Yamaha

Yamaha APX700II-12 12-String Acoustic-Electric Guitar - Natural

3.6 (45 reviews)

Yamaha's thinline 12-string acoustic-electric delivers rich, full sound with exceptional playability and stage-ready amplification.

$749.99*
In Stock on Amazon.com
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jun 04, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Yamaha APX700II-12 brings the lush, chorus-like shimmer of a 12-string guitar into a modern, performance-oriented package. Built around Yamaha's proven APX thinline body shape with a single cutaway, this guitar solves the two biggest complaints about traditional 12-strings: uncomfortable bulk and difficult upper-fret access. The solid spruce top provides the bright, articulate attack needed to let all twelve strings ring out clearly, while the nato back, sides, and neck deliver a warm, balanced midrange that keeps the overall sound musical rather than harsh. The rosewood fingerboard offers a smooth, familiar playing surface, and the die-cast chrome tuners help maintain tuning stability — a critical factor when managing twelve strings under tension.

Where the APX700II-12 truly distinguishes itself is in amplified performance. Yamaha's System 64 preamp paired with the ART 1-way pickup captures the guitar's natural resonance without the piezo quack that plagues many acoustic-electric systems. This makes it a strong choice for gigging musicians, worship teams, and singer-songwriters who want that signature 12-string fullness on stage without wrestling with a bulky instrument or fussing with external pickups. The 634mm scale length is slightly shorter than a standard acoustic, which eases string tension and makes barre chords across all twelve strings more manageable. While the thinline body does trade some raw acoustic volume for comfort, the tradeoff is well worth it for players who primarily perform amplified or in studio settings.

Key Features

Thin body cutaway guitar

Solid Spruce top w/Mahogany back & sides

Rosewood fingerboard & bridge

ART 1-way pickup system

Specifications

Top
Solid Spruce
Back & Sides
Nato
Neck
Nato
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Bridge
Rosewood
Strings
12-String
Body Depth
80–90mm (3 1/8" – 3 9/16")
Nut Width
46mm
Scale Length
634mm
Tuners
Die-Cast Chrome
Preamp System
System 64 1-way A.R.T.
Body Style
Thinline Cutaway

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Solid spruce top produces rich, resonant tone with excellent projection for a thinline body
  • Thin body profile and cutaway make it far more comfortable than traditional bulky 12-string guitars
  • Built-in ART pickup system delivers natural amplified sound without needing an aftermarket pickup
  • Die-cast chrome tuners provide reliable tuning stability across all 12 strings
  • Rosewood fingerboard and bridge contribute warm overtones and smooth playability

👎 Cons

  • Nato back and sides are a more economical tonewood compared to solid mahogany found on higher-end models
  • The 46mm nut width can feel cramped for players with larger hands navigating 12 strings
  • Thinline body sacrifices some acoustic volume and bass depth compared to full-depth 12-string guitars
  • The ART 1-way pickup system lacks the tonal shaping flexibility of more advanced two-way or three-way systems

Frequently Asked Questions

It uses Yamaha's exclusive ART (Acoustic Resonance Transducer) 1-way pickup system with the System 64 preamp, designed to capture the guitar's natural acoustic tone when amplified.
Yes, the thinline body design (80-90mm depth) and cutaway shape make it significantly more comfortable and accessible than traditional full-depth 12-string guitars, especially for extended playing sessions.
The scale length is 634mm and the nut width is 46mm, which provides adequate string spacing for fretting 12 strings cleanly.
It features a solid spruce top for projection and clarity, with nato back, sides, and neck for warm midrange support, plus a rosewood fingerboard and bridge.
No, a case or gig bag is typically sold separately. Given the 12-string configuration, a properly fitted hardshell case is recommended for protection.