12 Fretter....

McSwaggerty · January 2021

I'm keen for a good quality 0 or 00 size 12 Fretter...... 1 3/4 or 1 13/16 nut width and 2 3/8 string spacing at bridge. Anybody got any suggestions?

Andy79 · January 2021

How much you wanna spend?

Andy79 · January 2021

There’s at least one 000-28vs and one 00-28vs on the open market right now. Pretty much case closed if 2.5-3k is your budget

rogd · January 2021

If your budget runs to it, try a Larrivee parlour. I've got a P-09, lovely little thing.

Gandalph · January 2021

A Waterloo WLS, WLS Delux or WLK if you can find one.
1 3/4 nut and 2 3/8 string spacing.

Those Martin 0 and 00-28 vs’s do look nice though I’d love to try one sometime.

McSwaggerty · January 2021

Andy79 said:

How much you wanna spend?

around 2K would be ok... as for the Martins, i think i prefer mahogany over rosewood...would definately need to play before making a decision, and thats kinda difficult at the moment

Gandalph said:

A Waterloo WLS, WLS Delux or WLK if you can find one.
1 3/4 nut and 2 3/8 string spacing.

Those Martin 0 and 00-28 vs’s do look nice though I’d love to try one sometime.

Yes, i have been keeping my eye out for a Waterloo for a while.....kinda given up,..thats really the reason for this query..

Gandalph · January 2021

McSwaggerty said:

Andy79 said:

How much you wanna spend?

around 2K would be ok... as for the Martins, i think i prefer mahogany over rosewood...would definately need to play before making a decision, and thats kinda difficult at the moment

Gandalph said:

A Waterloo WLS, WLS Delux or WLK if you can find one.
1 3/4 nut and 2 3/8 string spacing.

Those Martin 0 and 00-28 vs’s do look nice though I’d love to try one sometime.

Yes, i have been keeping my eye out for a Waterloo for a while.....kinda given up,..thats really the reason for this query..

Yes mine took some finding thb!

How about one of those Taylor 12 fretters...322 or 522. They look pretty good (for a Taylor

)

Not sure on the spring spacing though.

merlin · January 2021

rogd said:

If your budget runs to it, try a Larrivee parlour. I've got a P-09, lovely little thing.

I can't imagine how great that must be. I have a P-01 and it's really lovely.

Basher · January 2021

I recently picked up a used Eastman OO-sized 12 fretter, 1 3/4" nut but not sure of string spacing at the bridge. Mine's the all-mahogany model and I've been impressed with the sound and playability. TBH it was the mahogany I was after, rather than the 12 fret neck but I thought I'd take a chance on it.

Might be worth checking out their models. The 12 fret necks seem to often be special editions or short runs but they chop and change models so often that you just have to check out the current catalogue (or buy a used one).

McSwaggerty · January 2021

Basher said:

I recently picked up a used Eastman OO-sized 12 fretter, 1 3/4" nut but not sure of string spacing at the bridge. Mine's the all-mahogany model and I've been impressed with the sound and playability. TBH it was the mahogany I was after, rather than the 12 fret neck but I thought I'd take a chance on it.

Might be worth checking out their models. The 12 fret necks seem to often be special editions or short runs but they chop and change models so often that you just have to check out the current catalogue (or buy a used one).

Will check them out. Thank-you.

Andy79 · January 2021

There’s also the Martin 00-15sm, seen a couple around lately. Trouble is the Sigma version is nearly as good and £1100 cheaper. Maybe the Sigma should be considered. Don’t be scared of cheap guitars if the quality is there. And if mahogany top could be an issue then bronze strings will sort that out

I need you stop looking for a Waterloo, it may raise my chances of finding one to above zero. COVID has seen all Waterloo guitars run for peoples wall hangers and remain there

McSwaggerty · January 2021

Andy79 said:

There’s also the Martin 00-15sm, seen a couple around lately. Trouble is the Sigma version is nearly as good and £1100 cheaper. Maybe the Sigma should be considered. Don’t be scared of cheap guitars if the quality is there. And if mahogany top could be an issue then bronze strings will sort that out

I need you stop looking for a Waterloo, it may raise my chances of finding one to above zero. COVID has seen all Waterloo guitars run for peoples wall hangers and remain there

I'm sure Martin/Sigma 00015sm are great, but pretty sure they are just 2 1/4 Bridge spacing..... Not enough room for me really.

