Algonquin 12 String Acoustic Guitar | Page 2 | MACKENZIE AND MARR GUITARS

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Algonquin 12 String Acoustic Guitar

A Solid Wood Spruce and Bolivian Rosewood 12 String Guitar


The Algonquin 12 string solid wood acoustic guitar
Availability: 
In Stock

Our solid AAA grade Sitka Spruce and Bolivian Rosewood 12-string acoustic guitar. With direct pricing, it is half the price of comparable models.

After more requests than we can count from owners of our other models, we introduced a 12 String acoustic guitar. The Algonquin 12 with its AAA-grade Sitka top and Bolivian Rosewood back and sides has been a huge hit. It easily outperforms 12 strings costing 3 or 4 times as much.

Suggested Retail Price: 
CAD $4,200.00
Your Price: 
Price:CAD $1,499.99

There was a time in this fair land when only six strings would ring. The new Algonquin 12 changes that, and does so at an (almost) affordable price.

Crafted with a AAA grade bookmatched Sitka Spruce top and AAA grade book-matched Bolivian Rosewood back and sides, the guitar is (modesty alert.....) spectacularly beautiful. If all an owner did, was hang it on their wall, they would have a sculpture that would be the envy of the art world. BUT, and a big BUT to boot...this guitar is a 12 string that hits every player's expectation and then goes on the exceed them.

For more than a decade we've been asked for a 12 string guitar that would meet the standards of our six-string models.....a beautiful solid wood acoustic with an easy action and a full, rich sound.
We made a number of prototypes over the years but were never 100% satisfied with the results. Then, in 2018 design work began for a new body shape. What became the Alberta Jumbo was destined for the Ian Tyson Inspiration but from day one we saw it as a perfect foundation for a 12 string guitar.

The big Alberta body is a refined Jumbo shape - punching out full, fantastic, overtone-rich bass notes and adding just a hint of "attitude" to mid and treble notes. It is ideally suited for the jangly characteristics of a dedicated 12 string acoustic.

UPDATE:

We were so blown away by the sound and playability of the production sample that arrived from the workshop in September we jumped the gun and announced availability before most of the marketing assets were in place. No videos, no 360-degree rotating image etc. We expected a few people asking for a 12 would pre-order, and pretty much everyone else would wait for more details before deciding. We were wrong!

Preorders have been coming in at a rate faster than any other guitar we've introduced. We're now getting close to selling out of the March 2021 availability, and that's before anyone has actually heard the guitar. When videos finally go up on the site it's going to be nuts. This guitar leaves any other 12-string in the same price range in the dust. The truth is that it is more than the equal of $3,000 to $4,000 guitars.

Owner Reviews

R W from West Grove

Mon, 12/06/2021 - 12:48

Fantastic sound and playability. I picked it up and played my favorite 12-string songs I hadn’t played in couple of years with ease. Beautiful workmanship.

Kevin from Roseburg 97470

Wed, 11/17/2021 - 22:21

Such a sweet guitar! Worth every minute of the wait and every dollar spent . Fit and finish are way way more than expected for the price range. It beats my original Taylor 12 in playability and sound. Thanks guys

David from Altoona

Wed, 11/17/2021 - 21:45

Probably best $1100 guitar I have seen and played. I have 5 12 string guitars now and have sold/given away many more. The most important feature is the sound. Each string strummed sings independently and harmonizes perfectly with rest with “no muddiness” in the middle that you get with cheaper guitars. This stays in tune almost perfect with great tuners. Beautiful to look at and admire. Sounds great when plugged in. You will not be disappointed.

Orlando from Mastic

Wed, 11/17/2021 - 20:16

A beautiful and affordable guitar that fulfills all the wishes for a great 12 string. From day 1 I was blown away and I could not put it down. Now it is one of my top three go to guitars for strumming and funning. Could not have asked for a better axe.

Carl from Olympia

Wed, 11/17/2021 - 17:07

I'm an experienced player, home studio owner, producer and singer songwriter. Over the 50 years I've been seriously engaged with these activities, I've played a wide variety of guitars and I own a variety of acoustics that cost me anywhere from $80 to $4,000. Guitars strike me as a personal choice, I'm not sure what I can say that will help anyone decide, but I can tell you why the Algonquin 12 works for me. 1) It works for my voice. I can sing what I've previously written and it will effortlessly support my voice. The only other acoustic guitar that I have that works as well is a six-string Goodall that cost me $4,000, used. 2) It inspires me to write. When I play it, I find a wide variety of intriguing sounds that lead me in new directions and because it supports my voice, I'm able to easily follow up on what I'm hearing by singing against this new palette. 3) It records extremely well. Acoustic guitars can be difficult - either too "boomy" or lacking in body. This guitar makes it easy. Again, the only other guitar I have in this category is the Goodall. 4) It's easy to play. It has a clear voice, stays in tune, has easy action and is way less temperamental that the other 12 strings I've owned or played. I'm so used to working harder on an acoustic 12 string, particularly on the Martin 12 string this instrument replaced, that it took me a couple of minutes to find my bearings. 5) I can stop looking for a new 12-string. About 45 years or so ago I played a Martin 12 string that I couldn't afford, the memory of which became the yardstick against which all other 12 strings have been measured. With the Algonquin 12 I've finally put that ghost to rest. To everyone who made this possible, please accept my sincere thanks. One more thing - John was wonderful to work with when the shipping company mangled my well packed guitar. Guitars are personal and hard to recommend, but good service is easy. I've never had someone on the other end of the phone show the level of care and respect for my emotional well-being as John did. If you are worried about after sales service, I can ease your mind on that count.

