Good information but where are the sound examples letting us hear the differences? You had both 12 and 14s there; I kept waiting to hear each guitar...
Great discussion. I've long thought that Martin's 000-15s is one of the biggest bang-for-buck guitars out there-- the 12 fret design just gives you such rich tone for the price.
Matt, great summary but you didn't mention one of the major differences - between the 14 fret 000/OM and the 12 fret 000. the original 000 came with a 1 &7/8" nut width whereas the 14 fretters were 1 &43/4" at most. For those of us that prefer a wider fretboard with wider string spacing, the 12 fretters are usually the better choice, and the same applies to 12 & 14 fret dreads. See my video on this : ua-cam.com/video/kfpMciG92oY/v-deo.html
Agreed. I am a long fan and player of 12 fret guitars to include not only 00 and 000 but also many of the D18S, VS , SV variants and my long time favorite a 1969 D-35s.The wider nut is critical, 1 3/4 being the absolute minimum with 1 7/8ths optimum and 1 13/16 way ok.Also with the 12 fret dreads they land on your leg/body in a different way and place than a standard dred. Much more comfortable without the right shoulder strain.
Thank you for answering a question I often wondered but never actually checked into! I had seen a couple of 12 fret guitars wondered but never actually asked! Thanks Mat
Some very good points, would have like to have heard these guitars. One point is it looks like Martin makes their 12 fret models with a different/elongated body style, others don’t. I’d like to see the specs but if the 12 fret here is elongated to join at the 12th fret, doesn’t that leave the bridge in roughly the same place? My Taylor 12 fret is the same body as the 14, so to get the joint back to the 12 fret, it pushes the bridge an equal distance back, whereas this Martin looks like it’s not really. So, I guess I’m not seeing the advantage with the Martin.
If you play one you will notice that 12 fret have a more deep and harmonious sound effect. Almost harp like sometimes. You know when two notes are in harmony and they vibrate just right? 12 frets have a lot of that. Only way I can explain it
I’ve been having some fun with fender ma-1 3/4 guitars for a time now. They are the only 12 fret guitars I seem to come across on auction sites. Not too many guit shops in my neck of the woods.
I e seen a few of these that have both guitars in hand and nobody demonstrates. I mean I know sonically it's not a great format but both guitars would be played equally so a difference would be perceptible?
I can answer this! Marketing purpose, to give the 12-fret guitars more of a vintage look, guitar manufacturers use a slotted headstock on a 12-fret guitar and a solid headstock on a 14-fret guitar. Both Taylor and Martin does this. Oh and btw, nylon string guitars have always stayed with a slotted headstock!
I discussed this topic with the Swedish (world class) luthier Ted Åstrand and he's opinion was likewise that it is merely an aesthetic issue. Retail people sometimes claim that the steeper string break angle impacts the tone positively, but I doubt that (and so does Ted). Moreover, the steeper angle affects mainly the first and sixth string but the others less. If I would choose a slotted head stock it would be because the tuner knobs can be handled in a more ergonomic angle for the wrist. A disadvantage might be that there seems to be more tuning machines to choose among for "traditional" steel string peg heads.
These guitars are based on Martin Designs. The 12 fret 000 (intended to be large enough to perform with unamplified in an "auditorium" and was introduced in 1902 and is still in production,and is essentially the same instrument. All (well most) Martins had slotted headstocks until they changed the designs from finger-style guitars to 14 fret rhythm instruments starting with the "OM" (orchestra model) in 1929. They ad not only longer necks above the body, but thinner necks as it was thought that the players would only be playing chords on them (the players being mostly ex tenor banjo players who lost their jobs in the bands unless they changed to guitar. However, Gibson had introduced the L-5 in 1922 which was ideal for band rhythm sections and the OM was a commercial failure. It was discontinued in 1933. Ironically some time later finger-pickers liked the standard scale OMs better than the 14 fret 000 which Martin had made a short scale and the OM became a favourite of finger pickers. The original 000 12 fret design is standard scale and has (or should have ) a 1 & 7/8" (or thereabouts) nut width, and a wider string spacing than the OM. It is only in the last few years that many are starting to realise that the 12 fret 000 is a superior design for fingerpicking. (although both designs can also be flatpicked as well of course. Martin really got the shapes, strutting and proportions tight way back before the 14 fret guitars came out but the 14 fret rhythm guitars proved more popular. I don't know why - I play 12fret dreads , 000 and 00 guitars. See my video on why I prefer 12 fretters if interested.
