United Kingdom

Mark,
It's good to see you're still kickin' and keeping busy.
You being somewhat of a luthier, I wish to beg your opinion on this Chinese fellow's line of 12 string electric guitars. I'm not currently in a financial position to purchase even one so inexpensive , but, they do seem to be an excellent bargain, assuming they are playable.
I would like to hear what you have to say on the matter.

here's the link, (it's on E-Bay)

http://cgi.ebay.com/12-String-Blue-Orig ... 19b6f659b9

cheers,
your old pal from Penn's Woods,
Howlin'J

I don't like the look of that bridge, HJ. See how the strings twist up from the tail piece? It's very stylish, & might even work, but it makes me wonder, since I've never seen that design, before. I'll bet it's a booger to string up. I've never been a fan of those floating bridges.

Good point Phil,

Now that you got me looking closer at the lower end of that ax, I notice that the nut, 12th fret, bridge ratio seems to be way off balance. That got me thinking about the forces bearing down on the arched top. I once had an old Vox Student Prince 6 string with a f hole arched topped design that was left sitting over time with tension on the strings and it literally destroyed that guitar.

None the less, you have to admit, the blue 12 string is a nice looking artifact, and inexpensive electric twelves are as rare as Hogan's three peckered billy goat. That makes these knockoff git-fiddles tempting.

I am not a gambler by nature, nor rich, so it's rare for me to even consider purchasing things (especially musical instruments) with out actually holding it in my hands first.

Later,
HJ

Well, the floating bridge solves that - you simply move it wherever you need to.

I don't think you can expect much from a $300 12-string, anyway...what's that come to, about 12 British pounds?

It is a pretty thing, to be sure.

Better have a word with them people at Wall street on that Phil.

what's that come to, about 12 British pounds?

Mark,
I know your a busy man, but seeing that you have been engaged in that damn health care debate, I now know that your still alive and your computer is operational.

I don't wish to be a pest, but I would sincerely value you opinion on that Chinese fellow's 12 string guitar.

your 'ol Yanker pal,
Howlin'

Lovely blue colour howlin
I see that has ended and the pic gone. Did Mark buy it?