Wtb: Smallish Mid-Expensive Quality 12-fret Acoustic Guitar

[cynic]

I've been half-assedly looking around for a small acoustic for my granddaughter to replace one destroyed by a younger sibling.  My daughter is shit for teaching kids how to take care of things.

Long story short, she asked if I would give her one of my guitars to replace it and I explained I didn't feel good about giving her one of mine while the threat (seriously, they're fucking brutal) still exists.  She really enjoyed playing and was making progress so it felt a little shitty to tell her no.

She's about to start her senior year of high school and I'm thinking I might give her something reasonably nice ($1000-$1500) for her graduation if her plans to move away from the terrors hold firm.

Anyway, I'm aware of the usual suspects but am wondering if anyone can recommend any hidden gems.  I ran across Pono which looks interesting.  They're primarily a Uke company but have dabbled in smaller guitars.  Any ideas or suggestions would be great, as well as any offers for something you've got laying around that would be well suited for a five-foot tall woman with mini hands.  12-fret body and shorter scale are a plus.

Edited yesterday at 12:48 AM by cynic

[RobB]

2 hours ago, cynic said:

She's about to start her senior year of high school and I'm thinking I might give her something reasonably nice ($1000-$1500) for her graduation if her plans to move away from the terrors hold firm.

Anyway, I'm aware of the usual suspects but am wondering if anyone can recommend any hidden gems.  I ran across Pono which looks interesting.  They're primarily a Uke company but have dabbled in smaller guitars.  Any ideas or suggestions would be great, as well as any offers for something you've got laying around that would be well suited for a five-foot tall woman with mini hands.  12-fret body and shorter scale are a plus.

Any of the mid-line, small-bodied Taylors are a good choice, especially used. They are very durable, play easily and sound nice. If you could find a 12st Duotone, well, you know...

[BoogieMKIIA]

Second a Taylor, also Larrivee. Used will get you more and one in good shape shouldn’t be hard to find.

[BruceM]

I bought a Guild Travel Mahogany Mini Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar from Musician's Friend SDOD a couple of years ago.  I leave it sitting out in my living room and everyone that visits likes to pick it up.  They're around $250 online, but I got mine for half that because it was the SDOD.  I'll take it outside when my young neighbor girls want to strum a bit (they're in the 5-8 age range), and it works great for their small hands.

[Saul Goodman]

Is he saying 12 string or 12 fret?

[stedge]

I found a used (looked unused) rainsong parlor 12 fret for 1300.   It is a wonderful guitar, small, and impervious to humidity and other issues.   So possibly great for someone going into the next phase of life, moving a lot, etc.  obviously the issue is finding one, just depends on your timeframe

[velorush]

2 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

Is he saying 12 string or 12 fret?

12-fret (as opposed to the more typical modern acoustic that attaches to the body at the 14th fret). They're shorter guitars, all things being equal. Sound different, too.