TimmyO · January 2021

Martin 00-17S - outstanding guitars

Andy79 · January 2021

McSwaggerty said:

Andy79 said:

There’s also the Martin 00-15sm, seen a couple around lately. Trouble is the Sigma version is nearly as good and £1100 cheaper. Maybe the Sigma should be considered. Don’t be scared of cheap guitars if the quality is there. And if mahogany top could be an issue then bronze strings will sort that out

I need you stop looking for a Waterloo, it may raise my chances of finding one to above zero. COVID has seen all Waterloo guitars run for peoples wall hangers and remain there

I'm sure Martin/Sigma 00015sm are great, but pretty sure they are just 2 1/4 Bridge spacing..... Not enough room for me really.

The 00 I had was 2 3/8

TimmyO said:

Martin 00-17S - outstanding guitars

There we go, forgot all about that. I adore the 17 series

isn’t there one here in the classifieds?

TrevinDevon · January 2021

Andy79 said:

There’s also the Martin 00-15sm, seen a couple around lately. Trouble is the Sigma version is nearly as good and £1100 cheaper. Maybe the Sigma should be considered. Don’t be scared of cheap guitars if the quality is there. And if mahogany top could be an issue then bronze strings will sort that out

I need you stop looking for a Waterloo, it may raise my chances of finding one to above zero. COVID has seen all Waterloo guitars run for peoples wall hangers and remain there

Don't give up @Andy79. I took delivery of a WL-14 LTR today, ending my year-long search. Found it on FB Marketplace, of all places.

+1 for the WL-K @McSwaggerty. It's a featherweight beast. Guitarguitar have the the WL-12 new, if you're feeling flush.

Whitecat · January 2021

TrevinDevon said:

Andy79 said:

There’s also the Martin 00-15sm, seen a couple around lately. Trouble is the Sigma version is nearly as good and £1100 cheaper. Maybe the Sigma should be considered. Don’t be scared of cheap guitars if the quality is there. And if mahogany top could be an issue then bronze strings will sort that out

I need you stop looking for a Waterloo, it may raise my chances of finding one to above zero. COVID has seen all Waterloo guitars run for peoples wall hangers and remain there

Don't give up @Andy79. I took delivery of a WL-14 LTR today, ending my year-long search. Found it on FB Marketplace, of all places.

+1 for the WL-K @McSwaggerty. It's a featherweight beast. Guitarguitar have the the WL-12 new, if you're feeling flush.

May wanna grab that soon as apparently there’s been a £300 price rise on Waterloos...

Gandalph · January 2021

Don't give up @Andy79. I took delivery of a WL-14 LTR today, ending my year-long search. Found it on FB Marketplace, of all places.

Hey Trevor, nice score you finally got one!

I hope it was worth the wait.

TheMadMick · January 2021

This looks very reasonable and Guild produce excellent guitars. It also reviews well apart from a slightly thick neck.

https://www.guitar.co.uk/guild-p-240-memoir-parlour?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7bjjhMq87gIV0oBQBh3bSQn4EAQYAyABEgLvevD_BwE

BingMan · January 2021

Collings do very nice 12 fretters in 00 and 000 size.
1 13/16 at the nut and 2 5/6 at the bridge.

I own a 0002h which is rosewood but they also do them in mahogany. Great guitars, pretty much a do everything guitar. Probably not gonna find one for under £3k used though

I know Eastman make a version of it too... not sure if they just do rosewood ones though...

Coda have a lovely bourgeois 12 fretter, hog back and sides in at the moment... pricey, but guaranteed to be brilliant.

Since Martin discontinued their 00028vs and 0028vs prices seem to be rising too... a couple of years ago you could find them for about £2k but I dunno what they go for these days.