I just bought a 12 fret handmade "Gary Garcia"*made in Sacramento* guitar with a cutaway.. and holy crap does it sound amazing (best of both worlds since the cutaway makes it feel like a 15 fret neck joint... I found this video while trying to understand WHY it makes such a tone difference.
#ask Matt, Great info, you compared a 000 but I was wondering about the dreadnought and the fretboard width on a 12 fret vs a 14. I'm looking at maybe a wider fretboard for my bigger hands. I'm a newbie, 2 years playing and I'm 64 years young.....ha. Any thoughts on that comparison and to the sound difference?
I know it’s late. Just watched this video and saw your question. I found most 12 fritters are short scale as well so for drop tuning stay with long scale which is more common on 14 fret guitars.
have you ever tried out a Prestige acoustic guitar? I recently bought an Eclispse Koa model and I love it but i wanted to know how it compares with the range of guitars youve reviewed #askmatt
Also a 12 fret guitar is easier to play then a 14 fret guitar because of less tension, which is like taking a 14 fret guitar and putting a capo at the 2nd fret and then tuning it back down 1 whole step or 2 half steps down to standard tuning .The (A) string second string from the bottom next to the fat E string will be tuning to ( 440 Hz pitch, key of( A ) ,2nd string 2nd fret with the capo in place at the 2nd fret ) .
kenneth bransford That’s going to be a function of scale length, and not at which fret the neck joins the body. A 12 fret guitar isn’t necessarily shorter in scale (less string tension), nor is a 14 fret necessarily longer (more string tension).
@@asentz That's correct. But string tension also depends on the type of strings. The Spanish guitar, aka the classical guitar, has the scale length of 650mm and it joins body at the 12th fret. That scale is longer that the usual Folk guitar's scale of 645, 644, 635 or 630mm. It's even slightly longer than the common electric guitar scale length. But the string tension in a log scale Spanish guitar is not as high as on a steel string Folk guitar with short scale.
Say, it has come to my mind that your extra long super sized beard must get all over your guitar fret board and in and on your strings while you play. I would think that it would be quite annoying having your beard hairs being yanked out while playing guitar. It's a good thing you don't play the harmonica. Don't even think about it. Your upper lip and chin would be ripped out in the first 4 bars and the harp would jam up with hair in the reeds.
I’ve got to say, the last 2 years or so I’ve pretty much been 12 fret only. And I love it!
Doesnt it make difference while playing 14 fret??
cool name yes
Good information but where are the sound examples letting us hear the differences? You had both 12 and 14s there; I kept waiting to hear each guitar...
Scale-length? (usually shorter on the 12-fret); slotted (12-fret) vs solid headstock (14-fret)?; fingerboard width (usually wider on the 12-fret)?
Thank you! This was very helpful!
Silly me thinking he was gonna demonstrate the difference between by playing them.
I know, it started out very promising and we ended up finding out very little.
great information but would've loved to have heard the two guitars back to back so I could hear the differences.
Any preference for 14 vs 12 for acoustic blues? Thanks for the video!
I personally like the 12 fret for blues and finger style :-)
Great discussion. I've long thought that Martin's 000-15s is one of the biggest bang-for-buck guitars out there-- the 12 fret design just gives you such rich tone for the price.
Matt, great summary but you didn't mention one of the major differences - between the 14 fret 000/OM and the 12 fret 000. the original 000 came with a 1 &7/8" nut width whereas the 14 fretters were 1 &43/4" at most. For those of us that prefer a wider fretboard with wider string spacing, the 12 fretters are usually the better choice, and the same applies to 12 & 14 fret dreads.
See my video on this : ua-cam.com/video/kfpMciG92oY/v-deo.html
Agreed. I am a long fan and player of 12 fret guitars to include not only 00 and 000 but also many of the D18S, VS , SV variants and my long time favorite a 1969 D-35s.The wider nut is critical, 1 3/4 being the absolute minimum with 1 7/8ths optimum and 1 13/16 way ok.Also with the 12 fret dreads they land on your leg/body in a different way and place than a standard dred. Much more comfortable without the right shoulder strain.
@@bohemian46 We are of one mind sir! please check out some of my videos.
