As Requested: Dean Sarasota 12

AlanRatcliffe

Big G wanted some pics, so here ya go.

Has a massive neck (nearly classical nut width) - which is why I bought it.

Pickups are TV Jones Magnatrons (courtesy of Big G). I've redone the electrics: CTS pots, Switchcraft switch and Neutrik jack. Tone control is a bass rather than a treble cut and I cut the access hole in the back (couldn't fit full-size pots through the smaller than usual bound F-holes) and made a plate. Tailpiece studs are TonePros locking.

Also done my usuals: fitted a Graph Tech nut and Schaller straplocks. Also usual for me and 12s: each pair is closer together in each course at both nut and saddle, the nut slots are cut so the strings are as close to the frets as possible at the nut, and the saddles are grooved so that the tops of each pair are level at the saddle. Result is a 12-string I can fingerpick almost as easily as a 6-string electric.

This is the first 12 I've owned where I haven't reversed the G strings so the octave is the Ric way round - closer to the floor when playing. Not needed if the strings are the same height at the saddle.

PeteM

Fantastic.
What I find interesting is that there is little or no taper on the neck, or is it an optical illusion?

AlanRatcliffe

PeteM wrote: What I find interesting is that there is little or no taper on the neck, or is it an optical illusion?

It's at a bit of an angle. It measures just over 49mm at the nut and 55mm at the 12th.

Big-G

Thanks for sharing Alan! Very noice! I'm still hankering after a 12 string electric/hybrid, but haven't seen any about at all. I guess they're not that common, especially out these parts of the world.

I have been looking at the Crafter SA-12, but again, they are currently unavailable here, and would have to be ordered in especially. They also only appear to be available in transparent black, and my complete abhoration of black guitars may not be able to cope with that?!

I think of all the kit I have now, a nice 12 stringer is all that's missing (other than maybe a 6 string bass)? Of course that's not to say that GAS won't strike at any moment, as another thread here witnesses, but in terms of actual 'needs', a 12 is right up there!

Regards
G!

Chocklit_Thunda

Nice!
I've been fiddling around with the idea of a 12 string electric ? Can I ask, the TOM bridge, is it notched for 12 strings (2 per saddles) with a larger string spacing or is it the one with the flat top saddles?

AlanRatcliffe

You'll have to order in regardless. What about a nice Ibanez Artcore AS7312? They come in cherry red.

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: Can I ask, the TOM bridge, is it notched for 12 strings (2 per saddles) with a larger string spacing or is it the one with the flat top saddles?

It's a standard TOM bridge, with each saddle notched for the pair of strings (effectively it gives you a little wider spacing than usual with a standard TOM, because the strings are set away from the centre of the saddle. The tailpiece is individual though.

The flat top bridge everyone else uses is the Gotoh which has individual intonation - not really an issue IMO (the chorusing is part of a 12-string sound).

Gearhead

Cool thing eh. When is she getting ghosted?

Chocklit_Thunda

Gearhead wrote: Cool thing eh. When is she getting ghosted?

I've spoken to a guy at graphtech before about a 12 string TOM ghost system and he said that they don't produce anything for that. The Ghost saddles already have a notch in the middle and they don't have any blank versions

AlanRatcliffe

Gearhead wrote: When is she getting ghosted?

It's on the list. ? Unfortunately it's a very long list. ☹ 'Specially with a new house and a new studio room to kit out.

Chocklit_Thunda wrote: I've spoken to a guy at graphtech before about a 12 string TOM ghost system and he said that they don't produce anything for that. The Ghost saddles already have a notch in the middle and they don't have any blank versions

That's where being a beta tester and ex-endorser helps. ? Dave Dunwoodie said he would make me a 12- string Resomax Ghost set when I was ready.

ftcl

Very nice! Thanks for sharing.

Saw one like this at Music Connection a couple of months ago. Couldn't warrant the purchase at the time. Looking at these pics, I get a little sad that I couldn't.