Have you tried a bunch of different types of strings on the Fender ?

I have an Alvarez (you might want to look at them) which has 20/20 bronze mediums on it at the moment and sounds great (RD20 I think !). However put phosphobronze strings on it and it sounds dead as fried chicken. The Fender 12 string (a mid 80s dreadnought) sounds very cool with phosphobronz strings and whey too clangey with 20/20 bronze.

Im just really surprised to here you say that 'cos In my experience there acoustics have been great ! However, each to his own ! I prefer the Fender to the Alvarez any day, but then again I also chose a life in science.........

Oh yes the Alvares is the guitar doing the pickin' on that down the mountain song !