Smaller bodied 12 string?

portsider

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I've pretty much come to the point where my F412 is just too big for me. I'm a smaller guy and at the age of 69 (dude!) the stretching I have to do to play it is getting uncomfortable. It is affecting the quality of play as well.
I've been looking online for reviews of lower end A/E 12's and have been underwhelmed by the Taylors, Martins and Chinese Guilds I have played.
Does anyone have any good experiences with smaller acoustic electric 12's?
I'm looking in the $6-700 range, but I could stretch it a bit for the right one.
I know I'm not going to get the equivalent of my F412, but I'll be happy to have something that plays easily, sounds rich and intonate well.
 

awagner

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I have never played one myself, but a nice F112 would probably be perfect for you.
 

HeyMikey

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I hear rumor there is a nice Tobacco Sunburst for sale... ;)

The smaller 12’s will be different from your large body 412. Less bottom end, more confined - less volume, but also more even and melodic string to string. Similar but different animals.
 

SFIV1967

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I hear rumor there is a nice Tobacco Sunburst for sale... ;)
You are such a tease...


Ralf
 

Br1ck

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My favorite 12 is the F 112 a friend owns. He really likes my Pono OP30-12, witch is an 0 size that really puts out the sound, plus its a 12 fret too witch increases the comfort. It's also got a nice pickup. PM if any interest.
 

chazmo

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Yup, F-112 or F-212 should be your ticket. While you're at it, if you can find the several-year-old GAD version (I think it was a GAD-F212, not sure) that was a nice guitar. I found it kind of "small" sounding, but to each his own, right?
 

portsider

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Thanks for all the quick replies. I had a '76 F212 for years and it was really nice. I'd always pined for the 60's F412 I sold in 1982 and found one for cheap on eBay. It needed a neck reset and other things and I got that done. It played ok, but just didn't seem "right" for an F412, so I sent it to Tom Jacobs. He said he didn't like the neck reset and redid it as well as redoing the nut and saddle and a few other things. Then it was and is right, but now it's just too big.
In hindsight I should have just kept the F212, but that water has gone under the bridge.
The F112 is a bit beyond my price point, but certainly a consideration. I may look into the Pono as well.
Sheesh! If I'd practiced more as a kid maybe I'd be playing more and obsessing less about gear.
 

awagner

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The F112 is a bit beyond my price point, but certainly a consideration. I may look into the Pono as well.

I totally get budgetary considerations, but with 12 strings in particular, you get what you pay for. While you may very well find one that you love for $600-700, I think your options are limited, especially if you already tried several in that price range that did not do it for you.

Selling your F412 and downsizing to a F112 (or another comparable guitar) seems like a win-win, since you will have a guitar you actually enjoy playing, and a decent amount of cash in your pocket.
 

wileypickett

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Does it have to be a Guild? If so, the D25-12 is another option, though you won’t get the oomph from it that you get from the jumbos.

Yamahas are quite decent sounding and playing — my first 12-string was a Yamaha — and you can certainly find them within your budget.

Good luck!
 

fronobulax

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Does it have to be a Guild? If so, the D25-12 is another option, though you won’t get the oomph from it that you get from the jumbos.

Mrs. Fro. prefers the (ergonomic) size of her NH F-30 Traditional to her D-25 and D-25-12. But there are times when she needs the sound volume of the D-25 and the D-25-12 is almost as loud. Can't recall a volume comparison to another 12.
 

Nuuska

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This thread should give some open-minded & experimenting guitar builder the idea of building a jumbo-sized 12-string, where the body depth is less on bass side and deeper on treble side - thus having all the volume in more manageable package. maybe Tom Jacobs could make one, if he gets a trashed-body guitar as donator.

EDIT - that would naturally lead to problems finding case - so what about Building jumbo-sized 12-string with Stratocaster-style slopes - one on lower bout top - bass side - the other back at the waist - bass side. Complicated to build - sure - but . . .
 
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portsider

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I got out to Sam Ash today and played every 12 string under a grand. No Guild 12's, sadly.
The best sounding was a Taylor 150E. Unfortunately you could practically fit a pencil under the strings at the 12th fret. Best playing was a Takamine, but way uninspiring.
Once you've had Guild, there's no going back. So I guess it's a 112 or 212, possibly a GAD. The ones I've played (6 strings) have been very well made and were quite playable. Any thoughts on the Westerly Series?
I guess if I want a 24" scale I'm out of luck with Guilds.
 

fronobulax

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This thread should give some open-minded & experimenting guitar builder the idea of building a jumbo-sized 12-string, where the body depth is less on bass side and deeper on treble side - thus having all the volume in more manageable package. maybe Tom Jacobs could make one, if he gets a trashed-body guitar as donator.

<veer>

Check out Jack Casady's Diana Bass which is deliberately asymmetric for improved performance. Link is to the first version. I think they just finished version 4.
 

chazmo

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I got out to Sam Ash today and played every 12 string under a grand. No Guild 12's, sadly.
The best sounding was a Taylor 150E. Unfortunately you could practically fit a pencil under the strings at the 12th fret. Best playing was a Takamine, but way uninspiring.
Once you've had Guild, there's no going back. So I guess it's a 112 or 212, possibly a GAD. The ones I've played (6 strings) have been very well made and were quite playable. Any thoughts on the Westerly Series?
I guess if I want a 24" scale I'm out of luck with Guilds.
It is tough. You spoiled yourself with the Guild jumbos. There are reasons why they are beloved. ;) You might also want to try out a dread 12-stringer, as was mentioned earlier. There are a lot more of those out there from all the big guns. Some find it easier to play a dread, some don't. Good luck in the hunt.
 

portsider

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I appreciate the responses. I'm in no hurry, but if something just grabs me I'll jump. Meanwhile I will just work at the one I have a little harder.
I just picked it up and played the Stones' "Connection". It sounded glorious and brought me back to 1966 when I first learned it (the song, I still haven't learned the guitar).
 
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