Phil O'Keefe Posted October 6, 2016 Share Posted October 6, 2016 I've always thought that a good 12 string needs at least a dreadnought sized body to balance it out, and even bigger jumbos work really well as 12 string guitars. I really don't have any experience with small-bodied 12's, and I thought their small size would lead to not so great sound - but I just watched a video that kind of changed my outlook. It's not full or big sounding, but the bright delicate sound could have its own uses IMO. It kind of reminds me of a harpsichord in a way. Here's the video... [video=youtube;J3puEO9TN0o] And here is a link to the press release about the guitar. Are there any other smaller-bodied 12 string acoustics that you're aware of? Do any of you own such a guitar, and if so, what do you think of it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Freeman Keller Posted October 6, 2016 Members Share Posted October 6, 2016 I have a lovely old Martin 12 string dreadnaught that I never completely bonded with, so I built two others with smaller bodies (but not nearly as small as the one in your video. On the left is the D12-28, short Martin scale, usually tuned to D. In the middle is an OM bodied short scale, again, usually tuned to D. Its my go to 12 string when I want to play finger style. On the right is a very long scale (26.5 inch) ladder braced 000 sized 12 string - my Stella clone. It is strung with cables and usually tuned to B or C# or some low open tuning. A bit of a monster in spite of its size. Todd Cambio at Fraulini Guitars builds some small bodied 12's, usually ladder braced (his web site is acting flaky) http://fraulini.com/index.html I know that Bill Collings has built an 0 sized 12 and of course there are several 12 strings that are intended to be tuned above the "normal" E or D http://www.veilletteguitars.com/acoustic_merlin.shtml Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted October 6, 2016 Members Share Posted October 6, 2016 One of the loudest 12 strings I ever played was an old Gibson B12. It had loads of bass and projection compared to larger 12 strings. Maybe something was going on similar to a bass amp that uses 10" speakers instead of 12. For whatever reason it was a surprise to me: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members DeepEnd Posted October 6, 2016 Members Share Posted October 6, 2016 Similar to what guitarcapo mentioned, there's the old Gibson B25 12 string: I remember seeing Buck Owens play one, back in the day, and it was surprisingly small. In more modern times, Breedlove makes auditorium and concert size 12 strings: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cosmos578 Posted June 10, 2019 Members Share Posted June 10, 2019 Hi Freeman, I am looking for a small body 12-string just like the ones you made. Do you make and sell guitars? I would be interested in finding out about them if so. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators daddymack Posted June 10, 2019 Moderators Share Posted June 10, 2019 I immediately was taken back to my [mainly mis-spent] youth as an archaeology intern in southern Mexico looking for Mayan ruins [and found one!], where the local musicians played some very strange guitar variants, including 1/2 and even 1/3 size body 10 and 12 string guitars...Bajo Sexto, I think, or maybe requinto [?]... I see them in use on occasion ...but I don't know where you would go to get one...maybe Olvera Street? I bought a mini 6 string down there years ago, lent it out and never saw it again... There are local luthiers who cater to the Hispanic market who certainly would know about these. like this, but smaller: https://www.guitarcenter.com/Paracho...pCZRoCmBbw_wcB Then there is this: https://www.ebay.com/p/Ibanez%2DAW54...01583505&rt=nc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members SteinbergerHack Posted August 18, 2019 Members Share Posted August 18, 2019 Taylor 752, if you can find one. 12-fret neck, smallish body with very nice projection and great balance I almost bought one yesterday, but ended up getting an 814CE 6-string instead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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