Thank you, it never dawned on me to actually count the number of frets. I rarely go beyond the middle of the neck.
Thank you for answering a question I often wondered but never actually checked into! I had seen a couple of 12 fret guitars wondered but never actually asked! Thanks Mat
They use the same amount of wood on both.
The 12 fret is narrowed and stretched to reach.
Sound’s slightly different in a nice sort of way.
Excellent video, Matt. Great observations, and info!!
Excellent video. Terrific explanation 12, v 14 fret guitars.
What about 14 notes per octave?
This was Awesome !
Some very good points, would have like to have heard these guitars.
One point is it looks like Martin makes their 12 fret models with a different/elongated body style, others don’t.
I’d like to see the specs but if the 12 fret here is elongated to join at the 12th fret, doesn’t that leave the bridge in roughly the same place? My Taylor 12 fret is the same body as the 14, so to get the joint back to the 12 fret, it pushes the bridge an equal distance back, whereas this Martin looks like it’s not really. So, I guess I’m not seeing the advantage with the Martin.
is 12 fret guitar better for heartbeat style playing please help
Nice explanation, but no a/b sound comparison, which would be most helpful.
Not so sure your correct saying you get more bass response from that slope shoulder 12 fret? May I misunderstood.
If you play one you will notice that 12 fret have a more deep and harmonious sound effect. Almost harp like sometimes. You know when two notes are in harmony and they vibrate just right? 12 frets have a lot of that. Only way I can explain it
@@adriannasanchez468 I was speaking of slope vs square shoulder in general not 12 fret but to each his or her own
Even though the body is smaller, the bridge is placed in the center of the lower bout, making it actually have more bass response.
I’ve been having some fun with fender ma-1 3/4 guitars for a time now. They are the only 12 fret guitars I seem to come across on auction sites. Not too many guit shops in my neck of the woods.
I know it’s an old post but love the hair and the beard!
Thats because you're gay
I e seen a few of these that have both guitars in hand and nobody demonstrates. I mean I know sonically it's not a great format but both guitars would be played equally so a difference would be perceptible?
Good info...would have been nice to HEAR the differences...
Why do some guitars have a slotted headstock as opposed to a regular one? #AskMatt
I can answer this! Marketing purpose, to give the 12-fret guitars more of a vintage look, guitar manufacturers use a slotted headstock on a 12-fret guitar and a solid headstock on a 14-fret guitar. Both Taylor and Martin does this. Oh and btw, nylon string guitars have always stayed with a slotted headstock!
I discussed this topic with the Swedish (world class) luthier Ted Åstrand and he's opinion was likewise that it is merely an aesthetic issue. Retail people sometimes claim that the steeper string break angle impacts the tone positively, but I doubt that (and so does Ted). Moreover, the steeper angle affects mainly the first and sixth string but the others less. If I would choose a slotted head stock it would be because the tuner knobs can be handled in a more ergonomic angle for the wrist. A disadvantage might be that there seems to be more tuning machines to choose among for "traditional" steel string peg heads.
These guitars are based on Martin Designs. The 12 fret 000 (intended to be large enough to perform with unamplified in an "auditorium" and was introduced in 1902 and is still in production,and is essentially the same instrument. All (well most) Martins had slotted headstocks until they changed the designs from finger-style guitars to 14 fret rhythm instruments starting with the "OM" (orchestra model) in 1929. They ad not only longer necks above the body, but thinner necks as it was thought that the players would only be playing chords on them (the players being mostly ex tenor banjo players who lost their jobs in the bands unless they changed to guitar.
However, Gibson had introduced the L-5 in 1922 which was ideal for band rhythm sections and the OM was a commercial failure. It was discontinued in 1933.
Ironically some time later finger-pickers liked the standard scale OMs better than the 14 fret 000 which Martin had made a short scale and the OM became a favourite of finger pickers.
The original 000 12 fret design is standard scale and has (or should have ) a 1 & 7/8" (or thereabouts) nut width, and a wider string spacing than the OM.
It is only in the last few years that many are starting to realise that the 12 fret 000 is a superior design for fingerpicking. (although both designs can also be flatpicked as well of course.
Martin really got the shapes, strutting and proportions tight way back before the 14 fret guitars came out but the 14 fret rhythm guitars proved more popular.
