August 27, 2010
12 Fret Acoustic Guitars
All guitars used to be 12 fret style.
The nylon string classical style guitar is still made in the 12 fret design.
Analyze the requirements of the classical musician.
The orchestrations are often meant to be played without accompaniment.
The instruments crafted for classical music were engineered to tonal perfection.
Hence the classical guitar was the ultimate possible design.
Musical styles shifted in the 1920s and guitars were seen in the dance bands and orchestras.
As jazz and popular music made the concept of instrument solos and jamming more popular the guitarist wanted to be where the action was.
The guitarist found the magic zone on the upper frets.
Luthiers responded by crafting instruments with the neck meeting the body at the 14th fret.
Then came electricity which brought the guitar player to the front of the band.
Double cut aways on electric guitars launched the guitarist into the strat osphere.
In response to the musicians request for higher altitudes the luthier cut away the lower bout of the acoustic instrument body in order to imitate the shape of an electric guitar.
So what is the deal with guitar manufacturers returning to the 12 fret concept?
Luthiers are now returning to the roots of the craft as guitarists are requesting 12 fret acoustic instruments.
Guitars made for classical music rarely have 14 frets.
Luthier and musician always strive for a mo betta sound which sometimes means going back to the roots.
Recent 12 fret guitars have been made with a single cut away on the lower bout.
The sound of the 12 fret and the playability of the 14 fret are combined together.
The 12 fret body style is especially appreciated by fingerstyle guitar players.
12 fret acoustics will often have a wider neck which fingerstyle players like.
These necks are usually 1 3/4 inches wide at the nut.
Classical guitars are made with necks of up to 2 1/2 inches at the nut.
Any way you look at it the acoustic 12 fret guitar is here to stay.
Filed under Hip Hop Dance Class by Phill
