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Post by Holmes on Jun 29, 2014 8:32:21 GMT
Im looking at getting a busker delta and just wondering is there much difference in sound between a 12 fret and a 14 fret delta?
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 29, 2014 9:44:12 GMT
Hi Holmes1,
12 fret National-style guitars have more bass and generally a bigger sound than 14 fret National-style guitars, which tend to be bright and punchy. It is a compromise, the 12 fret will give you a big sound, but you have to develop your technique and get used to reaching above the 12th fret, whereas the 14 fret guitar will give you easy access to the high frets, but will have slightly less 'oomph'. You won't be disappointed in either model, they are both good guitars with an authentic National-style sound.
I hope that is helpful. Speak to Robin at Busker and ask his advice too.
Shine On Michael
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Post by eggy on Jun 29, 2014 9:46:53 GMT
For much same reason as Michael I prefer 12 fret.But either guitar you will not go wrong with.
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Post by pascal on Jun 29, 2014 11:26:29 GMT
... I am a fourteenth., With, you can capo easily (G to A/ . D to E) which is worthwhile for my singing!
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Post by Holmes on Jun 29, 2014 15:11:26 GMT
Thanks people, I like the idea of having that extra little bit up the neck! I also like the idea of extra bass! Haha. Why am I so indecisive? Id love to hear a proper comparison!
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Post by zak71 on Jun 29, 2014 18:37:25 GMT
Sorry to muddy the waters, but the 14-fret Nationals I have owned and played were among the loudest and bassiest Nationals that I have heard. The later ones (solid headstocks) with empty space between the neck stick and tailpiece screw instead of a shim tend to be particularly boomy and loud. I'll make a generalization by saying the 12s tend to have more of a "bonk bonk bonk" sound on the low string (listen to Bo Carter recordings, you hear it very clearly there) while 14s go "boom boom boom" - a good example would be the later Blind Boy Fuller sessions. The low end in the 14s seems to "swell" up at the listener rather than merely sustain. Of course there are mediocre specimens of both varieties, but I attribute that to setup (or lack thereof) and condition more than anything else.
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Post by Holmes on Jun 29, 2014 19:28:34 GMT
I messaged Robin, and he strongly believes there is nothing in it.
"I have heard 100s of these guitars side by side and I can categorically say that I would not be able to tell you if a resonator guitar was a 12 or 14 version in a blind test. I could tell you however if the guitar had been set-up properly or not just from the tone!"
Good enough for me! Im in the order book for a 14 fretter! Absolutely can not wait to get my hands on it!
Cheers
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Post by Michael Messer on Jun 29, 2014 19:31:06 GMT
Zak, you are not muddying the waters, you have highlighted the error of my comments. What I should have said was "as a general rule 14s are.... and 12s are..., but as we all know with guitars, there are so many exceptions to any rule. I have owned guitars that defied their description, such as a 12 fret Duolian that was the sweetest Hawaiian guitar you could hear. What I also should have said is that a good 14 fret National or National-style guitar can be a powerful little cannon!
I do still maintain that 'as a general rule' if there is such a thing, that what I said was correct.
Shine On Michael
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Post by zak71 on Jun 29, 2014 19:42:50 GMT
I don't think you can go wrong with either one if they're in good playing condition and haven't been monkeyed with too much. One detail that has been omitted from the discussion (at least where the original Nationals are concerned)are the vastly different neck shapes. The 12s have a flat-radiused C neck (except for the transitional radiused Cs of the rolled-f-hole 12s) and the radiused fretboard V necks of the 14s. I really love those deep V 14 fret necks. I should also add that I normally prefer 14s over 12s for standard tuning playing (based purely on sound and neck shape as opposed to any fret access considerations) and the 12s for slide.
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Post by Holmes on Jun 29, 2014 21:10:59 GMT
Thanks! This will be my first resonator so wether its a big bassy sound or a punchy sound you have all helped shape my decision, so thank you!
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Post by Deleted on Jun 29, 2014 21:53:43 GMT
I have seen Michael playing a 14 fret MM blues a couple of times, so I think you'll be OK. TT
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