Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $289
Standard/Professional
$200
$601+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Epiphone DR-212". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Strum your way into the rich, resonant world of 12-string acoustics with the Epiphone DR-212. This guitar is your ticket to an expansive sonic landscape, offering a full-bodied resonance that only a 12-string can deliver. Crafted with a select spruce top and mahogany back and sides, it produces a balanced tone that's both crisp and warm, perfect for those chorus-laden chords that fill the room with vibrant sound.
The DR-212 is not just about sound; its design ensures a comfortable playing experience. The mahogany neck and poplar composite fingerboard provide a smooth and inviting surface for your fingers, while the 20 frets are laid out with precision for easy action and playability. Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner exploring the depths of 12-string possibilities, the DR-212 stands as an ideal choice.
Featuring a scalloped bracing design, this guitar is built for durability and long-lasting performance, reducing stress on the body and ensuring intonation remains intact over time. The DR-212 is not just an instrument; it's a gateway to new musical horizons, offering exceptional quality at an accessible price.
Key Features:
- 12-string acoustic guitar
- Select spruce top with scalloped bracing
- Mahogany back, sides, and neck
- Poplar composite fingerboard with dot inlays
- 20 frets with comfortable action
- Scale length: 25.5"
- Nut width: 1.75"
- Natural finish with chrome hardware
Product specs
| String Type | Steel |
| Number of Strings | 12 |
| Left-/Right-handed | Right-handed |
| Body Shape | Square Shoulder Dreadnought |
| Body Style | No Cutaway |
| Back & Sides Wood | Mahogany |
| Top Wood | Spruce |
| Finish | Gloss Polyurethane |
| Body Bracing | Scalloped |
| Binding | Black/White |
| Neck Wood | Mahogany |
| Neck Shape | D |
| Fingerboard Inlay | White Dots |
| Number of Frets | 20 |
| Scale Length | 25.5" |
| Nut Width | 1.75" |
| Nut/Saddle Material | Plastic |
| Bridge Material | Rosewood |
| Tuning Machines | Chrome tuners |
| Strings | .010/.010, .014/.014, .023/.008, .030/.012, .039/.018, .047/.027 |
| Case/Gig Bag | Sold Separately |
| Body Length | 19.75" |
| Body Width | 15.5" |
| Body Depth | 4.75" |
| Overall Length | 43" |
FAQs
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Is the Epiphone DR-212 suitable for beginners?
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The Epiphone DR-212 is a 12-string guitar, which might be challenging for absolute beginners due to the additional strings. However, it offers a rich, full sound that can be rewarding for players with some experience.
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What type of wood is used in the construction of the Epiphone DR-212?
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The Epiphone DR-212 features a mahogany body and a select spruce top, providing a warm tone with clear projection. The neck is also made of mahogany, enhancing its durability and resonance.
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Does the Epiphone DR-212 come with a case or gig bag?
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No, the Epiphone DR-212 does not come with a case or gig bag. These items need to be purchased separately to ensure the guitar's protection during transport or storage.
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What is the neck profile like on the Epiphone DR-212?
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The Epiphone DR-212 has a D-shaped neck profile, which offers a comfortable grip for players, especially those accustomed to playing dreadnought-style guitars.
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How does the Epiphone DR-212 handle different music genres?
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The Epiphone DR-212 is versatile and well-suited for genres that benefit from a full, rich acoustic sound, such as folk, rock, and country. Its 12-string setup provides a lush, harmonic quality ideal for strumming and open chords.
Videos
Sweetwater
Epiphone DR-212 12-string Acoustic Guitar Demo - Sweetwater Sound
Reviews
PROS
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Exceptional value for money; rivals guitars costing significantly more
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Bright, full, and resonant sound with rich tones
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Easy playability with well-set action, even for a 12-string
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Attractive natural finish with quality fit and finish
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Sustain and tone comparable to high-end models
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Ideal for beginners and seasoned players alike
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Lightweight and easy to hold for extended playing
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Minimal buzzing and tonal issues despite being a budget guitar
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Quick and straightforward to tune given the 12-string complexity
CONS
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Initial tuning can be difficult; may require adjustments
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Some variability in build quality between units
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Tuning machines may need upgrading for better performance
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Wider neck may be challenging for players with smaller hands
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Occasional structural issues, like soundboard warpage, may require expert setup
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone DR-212.
Setup and maintenance
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Owners report the truss rod is difficult to adjust, potentially due to its cheap construction, but adjustments can lead to excellent action without fret buzz.
Source -
Careful bridge and top inspection is advised; budget 12-strings like the DR-212 are prone to top bulging, affecting action and intonation.
Source
Comparisons
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When set up properly, the DR-212's action rivals that of a $500 Yamaha 12-string, impressing users with its comfort and playability.
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While Rickenbacker 12-strings are praised for unique string configurations, the DR-212 requires attention to avoid intonation issues, unlike its premium counterparts.
Source
Build quality
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The laminate spruce top is noted to impact sound quality, particularly lacking in the low-end boominess, but still provides decent tone with good strings.
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User experience
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A user noted that with a good set of Elixer strings, the guitar's tonal deficiencies due to the laminate top are minimized, resulting in satisfying sound quality for its price.
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Despite potential setup challenges, a properly playing DR-212 at $100 is considered a good deal by several owners familiar with acoustic guitars.
Source
4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 16 Ratings
134
Some of these (some!) are very nice
The Epiphone DR-212 is a solid 12-string for anybody on a budget. It's a good entry-level 12-string acoustic, and if it's something you're adding to your sonic arsenal it's probably good enough for occasional use. If you occasionally need to play some 12-string but don't use it on every gig, it's worth keeping around.
These workhorses are solidly built and affordable, and keep their value on the used market. Like many guitars in this price range, the quality varies a bit from guitar to guitar. I've owned two of them, and the first one punched above its weight for sure. It had a beautiful tone, great action, and was supremely playable even for somebody not used to 12 strings. It was good enough that when I sold it to move across country, I sold it and bought the exact same model where I got where I was going. The money I lost selling it used and buying another was trivial; it was less than I would have paid to transport it safely.
I still wish I'd hung onto the first one, though, because the second one of the same model was not quite as resonant or playable as the first, and the amount of work it'd take to thoroughly set it up and try to bring it up to the sound of a slightly better build of the same model is probably more than a guitar at this level is worth. It doesn't really NEED an overhaul to be usable on stage or in the studio. It's "good enough," and for the frequency and style of my use, that's all I need.
It'll never measure up to a really fine player's 12-string, like the Taylor 312 or 512s, but then at this price point it's unfair to expect that performance. It's as good as you expect it to be, and if you get very lucky like I did with my first DR-212, it might even be a little better.
74
I love this guitar
This is the best acoustic ive played so far and its is great for all your 12 string needs.
Epiphone Dr 212 - 12 strings
Unbeatable price-quality ratio. Very solid body and beautiful sound. Warm and harmonic.
This review has been translated automatically into English. See originalArtist usage
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In the MTV Unplugged 2010 you can see that it uses an Epiphone with natural finish
In this verson of "Eve of Destruction" performed on the "Spicks & Specks" in 2008, McGuire can be seen playing the Epiphone DR-212.
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
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