Specialty guitars

[Jersey tuning]

With all the recent discussions on 12-frets, I thought it might be interesting to see how experienced our forum players with guitars other than 6-string steel 14 fret models.

[Jersey tuning]

My most frequently played guitars, including all 14 fret and full scale models,  are my Taylor and Froggy Bottom 12-fret short scale models.  My baritone gets played fairly regularly, my 12-string and travel guitars (Martin LX1) less so, and my Classical and electric hardly at all.

[Earl]

I have some hand strength issues left over from a medical event in late 2012, and have nearly stopped playing my 354-LTD 12 string and my 416-LTD baritone 6 string, even with much lighter strings on it.  I used to be able to play them for up to 60 minutes, but now anything more than 20 minutes is a problem, and is not likely to fully resolve.  I should put them up for sale, rather than let them sit around unplayed, but find it hard to part with them.

I have always avoided 12-fret guitars, since they confuse me.  I am so used to 14 frets to the body that when I play up the neck, it takes a long time to find myself hitting the right places.

[MexicoMike]

I have a similar issue.  I used to be mostly a flamenco guitarist but developed focal dystonia in my picking hand some years ago and can no longer finger pick at all.  So I had to learn to use a flat pick and switched from playing pretty much nylon string guitars 80% of the time to only flat-picking steel strings.  So my flamenco nylons (Hermanos Conde negra /Jesus Bellido blanca) just sit in their cases.    I can't sell them…there is too much history.

[shorty]

I have a Fender strat but rarely play the thing. I just love acoustics soo much more

[CodeBlueEMT]

I have a Fender strat but rarely play the thing. I just love acoustics soo much more

 My electrics aren't feeling much love, but I've got the next 4 days off from work. Hate it for the neighbors.

[Jersey tuning]

My baritone guitar is seeing more and more action.  Its already my go-to guitar for several songs, and that low B growl is, well, really satisfying.  For those of us who love that visceral connection between ourselves and our instruments, the baritone has it in spades.  I expected the longer scale and heavier string gauges to present  a challenge played fingerstyle in comparison to my go-to short scale 12-fret guitars, but that really hasn't happened.

[M19]

My 12-fret Taylor is my number 2 (after my Lowden).

[Jersey tuning]

My 12-fret Taylor is my number 2 (after my Lowden).

Yeah, my 12-fret Taylor is #2 behind my Froggy Bottom.  Just don't tell my wife (Taylor was a gift).

[fretted]

My new 12 fret 522 is my primary guitar  . . . right now by a long shot. I have several and the rest are getting jealous.

[Jersey tuning]

BTW, after #2 Rosie (my GC Taylor EI Rosewood 12-fret) and #1 Froggy, my baritone (Jerome) is currently #3 on the list.

Jerome Hynes was a basso profundo Met Opera star we knew....................

[michaelw]

i would hardly consider a 12 string, 12 fret, nylon, electric or parlor to be a "specialty" guitar because
they have been around for quite some time & their use in recording & performances are very common -
perhaps  a baritone, tenor, 7 string (with a low B) or a model whose primary tuning is something
other than standard (concert pitch @ 440hZ), like a LKSM tuned to C#, or even a "non-specialty" steel
6'er either in DADGAD or one of the goo-goo dolls tuning can played to sound "unothodox", but for those
that play them in that tuning on a regular basis, then any of those could be considered "standard"

i can understand, "what is your main go-to guitar ?" if there is one that consistently gets pulled first &
then letting the rest of the chips fall where they may, whether there's one other or a whole bagful

[fretted]

I agree with michaelw. I have two old tenor guitars, and if one tunes them as designed which is in fifths CGDA, that would certainly fit the specilty bill. But every guitar was a 12 fret for a long time and 12 strings although rarer are common.

[Jersey tuning]

i would hardly consider a 12 string, 12 fret, nylon, electric or parlor to be a "specialty" guitar.......

Ah, but Taylor has.........just check out W & S from a few years back; that's where I got the lingo from.

Maybe we should refer to them as "Mainstream acoustic guitars that have taken a slight detour"

[tedtan]

I play 6- and 7-string (normal 6 strings plus a low B string, sometimes tuned down to A) electrics alongside my steel string acoustics and am looking to add a 12-string and a nylon string this year. Does any of that still count?