I don't know why - I play 12fret dreads , 000 and 00 guitars.
See my video on why I prefer 12 fretters if interested.
Oh btw - solid headstocks are, I'm told, easier and cheaper to make than the slotted type.
I just bought a 12 fret handmade "Gary Garcia"*made in Sacramento* guitar with a cutaway.. and holy crap does it sound amazing (best of both worlds since the cutaway makes it feel like a 15 fret neck joint... I found this video while trying to understand WHY it makes such a tone difference.
#ask Matt, Great info, you compared a 000 but I was wondering about the dreadnought and the fretboard width on a 12 fret vs a 14. I'm looking at maybe a wider fretboard for my bigger hands. I'm a newbie, 2 years playing and I'm 64 years young.....ha. Any thoughts on that comparison and to the sound difference?
Which is better for drop tunings?
I know it’s late. Just watched this video and saw your question. I found most 12 fritters are short scale as well so for drop tuning stay with long scale which is more common on 14 fret guitars.
Love you, Matt!
It's Tony's beard anyway...This guy is an expert...thanks for the info!
Those guitars are gorgeous. More expensive though than mine...from Godin.
have you ever tried out a Prestige acoustic guitar? I recently bought an Eclispse Koa model and I love it but i wanted to know how it compares with the range of guitars youve reviewed #askmatt
Martin doesn’t move the bridge. They just elongate the body. Curious if you think is remotely as good???
What's up with the people laughing off camera? :p
Adam Keay comes off as really rude doesn’t it
scared me lol wtf is this
A forgotten subject. Thanks, man!
You are the best, Matt. Love 12-fret all the way! All I have are 12-fretters.
Umm, just purchased a vintage statesboro parlour thinking it would have 14 frets to the bout but has14a bit. Pissed with that
Why didn't you play them?!
Why why why do they always get two different models?
No side by side sound comparison
To those who think 12-fret designs are unplayable above the 12th: Go watch a couple of Eric Skye’s videos for amazement and wonder.
Too bad we never got to hear the difference in sound.
Came for the guitars, stayed for the guitars, but enjoyed the beard.
No demo ??????
I heard that 12 frets have a wider fingerboard
Also a 12 fret guitar is easier to play then a 14 fret guitar because of less tension, which is like taking a 14 fret guitar and putting a capo at the 2nd fret and then tuning it back down 1 whole step or 2 half steps down to standard tuning .The (A) string second string from the bottom next to the fat E string will be tuning to ( 440 Hz pitch, key of( A ) ,2nd string 2nd fret with the capo in place at the 2nd fret ) .
kenneth bransford That’s going to be a function of scale length, and not at which fret the neck joins the body. A 12 fret guitar isn’t necessarily shorter in scale (less string tension), nor is a 14 fret necessarily longer (more string tension).
Thank you for the clarification.
@@asentz That's correct. But string tension also depends on the type of strings. The Spanish guitar, aka the classical guitar, has the scale length of 650mm and it joins body at the 12th fret. That scale is longer that the usual Folk guitar's scale of 645, 644, 635 or 630mm. It's even slightly longer than the common electric guitar scale length. But the string tension in a log scale Spanish guitar is not as high as on a steel string Folk guitar with short scale.
Not in the Martin world. They just elongate the body, they don’t shorten the scale.
#askmatt What about frequency are they same...
Play them!!!!
Your beard is regal! So jealous
Excellent
Awesome!
no sound comparison ! and many people don't know that a human beard is the best solid top buffing tool
0:01
5 min listening to you and no sound demo at all to hear any difference in tone colors. Strange!
Jesus Christ i thought u were Tony!!!
Weezer's a religious nut!
Got 15
PLAY THEM!
I can make a wig out of his beard
Lol no your not going crazy there is people laughing off camera, its just weird cause the presenter isnt reacting to it.
Ya, they really sound different... 🤭
sound. ??????????
Why not just play them so you can hear the difference, isn't that the point....
Say, it has come to my mind that your extra long super sized beard must get all over your guitar fret board and in and on your strings while you play. I would think that it would be quite annoying having your beard hairs being yanked out while playing guitar. It's a good thing you don't play the harmonica. Don't even think about it. Your upper lip and chin would be ripped out in the first 4 bars and the harp would jam up with hair in the reeds.
I just couldn't buy anything from a guy who looks like you.