In my search for a 12 string keeper, I have a couple on hand - a 98 JF55-12 and a 78 F512. The JF55-12 has some top cracks... they have been repaired, but the one that concerns me is pictured below. I just got the 78 F512 back from the shop, as it needed the bridge reglued, and it is much more structurally sound than the 98. But here's the kicker - the 98 sounds better. It has a deeper voice, while the 78 is more mid rangey. They both have about the same good action, but the 98 saddle has been cut so much that the high E strings do not ring clear. I just don't know why the 98 sounds so much better than the 78. The 78 has a LOT of dust inside; could that affect the sound? I wonder if it has just not been played enough over the years to open up... could that still happen after 30 years?
It doesn't really bother me to have a guitar with cracks, I just worry about the long-term viability of the guitar. A 12 string with a crack near the bridge... as you can see, the top is bulging a bit where the crack is. Just worried that the guitar will eventually become unplayable, or suffer some MAJOR structure failure. If it didn't sound so good, it would be a nobrainer.
Thanks for any opinions or advice.
JF55-12
F512
It doesn't really bother me to have a guitar with cracks, I just worry about the long-term viability of the guitar. A 12 string with a crack near the bridge... as you can see, the top is bulging a bit where the crack is. Just worried that the guitar will eventually become unplayable, or suffer some MAJOR structure failure. If it didn't sound so good, it would be a nobrainer.
Thanks for any opinions or advice.
JF55-12
F512