The Algonquin 12 String Acoustic
Our solid wood Sitka and Bolivian Rosewood 12-string acoustic guitar took over a decade to design and perfect.
Hallmark features:
Solid Sitka Spruce Top
AAA-grade solid spruce for bright, powerful tone with incredible clarity.Solid Bolivian Rosewood Back & Sides
Deep bass and rich overtones from premium solid tonewoods.Dovetail Neck Joint
Traditional neck-to-body construction for optimal tone transfer and structural integrity.Low Action and Proprietary Neck Design
Comfortably low string height and a unique neck profile make this 12-string surprisingly easy to play.Skilled Small-Batch Craftsmanship
Assembled in a small factory setting where experienced hands ensure consistency and tone.Includes Deluxe Case
Every Algonquin 12 ships with a premium archtop hardshell case—no upcharge, no compromise.
Direct to musician
I am Algonquin, the one and only member of the family with 12, count em, 12 strings.
I'm also the first of the siblings to be born with the great Alberta body.
My brothers and sisters all get great customer reviews, but none have quite the 'WOW" factor of mine. Not bragging, just saying.
Specifications
Dimensions
Materials
Extras
Description
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.
The MacKenzie & Marr Algonquin 12 is an exceptional acoustic guitar known for its impeccable craftsmanship and rich tonal qualities. Designed by the renowned Canadian guitar company MacKenzie & Marr, the Algonquin 12 combines traditional construction techniques with modern innovations to deliver a superior playing experience.
At the heart of the Algonquin 12 is its solid AAA grade Sitka spruce top, which provides a well-balanced and resonant sound. The back and sides are crafted from solid Bolivian Rosewood, adding warmth and depth to the guitar's tone. This combination of tonewoods creates a harmonious blend of clarity, projection, and dynamic range, making it suitable for a wide range of musical styles.
The Algonquin 12 features a comfortable, easy-to-play mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard, ensuring smooth playability and excellent intonation. The precise fretwork allows for effortless chord transitions and intricate fingerpicking patterns. The guitar is also equipped with high-quality hardware, including Grover tuners and a bone nut and saddle, which contribute to its exceptional tuning stability and sustain.
One of the standout features of the Algonquin 12 is its stunning aesthetics. The guitar boasts an elegant, minimalist design with tasteful appointments such as herringbone purfling, a vintage-inspired tortoiseshell pickguard, and tasteful binding. The attention to detail in the construction and finishing is evident, creating a visually striking instrument that is as much a pleasure to look at as it is to play.
The MacKenzie & Marr Algonquin 12 is a meticulously crafted acoustic guitar that offers outstanding sound, playability, and aesthetics. Whether you're a professional musician or an avid enthusiast, the Algonquin 12 is a worthy instrument that will inspire and elevate your musical journey.
FAQ
Do I need to tune the Algonquin down to protect the guitar?
Many 12-string players tune down a full tone because the extra string tension can put added stress on the bridge, top, and neck. On some 12-strings, that can lead to lifting bridges, bellying tops, or neck movement over time.
The Algonquin 12 was built with those concerns in mind. After six years of Algonquin 12 sales, we have had no issues with lifting bridges, bellying tops, or bowed necks, even on guitars tuned to standard pitch.
Of course, some players still prefer the warmer, deeper voice of a 12-string tuned down a full tone. That is a musical choice. With the Algonquin 12, it does not have to be a defensive one as well.
Why did you design the Alberta body shape for the Algonquin?
The Alberta body is a MacKenzie & Marr design developed to combine the power and projection of larger guitars with the comfort and balance players appreciate in smaller instruments. First introduced on the Algonquin 12, the design proved so successful that it later became the foundation for the Ian Tyson Inspiration.
A great 12-string should sound big, rich, and expansive. The Alberta body provides the internal air volume needed to produce strong bass response, impressive projection, long sustain, and the lush chorus effect that makes 12-string guitars so captivating. At the same time, it remains more comfortable and manageable than many full-size jumbo guitars.
The result is a guitar that rewards energetic strumming with a huge, room-filling voice while remaining comfortable enough for extended playing sessions. It delivers the sound and presence players expect from a larger guitar without the bulk often associated with one.
For a 12-string designed to inspire big chords and big sounds, the Alberta body proved to be the perfect foundation.
Is the Algonquin really easier to play than most 12-strings?
Yes. In fact, that’s probably the most common surprise we hear from new Algonquin owners.
Many guitarists love the sound of a 12-string but eventually stop playing one because of high string tension, difficult action, hand fatigue, or the extra effort required to fret twelve strings cleanly. Over time, some players come to accept that discomfort as simply part of owning a 12-string.
The Algonquin was designed to challenge that assumption.
Its Alberta body, carefully designed neck geometry, professional setup, and balanced construction work together to create a 12-string that feels remarkably approachable. The result is a guitar that delivers the rich, shimmering sound players want from a 12-string while remaining comfortable enough for extended playing sessions.
It’s still a 12-string, and it still produces the big, inspiring voice that has made 12-strings famous. What surprises many players is how little effort it takes to get there.
If you’ve always loved the sound of a 12-string but worried about playability, you’re exactly the type of player the Algonquin was designed for.
Why are so many players surprised by the Algonquin’s sound?
Most guitarists expect a 12-string to sound bigger than a 6-string. What many don’t expect is the depth, sustain, and richness the Algonquin brings to every note.
At MacKenzie & Marr, we design our guitars around three sonic goals: projection, sustain, and in-key overtones. The Algonquin delivers all three in abundance. Its AAA Sitka Spruce top and Bolivian Rosewood back and sides combine to produce a powerful voice with strong bass response, long sustain, and the lush harmonic character that makes a great 12-string so captivating.
The result is a guitar that sounds larger, richer, and more complex than many players expect. Single notes seem to linger, chords bloom with harmonic detail, and the entire instrument feels alive in your hands.
Many new owners tell us they expected the Algonquin to be easy to play. What they didn’t expect was how difficult it would be to put down.
Videos
Cena
Garry
I was looking at new 12 strings and nothing was feeling right or sounding right in my search.
I came across the Algonquin. Read the reviews and watched some videos on the guitar. It looked like it was just what I was looking for.
I am not one to order guitars off the internet, but I am glad that I took the chance.
The guitar is beautiful and the sound is astonishing. It is very comfortable to play.
I had my luthier put an LR Baggs Hi Fi system in as I had a new one that I decided to use.
Sound is amazing playing it through a Boss stage acoustic amp.
Thank you Mackenzie and Marr for producing such a great guitar.
