM18-12E4

I am not sure which year this was made, but it's a USA built Tacoma 12 string dreadnought. All solid wood, sitka top, mahogany sides and back. It has the Fishman Prefix Plus electronics. The finish is a transparent glossy lacquer. Nice abalone inlays, and abalone soundhole ring, tortoise shell binding. Looks great.

The guitar sounds great. It's a 12 string so it's folk chord heaven. I play it amplified mostly, through a Peavey session 500, and it sounds incredible. The fishman electronics are truely excellent, with almost no feedback issues and a great tone. It sounds MUCH better through my session 500 (a 250 watt solid state amp, pretty much designed for acoustics) than any tube amp I've tried. Much cleaner sound.

I am not particularly picky or experienced about acoustic tone. But I will say the Tacoma sounds great unplugged. The Seagull I almost bought had a boxier, deader sound than the Tacoma, which is broad and open sounding in comparison, although only moderately loud. It doesn't rumble, but it has a very well-balanced sound.

I bought the guitar used, but it is in very good condition. It plays very well, with low action and minimal buzzing. The build quality is very good, the top is extremely well bookmatched with nice even grains and virtually no flaws. The inlays and binding are excellent. Nut is cut perfectly, and the compensated saddle provides excellent intonation. I was scared of how in-tune it would play but it is fabulous, better than many six strings I've played. Not sure of the tuners, but I assume they're Gotoh's like all Tacomas. They work fine.

I haven't had it long, but I've been playing it a lot, both at home and with the band. It holds up just fine. It's so damn pretty (and I usually avoid such guitars) that I take extra special care of it.

No warranty on this one, I bought it used. I happen to have a six string Tacoma also, which has had more than one problem ;-( They have been extremely forthright about fixing it for me however (I've been working with Elderly Instruments in Lansing, these guys rock), and since I love the guitar (minus the problems) I am content with their support. The six string I bought new included a lifetime warranty that they have faithfully honored.

I've been playing for 15 years. This is my first twelve string, and I had been shopping for quite a while. I really wanted a Seagull 12, mainly due to the great price on those boys, and had been watching Ebay like a hawk for one to come along I could snatch up. Then out of nowhere I saw the Tacoma and immediately bought it. With the fishman electronics these things go for 1200$ new easily. I couldn't be happier. I will never buy an acoustic without electronics again, and I will never skimp on electronics again. Fishman Prefix Plus is the standard that I will hold all acoustic pickups to. Sure I love playing it quietly at home, but to get huge sound out of it and mix it with an electric band is just too much fun.