Crafter CTS150-12/N

[Onemanband]

Hello, I have just committed to buy this guitar at an absolutely bargain price.
Following medical treatment in recent years, I find large guitars difficult to handle. This model is a "slimline" model and much more comfortable to play.
I would just like a overview of what you good folks feel about Crafter Guitars and the CTS1509-12string in particular.

Anything Dodgy or poor workmanship I should look for? Any common issues with these or, as I am hoping from the research I have done, it will be a great guitar.

Thank You.......Brian

[stillsteven]

Originally Posted by Onemanband

Hello, I have just committed to buy this guitar at an absolutely bargain price.
Following medical treatment in recent years, I find large guitars difficult to handle. This model is a "slimline" model and much more comfortable to play.
I would just like a overview of what you good folks feel about Crafter Guitars and the CTS1509-12string in particular.

Anything Dodgy or poor workmanship I should look for? Any common issues with these or, as I am hoping from the research I have done, it will be a great guitar.

Thank You.......Brian

Just sharing my thoughts, I have never owned a Crafter or a 12-string for that matter but my gf’s dad owns their regular 6-string. Great sounding guitar with beautiful aesthetics at a more affordable price than US made guitars. From what I heard, Crafter is a manufacturer based in Korea and their high end models are of great quality just like high end Yamahas. It seems like the model you mentioned can be considered as higher end Crafter with solid sitka spruce top and solid wood b/s (though unspecified). I would expect the craftsmanship to be as good as Yamaha L-series, if you can get it at a bargain price imo you should go for it.

[Onemanband]

I did purchase this guitar.....absolutely fabulous. Wonderful, easy to play neck profile, ultra light, and sounds unbelievably good plugged in.
Action is high so I shall simply re-set the (bolt on) neck angle by fitting a (full neck pocket) 0.5mm shim.
Fantastic guitar...I'm well pleased.

[stillsteven]

Originally Posted by Onemanband

I did purchase this guitar.....absolutely fabulous. Wonderful, easy to play neck profile, ultra light, and sounds unbelievably good plugged in.
Action is high so I shall simply re-set the (bolt on) neck angle by fitting a (full neck pocket) 0.5mm shim.
Fantastic guitar...I'm well pleased.

Congrats! Do you know if all Crafters come w/ a bolt on neck or is it just for their 12-string? And if you’re curious about the b/s wood (I know I am ), you can post an NGD and more knowledgable folks on this forum may help identifying it.

[Onemanband]

Sorry, I really don't know for sure but I assume that it's just the "thinline" models that have bolt on necks as I have a friend with a full size acoustic and that has a set neck.
As for woods, top is defintely solid spruce, neck mahogany and what looks like laminated rosewood back & sides.

[stillsteven]

These links that I found seem to indicate b/s is solid wood.

12-string:
https://craftereurope.com/prodinfo9771197/
6-string:
https://craftereurope.com/prodinfo9771196/
http://crafterguitars.com/eng/produc...searchkey=cts#

[Onemanband]

This is amazing....the sides are solid wood but furthermore the soundhole rosette is in layed wood and not just a transfer......it seems I've bagged an absolute bargain!!😀

[stillsteven]

Congrats again! Set it up according to your liking and voila.. enjoy the heck out of it

[L20A]

I had a Crafter 12 string for about 10 years.
It was a fine instrument and sounded great.

Enjoy your new to you guitar.

[morebass]

I have 2 very nice Crafter, a 32nd anniversary Twin Bird model and slope shoulder 12 fret Tr060. Both exceptional for the price. Neither have a bolt on neck.

[shufflebeat]

I have a lefty Crafter D8 with a Fishman Matrix in it and a Takamine ef341sclh and sometimes I struggle to decide which one to take to a gig.

I only ever take the Crafter to acoustic sessions.

[Brucebubs]

I believe this is the OP's guitar.

[shufflebeat]

I can imagine that combination of small body and all that metalwork making it a bit neck-heavy but still niiice.

I've played a few Crafters and found their built to be very consistent, unlike the cheaper offerings from brands with more eye-catching names (Yamaha [recent], Martin, Tak, Gretsch, Fender).

[Onemanband]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I believe this is the OP's guitar.

Yep....that's the one.

I have now fitted a "full pocket" shim that I formed from a small piece of solid (what looks like) cedar, obtained from a local model shop. I would have preferred Maple or Mahogany but none available. It was very time consuming, working it by hand, but I got there with patience and care; (I also saved a small fortune on Stew Macs pre-cut shims).
Having bought the string height down a fraction too much, but not wanting to then risk taking too much off the shim, I needed added a very fine shim under the bridge saddle to raise the action to near perfect (and this gives me room for easy, fine adjustments in future).

Viola!! A perfect action (for me)! I used the guitar at last nights gig and couldn't be happier; played and sounded perfect and SO light.
As a previous poster said the light body and twelve tuners does make it prone to a slight "neck dive", but I'll deal with that; for now, I am overjoyed with my absolute bargain.

Keep well y'all.........Brian

[Onemanband]

Can anyone help please?

I now have the guitar (Crafter CTS150-12) set up beautifully; playing and sounding great.

I have searched online for a "user guide" with all the recommended specs; in particular, for the onboard preamp information.

The undersaddle transducer is an "L R Baggs element" together with an onboard "Crafter/Baggs LR-F Hybrid" preamp, powered by a 9v. battery.

I would like to find out the expected battery life from a new, 9v. premium brand battery and, if premium (Duracell-Duralock etc) re-chargeables would perform/last equally well.

Any links/thoughts gratefully received, thank you........Brian.