Santa Cruz also do some nice 12 fretters... but they don’t come cheap!

Andy79 · January 2021

Vintage and rare in Bath has a Huss Dalton 000 12. Nice

BingMan · January 2021

They also have a very nice 1929 000-28

for £20k!

Andy79 · January 2021

BingMan said:

They also have a very nice 1929 000-28

for £20k!

They’ve had that on the hanger since about 1929

McSwaggerty · January 2021

Andy79 said:

Vintage and rare in Bath has a Huss Dalton 000 12. Nice

BingMan said:

Collings do very nice 12 fretters in 00 and 000 size.
1 13/16 at the nut and 2 5/6 at the bridge.
I own a 0002h which is rosewood but they also do them in mahogany. Great guitars, pretty much a do everything guitar. Probably not gonna find one for under £3k used though

I know Eastman make a version of it too... not sure if they just do rosewood ones though...

Coda have a lovely bourgeois 12 fretter, hog back and sides in at the moment... pricey, but guaranteed to be brilliant.

Since Martin discontinued their 00028vs and 0028vs prices seem to be rising too... a couple of years ago you could find them for about £2k but I dunno what they go for these days.

Santa Cruz also do some nice 12 fretters... but they don’t come cheap!

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I will check them out.

DavidRees · January 2021

it's been a while since I played acoustic but have always fancied the idea of a 12 fretter. however most of those available at a less than eye watering price seem to be of the parlour/00 variety and as a big chap, over six foot in height and about 115kg in weight, who likes to play standing up and dislikes playing seated, small guitars just don't feel right. it's a shame that the 12 fret slope shouldered dreads seem to all be in the £3000+ category ...

Benm39 · February 2021

Might be worth chatting to likes of Brook Guitars to see what it might cost to build you something to suit....

McSwaggerty · February 2021

Benm39 said:

Might be worth chatting to likes of Brook Guitars to see what it might cost to build you something to suit....

Yes, that's an idea....
I just thought there must be an acoustic out there, that l didn't know about with 2 3/8 Bridge string spacing...... Hey ho...

malcolmkindness · February 2021

McSwaggerty said:

Benm39 said:

Might be worth chatting to likes of Brook Guitars to see what it might cost to build you something to suit....

Yes, that's an idea....
I just thought there must be an acoustic out there, that l didn't know about with 2 3/8 Bridge string spacing...... Hey ho...

I also like 2 3/8 string spacing at the bridge, but it is hard to find unless you go for a one off luthier build.
The only budget guitars that I have ever found with this string spacing are Recording King models.

dallcorp · February 2021

malcolmkindness said:

McSwaggerty said:

Benm39 said:

Might be worth chatting to likes of Brook Guitars to see what it might cost to build you something to suit....

Yes, that's an idea....
I just thought there must be an acoustic out there, that l didn't know about with 2 3/8 Bridge string spacing...... Hey ho...

I also like 2 3/8 string spacing at the bridge, but it is hard to find unless you go for a one off luthier build.
The only budget guitars that I have ever found with this string spacing are Recording King models.

The Gretsch Roots series 00 and 000 are 2 3/8 at the bridge........great budget 12 fretters!

Chris_J · February 2021

TimmyO said:

Martin 00-17S - outstanding guitars

Another vote for the 00-17s

Love mine! My most played guitar, great for sofa noodling, recording and surprisingly keeps up (and some!) in pub sessions. Man I miss the pub...

Gandalph · February 2021

Ok if you’re still looking then
the recent arrival of a Kalamazoo kg11, just back from a neck reset, has got me considering the unthinkable....Trading/selling my 12
fret Waterloo wlk for another vintage 14
fretter.

Let me know if it’s of any interest.

TDubs · February 2021

Benm39 said:

Might be worth chatting to likes of Brook Guitars to see what it might cost to build you something to suit....

I’ve just done this. The guys at Brook were super accommodating and are building something to my exact spec including the nut at 50mm width. I don’t think it’s crazy money for what I’m getting.

Only have at wait 7 months for it!

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