Just In Instruments

The Twelfth Fret's Most Recent Instrument Arrivals

Gretsch Anniversary 6124 Archtop Electric Guitar Sunburst, 1963

On September 16, 2019 /

Type: Archtop, Electric, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Originally built between 1958 and 1972, the Gretsch Anniversary 6124 was the Sunburst version of the two-tone 6125 model, both based on the successful 6120 Chet Atkins model. In its first two years, the Anniversary 6124/6125 carried a single Filter ‘Tron humbucking pickup at the neck, but from 1961 a single coil Hi-Lo ‘Tron was used. The basic structure or bones of the Gretsch Anniversary 6124 is very similar to the 6120, with a fully hollow, 16 inch wide body using parallel tone bar bracing and no sound post.

National Dynamic Lap Steel Red and White, 1962

On September 16, 2019 /

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody, Steel

Listed: 16/09/2019

The National Dynamic Lap Steel was built from 1961 to 1968 for National String Instrument Corporation by Valco in Chicago, Illinois. National at this point had fallen far from its heyday after inventing the Resophonic guitar (plus mandolin and ukulele) to provide more volume to working guitarists. It was founded by guitarist George Beauchamp and luthier John Dopyera in 1927. Dopyera left National to form, with his brothers, the DoBro company in 1928 and produced single cone resonator models. Dopyera purchased a controlling share of National in 1932 and merged National and DoBro production. Many instruments like the National Dynamic lap steel were produced, along with matching amplifiers.

Ramirez Conservatorio Cedar Top Classical Guitar, 2014

On September 16, 2019 /

Type: Classical and Flamenco, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Here’s something unusual – a Ramirez Conservatorio Cedar top classical guitar, with ‘Fiddle Edge’ construction, Red Cedar top, Indian Rosewood for the back and sides, and SPR style bracing. The Ramirez Conservatorio Cedar Top Concert Classical guitar represents a major development in classical guitar design from Amalia Ramírez, with unique use of ‘fiddle edge’ construction. The Conservatorio uses the same advanced 8 fan brace pattern as the SPR but a unique system for gluing the top and backs to the rims and no internal linings are used!

Larrivee OO Body Steel String Guitar Rosewood, 1976

On September 16, 2019 /

Type: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Here is a lovely item from the past – a Larrivee OO body steel string guitar from 1976 in Toronto, just as The Twelfth Fret opened, with signatures from both Jean Larrivee (on the label) and Tony Duggan-Smith (discreetly engraved in the headstock inlay). At the time this guitar was built, I was just moving to The Twelfth Fret from the late Darryl Williams’ shop in Schomberg, Ontario, as the first Twelfth Fret employee.

Gibson Les Paul Jr Solidbody Cherry, 1959

On September 12, 2019 /

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 12/09/2019

The Gibson Les Paul Junior, introduced in 1954 as a single cutaway, single pickup slab body model was Gibson’s lowest price solidbody until the 1959 Melody Maker. This Gibson Les Paul Junior dates to 1959 at the Gibson plant on Parsons Street, Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is in good playing condition, with no breaks or cracks. The 7th fret dot position marker is missing, but can easily be replaced. The original stop-bridge is in the case, and on the guitar a compensated aftermarket bridge is in place.

Rickenbacker 4001 Bass JetGlo Black, 1973

On September 11, 2019 /

Type: Bass, Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 11/09/2019

One of the iconic rock basses, the Rickenbacker 4001 bass was built as a two-pickup version of the 4000 bass, adding a neck pickup to the distinctive Cresting Wave body design by German luthier and designer Roger Rossmeisl. Built from 1961 to 1986 when it was replaced by the 4003 bass, the Rickenbacker 4001 bass features a Maple body and through-body Maple neck, with a bound and finished Indian Rosewood fingerboard. Rickenbacker’s rosewoods tend to be quite light coloured, almost towards the colour tones of other species such as Pau Ferro.

