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Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 13:12:18 -0700
Subject: Re: Acoustic guitar question..."0" Fret

Hello,

I recently purchased a &Mac178; size acoustic guitar for my 9-year-old daughter (I
unfortunately know nothing about guitars, so we are learning together). We
have a couple of instructional books, and I have a question about the first
fret on &Mac178; size guitars. The fret is so close to the neck of the guitar that
it is impossible to put a finger there! In the books we have, the first fret
is further down and provides room for the finger. Are we supposed to count
the second fret as the first, or what?

Sincerely,

Julie Rand

Greetings Julie,

What you're encountering on your guitar is what would be called a "0"
fret...you can confirm this by noticing that the strings ride on top
of it. The first fret would officially be the next fret up. However,
let me know if the strings do not rest on this fret...you may have a
set-up problem..."0" frets have always served as the nut (where the
strings rest on top)...

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Subject: Guitar Top
Date: 18 Jul 2002 17:50 GMT

I had purchased a Taylor 812CE A few monthes ago and I am really impressed. The guitar has a beautiful sound and I really enjoy playing it. I have noticed though,that the Spruce Top on the guitar is much darker than other Spruce tops (even other spruce tops from Taylorin the 800 series). I was just wondering if the color has anything to do with the aging of the wood. Thanks and best regards, David

Greetings David,

Many guitar companies today will apply what is called a vintage finish...this is a darker finish that gives the appearance of an aged yellow look. This is usually only true of higher end models...if the color was naturally occurring, after being seasoned and aged over time, then yes, it would also be a barometer of the wood aging.

Hope this helps...Mickey

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Date: Mon, 4 Mar 2002 01:00:59 -0700
Subject: Re: Fwd: Guitar Neck's at 12 & 14

Mickey
Here's a "How Come" question for you! I have several guitars that I play
and all have the same length of neck, all connected at the guitar body on
the 14th fret. This is rather convenient for working down around the 12th
fret, for the body or the heel of the neck don't get in your way. My Johnson
guitar also has the same size neck and as I progress along my way in
learning to play SLIDE guitar, I know one day I'll invest in a "high end"
model. "How Come" most of the Cadillac models have those shorter necks? They
connect at the 12th fret and although I haven't actually played one yet it
would seem to be a bit of an inconvenience to have that kinda short scale.
Why do they insist on the shorter necks instead of what's normal? I'm at a
lose.

REGARDS
Dave Doran

Greetings Dave,

Surprisingly, the shorter scale length on an acoustic guitar will affect its tone. At least this is what I heard from other fingerpicking guitarists. I, personally, love the 14-fret neck and even prefer it on the Dobro Squareneck (in which you normally find only 12-fret necks)...They say there's an optimal length for all guitar necks in order for the guitar to have a balanced tone...I, myself, cannot tell the difference and would rather focus on playability with a slight sacrifice of tonal balance. My Martin M-38 has a 14-fret neck...and wow, what a balanced tone with great projection it achieves!

Let me know what else you find out in your research efforts, Mickey
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