Post by CTGull on May 2, 2022 4:45:18 GMT -5
THE STORY: After doing a neck reset on a customer’s H1270 (unusual - slot head, 12 frets to the body, floating bridge with 2 saddles (the rear one sets the string spacing), and a trapeze tailpiece) I wanted to find one for myself, which I eventually did. But I also discovered there’s a smaller body narrow neck version, the H1230 (probably based on the H162). It also has a 12 fret neck, floating bridge with 2 saddles, and a trapeze tailpiece. They are probably even less common than the H1270. I almost won one on Shopgoodwill 3 months before this one, I threw a number at it but was outbid by a dollar since it ended at 11:13pm.
I found this one purely by chance. I just happened to do a search (I was bored) and this was the only one coming up for sale. I was hoping it was at the Massachusetts Music Go Round store (and I would take a ride up and look at it the next day), but it was in Minnesota (a bit too far to drive). So I bought it!! A complete impulse buy, since I had hoped to NOT buy any guitars for a while! My usual New Year’s Resolution is to not buy more guitars and sell some I have. I blew that when I bought this on 1/1/2022!!! Day 1!!! But, it’s an unusual model, even more so than the H165 variants I have, and would look cool next to the H1270, even though I don’t really like 12 string guitars.
I should have an extra set of D’Addario EJ37 (medium top, heavy bottom), and I ordered another set of the coated Gibson SAG-PB12L (.012”-.053”) strings from Sweetwater (the only place I could find them except direct from Gibson), but they were out of stock, I would be notified when they come in. Later I was told they expect to receive them mid-April!! 3.5 months later!!! Then I found them in stock at American Musical Supply and ordered a couple of sets. I really should finish the H1270 to get an idea if they sound OK! But it’s more important that the coated strings should last a lot longer vs. the uncoated D’Addario EJ37’s, since the 12 string guitars will rarely get played.
It should be interesting to see what condition it is in. By the pictures, it looks like it’s had a previous neck reset (sloppy minor damage in the heel area), but the action is really high. Is there a problem inside?? I’m hoping the bridge is floating like the H1270, so I can open/deepen the saddle slots in the milling machine. I saw a video of one being “repaired” and the bridge was off with a shadow in the finish, although there are pearl dots in the bridge like it is bolted down. Maybe some were bolted?? The pictures were a little dark so it was tough to see much detail. Are there any cracks? Finish crazing?? It looks like the upper back of the headstock was sanded on an angle and painted black, to repair some damage, there didn’t look to be any damage visible on the front of the headstock. I’ll find out in a few days.
It was shipped 1/3/22 and I received it 1/7/22, with possibly its original hard case. It was shipped at nearly full tension!!! The E, A & D a half step down, and G, B & E at full pitch!! ALL 12 STRINGS!!! And NO PACKING inside the case!! It was just bouncing around!! I’m AMAZED there is no damage, including a broken heel!! The rear saddle (slotted) is missing. The neck is about 3/32" off center at the 12th fret! The black area on the top rear of the headstock is a piece of wood poorly inserted, but there’s no visible damage on the front. For the most part, the nut action is good. The neck relief is good, a little high for the B & E. The action is 7/32" low E and 13/64" high E!! The floating bridge is .30" thick. The saddle sticks out .09"/.08". The strings measure to be medium/heavy D'Addario EJ37 (.012”/.054”).
My first thought (because of the narrow neck) is to convert it to 6 string. Keep the floating bridge & tailpiece at first, then shorten the headstock/add a thin head plate, plug the existing holes, and drill for new tuners. Then maybe convert it to a pin bridge. Then it will be a true 6 string 12 fret Harmony 000 size guitar. Possibly the only one in the world! But that’s a lot of work when I have so many other guitars to work on.
OR - Setup it up as a 9 string like Taylor’s new BTO models, and previous 35th anniversary model. Single low E & A, D & G octave doubled, B doubled, single high E. I will need to design and 3D print custom file guides for the nut & saddle string spacers. Possibly try with the H1270 too?? Since the only change from 12 string to 9 string is the nut and saddle string spacer, it’s non-permanent. But it should be interesting. And the 9 strings, with equal string spacing, will certainly be easier to play on both ends vs. the stock configuration.
