Developed with knowledge that can only be gained through decades of experience, the GC series represents our handcrafted line of classical guitars, constructed at Yamaha's guitar workshops in Japan and China. Close attention to detail and careful selection of the finest wood materials ensures that their instruments are of the highest quality. Whether you choose the warm, sweet tone of cedar or the clear, rich resonance of spruce, discerning players will always experience outstanding tone and clarity.
Developed with knowledge that can only be gained through decades of experience, the GC series represents our handcrafted line of classical guitars, constructed at Yamaha's guitar workshops in Japan and China. Close attention to detail and careful selection of the finest wood materials ensures that their instruments are of the highest quality. Whether you choose the warm, sweet tone of cedar or the clear, rich resonance of spruce, discerning players will always experience outstanding tone and clarity.
in 3 offers
The lowest price for Yamaha GC12S Handcrafted Classical Guitar Natural right now is $1,139.00 at Mannys, compared across 3 retailers.
The all-time low was $999.00 on 12 May 2026 — today's price is 14% above the lowest ever. That's a little above the best price we've seen.
Prices last updated 10 June 2026.
Yamaha GC12S Handcrafted Classical Guitar Natural
Developed with knowledge that can only be gained through decades of experience, the GC series represents our handcrafted line of classical guitars, constructed at Yamaha's guitar workshops in Japan and China. Close attention to detail and careful selection of the finest wood materials ensures that their instruments are of the highest quality. Whether you choose the warm, sweet tone of cedar or the clear, rich resonance of spruce, discerning players will always experience outstanding tone and clarity.
Developed with knowledge that can only be gained through decades of experience, the GC series represents our handcrafted line of classical guitars, constructed at Yamaha's guitar workshops in Japan and China. Close attention to detail and careful selection of the finest wood materials ensures that their instruments are of the highest quality. Whether you choose the warm, sweet tone of cedar or the clear, rich resonance of spruce, discerning players will always experience outstanding tone and clarity.
Last updated at 10/06/2026 01:03:25
Yamaha GC12S GC Series All Solid Mahogany Classical Guitar w/ Spruce Top
Delivery $24
Yamaha GC12S GC Series All Solid Mahogany Classical Guitar w/ Spruce Top
Delivery $24
Yamaha GC12S Classical Guitar - Spruce Top
Delivery between 11–24 June $10
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
Yamaha's equivilant to the Cordoba C9, both with solid mahogany back and sides and solid spruce or cedar top. I've played both. The Yamaha is a much better instrument all around, and sounds and plays like a dream. VERY refined tone. Cordoba likes to put heavy truss rods in their guitars, for some unknown reason. It makes the guitar heavy and awkward, and you will never ever adjust it. The cedar is much nicer than the spruce, by the way. This guitar is NOT bass heavy, or "favor the lower registers" as some reviewers have said. That's a general statement for cedar/mahogany, and does not apply to the GC12 cedar. This guitar sparkles in the trebles, and has a tight, refined tone in the bass. Put on high tension strings and lower the action, which is too high from the ... MoreYamaha's equivilant to the Cordoba C9, both with solid mahogany back and sides and solid spruce or cedar top. I've played both. The Yamaha is a much better instrument all around, and sounds and plays like a dream. VERY refined tone. Cordoba likes to put heavy truss rods in their guitars, for some unknown reason. It makes the guitar heavy and awkward, and you will never ever adjust it. The cedar is much nicer than the spruce, by the way. This guitar is NOT bass heavy, or "favor the lower registers" as some reviewers have said. That's a general statement for cedar/mahogany, and does not apply to the GC12 cedar. This guitar sparkles in the trebles, and has a tight, refined tone in the bass. Put on high tension strings and lower the action, which is too high from the factory, as on most guitars. If you can't afford a 5,000 - 10,000 guitar, but want a very high quality factory made instrument, go for this. Another reviewer is right in that the rosewood models (GC22 and up) are not worth the extra money, in my opinion.
