beware martin j12so sing out! 60th anniversary pete seeger baritone 12 string GUITAR and also nice compliment

[jgoska]

Since I was more or less in the neighborhood I decided to stop by
Mandolin Bros. and catch up with 1997 by buying myself an Intellitouch
mini tuner. I arrived just in time to get a chance to play a Leach
7/8 jumbo 12-string that had just been set up and was within minutes
of being shipped out the door to a prospective buyer who wanted to
compare it head-to-head with his Martin D12-28. The Leach was a sweet
and complete instrument and also very nice to look at. It will be
tough competition for the D12. I also got to play the limited
edition Marin J12SO Sing Out! 60th Anniversary Pete Seeger baritone 12-
string guitar (is this the longest Martin model designation ever, or
is there something else?), modeled after the Stan Francis/ Bruce
Taylor 12s that Seeger has been playing for decades. It was the
easiest-playing baritone I have ever touched, actually effortless.
Its sound, while perfectly pleasant, had a weird, disorienting effect
on me. I hypothesized that the instrument had exactly the same main
resonance frequency as my skull. I was surprised to learn that
walking encyclopedia of guitar stuff Stan Jay did not know that Bruce
Taylor builds Pete Seeger’s 12s. Which brings me around to my other
topic, startling compliments. Have you ever gotten a compliment on
your playing that was so unexpected that it stayed in your mind for
years? I have gotten a few, like when a perfectly competent guitar
player looked over at me, and, instead of saying something expected,
like “This is in C, not B minor,” said “I wish I could play like
that.” Years ago I was in Mandolin Brothers, noodling on a Joseph
Spence thing. Stan was on two phone calls. He interrupted both of
them to say excitedly “Wow, I love Joseph Spence, I can’t play that
stuff, you’ve got him note for note.” I suppose such things help me
get through the more usual times when it’s all “THAT will be enough of
THAT.”

On the way home I stopped at a Guitar Center and played a house brand
Mitchell 12. Its label said something about solid top, California
design, Japanese supervision, Indonesian craftsmen. It seemed like a
ridiculous bargain for its price of 250 dollars. It wasn’t just
bearable, it was likeable, even after playing the Leach, Martin and
also a Goodall and a Macpherson 12. If anyone is looking for a low
cost introduction to the wonderful world of the 12, or just one to
leave out for the spare moment, it’s worth checking out.

[harv]

I didn't know they had one of my guitars there... on consignment I
imagine, I'm courious as to which one it was? Any details you can
remember (woods, inlays etc)

Harv

[jgoska]

On Feb 7, 2:19 pm, harv <hle...@voyageairguitar.com> wrote:
>
> I didn't know they had one of my guitars there... on consignment I
> imagine, I'm courious as to which one it was? Any details you can
> remember (woods, inlays etc)

Dated 1999, a 7/8 dread rather than jumbo, single nine-pointed star at
14th fret, just “Leach” on headstock, abalone on truss rod cover, back
stripe, sound hole and top trim. A fine guitar for playability, sound
and looks.

Ah, the pictures are still up at www.mandoweb.com:

<http://www.mandoweb.com/Instruments/Leach-7%2f8th+Sized+Dreadnought
+12-string-1999/2771>

[harv]

Ahh yes, I remember that one, I think it was originally for an
RMMGA'r...

Thanks,
Harv