12 strings String Saddle Spacing Info needed

lumena · #1 06-21-2015, 04:19 PM

I am looking for knowledge about 12 string guitars.

I am wondering about saddle string spacing.

I would like to find a guitar with approx 2 7/16 or 2.5 inch saddle spacing.

{E-E___B-B___G-G___D-D___A-A___E-E}

{______saddle string distance__________}

I realize that guilds have that spacing but there are no new guilds to be had before the end of the year as they are not in production. I tried a taylor and it seemed a bit narrow- although I did not measure. Martin D12-28 is 2 5/16 and that seems a bit tight although I have yet to play one.

I am looking for knowledge about Gibson, Larrivee and any other brands that I can just buy. Even though I have considered a custom build - I really need to add a 12 string sooner than 3-6 months. So give a girl a hand here and do a bit of knowledge dump. I know there are plenty of experts on this board so please share your expertise. Prefer better quality guitar and budget is approx 3.5K.

thanks for your help.

ewh2 · #2 06-21-2015, 04:32 PM

I think some Breedlove's have 2 7/16" string spacing at the saddle, with their top load bridge IMO their 12's are the easiest for fingerpicking (but IMO not the best sounding)

Brucebubs · #3 06-21-2015, 04:49 PM

Interesting question, I grabbed a ruler and took these measurements.
Guild F-412-65mm = 2.55"
Morris B-50-62.5mm = 2.46"
Taylor 355-60mm = 2.36"
Martin Grand J12-40E Special-60mm = 2.36"
A beautiful Guild F-412 has been listed here in the AGF classifieds but I see the seller has just removed it from sale - worth asking about, it's a beautiful guitar at a great price. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=390669

westman · #4 06-21-2015, 05:06 PM

I'll be watching this one as I'm thinking of getting a 12 string.
The only one I know of with s/s @ saddle specifically lay'd out for fingerstyle is the Taylor L Kottke model but they're thin on the ground these days.

Racerbob · #5 06-21-2015, 05:11 PM

Don't know how much budget you have but after playing the Taylors and Guild F-512/412 I ended up spending the $$ for a Hoffman. It has a 2 9/16 spacing on a slightly shallower jumbo body. Hands down the easiest to play 12-string I have found.

I was about to spring for the F-512 at the local dealer (Tall Toad Music in Petaluma, CA) as it was the best playing one I had tried up until then. But I took a chance of the Hoffman and had it sent. After playing it, the F-512, great as they are, felt like a truck compared to a sports sedan.

There is a new Hoffman at Guitar Rodeo (the Pladium) with Mahogany b/s. Also Tall Toad not only has the F-512 but a couple of other Guild 12's in stock.

lumena · #6 06-21-2015, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racerbob

Don't know how much budget you have but after playing the Taylors and Guild F-512/412 I ended up spending the $$ for a Hoffman. It has a 2 9/16 spacing on a slightly shallower jumbo body. Hands down the easiest to play 12-string I have found.

I was about to spring for the F-512 at the local dealer (Tall Toad Music in Petaluma, CA) as it was the best playing one I had tried up until then. But I took a chance of the Hoffman and had it sent. After playing it, the F-512, great as they are, felt like a truck compared to a sports sedan.

There is a new Hoffman at Guitar Rodeo (the Pladium) with Mahogany b/s. Also Tall Toad not only has the F-512 but a couple of other Guild 12's in stock.

I will be looking at these although I am pretty sure the Hoffman is more than 3.5K

donh · #7 06-21-2015, 08:07 PM

Mine is 2.5" bridge string spacing, with a 1-15/16" nut. I have dimensional drawings of the exact string spacings available upon request. The guitar rings true up to a very silly amount of strumming energy applied, and all the string pairs will jangle (if you can get them to) at the same point. I love this thing.

lumena · #8 06-21-2015, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donh

Mine is 2.5" bridge string spacing, with a 1-15/16" nut. I have dimensional drawings of the exact string spacings available upon request. The guitar rings true up to a very silly amount of strumming energy applied, and all the string pairs will jangle (if you can get them to) at the same point. I love this thing.

Hi Don, I am not sure what you mean. What type of guitar are you referring to?

donh · #9 06-21-2015, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumena

Hi Don, I am not sure what you mean. What type of guitar are you referring to?

The 12-string guitar that I own. It is a custom build by Harvey Leach. I specified the string spacings, he built it, it is glorious. The type is "12-string acoustic".

lumena · #10 06-21-2015, 11:40 PM

thx, Don. Kinda confirms my thought that 2.5 is about the correct width.

I think you must be a very lucky guy as Leach guitars are pretty fancy, I hadn't heard of them but when I did a search, wow-o-wow.

donh · #11 06-21-2015, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lumena

thx, Don. Kinda confirms my thought that 2.5 is about the correct width.

I think you must be a very lucky guy as Leach guitars are pretty fancy, I hadn't heard of them but when I did a search, wow-o-wow.

Yup. Every time I pick it up I am reminded how fortunate I am to have it. It is great fun :-)

westman · #12 06-22-2015, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Interesting question, I grabbed a ruler and took these measurements.
Guild F-412-65mm = 2.55"
Morris B-50-62.5mm = 2.46"
Taylor 355-60mm = 2.36"
Martin Grand J12-40E Special-60mm = 2.36"
A beautiful Guild F-412 has been listed here in the AGF classifieds but I see the seller has just removed it from sale - worth asking about, it's a beautiful guitar at a great price. http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=390669

thanks for this Bruce, as I suspected a lot of the 'big names' are predominantly for flatpick players. I checked out Eastman 12's and they come in at about 2 3/8.
As donh say's 2.5 would be more like it.