SD-40 a "true" 12 fretter?

[musical123]

It is true that the SD-40 neck meets the body at the 12th fret.  However the guitar body's length is 1.25 inches longer than the Larrivee D-03  which basically extends the body to cover frets 13 and 14.

I realize I am overthinking this, I have an d-03 and am thinking about an SD-40, so curious on your thoughts especially if my fretting hand/arm would interact differently with these 2 guitars.


Thanks

[B0WIE]

What gives the "12 fret tone" (the richer fuller sound) is the bridge placement and subsequent shifting of the braces. When the bridge gets more centered in the lower bout, it's a more ideal position for harmonic richness and full bodied tone. The 14 fret body typically has a bridge closer to the neck, resulting in a more aggressive tone with greater emphasis on the fundamental. The traditional acoustic guitar tone people have become accustomed to from countless recordings.

12 fretters have been increasing in popularity in recent years. I personally find them far more comfortable for the fretting hand and shoulder. You won't know until you try. I avoided 12 fret guitars for years but as soon as I got a Larrivee SD, nearly every guitar after was a 12 fretter.

[Silence Dogood]

I have probably told this story a bunch of times, but that won't stop me from doing it again. 

Many years ago I was at the old First Quality Music Supply shop (RIP) in Louisville, KY (what a great shop!) and picked up some kind of Larrivee 12-fret sloped dread.  It was and remains the nicest acoustic guitar I've ever had in my hands. There really is something magical about the design.  Only trouble for me is that I really do use all the higher frets, and pretty regularly, so a 12-fret guitar would end up frustrating me to no end.  But, wow, what a design!

[William2]

I have to say that the SD-40 is very comfortable. It's body design reminds of the shape of the early baroque guitars. And if you play fingerstyle, there is a really effortless response to your touch. I think if I got another 12-fret guitar it would probably be a square shoulder dreadnought with a 12-fret body connection. I have thought of a 24 series dreadnought with a 12-fret connection and 19 frets LOL. I often wonder what the SD would sound like with a 16-inch lower bout.

[Sandstorm]

Isn't the TE model supposed to be the best of both worlds, 12th fret design with a Florentine cutaway..surprised there are not more manufacturers trying to capitalize on this...then again, could become one of those things like the Homer Simpson automobile...remember that episode?

[Silence Dogood]

Something like the TE model is almost the best of both worlds, but for me at least, there still aren't enough frets on that kind of guitar. There are quite a few pieces where I will play up around the 19th for a few notes (on a non cutaway dread). 

[teh]

My last three acoustic guitar purchases have each had a 12 fret neck.

Maybe it's old age influencing my preferences but more likely it's the fact that Larrivee and this forum keep tempting me with really cool guitars.

[broKen]

Yes, it appears to be somewhat true. Instead of simply moving the neck and bridge down, they stretched the body up to meet the neck at the twelfth fret. A combination of the two is probably closer to the truth. So the nut being moved closer to the player may not be as much as one might think, concerning the SD.

[William2]

Isn't the TE model supposed to be the best of both worlds, 12th fret design with a Florentine cutaway..surprised there are not more manufacturers trying to capitalize on this...then again, could become one of those things like the Homer Simpson automobile...remember that episode?

I am currently trying to sell a Martin guitar. I love my D-03R and am wondering if the TE model might be the next. I wonder how a 12-fret with the non-scalloped braces works compared with an SD-40R with the scalloped braces in terms of response. The response on the SD is so easy. And I love the 16" lower bout in terms of appearance.

[Gill]

Talking of 12- frets,last year,I hesitated to squeeze the trigger on a Reverb used TE 12 fretter,it was eventually purchased by a buyer who I subsequently met on an online forum,who told me it was one of the best Larry's he'd ever owned,hey ho,win some,lose some,then I hesitated over a used SD-60 on the same selling platform,but the seller ( guitar store) were asking a ridiculously high price,and wouldn't deal,I'm happy with my 12 -fret OM-03 all Hog though.