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
I've played the gc22s and the gc32s. First off, this guitar plays better with the matte finish on the neck. Secondly, and this was a surprise, the gc12c sounds better. Much crisper highs, deeper basses, and a very, very clean sound. Far less money for a superior sound. Go figure. The gc12c is probably the most guitar you're going to get for under 1,000. Far better than Cordoba, by the way. The truss rod in the Cordoba neck throws the balance off, and is of no use anyway.The gc12c, and I would absolutely get the cedar, is actually pretty close to a concert quality guitar.
originally posted on musiciansfriend.com
I upgraded from a Yamaha CG162 to this guitar a couple of months ago. The price difference is significant but worth it. With the extra money you are getting a very high quality guitar that plays well, and sounds amazing. The first thing I noticed was how much lighter the GC12 is, and how finely it's put together. The second thing I noticed was how much richer and fuller the sound is. The guitar body vibrates and hums. It's a really big step up in quality. All solid wood at this price is really nice too. The ebony fretboard is really smooth and deep black with no marks or imperfections of any kind. I passed on the spruce top and ordered the cedar based on the reviews here. The cedar is very full sounding, and projects nicely. Very happy I bought this guitar.
| Year | 2010s |
| Number of Frets | 19 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Made In | Australia |
Yamaha GC12S GC Series All Solid Mahogany Classical Guitar w/ Spruce Top
Delivery $24
Yamaha GC12S GC Series All Solid Mahogany Classical Guitar w/ Spruce Top
Delivery $24
Yamaha GC12S Classical Guitar - Spruce Top
Delivery between 11–24 June $10
Yamaha's equivilant to the Cordoba C9, both with solid mahogany back and sides and solid spruce or cedar top. I've played both. The Yamaha is a much better instrument all around, and sounds and plays like a dream. VERY refined tone. Cordoba likes to put heavy truss rods in their guitars, for some unknown reason. It makes the guitar heavy and awkward, and you will never ever adjust it. The cedar is much nicer than the spruce, by the way. This guitar is NOT bass heavy, or "favor the lower registers" as some reviewers have said. That's a general statement for cedar/mahogany, and does not apply to the GC12 cedar. This guitar sparkles in the trebles, and has a tight, refined tone in the bass. Put on high tension strings and lower the action, which is too high from the ... MoreYamaha's equivilant to the Cordoba C9, both with solid mahogany back and sides and solid spruce or cedar top. I've played both. The Yamaha is a much better instrument all around, and sounds and plays like a dream. VERY refined tone. Cordoba likes to put heavy truss rods in their guitars, for some unknown reason. It makes the guitar heavy and awkward, and you will never ever adjust it. The cedar is much nicer than the spruce, by the way. This guitar is NOT bass heavy, or "favor the lower registers" as some reviewers have said. That's a general statement for cedar/mahogany, and does not apply to the GC12 cedar. This guitar sparkles in the trebles, and has a tight, refined tone in the bass. Put on high tension strings and lower the action, which is too high from the factory, as on most guitars. If you can't afford a 5,000 - 10,000 guitar, but want a very high quality factory made instrument, go for this. Another reviewer is right in that the rosewood models (GC22 and up) are not worth the extra money, in my opinion.
I've played the gc22s and the gc32s. First off, this guitar plays better with the matte finish on the neck. Secondly, and this was a surprise, the gc12c sounds better. Much crisper highs, deeper basses, and a very, very clean sound. Far less money for a superior sound. Go figure. The gc12c is probably the most guitar you're going to get for under 1,000. Far better than Cordoba, by the way. The truss rod in the Cordoba neck throws the balance off, and is of no use anyway.The gc12c, and I would absolutely get the cedar, is actually pretty close to a concert quality guitar.
I upgraded from a Yamaha CG162 to this guitar a couple of months ago. The price difference is significant but worth it. With the extra money you are getting a very high quality guitar that plays well, and sounds amazing. The first thing I noticed was how much lighter the GC12 is, and how finely it's put together. The second thing I noticed was how much richer and fuller the sound is. The guitar body vibrates and hums. It's a really big step up in quality. All solid wood at this price is really nice too. The ebony fretboard is really smooth and deep black with no marks or imperfections of any kind. I passed on the spruce top and ordered the cedar based on the reviews here. The cedar is very full sounding, and projects nicely. Very happy I bought this guitar.
I scanned every inch of my GC12c when I got it. There isn't even one tiny flaw anywhere. The cedar top is beautiful and the ebony fingerboard is completely flat and smooth. The guitar is build to a very high quality.Then I replaced the strings with Hannabach 815 high tension. Wow! My new guitar was going from a Cordoba C5. All I can say is Yamaha builds incredible guitars. This is of the highest quality build. The tone is beautiful and the guitar vibrates against my chest. I'm in love. Also, I never write online reviews but I just had to for this guitar.
