My First 12-Fret Acoustic: Recommendations Please

[Rocky Dijohn]

I want to get something with 12 frets to play acoustic blues/ragtime, maybe in an OM size.

Recommendations please?

[Nctom]

Check Collins' Waterloo line. There are several 12 fret guitars, mostly in the 00 sized guitar configuration with different wood combinations there.My WL-12Mh is all mahogany, larger than most 00's, and is inspired by the 1930-40's blues boxes.

[zoopeda]

Originally Posted by Rocky Dijohn

I want to get something with 12 frets to play acoustic blues/ragtime, maybe in an OM size.

Recommendations please?

What’s your price range?

Probably nothing beats the Martin OM-18 Authentic for this, although a 14-fret. The 12-fret Martin 000-15SM is a killer value at a lower price point. I’m lusting after their 00-17 Authentic as well, but that one’s a 12 fret 00–big sounding though. And there’s Waterloo and Gibson to check out.

Edit: oh man, the Martin CEO-7 is killer in this class of blues/ragtime as well.

[Godfather]

Taylor's 12 offerings are plentiful. What price range are you looking at? I have had my 322e 12 fret for two years and love it! The Mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood...WOW!

Check them out!

[tomcstokes59]

I have one with upgrades for sale. It is a great guitar with a very unique sound.

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=538324

[ataylor]

Favorite 12-fret models I’ve played:

Waterloo WL-K
Taylor 322/522
Santa Cruz 00-1929

I think the WL-K and the 12-fret 322 are particularly good considering cost.

Considering the music styles you mentioned, I highly recommend checking out all the Waterloo models, in both 12- and 14-fret configurations.

Good luck!

[Steadfastly]

Here is an Alvarez Masterworks MPA-66 that has gotten a number of positive comments here lately. Alvarez calles it a parlour size but some have said it is actually an OM size guitar.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...ndex=6#reviews

[Woolbury]

Well, I absolutely love my Collings 0002h, 1 13/16 neck, 12 fret slot head, not sure if you're at the Collings price point. When I bought this I played a Recording King with same design at 1/3 the cost that really turned my head. I was at a position that I could do the Collings, but if not, the RK would have been my choice. Would also look at Waterloos as a few folks mentioned. I love the designs, the vintage, bluesy sound they've gone after, they really fit my style of playing. In particular the WL-S Deluxe, I have a feeling one of them will end up in the quiver someday

[SuperB23]

I highly recommend the Froggy Bottom H12 or the Goodall TR000.

[RP]

Originally Posted by Godfather

Taylor's 12 offerings are plentiful. What price range are you looking at? I have had my 322e 12 fret for two years and love it! The Mahogany over Tasmanian Blackwood...WOW!

Agreed...................

[NotveryGood]

Well it depends how much you wish to spend of course. An Alvarez AP70 is a good budget choice,a lot of guitar for not much money.Body size is about 00,wide neck, slotted headstock. "Acoustic Guitar" Magazine liked it on their online review. I pick mine up more than any of the more expensive guitars I own,its a lot of fun.

[jonbee]

I love my Taylor 812e, but for a lot less $ the Eastman 00 12 frets (E10 and E20 00 12 fret models) are very nice instruments. My E10 00 M is my everyday practice player, and I'm never disappointed with it.

[AndrewG]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

Here is an Alvarez Masterworks MPA-66 that has gotten a number of positive comments here lately. Alvarez calles it a parlour size but some have said it is actually an OM size guitar.

https://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...ndex=6#reviews

It's smaller than OM and has a short, 24" scale. There's a larger MFA66 which is nearer OM dimensions and has a 14-fret join. Here:https://theguitarworld.com/products/mfa66shb

[NoodleFingers]

Any RainSong guitar is available as a 12-fretter (no extra charge when I got one). Their Concert Hybrid OM 12 fret (without a pickup) retails for $1350. I have a functionally equivalent guitar (little more bling, same playability), and I love it.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

It's smaller than OM and has a short, 24" scale. There's a larger MFA66 which is nearer OM dimensions and has a 14-fret join. Here:https://theguitarworld.com/products/mfa66shb

Thanks for the correction Andrew. I guess I was concentrating more on the 12 fret part.