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Old 02-20-2013, 04:38 PM
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The difference between a 12 fret and 14 fret is greatly dependent on the maker. Martin used different body sizes and shapes, as well as different neck widths and bridge spacing. Gibson built 12, 13, and 14 fret guitars on basically the same bodies. Other makers have done all sorts of different things.

Martin 12 fret 000's and Dreadnaughts are long scale, and their 0's and 00's are short scale. The prewar 12 fret guitars had 1 7/8" nuts and 2 3/8" bridge spacing. The reintroduced 12 fret D's from the 60's forward had 1 7/8" nuts and 2 5/16" bridge spacing. Most of the modern versions have 1 3/4" nuts and 2 5/16" bridge spacing.

The Santa Cruz is Martin-esque. It is long scale (25.4") and has a 1 3/4" nut. The ones I've played were Martin flavored Santa Cruz guitars in both tone and feel. I like them a lot.

I play Bluegrass and seldom utilize the entire 14 fret board, so the 12 fret board doesn't bother me at all.
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