Gerald from Toronto

Tue, 11/16/2021 - 17:52

Wonderful addition to my collection. Vibrant sound, readily tunable, easy to hold seated or standing. I am enjoying its ringing tones changing the sound of old favourites.

Douglas from Killeen

Mon, 08/02/2021 - 14:08

The Algonquin 12 string arrived in flawless condition. It looks and sounds just great.The Baggs PU was installed but the end that holds the battery needed to be taped down, so I took care of that. I plugged it in, made the adjustments on the insert. I am very pleased. The cases is suitable for traveling with no worries. Thank you, MacKenzie and Marr. I already owned the Ian Tyson model 6 string with the venetian cut-away and its my baby. But I have taken the 12 string out on-stage and its a hit! I have been playing since 1968. I already own a Martin SPD 6string, a 1972 Martin D 28 and a 1972 Martin D 41. But the Mac's are at the top of my list. Once again, a HUGE Thank You!

Ron from north attleboro

Fri, 07/23/2021 - 09:53

Sounds great, plays great, and looks even better. Comes in a really nice case. I was so impressed with this guitar I ordered the Riverboat Dread.

Nathan from London

Fri, 07/23/2021 - 09:25

Having ordered the 12-string online without playing it first, I was apprehensive. It was a pleasant surprise that it arrived in only two days. When I took it out of the case, I was struck with the quality of its finish, the Grover tuners, and the fine spruce and rosewood construction. It is a really fine-looking instrument. It had been tuned to standard 'E' tuning, and I lowered it to a 'DGCFAD', which I prefer on a 12-string. I tried a few tunes which fit best on a 12-string, like "Walk Right In" and was so pleased with its lovely tone and sustain. I've been playing it for two weeks I have not installed a battery and tried it with an amplifier so cannot comment on that. I can't tell if there is a truss rod or some way to adjust the neck if necessary. I really enjoy playing this guitar and so far, I am satisfied that it is a very good guitar at a very good price.

John from Riverside

Mon, 07/19/2021 - 09:50

Twelve strings are the conundrum of the guitar world.  The really good ones either self destruct like flamenco instruments or achieve a day in the sun because they were terribly overbuilt and can accidentally withstand the abuse of years of heavy handed playing and poorly chosen strings. There are a few nicely crafted instruments which don't have a reputation for sounding very good.  There are a few handmade instruments with quirky designs at very high prices and there are roughhewn historic relics best known from black and white photographs and 78 recordings.  You can't help but wonder "what if?" The Algonquin probably costs less in adjusted dollars than Leadbelly's Stella.  The quality of the build however is equal or maybe even superior to any instrument on the market.  The top is a AAA grade spruce,  The grain is not only fine, it is perfectly uniform across the width of the top.  You can read about wood like this but this is the first time I've actually seen it.  There is also an extremely fine, uniform bear claw figure which rivals the very best curly grain imaginable. The back and sides are beautifully matched Bolivian rosewood.  I've seen some pieces of old growth Brazilian which were almost this intense and colorful.  The grain is straight enough to please those who cater in that direction and just wild enough with vibrant white center chevron to spark a long conversation.  It probably starts with "Wow." The black binding with a w/b accent is subtle and dignified.  A couple times I wondered "what if" but now I think this was the right choice,  A white or maple binding isn't warranted.  There's a nice M&M rosette with a simple abalone ring.  The neck has their customary matte finish - a pleasure to hold.  There's a nicely carved volute, and a headstock with Grover Rotomatics.  I can hear Leadbelly wondering "what if?" The D'Addario light gauge strings are more than adequate to drive the guitar to railroad trilogy crescendos.  What's really nice is the instrument responds equally well to a really light touch.  No, really light!  You can sing over a chorus of sound with a fullness that just doesn't happen with a six string. I've got the tuning lowered a half step.  One day I may drop it down to D.  I don't foresee any problem with the strings or with the action.  Gordon, eat your heart out!

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Specifications

Dimensions
Neck Profile: 
Shallow "C"
Frets To The Body: 
14
Scale Length: 
646 mm (25.4 inches)
Fretboard Radius: 
355mm (14 inches)
Neck width at nut: 
48 mm (1.88 inches)
E to E string spacing at nut: 
41 mm (1.6 inches)
Body Style: 
Alberta Jumbo
Width at Upper Bout: 
29 cm (11.4 inches)
E to E string spacing at saddle: 
60 mm (2.35 inches)
Width at Waist: 
22.5 cm (9 inches)
Width at Lower Bout: 
41cm (16 inches)
Body Depth: 
10 cm (4 inches) at the neck - 12.5 cm (5 inches) at the end-pin
Body Length: 
51.5 cm (20.5 inches)
Materials
Body finish: 
Gloss lacquer
Neck finish: 
Polished satin lacquer
Fretboard and Bridge: 
Macassar Ebony
Neck: 
African Mahogany (Akoumé)
Tuning Machines: 
Grover mini rotomatics
Body Back and Sides: 
Solid bookmatched rare Bolivian Rosewood
Body Top Wood: 
Solid bookmatched AAA grade Sitka Spruce
Nut & Saddle: 
Genuine bone
Bracing: 
Hand scalloped Spruce X bracing
Strings: 
D'Addario EJ38 light gauge (10-47) phosphor bronze
Body Binding: 
Ebony
Bridge Pins: 
Bone
Extras
Case: 
Professional arch top hardshell case (included at no additional cost)
Electronics: 
Optional L.R.Baggs Anthem

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