This is the guitar for when you're ready to leave all those beginner guitars behind. The guitar is clear and crisp and snaps in the trebles, and has a beautiful tight low end. Quality tuners and built extremely well.I have three pieces of advice if you buy this guitar:1. Get an arched back hardshell case. The case that comes with the guitar is really nice and lightweight, but I just don't trust all of these zippered polyfoam cases on the market right now.2. Replace the factory strings with high tension strings. D'Addario 46s are great.3. Get the cedar top version.You could shell out about twice as much for the GC32, and never have to buy another guitar again, if you have the money. But the GC12C is a really nice guitar on it's own.
I love that gorgeous cedar smell. The guitar is light and very well constructed. I had to shave down the nut and saddle, and I'll likely replace them with bone. Otherwise, everything is near perfect. Lovely tone. I fell in love with this guitar very quickly. The ebony fretboard is perfect. Intonation is perfect. Tuners are really smooth. I highly recommend this guitar.
I very highly recommend this guitar. It's beautiful to play and to look at.It is very impressive. When i take it out it always gets the "Woa" factor.I like to show my other guitars first, and then this beauty.All the materials you want/need and a price-point that you can actually afford. I always put my guitars on the Choice card or whatever. This guitar is under the limit for most people I would think, and your not going to get a better guitar for the money, I feel.I found mine while searcing all 5 star reviews. I was able to get the cedar on open/box for a steal! Makes up any difference I may have felt I lost for my other 5 guitars I've bought on here. I also got a Gibson Firebird for a GREAT deal. So, now I have two "good" guitars, but this one is the ... MoreI very highly recommend this guitar. It's beautiful to play and to look at.It is very impressive. When i take it out it always gets the "Woa" factor.I like to show my other guitars first, and then this beauty.All the materials you want/need and a price-point that you can actually afford. I always put my guitars on the Choice card or whatever. This guitar is under the limit for most people I would think, and your not going to get a better guitar for the money, I feel.I found mine while searcing all 5 star reviews. I was able to get the cedar on open/box for a steal! Makes up any difference I may have felt I lost for my other 5 guitars I've bought on here. I also got a Gibson Firebird for a GREAT deal. So, now I have two "good" guitars, but this one is the best.I had never played a nylon string before I got this. VERY NICE. It's VERY light. I treat it very gingerly but I know it could stand up to a full spectacle demonstration.The sound and ease of use is amazing. EVERYTHING feels QUALITY on my guitar.The included case is very nice, a good value in my opinion.I've been buying guitars online for many, many years, and I feel this guitar is the best deal I've personally ever gotten.
I have the spruce version, It is without doubt the nicest classical guitar I have owned to date. I've tried and owned several others in this price range - even more expensive models, And they all had the same downfalls - buzzing frets, roaring basses but weak trebles, and especially very weak F notes on the high E combined with short sustain.Upon first playing my GC12 spruce I knew I had everything I was trying to find in a classical. All of the notes are perfectly balanced, The High E string is strong on every fret and no buzzing or wolf notes. This guitar has so much sustain that it rings out like a steel string acoustic whereas most others die out very quickly when strummed. This guitar has that piano like tone to it that to me is highly desirable. Finish is ... MoreI have the spruce version, It is without doubt the nicest classical guitar I have owned to date. I've tried and owned several others in this price range - even more expensive models, And they all had the same downfalls - buzzing frets, roaring basses but weak trebles, and especially very weak F notes on the high E combined with short sustain.Upon first playing my GC12 spruce I knew I had everything I was trying to find in a classical. All of the notes are perfectly balanced, The High E string is strong on every fret and no buzzing or wolf notes. This guitar has so much sustain that it rings out like a steel string acoustic whereas most others die out very quickly when strummed. This guitar has that piano like tone to it that to me is highly desirable. Finish is also beautiful and not lacking anywhere.My brother owns the cedar version, They both sound identical to me - I just prefer the lighter color on spruce. Over all I would not recommend anything other that the GC12 in this price range, You can't go wrong.
| Year | 2010s |
| Number of Frets | 19 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Made In | Australia |
