My acoustic journey with Tim McKnight

[Doubleneck]

Been a little while now that I pickup up the Cedar topped 12 fret jumbo at the McJam. I think post honeymoon thoughts may be the better for evaluation? Here are my thoughts after a Summer of playing.

1. The 12 fret guitar to me is just the better choice for the older player. It is just more comfortable to play. The less tension on the strings is very noticeable if I go back to my 14 fret. The shorter neck positions the hand better. A cutaway is a necessity, not to negate these advantages.

2. I don’t know if its the 12 fret or the cedar top that accounts for this but this guitar is awesome sounding high on the neck. High bar chords just ring out, outshining my Sitka 14 fret a bit.

3. The Cedar top, at least this one has a much greater dynamic range than my 1959 Sitka which is really saying something given that top is over 60 years old. I can play with the scrape of a fingernail to a full out flatpick. I have slightly altered my playing style to take advantage of this. Makes going back to the Sitka not quite as pleasing? I feel I’m limited in a way. The “lack of headroom” is simply not a issue even when I feel I’m pounding it ala Neil Young.

4. Bottom line the McKight Jumbo has become my main guitar. Going on a vacation shortly and I’m taking it along. Life is short, I’m 71! and its got a good case. My Rainsong would be the rational vacationer but I’m not too rational when it comes to guitars.