Responsiveness of a 12-fret body join vs 14-fret body join and bracing systems.

[William2]

Does the connection of the neck to the body make much of a difference in the response of the instrument when played fingerstyle? I own two Larrivee dreadnought's (D-40R & SD-40RW). I find the SD-40RW more responsive when plucked with the fingers than the D-40R. The D-40R does have a longer sustain, however. I'm considering one last instrument in the spring, and it will be a Larrivee with a mahogany tone wood body if I do this. Possibly a different body type 000 or OM also. Does the connection to the body play a part in responsiveness of the instrument, and also, does the 03-mahogany series or the 40-mahogany series respond better because of the different bracing systems respond better to fingerstyle playing?

[unclrob]

I have a 12 fret OM maple body its the placement of the bridge which is more centered in the middle of the lower bout which for me give's a reallly nice bass responce.

[William2]

I used to have a WL-12 Waterloo with a maple body. It had a very quick response. I finally decided the 00-body size wasn't right for my repertoire. And when I discovered Waterloo (Collings) was making a supposedly retro instrument with a bolt on neck, that was the end of that instrument. I've never heard of a 12 fret OM. I thought there were only 000 and OM instruments. So, your instrument has the shape of an OM with a 12-fret body join? Who made this instrument?

[unclrob]

Its a Larrivee OM03 Pete Anderson,Cool 50ish Supro burst.

[Silence Dogood]

While I'd probably never own a 12-fretter because I often play well beyond the 14th/15th fret, I do think there is something almost magical about that design.  I once played one of those Larrivee sloped dreads that connects at 12 and it was possibly the nicest guitar I've ever played.  I can also understand not wanting a supposed "retro" guitar with a bolt-on neck.  Seems to defeat the purpose a bit.

[B0WIE]

Response is sometimes viewed as how tight/quick an instrument reacts. This trait is stronger in 14 fretters. For instance, a standard 14 fret dread may feel more responsive when playing quick bluegrass licks with a pick.
But, 12 fret guitars will usually allow you to get a bigger, fuller sound with less effort. That's a different type of response and I've found my 12fretters (dreads, 000s, and a 00) to all feel that way.

[William2]

While I'd probably never own a 12-fretter because I often play well beyond the 14th/15th fret, I do think there is something almost magical about that design.  I once played one of those Larrivee sloped dreads that connects at 12 and it was possibly the nicest guitar I've ever played.  I can also understand not wanting a supposed "retro" guitar with a bolt-on neck.  Seems to defeat the purpose a bit.

I agree a 12-fret connection does make it a bit more of a challenge past the 12th fret. I love my SD-40R and would never sell it because of its sound, and 12 fret dreads aren't all that common. I don't miss the Waterloo's. I don't understand what the Waterloo fever is all about. I think the Martin 17 series is a better example of a retro instrument in build, sound, and costs much less. My other Waterloo was the Jumbo King. It was a great sounding instrument, but the neck was a killer. And I'm not too particular about necks so I sold that one as well.

[William2]

Response is sometimes viewed as how tight/quick an instrument reacts. This trait is stronger in 14 fretters. For instance, a standard 14 fret dread may feel more responsive when playing quick bluegrass licks with a pick.
But, 12 fret guitars will usually allow you to get a bigger, fuller sound with less effort. That's a different type of response and I've found my 12fretters (dreads, 000s, and a 00) to all feel that way.

Mr. Bowie, I like the way you articulate things. You really nailed the response comment and what I sense when I play my two instruments. *I am better able to get "a bigger fuller sound with less effort" on my 12-fret instrument. So, if I do this, it will be a Larrivee 12-fret 000, and SD-40 or SD-50.

[Silence Dogood]

I agree a 12-fret connection does make it a bit more of a challenge past the 12th fret. I love my SD-40R and would never sell it because of its sound, and 12 fret dreads aren't all that common. I don't miss the Waterloo's. I don't understand what the Waterloo fever is all about. I think the Martin 17 series is a better example of a retro instrument in build, sound, and costs much less. My other Waterloo was the Jumbo King. It was a great sounding instrument, but the neck was a killer. And I'm not too particular about necks so I sold that one as well.

The 12-fret Larrivee I played was a dark burst-finished slope dread.  I can't quite remember the year because I made a few trips to this particular shop while traveling (First Quality Music in Louisville, KY - great shop that's now gone).  It was either 2004 or 2009.  At any rate, this guitar was magical - one of those that seems to almost jump out of your lap while playing it.  Seems like the neck was a tad wider on it too.  Someone ended up with one special guitar. 

[B0WIE]

Mr. Bowie, I like the way you articulate things. You really nailed the response comment and what I sense when I play my two instruments. *I am better able to get "a bigger fuller sound with less effort" on my 12-fret instrument. So, if I do this, it will be a Larrivee 12-fret 000, and SD-40 or SD-50.

Thx for the kind words.
If you want a big, piano-like sound, consider the SD50. If you want something a bit more articulate and not as big/heavy (sounding) as your current instruments then the 000 is a joy. There's something special about the 000 in that it's got the sweet, intimate voicing of a mid sized guitar, but the lower bout gives it enough bass that it has fulness beyond what other mid sized guitars offer.

That said, the SD50 is an absolute beast. It's like a Doberman; beautiful but spooky powerful.