looking for the perfect 00 12 fret

[guitar george]

Here's a video of a Waterloo WL-K, similar to the one in post #28, comparing it to an original Gibson Kel Kroyden.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KSyjYVWPkhE

[Methos1979]

FYI - the Santa Cruz 1929 0 (single-0) model is a deep body stock from the factory. I've never played one but in A/B videos I did find the slightly increased bottom end to be pleasing to the ear. Deep body guitars seem to not be THAT much deeper so I'm not sure that it would be any sort of major comfort issue, especially on a single 0. But again, I can't speak from experience on that.

I will say that I have owned the following 00 12 fret guitars over the past 5 years. Here is MY PERSONAL PREFERENCE in order from which I liked the most to least:

Santa Cruz stock 00 (sitka over rosewood)
Santa Cruz 1929 00 (all hog, burst finish)
Martin 00-18VS UMGF (sitka over hog, Ambertone)
Martin 00-28VS (sitka over rosewood)
Santa Cruz 1929 00 (all hog, plain finish)
Huss & Dalton 00-SP (Englemenn over rosewood)

The top 5 were so close to each other so as to be nearly indistinguishable in which I like more. In many cases it was a minor build detail that put over the top of others. Like the top SC, their soft V neck is still my favorite neck of all time.

The H&D 00-SP was by far my least favorite. Don't get me wrong, it was a fine guitar, very well made and sounded good but I just didn't bond with it for some reason. Of every guitar on this list it was also the hardest to sell.

[hifivic]

Act FAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!

https://downhomeguitars.com/instrume...tom-used-2016/

[sayheyjeff]

There is a 2014 Huss and Dalton 00 that is engleman and mahogany for $3526 at Action Music in Falls Church, Va (washington, D.C. Suburb). Se pics on their website.

Jeff

[lt20dbl]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

That is an option if you can accept the skinny neck (only 1 & 3/4" nut, but on a good Martin style 00 the nut width should be 1 & 7/8."

The ideal option (IMHO) would be a Collings 001 (1 & 13/16" nut)

I'm yearning for a 002h ...been thinking about it for some time.

There's a 002h for sale on another forum but not bargain priced, by any means.

I love my Collings dread but I do have a Martin 00-28VS and it's hard to imagine how it could sound any better.

[Mr. Jelly]

The 1929 00 is a good choice. I would put forward a Waterloo WL-S Deluxe also.

Right now Artisan Guitars in Tennessee has a 12-fret 00 Santa Cruz with mahogany back and sides for $3399. It has a 1 3/4" nut. I almost bought it but found the exact thing with wider string spacing, Adirondack top, and cheaper price on eBay. I can tell you that if they are anything alike, that 00 at Artisan is going to be a gem and will work for anything you can imagine. I play Blues on mine and it is a legitimate Blues sound. It is warm, responsive, loud, comfortable, great neck...

[zmf]

Originally Posted by MartinMan1990

So far I have considered an SC 1929 00, Martin 00-15sm, Martin 00-18VS, CS-00-18, and even a few Eastman's.

Of the ones you mention, IMO the Santa Cruz has the richest tone. I'm not a big fan of all mahogany, but I'd definitely consider this one.

Much of this comes down to whether you want a spruce top.

[SJ VanSandt]

Originally Posted by guitar george

You might want to try to get this beauty for about the equivalent of $1,900.00 USD.

https://vancouver.craigslist.ca/van/...538817375.html

I'll second this. I've never played anything that sounded better in this price range. It's 00, mahogany b&s, 1 3/4" nut - sounds great for fingerstyle - great projection - very lightly built - but also has the guts for bluegrass flatpicking. I don't think it has an adjustable truss rod though - that might be a drawback for some.

[383roller]

There is a lot of great advice here, having focus in what you want is very important. For me, 1 7/8 is a must if it is a primary finger picker. But I'm no wee lass
I must warn you; I already have the perfect 00 so you'll have to settle for second.

[Looburst]

Originally Posted by Mr. Jelly

The 1929 00 is a good choice. I would put forward a Waterloo WL-S Deluxe also.

Yes, I own the Waterloo WL-S Deluxe as well and it's very light weight and plays like an X braced guitar, even though it's ladder braced. For around $2700, a great guitar! Note, it has a non adjustable T-Bar instead of an adjustable truss rod, no big deal, just thought it worth mentioning.

[min7b5]

I have a student here in Portland that has a standard Santa Cruz 00 from the late nineties, that I think sounds really great...

[Looburst]

Might be just the ticket.
My top 3 list would look like this,

1. Huss & Dalton 00
2. Waterloo WL-S Deluxe
3. Santa Cruz 1929 00

[Kh1967]

JC Baxendale makes an exceptional 00-12 Fret. Cotten Music is a dealer. New would be just over your budget but, there was a beauty floating around the classifieds not that long ago.

[MartinMan1990]

I greatly appreciate all the replies and have further looked into almost all your recommendations. After careful review I am continually reminded that I always come back to loving these hog topped 12 frets. The warmth, thick mids, and sweet highs really got me hooked. I am continually told that these are more or less a "niche" guitar and that was what has slowly drawn me away, but as I continue to play them and hear videos, I am reminded this is the sound I am looking for. With that being said, I am going to carefully test the following guitars.. Santa Cruz 1929 00, Collings 001mh, LAG Custom 00-15sm, Waterloo WL12Mh, Huss and Dalton 00mh and finally the new Martin 00-17 Authentic.

I saw Spoon but a little review on the new 00-17 Authentic but has anyone else had the chance to play one of these? They look very interesting, especially for the street price that these are going for. Would you consider these to be in the same tier as say SC, H&D and Collings hog tops?