12 v 14 fret guitar

[Simon]

Hi Michael,

Can you tell me in your opinion what is the difference between 12 and 14 fret guitars. Are there any tonal differences or could the longer 14 fret suffer from an increased strain on the neck? I am interested in purchasing a Fine Resophonics and the guitar I like the look of can be 12 or 14 frets.

[LouisianaGrey]

12 or 14 frets makes absolutely no difference to the tension because the scale length is the same in either case, it's just that the body is joined two frets higher. If there are tonal differences I'll leave that explanation to people with more sensitive ears than mine.

[blueshome]

Simon,

There are tonal differences between 12 & 14 fret guitars, but if you are thinking of a Fine Resophonic, then I would phone Mike Lewis and discuss this with him directly so that your personal preferences can be taken into account, or even arrange a trip to Paris to meet him. It's a lot of money to spend on something you are not sure about.

I have a Fine Resophonic guitar and know several others and in my opinion they are all a cut above anything else available - I can only recommend getting Mike to build you a guitar.

[pascalmesnier]

Dear Simon,
I own two 'fine-resophonic', one is the earlier tricone number 1 from 1991.
The other one is from the same year as Michael, a 'limited hawaiian' in Koa (below is the pic )
you will have less difference between two wood-bodied (12 and 14) than two metal-bodied guitars.
Mine is 'special'; it's a 14th frets BUT the scale is the 12th frets scale...Just I asked to Mike lewis 14 frets because it's easier to play with a capo!!!
Then you can either play in G and A, or D and E ...and no compromission with the scale of a 12th fret.
That could be an idea! And if you want to hear the guitar, just jump to my sound's page in my website. Most of the slide parts were recorded with the Koa!
Aloha, hope you enjoy,
www.pascal-mesnier.com