Alba 12 String Semi-Acoustic

Firstly, let me explain, I purchased this guitar, from NEW, out of morbid curiosity from a German based company featured on E-bay "o-trading-company". I chose the black satin finish cutaway which measures in at 42 inches. Although not mentioned in their write up, I would be remiss if I were fail to point out, this is a cheap end guitar mass produced in CHINA. The guitar has a medium neck with 20 frets, the cutaway giving easy access for top notes (if you need them). The soundboard, ribs and back are made from spruce, and laminated. Do not get excited about the white trim, it is, after all... white trim. (Please see Action, Fit and Finish for a more in depth description). The electronics are an unheard of M-V04 package with a questionable 3 - 4 band EQ, volume pot and battery LED. The package also arrived with a handy allen key, but considering that there is nothing to adjust, I am still scratching my head to decide what this might be for. Given the price I have paid, I have to say that if you are looking for a cheap 12 string, just to try your hand, this is not a bad package. All said and done, 12 string guitars are not everyones suited instrument. Beginners are well advised to start with a six string guitar, but if you have set your heart on a 12 string this is not a bad starter, and I wish you luck. If you are an acomplished 12 string guitarist, avoid this at all costs.

Traditionally, I suppose the 12 string is for louder style rhythm accompaniment, and dead handy for thumping out old favourites round the scout campfire. For the chord thumper among you this instument produces excellent volume when unplugged, which may be just as well if you don't want to listen to those damn scouts singing out of tune. The harmonics are clearly distinctive, and I would hope that even a novice would notice an immediate difference. The instrument can also be played with a more gentle hand, and becomes rather mellow and relaxing. I prefer the blues, folk, country styling with a particular interest in the more laid back picking and slide work (bottle neck is important, allowing for omitted strings in the glass moulding). If you can pick a 12 string, I would actually go as far as to say the sound is exquisite. Plugging it in somewhat ended my fascination, and I quickly abandoned trying to adjust the EQ and volume from the controls on the M-V04 unit. If all you have got is a bare amp, don't bother, you need other hardware to make this sound good electronically. Incidentally, it is worth a mention, I did not even bother tuning the supplied d'addario strings, swapping them out straight away for Optima-Akustik-Gold. Strings make a big difference to sound, so you are advised to experiment until you get the sound you want or like. I like the variety of sound/style you can get from this instrument raw and unplugged, but sound is purely down to personal taste, so you may hate every last note of it.

Here is where the Alba falls apart. Again, I feel compelled to remind you I paid under ??60.00 for this, so I don't actually feel hard done by. This is a typically mass produced instrument, and little care has gone into the manufacturing process. I wasn't expecting a serial number, but it would have been nice to have some kind if identifying mark, even if only a "Made in China" stamp somewhere. There is no label, and no manufacturers name to be found. Perhaps the manufacturer doesn't want the player to face any embarrassment. Starting at the top and working down. The headstock is devoid of shape and character, and sadly not enough black has been applied to the top edge. The machine heads, although well lubed and easy to use, are cheap and nasty, and I don't expect them to stand the real test of time and use. The suppliers claim that the fretboard is rosewood, and the fingerboard is mahogany. A rather interesting concept, I am sure you will agree. Giving them the benefit of doubt, and not having come across a rosewood pickguard, I am going to assume that their referred to fingerboard is in fact a pickguard. Regardless, the fretboard feels far to soft, and I suspect that it is not the real deal. In the same vain, I am certain that the supplier meant mahogany "style" pickguard. A bit of confusion here. The frets themselves are well dressed (on this particular guitar), but again I question the quality of the metal used, and think that all to quickly the dreaded grooves will appear. I am also concerned about the saddle. Having tuned the guitar, I am not sure that the saddle is all that well attached, with slight lifting at the corners. Fortunately it has a 2 year guarantee to fall back on. Overall there are a number of small blemishes in the actual finish. Being black, they stand out like a flashlight in a blackout. The worst thing, in my opinion, is that small splinter of wood that has come loose inside from the unfinished interior woodwork. I immediately went to work, upending the thing, and trying my damnedest to shake that splinter out of the soundhole. I fear all I have achieved is to shake other splinters loose. I now have a large guitar shaped, and rather expensive baby's rattle. Despite all this my rating remain optimistically high for one reason, the price.

There is no way on the face of the earth that I would ever rely on this guitar as the only instrument for gigs. I would have to take a a more reliable/proven back up. Given time my opinion may change, but at this early stage, no way. Having said that, I would be willing to give it an airing, my biggest fear being the electronics. I think some guitars get better with age, however, I don't feel confident enough to say that this guitar will last a lifetime

The company I bought this from fulfilled their promises with delivery time, and I have little reason to believe that they would not fulfill the 2 year guarantee they offer with the purchase of a new instrument. Given the price you will not loose much if they go bust the day after you have bought from them. I have not had a problem, so can't really make much of a comment.

My guitar of choice has got to be the 1969 Guild F212 which is simply amazing. There are a number of other instruments that I like, including the Takamine EAN40C12 and of course the Martin SPD12-16R. I realise that all three of these are in a completely different league to the Alba, and I assure you from novice to Leo Kottke (Look it up, if you don't know) you would notice a major difference. With my morbid curiosity satisfied, I would not replace this guitar, but I am glad I had a look, and it is well worth the money you pay for it.