Pros & Cons of a 12-fret guitar?

[random works]

I play a 14 fretter with a cutaway 95% of the time because of access to the higher frets. I have a couple of 12 fretters and for some things they sound better, but not that much better.

[jpmist]

Originally Posted by Cool555

Hi Everyone. Why do guitarists get a 12-fret guitar instead of the usual 14-fret one? What are its advantages and its disadvantages?

My answer why is because I like the richer tone of a 12 fret. The bass and midrange tones are more pronounced. That's not opinion or personal taste, it's due to the bridge placement closer to the center of the lower bout.

With a cutaway 12 fret, which are mysteriously hard to find except for Taylors, the "out of real estate" issue isn't that crucial. I play with a capo on F# a lot and up as far as A, occasionally higher, and I find that the tone won't "thin out" on a 12 fret as much as on a 14 fret.

12 fret short scale versus 12 fret std scale? I like the shorter scale cause the strings feel slinkier and yes your left hand will be about a half inch closer to your shoulder. I have two Larrivee 12 frets with different scales and they sound distinctly different.

If you can, find a Taylor 12 fret 322 to try out. (They pop up on Reverb used often) You'll be treated to one of Taylors most unique and interesting tones.

Good luck with your search!

[The Bard Rocks]

Originally Posted by Cool555

Thanks for the more detailed explanation! Yes, I never noticed 13-fret guitars! Are they custom-made guitars?

The ones I have are - but I am not sure if regular makers ever offer them. Someone here will know, no doubt.

If you ever get the chance to play a 12-fret Martin dread, you'll know what they mean by the term "banjo killer." I had this D15S for awhile, and it was almost too much power to harness. Amazing rumble!

[varmonter]

plus one on the martin 12 fret dred.
I have a 71 d28s for sale on this forum.
Which is a wonderful 12 fret slothead.
I played A taylor 712ce which is a smaller
body cutaway 12 fret and now have GAS.
As i have several dreds the martin 12 fret
is going to help fund the 712. I love the sound
of 12 fret dreds. I was in a local store yesterday
and played the new version of my d28s.
i cant remember the model ? d28vs maybe.
it was wonderful And probably worth the new
msrp they had on the tag.

[Cool555]

Originally Posted by varmonter

plus one on the martin 12 fret dred.

I have a 71 d28s for sale on this forum.

Which is a wonderful 12 fret slothead.

I played A taylor 712ce which is a smaller

body cutaway 12 fret and now have GAS.

As i have several dreds the martin 12 fret

is going to help fund the 712. I love the sound

of 12 fret dreds. I was in a local store yesterday

and played the new version of my d28s.

i cant remember the model ? d28vs maybe.

it was wonderful And probably worth the new

msrp they had on the tag.

Is this a rap...yoyo!

[archerscreek]

I've read a lot of comments over many threads that talk about a twelve fret guitar's sound. The phrases fuller sound and improved bass are frequently used. There has to be a lot more to creating this dynamic than simply moving the bridge back, since after all the bridge is also a brace of sorts. Does moving the bridge back eliminate those two shorter braces that angle across the middle of the lower bout, so that the top overall needs and has less bracing compared to a 14 fret guitar? Call me curious.

[Mycroft]

The bodies on 12-fretters are often longer than a corresponding 14. This allows a longer bass wave to form inside the body.

So, yes, it is a combination of things...

[DukeX]

Originally Posted by HHP

Lots of benefits to 12 fret guitars...

The longer wider body makes you look slimmer.

The placement of the tuning keys allows you to tune without showing off your underarm sweat stains

The slotted headstock lets you see if anyone to your left is about to throw something at you.

The slotted headstock also reduces wind resistance so you can play faster.

Best answer! I'd add to it, but by adding I would only diminish the original brilliance.

[guitar george]

Originally Posted by Rudy4

If you only play cowboy chords and don't use the upper portion of the neck then a 12 fretter might be for you.

This is good advice to consider, but, if you only play cowboy chords you are likely to be a strummer and often quite a heavy strummer. Most of the best strumming guitars are large guitars such as dreadnoughts, grand symphonies and jumbos. It is hard to find a 12 fret guitar in those body shapes.

[The Kid!]

Originally Posted by Bill@TheFrettedBuffalo

Huss & Dalton builds a wonderful 13 fret small bodied guitar, one of their 'Crossroads' series, a model named after Nick Lucas.

Want to talk about it? Reach out for us at the number or email below, or private message us here on the Forum!

The Fretted Buffalo also has a 12 Fret Bourgeois that sounds so good that it almost isn't fair. I'm a huge fan of so many guitars there.

[Silly Moustache]

Hi I am THE 12 fret guy around here.
I aply Collings , Santa Cruz sixes and Martin , and Harmony 12s and a National, all12 freters.
The reason.
Primarily - fretboard width. (1 &13/16" nut width - 2 & 3/8" string spacing - space for more intricate frettingand picking.
Secondly better ergonomics - less left arm extension.
Slotted headstocks - easier to change strings (yes see following video).
Bridge placement - not only swork th top better but puts your pic k on the sweet spot.
Tuners on slot heads enable you to tune without twisting your wrist.
and there's more

See this :

Changing strings (seems to scare some :
Scale lengths?
Remember 14 fretters were the same just modified to be strumming guitars.

Dread and 000 - standard scale. 00 and smaller sort scale. Simples.

[NotveryGood]

12 fret guitars have a nice compact "feel" in my opinion,there is no sense of reaching into the distance that a 14 fret neck sometimes gives. For me this goes with a smaller body size, a large bodied 12 fret does not seem quite right but thats just my taste. For those who dont want to throw a lot at a 12 in case it doesnt suit I can recommend the Alvarez AP70. Its sold as a parlour but its bigger, and I enjoy it as much as guitars that cost me four times more.Alvarez also do a solid wood range that is well worth looking at.
Its good to have both a 12 and 14 fret in your collection. I prefer the 14 for strumming and a 12 for fingerpicking,(the sound is very sweet) and the contrast in feel and sound is refreshing especially if I have left one or the other alone for a bit, its like buying a new guitar every few weeks!

[NotveryGood]

Originally Posted by HHP

Lots of benefits to 12 fret guitars...

The longer wider body makes you look slimmer.

The placement of the tuning keys allows you to tune without showing off your underarm sweat stains

The slotted headstock lets you see if anyone to your left is about to throw something at you.

The slotted headstock also reduces wind resistance so you can play faster.

This is discriminatory!! The slotted headstock lets some of us see if anyone to our RIGHT is about to throw something!

[Todd123]

Originally Posted by HHP

Lots of benefits to 12 fret guitars...

The longer wider body makes you look slimmer.

The placement of the tuning keys allows you to tune without showing off your underarm sweat stains

The slotted headstock lets you see if anyone to your left is about to throw something at you.

The slotted headstock also reduces wind resistance so you can play faster.

So many people saying the same thing with so many different words... and then you suddenly stumble upon an original thought. Thank you for sharing... I laughed.

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