Paul Brett Signature 12 String

[jansch]

I'd been considering a 12 string guitar for several weeks, and decided on either a Seagull Coastline or Paul Brett Signature. They cost roughly the same in the UK, the Seagull being dreadnought and Brett parlour sized.

A little used Brett appeared on eBay for less than half-price, so I bought that.

It had been tuned to concert pitch and was in standard tuning. Paul Brett recommends tuning down at least a tone.

I tuned down to open D, down a tone, and the strings buzzed at several frets. A tweak of the truss rod helped a little, but I took it to a tech, who said some of the frets needed levelling and it needed a full set up. Ouch.

Anyway, back from the tech and playing perfectly I'm very pleased. It's not as small as I expected, being similar in size to an 000 guitar, which is a relief, and it's tremendous for finger style and bottleneck blues.

It's also good for playing in modal scales, such as dorian and aeolian.

It's a beautiful looking guitar, well made (apart from the frets !) and I'm very pleased.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1GjMzKOGOQ

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by jansch

A little used Brett appeared on eBay for less than half-price, so I bought that.

Well done! My Martin 12 showed up on ebay at half price. Who could resist?

Originally Posted by jansch

It had been tuned to concert pitch and was in standard tuning. Paul Brett recommends tuning down at least a tone.

Well, if he recommends it. I keep all my 12-strings at concert pitch.

Originally Posted by jansch

....it needed a full set up. Ouch.

That shouldn't be too surprising. (Actually, my half-price Martin 12 also needed some serious setting up.)

Originally Posted by jansch

It's a beautiful looking guitar, well made (apart from the frets !) and I'm very pleased.

That's really all that matters. I'm assuming you didn't try a jumbo.

[ManyMartinMan]

Originally Posted by jansch

...A little used Brett appeared on eBay for less than half-price, so I bought that....I tuned down to open D, down a tone, and the strings buzzed at several frets. A tweak of the truss rod helped a little, but I took it to a tech, who said some of the frets needed levelling and it needed a full set up. Ouch. ...

Something I would recommend for every purchase - new or used. Nice score.

[boombox]

I was tempted by that one too having seen the videos, but was wary of the neck profile. They can sound very good though - I saw Gordon Giltrap play one the other month in your neck of the woods and it sounded amazing in his hands.

[Duh]

How much does a full set up cost?