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Yamaha LL16-12 ARE Original Jumbo 12-String Acoustic-electric Guitar - Natural

Acoustic-electric 12-string Guitar with Solid Engelmann Spruce Top, Solid Rosewood Back and Sides, and Ebony Fingerboard - Natural
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Item ID: LL16R12HB
Yamaha LL16-12 ARE Original Jumbo 12-String Acoustic-electric Guitar - Natural
Price:$1,199 and 99 cents
Special Financing - Ends Aug 2, 2026. $34/month with 36 month financing*

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Yamaha LL16-12 ARE Original Jumbo 12-String Acoustic-electric Guitar - Natural
Backordered - More On The Way! Notify me
Price:$1,199 and 99 cents
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Frequently Asked Questions

Yamaha LL16-12 ARE Original Jumbo 12-String Acoustic-electric Guitar - Natural

Q: What is Yamaha's A.R.E. treatment, and how does it affect the sound of the LL16-12 ARE?

Q: Who is the Yamaha LL16-12 ARE 12-string guitar designed for?

Q: How does the SRT Zero Impact pickup system work on this guitar?

Q: What kind of playability can I expect from the LL16-12 ARE's neck?

Q: What materials are used in the construction of the LL16-12 ARE, and how do they contribute to its sound?

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A Premium Acoustic-electric 12-string Guitar from Yamaha

When you need a guitar with exceptional tone and playability, check out the Yamaha LL16 acoustic-electric 12-string guitar. Part of Yamaha's legendary L Series, the LL16 uses a hand-selected, solid Engelmann spruce top treated with Yamaha's A.R.E. process and solid rosewood back and sides to give you a rich, warm-sounding guitar with full-range response. The 5-ply mahogany/rosewood neck sports not only a smooth-playing ebony fretboard, but also a new, slimmer neck shape and an enhanced fingerboard edge. A passive SRT Zero Impact pickup uses a separate element for each string to give you authentic plugged-in tones. The updated Yamaha LL16 12-string delivers killer tone, elegant 12-string shimmer, and superb playability in a premium acoustic-electric guitar.

Innovative construction yields a better guitar

The great tone and smooth playability of the LL16 are enhanced by Yamaha's A.R.E. (Acoustic Resonance Enhancement) wood torrefaction, which gives your guitar a broken-in and aged tone. By controlling the atmospheric pressure, temperature, and humidity, the molecular properties of the wood are manipulated to mirror those of a guitar that has been played for years. Each L Series guitar also features modified non-scalloped bracing that enhances the guitar's low end. And the 5-ply mahogany/rosewood neck, after a revaluation of string height and spacing, presents a new design for improved playability.

Hand-selected spruce top for great tone

Sweetwater knows that the choice of top wood can powerfully affect the sound of an acoustic guitar. For the LL16, Yamaha chose a premium, hand-selected solid Engelmann spruce top. Chosen as much for its look as its tone, the top has a well-rounded, articulate sound with excellent projection — and its tone is only made better by Yamaha's A.R.E. wood torrefaction process. The guitar's solid rosewood back and sides provide exceptional bass and powerful punch, and they simply look great.

A full-range passive pickup system

Yamaha's SRT Zero Impact pickup was designed to deliver a faithful reproduction of the LL16's natural, dynamic sound. They also designed it to be inconspicuous in terms of its impact on the guitar's looks and tone. The passive design doesn't use a bulky preamp that's routed into the body, detracting from the instrument's looks and resonance. Instead, each string has its own piezoelectric element, yielding full and accurate transmission of that beautiful 12-string jangle. There is one important point to remember: because this is a passive pickup system, you'll need to use an external preamp when plugging in the Yamaha LL16.

Yamaha LL16 Acoustic-electric 12-string Guitar Features:

  • Innovative guitar design gives you an amazing-playing and great-sounding instrument
  • Hand-selected solid Engelmann spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides provide rich tone and projection
  • A.R.E. process "ages" the wood molecules to match the tone of naturally aged guitars
  • 5-ply mahogany/rosewood neck has been redesigned for today's guitar player
  • Updated non-scalloped bracing pattern delivers a fuller low end
  • Passive SRT Zero Impact pickup uses individual piezo elements for each string

Why Buy Your Guitar from Sweetwater?

See how Sweetwater goes to great lengths to give you the very best online guitar buying experience. From our online Guitar Gallery that allows you to see and select the exact instrument you want to our 55-point Inspection process and our in-house guitar techs, we take the guesswork out of buying your next guitar online.

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Tech Specs

  • String Type: Steel
  • Number of Strings: 12
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Original Jumbo
  • Back & Sides Wood: Solid Rosewood
  • Top Wood: Solid Engelmann Spruce with A.R.E. treatment
  • Finish: Urethane Gloss
  • Color: Natural
  • Body Bracing: Non-scalloped
  • Neck Wood: 5-ply Mahogany/Rosewood
  • Neck Shape: Traditional
  • Fingerboard Material: Ebony
  • Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
  • Number of Frets: 20
  • Scale Length: 25"
  • Nut Width: 1.81"
  • Bridge Material: Ebony
  • Tuning Machines: Die-cast gold tuners
  • Electronics: SRT Zero Impact pickup
  • Case/Gig Bag: Softshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: LL16-12HB

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Reviews

Yamaha Quality

I love playing this guitar.

