Looking For A 12 Fret 1 3/4" Nut Guitar for under $500.00

[L20A]

Is there such a guitar?
Looking for a short neck with a 1 3/4" nut.
Body can be Dred or smaller.

This is to help with left shoulder pain.

For now, I'm lowering one of my 14 fret Dreds down to D to D tuning and then using a capo at the second fret but it doesn't sound that good tuned down.

I don't want to spend much more than $500.00 until I'm sure a 12 fret will help with my problem.

[Silly Moustache]

A 12 fret body does reduce the left arm extension a little, but so would a smaller guitar than a dread or jumbo.

You probably know of my preference for 12 fret guitars - due to my need for a wider fretboard and a 1 & 3/4" nut width is not a wider fretboard.

Your problem might be due to your posture when playing rather than the instrument. Obviously large guitars were not designed for seated players.

Here's a video I made after I lost a lot of weight (40 lbs in a few weeks during my cancer treatment in 2017. much of that weight was also muscle tone and I developed shoulder pain in my right arm - a common complaint.

[davidbeinct]

I have the fourteen fret Alvarez AMP660 Parlor. To my ears it sounds fantastic and the body is much smaller than my Guild D4. Much more comfortable to play. I picked it up at Guitar Center for $339.

Alvarez also makes an all mahogany 12 fret parlor, in two versions. The solid top AP66 is $339, the all solid MPA66 is $639.

All of these guitars have a 1.75" nut. I can only speak to mine, but it honestly doesn't feel much wider to me than my Guild. I play it a lot more because of comfort, although I have to give the Guild a slight edge for tone.

[Jim in TC]

Originally Posted by davidbeinct

I have the fourteen fret Alvarez AMP660 Parlor. To my ears it sounds fantastic and the body is much smaller than my Guild D4. Much more comfortable to play. I picked it up at Guitar Center for $339.

Alvarez also makes an all mahogany 12 fret parlor, in two versions. The solid top AP66 is $339, the all solid MPA66 is $639.

All of these guitars have a 1.75" nut. I can only speak to mine, but it honestly doesn't feel much wider to me than my Guild. I play it a lot more because of comfort, although I have to give the Guild a slight edge for tone.

Couple years ago I played one of those Alvarez mahogany parlors (not sure the model) and found it to be very nice, comfortable and decent tone, especially for a small inexpensive instrument. I think it was the AP66 but can't say for certain.

[Silurian]

There is also the Alvarez Blues 51.

[Naboz]

And yet another Alvarez guitar; their 50th Anniversary ARDA Slope Shoulder Dreadnought--now discontinued, there's one on Reverb right now for a really good price, L20A. Not Eastman, Blueridge, Epiphone make a 12 fret slope dred with 1 3/4" nut. You have to get up over $1K to find that configuration.
I got really fortunate finding mine (after three tries); it is the guitar I play most (because I keep it in my favorite drop tuning)--it does not sound like a laminate B&S guitar (the solid top has a very well-cut top--plenty of "silking," medullary rays). And with it being their 50th Anniv. Artist model, special care seems to have been taken in the laminate back.

[JERZEY]

Good luck in your search. At that price range everything I have ever found in the stores was a throw back to train hopping/blues. I was never happy with any thing under 800$+ in a 12 fret.

If you are looking for a 12 fret crossover nylon there is the Cordoba Fusion 12 line. They are just outside your price range with spruce or cedar tops.

[rmoretti49]

Recording King likely has something for you. My RP-06 meets the criteria you specified. The neck profile is substantial, which you may or may not like.

[mawmow]

Alvarez AP, either AP70 or AP66 (all mahogany).

[Woolbury]

Originally Posted by rmoretti49

Recording King likely has something for you. My RP-06 meets the criteria you specified. The neck profile is substantial, which you may or may not like.

Yep, I'd check out offerings from Recording King, you may find something you like.

[MJScott]

An Alvarez Blues 51. 00 body, 12 fret, 1.75” nut. Should be able to find one w/o a case for around $500.

[CodyToonz]

I've got a mahogany Breedlove Discovery Parlor. Nice small guitar. I'm sure you can find one to match your budget.

[generalliamsayn]

Originally Posted by Woolbury

Yep, I'd check out offerings from Recording King, you may find something you like.

Just IMO the tonal qualities of Recording Kings seem to be all over the map. I've played ones that sounded pretty good and identical models that sound horrendous.

[roylor4]

+1 on Alvarez. They have several models that fit your requirements.

[Matt M]

The harley benton CLP15M is a decent mahogany 12-fret parlour with a 1.75" nut. When you factor in how cheap it is, it suddenly becomes even better.