Over the last few years, I’ve seen more and more 12th fret dreadnoughts available at affordable prices. What do y’all think about the tone, and overall playability of a 12th fret dreadnaught?
12th Fret Dreadnaught
2 Likes
It’s funny because Jake and Ben were just talking about how the 12 fret affects scale length in this TableTalk (4:36):
I think they are wonderful instruments. I have played one where I really loved the tone, but I like to play so much on the high frets that I wouldn’t want a 12 fret as my primary instrument. They will have a shorter scale length, and are often described as sounding warmer than a comparable 14-fret.
1 Like
Hi @banjodude601 Brad 
to @BanjoBen 's Forum. I have always loved the sound of a 12 string guitar. Alas I could never get comfortable playing guitar my hands are small and fingers are short.
That looks like an interesting video, I’ll have to watch that. Not all slopes (12 frets) are short scale. Many are (normal) 25.4". The D18SS was a 24.9 scale (I think thus the SS). I love the feel of the short scale, but I think it sacrifices a little on the horsepower. That said, there is a sweetness to the tone on the shorter scale. A santa cruz roy smeck (Gibson scaled, I think at 24.75") was one I didn’t buy probably 15 years ago that still haunts me.
Back to the OP’s questions. I love the tone of 12 fret dreads. I have a D18 in both 12 and 14 fret, so they are very similar in spec except one is 12 fret, the other 14. The 14 fret has a bit more punch, cut and carry. The 12 fret has a somewhat bigger sound. 12 frets seems to get you a smoother bottom end and maybe some additional highs as well. For flatpicking in a jam, the 14 is better, for playing inside with others strumming/singing kind of stuff, the 12 has a bit more lush tone (not necessarily better, but different). As far as playability, the 12 fret limitations seldom bother me, but you do lose a bit of access to higher frets.
1 Like
Thank you! I’ve been a banjo player all my life. Recently decided I wanted to get better at playing guitar be a little more useful.