The pickguard was reglued, but not in the old shadow,
It was centered on the sound hole.
The saddle is low, the rear alignment saddle is missing.
The neck looks like it's been removed.
It definitely looks like it's been removed!
AND, here's the worst part! Someone poorly inserted a piece of wood into the headstock.
The heel cap is partially loose.
Another view of the insert.
The action is a little high!!
I found this one purely by chance. I just happened to do a search (I was bored) and this was the only one coming up for sale. I was hoping it was at the Massachusetts Music Go Round store (and I would take a ride up and look at it the next day), but it was in Minnesota (a bit too far to drive). So I bought it!! A complete impulse buy, since I had hoped to NOT buy any guitars for a while! My usual New Year’s Resolution is to not buy more guitars and sell some I have. I blew that when I bought this on 1/1/2022!!! Day 1!!! But, it’s an unusual model, even more so than the H165 variants I have, and would look cool next to the H1270, even though I don’t really like 12 string guitars.
I should have an extra set of D’Addario EJ37 (medium top, heavy bottom), and I ordered another set of the coated Gibson SAG-PB12L (.012”-.053”) strings from Sweetwater (the only place I could find them except direct from Gibson), but they were out of stock, I would be notified when they come in. Later I was told they expect to receive them mid-April!! 3.5 months later!!! Then I found them in stock at American Musical Supply and ordered a couple of sets. I really should finish the H1270 to get an idea if they sound OK! But it’s more important that the coated strings should last a lot longer vs. the uncoated D’Addario EJ37’s, since the 12 string guitars will rarely get played.
It should be interesting to see what condition it is in. By the pictures, it looks like it’s had a previous neck reset (sloppy minor damage in the heel area), but the action is really high. Is there a problem inside?? I’m hoping the bridge is floating like the H1270, so I can open/deepen the saddle slots in the milling machine. I saw a video of one being “repaired” and the bridge was off with a shadow in the finish, although there are pearl dots in the bridge like it is bolted down. Maybe some were bolted?? The pictures were a little dark so it was tough to see much detail. Are there any cracks? Finish crazing?? It looks like the upper back of the headstock was sanded on an angle and painted black, to repair some damage, there didn’t look to be any damage visible on the front of the headstock. I’ll find out in a few days.
It was shipped 1/3/22 and I received it 1/7/22, with possibly its original hard case. It was shipped at nearly full tension!!! The E, A & D a half step down, and G, B & E at full pitch!! ALL 12 STRINGS!!! And NO PACKING inside the case!! It was just bouncing around!! I’m AMAZED there is no damage, including a broken heel!! The rear saddle (slotted) is missing. The neck is about 3/32" off center at the 12th fret! The black area on the top rear of the headstock is a piece of wood poorly inserted, but there’s no visible damage on the front. For the most part, the nut action is good. The neck relief is good, a little high for the B & E. The action is 7/32" low E and 13/64" high E!! The floating bridge is .30" thick. The saddle sticks out .09"/.08". The strings measure to be medium/heavy D'Addario EJ37 (.012”/.054”).
My first thought (because of the narrow neck) is to convert it to 6 string. Keep the floating bridge & tailpiece at first, then shorten the headstock/add a thin head plate, plug the existing holes, and drill for new tuners. Then maybe convert it to a pin bridge. Then it will be a true 6 string 12 fret Harmony 000 size guitar. Possibly the only one in the world! But that’s a lot of work when I have so many other guitars to work on.
OR - Setup it up as a 9 string like Taylor’s new BTO models, and previous 35th anniversary model. Single low E & A, D & G octave doubled, B doubled, single high E. I will need to design and 3D print custom file guides for the nut & saddle string spacers. Possibly try with the H1270 too?? Since the only change from 12 string to 9 string is the nut and saddle string spacer, it’s non-permanent. But it should be interesting. And the 9 strings, with equal string spacing, will certainly be easier to play on both ends vs. the stock configuration.
The pickguard was reglued, but not in the old shadow,
It was centered on the sound hole.
The saddle is low, the rear alignment saddle is missing.
The neck looks like it's been removed.
It definitely looks like it's been removed!
AND, here's the worst part! Someone poorly inserted a piece of wood into the headstock.
The heel cap is partially loose.
Another view of the insert.
The action is a little high!!
