View post (Best acoustic 12 string??)

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12stringking
Registered User
Joined: 03/04/23
Posts: 1
12stringking
Registered User
Joined: 03/04/23
Posts: 1
03/04/2023 12:04 pm

Hi, late in the day, and I guess you may have got yourself a 12 by now. And might befinding one just isn't enough.... I have three and could do with at least a couple more! I've owned Fender dreads, an Eko Navajo - very jangly and a bit thin - a Breedlove for a few years - again, a bit thin and **** Chinese construction, big disappointment for a £600+ guitar. Now have a Vintage Paul Brett parlour, which is an easy ride, warm tone, but not much volume due to being quite small. Also recently bought an Ashton SL; they're only £250 new, but this was a steal off FB at 30 quid! Had to do a fair bit - saddle, nut, stone and redress top 8 frets to get rid of bad choking - but it now plays real easy, even with a .010 gauge set (I usually use the lightest I can get, .009s, and tune to concert pitch), and has a fantastic big warm sound with loads of volume - a real surprise for a Chinese cheapie! But the star of the lineup is a Gretsch Dorado I bought last year, flattop with trapeze tail, fixed bridge and slot head, 000 size, spruce top. They were made for Gretsch in Japan between about 70 - 73, and most went to the States but a few came over here (UK). Build quality is superb, and the sound, even with ultra light strings, is huge and rich from top to bottom. Superb either fingerpicked or driven with a plec, my next move is get a Fishman sonicore installed so I can gig it. Would strongly recommend  you try and find one on e-bay...