My First 12-Fret Acoustic: Recommendations Please

[Rocky Dijohn]

Thanks to all for your input. Some of you wanted to know my price range. I could see going about $3,000 but, heck, no reason to spend that much if a cheaper box does the trick. These purchasing decisions are always a little hard because it gets so subjective and it is hard to get apples to apples.

I have a lot of good leads to consider. I will probably prepare a spreadsheet of some sort to help me go forward.

I hope to try some of the recommended models at local guitar shops first because I have never bought a guitar online from a store or an individual. I might be willing to do that, but first I want to experience playing the make and model.

[Nctom]

Rocky, I was the first to respond to your question. As usual, there have been a lot of speculation and additions to your basic, and pretty specific, request. A spread sheet is probably a good solution, but I'm not sure one is necessary. There are just not that many makers of small, 12 fret guitars that lend themselves to your query, just a lot of owners of guitars that think their particular guitar would be perfect for you.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

My initial impulse for an old-timey 12-fretter was the Martin 00015-SM but that is due in large measure to the fact that that is what I have. I do like the Taylor 12-fret guitars but they are 'shorter' than the Martins so make sure you are comfortable with that. Good luck. Enjoy the process.

[personatech]

FWIW, this past weekend, I tried out a used Blueridge BR-142 12-fret 000 that was pretty sweet. $699. I'm tempted to go back and grab it.

[Swamp Yankee]

IMHO, nothing says Ragtime Country Blue like a ladder braced Waterloo. If you lived near me (SE CT) I'd let you try out my WL-S.

But here's a video of somebody else playing the very guitar I bought.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MmUrOi29ZxU

[gmruegg]

I have a Taylor 512 that is a 12 fret, cedar over mahogany guitar. Sadly they no longer make this particular guitar, but it is a very warm sounding resonant guitar. 1 3/4 nut width and short scale. Great fingerstyle guitar. You may be able to pick up one used.

[Bluesidae]

12 fret... Blues? I would look at a parlour. Go big or go home (in this case go small or go home!)

[bobster7]

So many options but the following would be a good start:

Collings 000-2h
Martin 000-28vs
Eastman parlour and 00 guitars.
H&D 00/000
Any of the Waterloo guitars are great for blues, ladder braced options would be great and less biting.
John how made some wonderful ladder braced models.

[Phatnev]

Originally Posted by zoopeda

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.

The 000-15SM seem like they're quite popular!

[K-wey]

Originally Posted by Godfather

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

Check them out!

Another vote for the Taylor 322e 12-fret for fingerstyle and blues.

It has a 24-7/8 scale for a slinky feel, and a warm, round tone when you play. Definitely worth a test drive.

=K

[LJOHNS]

I went looking for a small bodied last weekend. The last one I picked up was An Alvarez 51 TSB. I liked it much better than the Gibson 00 hanging beside it. Great tone and playability for $389.

[slooky]

I have a Simon and Patrick woodland pro 12 fret. All solid wood and deeper body than some of the others I have played

[jpmist]

Not to be too snarky, but this and similar 12 fret questions get asked 2, 3 times a month so there's a wealth of recommendations at your Search bar fingertips above.

I'm a big fan of 12 frets and now can't go back to "normal" 14 frets. See my signature for my recommendations.

[raduray]

LA Guitar Sales just got in some custom Martin 00-18 12-Frets with the modified low oval neck without the artist taper. Gives you a bit wider string spacing at the bridge for fingerstyle.

I talked to Ted this morning and he had two of them in stock. I ordered one of them and I see that they're now showing out of stock, but I think he's got more coming.

http://tinyurl.com/y2qr75ka

[Mike Shipman]

My main guitar for some years was a Blueridge BR341, a 12 fret parlor with a 1 7/8" nut width, I got this 2nd hand for 495 GB pounds. All solid woods, very well constructed, loads of fingerboard room for fingerpicking and sounds good too. My only issue is that the finish on the guitar is quite thick, I wish it was much, much thinner.
I got a new Martin Whisky Sunset 12 fret for 1600 GB pounds last year, this has a 1 3/4" nut width and is a very sweet sounding guitar and very easy to play, this is now my main guitar and gigs regularly. I keep the Blueridge as a back up.