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Post by slide496 on Jul 31, 2015 23:48:55 GMT
I'm wondering what players here have an interest in when getting a resonator or guitar for slide playing.
Any preference to 12 or 14 fret or is that even a consideration when looking at an instrument? Does that vary depending like you might prefer a 12 fret resonator but only like 14 fret on a flat top.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2015 1:39:21 GMT
One consideration when thinking acoustic resonator or guitar for slide relates to the volume (ie cubic inches) of the body and it's impact on the tone... I think traditional 12 fret bodies have more physical volume and thus more air to move, which arguably makes it louder, better tone, etc. But that is only one factor. You have to knw how you plan to use the guitar when buying it...
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Post by kiwi on Aug 1, 2015 6:48:34 GMT
All of my acoustic flat top wood bodies are 000/OM and archtop guitars are 14 fret to the body. The 5 smaller parlour size are 12 fret. For resonators I have always preferred 12 fret to the body. This changed last year when I bought a Style O 14 fret knock off (with chicken foot cover that I was never a fan of) which is one of my favourite guitars now. I guess I originally preferred 12 fret Resonators but 14 fret acoustics with a smaller body size. The Style O changed that a bit. But I still have a soft spot for the parlours. Last week I got a 12 fret wood body tricone and so far am enjoying it a lot. The tricone from Republic  And the Style O  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2015 7:53:00 GMT
12f & 14f nationals are both great designs, but there's something about the coverplate not being 'central' in the lower part of the body on a 14f (dobros) that bugs me occasionally. 12f is a no-no for me cos of the finger I use for slide. The body size v volume doesn't seem to make a significant difference to me. Anyhoo, I bought this 'martin' guitar template (the shape of which I like best of all) and made 13f guitars - makes complete sense to me !  Also, I don't think rolled f-hole 12f guitars look 'right'... TT |
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Post by gaucho on Aug 1, 2015 12:50:10 GMT
I have both and I always preferred the aesthetics of 12 fret resos and parlors. But, I really like the sound and access to the upper frets of the 14s. I find that my 14 fret Hwy 61 Republic is the most comfortable resonator I've ever played (and it has great tone as well). My 14 fret Triolian (NRP) and Style O (1934 National) have a bass response that I've never heard in 12 fretters. I still prefer the looks of the 12 fret models tho, especially the flat F-hole and ribbed coverplate models from '32 to early '33. Parlor sized and small body acoustics just don't look right to me with a 14 fret neck....
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Post by slide496 on Aug 1, 2015 16:22:38 GMT
I guess there are various considerations of which this is a factor but not a driving one, for me I get on with either but a short scale 24.9 on a twelve fret parlor seems to be a natural fit and I like the Johnny Winter 14 fret cutaway, the new Fender 12 string is 14 fret 25.4 scale and the kay note parlor is 14 fret. I check and it is a consideration and deciding factor that it be 12 fret and ladder braced with any parlor - I won't consider a 14 fret parlor - I don't think I realized the kay was until I got it, but I knew the res was. I had a 14 fret Republic duolian which I broke the neck of and I got rid of but I am sorry I did as that sounded pretty good.
Never have seen or played a 13 fret!
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 1, 2015 19:11:00 GMT
Interesting, my Dobro M-32 is 13 1/2 fret.  |
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Post by slide496 on Aug 2, 2015 0:32:32 GMT
Is the 13 1/2 deliberate or an adjustment - the half is where on the fret board?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2015 7:16:44 GMT
looking at some pics, a fair few M32 / leader etc are between the 13-14 fret. Maybe the edges befuddled some of the workers...   |
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Post by Michael Messer on Aug 2, 2015 7:55:41 GMT
All fiddle-edge Dobros are 13.5 frets to the body.
Shine On
Michael
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Post by Pickers Ditch on Aug 2, 2015 7:59:13 GMT
Thanks Deuce, they're just like mine.
There's no sign of mine being modified either; not even a neck reset.
I'll post some pics of mine this evening.
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Post by dbs on Aug 4, 2015 23:01:59 GMT
"lo-something you might consider in choosing 12 or 14 frets is how much do you use a capo-if you are in Spanish & want to go to A your capo is of course on the 2nd fret which if you have a 12 fretter puts your sliding over top of the body-for some this is not a big deal there are technics for playing over the body that can be learned & practiced-(Roy Rogers is really good at that)-also-are you a singer-if you are you probably use a capo often to key up your vocals (i do this a lot)-i just started playing resonators a few months ago-i have 3 now they are all 12 frets-i tried a 14 fret for a couple of weeks & really didn't like it for slide-even w/ having to go over top of the body i still found the 12 fret more comfortable-& well less intimidating for a new slider like me-it's all personal preference really but i thought the capo bit might play a factor...cheers
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Post by beaverHausen on Aug 4, 2015 23:32:33 GMT
I have been listening to the sound samples of the mm blues and lightning!
As well as noticing the difference in tone between steel and brass it made me think 'Do 12 & 14 fret models sound better in a particular tuning?'
ie. Is a 12 fret brass body better in open G and a 14 fret steel in open D?
Answers on a postcard...
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Post by resotonic on Aug 5, 2015 2:13:06 GMT
Does anyone make a 14-fret Tricone?
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Post by kiwi on Aug 5, 2015 3:23:48 GMT
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