The string spacing is amazing easy to fret.

I'm impressed with the quality of the sound and the build of this beautiful guitar.

The embellishments alone, put the guitar in a higher priced level. But the construction of this guitar is just beautiful!

I looked at 12-string guitars from great guitar builders, but I really couldn't find any significant differences that warranted me paying another $ for a great guitar.

I also own a Yamaha LL-6Ex that turns 15 this year and it just keeps sounding better and playing better than when it was new.(yes, I do need a fret job)

I think this 12-string won't disappoint even an advanced player.

Music background: I play piano, and guitar
The Best 12-String Guitar I've Ever Owned
I have been playing guitar for a decade now. I own four other twelve string guitars, one acoustic 6-string guitar, and an electric guitar. Three of those guitars are Yamaha's. This one I have always had my eyes on and I wanted it so bad, the opportunity presented itself to buy it so I did. This guitar is the best guitar I have EVER played.

1. For a twelve string, action has been the big thing for me. Something both my Epiphone and Applause Balladeer have been terrible at. The action on this guitar is PERFECT, and I mean perfect. I can go up the fretboard and down the fretboard and make clear and clean chords without buzzing or having to mash down on the fretboard. The action is very similar to my other two Yamaha 12-strings I own (the FG 411CE-12 and the FG 820-12). However, the action on this guitar somewhat beats my other two Yamaha's.

2. The resonance and tone of this guitar is unlike anything I have ever heard in my life. My other four 12-strings don't hold a candle to the resonance and tone of this guitar. My FG 820-12 and FG 411CE-12 come close to this. Both my Epiphone and Applause Balladeer both don't have this kind of resonance and tone this guitar has.

3. This guitar looks beautiful. It has the special binding around the headstock of the guitar, something I wished Yamaha would've put on the FG 820-12. The wood used on the body is very similar in looks to my FG 830 I own. It is very aesthetically pleasing to look at and also is one of the contributing factors as to why and how this thing sounds the way it does.

This guitar has become the workhorse in my stable and you should add it as well. I can truly say this is the best guitar I own. Thank you to both Dontae Harris (who is no longer with the company who got me started) and to Ben Blanchard for taking care of me with excellent customer service and quick delivery time. This guitar was well worth the wait and I love it so much.
Music background: I've been playing guitar for 10 years, taught myself how to play. I am a guitarist for the music ministry at my church for the last 7 years. First instrument was a Tambourine.
Incredible 12 string
I already owned a Yamaha ll16D (6 string) and it plays and sounds like a top of the line Martin... While I also have a Gibson 185 Custom I still spend more time on the Yamaha.... so with that experience in mind I decided to try the 12 sting version. Now paying close to a grand for a Yamaha acoustic is not the norm but this line of guitars may be one of the best in the industry.

The guitar came with the lowest action I'd ever seen on a 12. I had light strings installed at Sweetwater as well as a strap button. Outside of that the rest is just what Yamaha sent. The fit and finish are flawless. The wood grain is tight and the tuners are fine.

As for the sound.... WOW. I have owned many 12's over the years with mostly mixed results. This one sings. The fret board width and neck thickness fit my hands perfectly. The A.R.E process they use makes a real difference in how these guitars sound.

Overall..... I'm thrilled. Thanks to Kurt and his great staff for all the help.
Music background: Guitar/ bass player for at least 50 years
Incredible!
My showbiz partner of 20-some-odd years owns an FG300 he bought back in 1971 and I always thought it was decent, but never considered Yamahas as top-end instruments. But then I saw a demo video on Youtube where a salesman played it for a minute or so. Then he strummed it once and looked at the camera with a smile. The sustain made my eyes bug out. Figured maybe I'd buy one someday, then along came another salesman who offered me a deal I couldn't refuse on a new one. Took it out of the carton, then out of the gigbag, checked the tuning, then gave it a light workout. Wow! Sounded great without a set-up and made my hands feel like I could do anything. The LL16-12 is now my main axe and I'm glad I was convinced to get it. You should do the same. You won't be sorry. Thanks, Sweetwater!
Music background: intermediate guitar player
Love at 1st Strum
The most playable 12 string acoustic I have ever played. I was floored at the volume this guitar produces. The neck profile doesn't feel cumbersome at all and allows me to hold most chord shapes without strain or fatigue. Fit & finish are beautifully flawless. I haven't plugged it in yet so I can't comment on the amplified pickup sound. I am more than satisfied with just the acoustic tone unplugged. The soft-sided case is an added bonus and is more robust than any deluxe gig bag I have.

I bought this 100% online without playing one in any store. I knew I wanted one for my home studio and it checks all the boxes. I would buy it again if needed.
Music background: Bassist, Guitarist, Producer.