Gibson U2 ‘SuperStrat’ Metallic Green, 1989

On September 11, 2019 /

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 11/09/2019

During the 1980s popular music made new demands on guitarists, and the ‘SuperStrat’, including the Gibson U2 model, became the go-to design for countless musicians. As the name suggests, the ‘SuperStrat’ concept improves on many aspects of the Stratocaster design – particularly in the range of available vibrato systems and pickup options. Many guitars in this genre use locking vibratos, a mix of high-output single coil and humbucking pickups, and wiring that ranges from very simple to rather complex.

Gibson L5 S Custom Natural Maple, 1979

On September 10, 2019 /

Type: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 10/09/2019

The Gibson L5 S is loosely based on the classic, top of the line Gibson L-5 CES arched top, Cutaway Electric Spanish with a full size acoustic body. That model was played by many serious players, who often are basically forgotten as part of a big band, but have included Wes Montgomery, Scotty Moore, Tuck Andress, Pat Martino, Lee Ritenour, Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Keith Richards, and Ron Wood.

Collings MT2 Mandolin Sunburst, 2019

On September 9, 2019 /

Type: Mandolins

Listed: 09/09/2019

The Collings MT2 mandolin is a spectacular instrument – not overly decorated, and a simple design, but executed with great skill and top shelf materials. The Collings MT2 features a hand carved, arched, F-hole Adirondack Spruce top with bookmatched flame Maple for the sides, carved arched back, and neck. The bridge, head plate and bound fingerboard are all Ebony. The finish is a near perfect nitrocellulose lacquer sunburst. Collings has absolutely mastered the arts involved in lacquer finishing.

Gibson J45 ADJ Slope Shoulder Acoustic Sunburst, 1966

On September 9, 2019 /

Type: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars

Listed: 09/09/2019

Here we’re looking at a Gibson J45 ADJ model, built likely during 1966 at Gibson’s historic Parsons Street shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It shows a number of 1966 features, including the Rosewood adjustable bridge and a thicker styrene pickguard with a Gibson logo engraved by the fingerboard tag. The original finish has been oversprayed, so the surfaces are quite smooth and glossy.

Pedro de Miguel Flamenco Negra Guitar, 2005

On September 9, 2019 /

Type: Classical and Flamenco, Guitars

Listed: 09/09/2019

Here we have a Pedro de Miguel Flamenco Negra guitar, built in Madrid during 2005. The key difference between Flamenco Negra and Classical guitars, aside from the use of Rosewood instead of Cypress for the back and sides – is largely geometry. The neck set on a Flamenco guitar is a bit higher, allowing for low action and the attendant rattle that’s part of the Flamenco sound. Flamenco Negra guitars are becoming more common and often found in the ‘World Music’ context.

Collings 290 DC Custom Sunburst, 2016

On September 6, 2019 /

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 06/09/2019

The Collings 290 DC Custom is, as the name suggests, a custom version of the Collings DC – conceptually similar to the late 1950s Les Paul Special but with humbucking pickups and comfort contours. We can’t recall seeing a Collings guitar that didn’t impress us. This example is no exception. Collings finishes are among the best nitrocellulose lacquer finishes we see – they have definitely mastered this art.

Just In Instruments

The Twelfth Fret's Most Recent Instrument Arrivals

Type: Archtop, Electric, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody, Steel

Listed: 16/09/2019

Type: Classical and Flamenco, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Type: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars

Listed: 16/09/2019

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 12/09/2019

Type: Bass, Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 11/09/2019

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 11/09/2019

Type: Archtop, Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 10/09/2019

Type: Mandolins

Listed: 09/09/2019

Type: Acoustic Steel String, Guitars

Listed: 09/09/2019

Type: Classical and Flamenco, Guitars

Listed: 09/09/2019

Type: Electric, Guitars, Solidbody

Listed: 06/09/2019

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