Crafter MD-80-12/N

2003 model, made in Korea. 12 string, solid spruce top, mahogany sides and back (laminated, I believe), white body and neck binding, gloss finish, dreadnought style, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge. Has Grover-style tuners. Typical, standard 12 string appointments.

This guitar has a surprisingly nice sound. It may be a bit weak on the bottom (bass) end, but the overall sound is very rich and articulate.

I bought this guitar with a broken headstock and small crack in the top. It was new, but damaged in transit. I repaired the damage, and refinished the neck. It plays pretty well, for a 12 string. The neck is properly wide, but not too thick. I did notice the bridge plate (under the bridge) was pretty boogered up, the result of sloppy drilling of the bridge pin holes. I repaired that. The nut was cut a little low, I fixed that. One other thing I didn't like was the fake abalone trim around the top, and the "pearlized" tape that constituted the headstock logo. Definately not an inlay. Guitar does have a nice gloss finish.

Guitar is heavy, well constructed, except for what I noted above. I'd probably take it on a gig.

No opinion

I've been playing 30+ years. Currently own a Martin SPD16-R, Les Paul Standard Custom Shop, Les Paul Special, Jay Turser JT-134 (good value), Marshall JCM 600, Mesa F-50, Marshall 4-12, Fender 2-12 cabinets, Fender Blues Junior. This thing is a pretty decent guitar for the money. I see they can be had for around $225, new. Pretty good value, and I would think if bought new in a store, they would be set up. It'd even be worth it to have it set up professionally if it wasn't to your liking. It ain't no Martin or Taylor, but then again you could buy five or six of these for the low end cost of one of those. You could do a lot worse.

2002 Model made in Korea with 20 frets, solid top and hot dots and bass mid, treb presence + mute controls powered by a PP3 battery. Spruce/mahogany finish - gloss with a tortie scratch plate in deradnought style. The neck is a bit chunky bit if you're used to a classical (as I am) this will not be an issue but some chords area bit of a stretch even so. Got a free carry bag and jack lead. Overall - nicely fitted out and specified

I play a pretty eclectic mix and this facilitates most of it. I amp it through my PC which has an SB Audigy card and CL 5.1 speakers and it sounds quite superb. Tested it through a 'real' amp in the showroom and the sound was very rich - great with a bit of extra reverb.

Good sound - very full, a bit bass heavy when plugged but it depends on your eq and the amp I guess, no odd buzzes or rattles and competes with my old Fender for tone.

Action is a bit high - I tune to E flat and capo at 1 although it will take concert I think it plays slightly easier de-tuned (as do most 12s) - it was set up by the shop and I think this can be improved but I want to play it in some more yet beore I get it adjusted.

Hate to disappoint but the thing is flawless - perfect fit and finish, v good fo a guitar in this price (#200)

Not gigging with it but it looks tough - one criticism is that it is a hefty old beast. I have knocked it here and there (as have my kids) and I am still looking for the dents. My old Fender was absolutely bashed to smithereens and did not take knocks well. A bit early to call this but so far so good

Warranty 12 months (just out) - no contact with Crafter

Been playing 32 years, also got a Roland HP137 Digital Piano.
NO regrets with this purchase at all
Definitely would consider another Crafter
Biggest love - looks gorgeous
Biggest hates - weight and slightly high action
Comparators - to other 12 and 6 strings I have owned - this is the best (the Fender was a close second). On price and features it was simply unbeatable - fell for it the first time I saw and played it
Nothing I would change about it

I submitted am earlier review, but now have more information: The MD80-12 is a dreadnought body. The top is solid Sitka Spruce. The back and sides are Mahogany. The bridge and fingerboard are Rosewood. The body is fully bound with an Abalone center strip. The dot markers are Perloid. The pickguard is a tortoise shell design. The inlays in the headstock are Mother-of-Pearl. The bridge saddle is compensated to allow for more accurate intonation. After looking at my guitar's beauty more and learning that real Abalone & Mother of Pearl were used I'll raise this up to a 9 (small chip on edge of 7th fret prevents a 10.

I've played & owned a few 12's since 1980. I'm getting to like the bright sounds more and they compliment the warm deep fullness of the mid & bass sounds. I was not used to such "joyful" highs on my Ventura, nor my Fenders! I'm liking the "happy" high tones more & more. There are no fret buzzes when fingers are placed & pressed properly. On minor chords it is also warm & emotive, sounding likes she wants to sing the blues. Very nice. This guitar was made to sound rich in the highs & lows and everything in between.

The action seems a little high, even for a 12. One small chip on bass side of 7th fret, but not where it makes any difference. The neck is a little thick. A normal man's hand can navigate it, but a female's hand may be too small. Once one knows that real abalone & mother of pearl were used, the guitar takes on more admiration for its beauty. The finish is thick & glossy. I've banged it a few times but can't find any marks! *This guitar comes artificially aged for resonance. The aging process was by heating the moisture from the wood. Many folks may get the wrong impression by thinking that merely aging wood makes it more resonant. The TRUTH of the matter is the vibrations of sounds going through the wood open it more & more to produce richer tones. Removing moisture helps only as it opens wood grains. What REALLY increases tone & warmth in accoustics is how much they are PLAYED! It doesn't matter how old the wood is if music is not opening the instrument to its better capacity. If guitar woods were given the same vibrations of music notes, this would have a better tonal effect than merely heating moisture from the wood. It does not matter how old the wood is, (heresy to you?)what matters is its being opened up by playing it. The more you play with her, the better she gets.

This guitar is staying in tune very well (I play inside & outside in differing temperatures and atmospheres). Minor adjustments only after playing hard in differing conditions. I never gig accoustic without both a 6 & 12 string... That's my back up.
P.S.- I capo to the 2nd fret & tune it standard there (relieves pressure on the head, tuning posts, and neck).

I finally heard from the guitar dept. at Hohner, the USA distributor for Crafter guitars. They provided me with a bit more information that helped me know more about the guitar. I paid $200.00 for this brand new guitar that normally sells at more than $500.00. It is definitely worth the price!

I've been playing for hours most every day since 1992, but I cut my teeth on my first 12 string in 1980. I could give this guiatr a 10 all around if not for a small chip, and the action being a little high.

Made in Korea 2002. 12 string, +21 frets. Solid Spruce top, dreadnought style, mahogany neck and body, artificial (but nice) mother of pearl inlays on head stock and trim. Die-cast chrome tuners (Crafter) and bright (sounding) strings. If it were not for a very small chip on the 7th fret fretboard edge, I would have given this an 8. It was artificially aged for sound purposes. I cut my teeth on a Ventura 12 string in 1980, and played a Fender 12 string for years. This can hold up in sound but not appearance to my previous 12's.

It has a rich full sound for my rythm playing (been singing in bands since 1977)and the factory strings are very bright, yet bendable. I will need to take it to the pros at the 12th Fret in Portland for some work (action, bone nut, etc). They do a great job on guitars, and she'll sound even better than she does today. She'll be a 10 when 12th Fret is finished.

The finish is thick, glossy, and therefore durable. The neck is a little thick & the action is too high, even for a 12 string. The appearance is quite attractive as far as aesthetic beauty is concerned, especially for the price. If I were a beginner, I'd be seriously tempted to quit guitar if all I knew was factory type action on 12's.

The guitar is definitely a Tonka in durabilty. It was built for sound and durabilty. I will gig with it more after her makeover. These 4 times I've played live, the action & brightness have almost thrown off my needed concentration. I only played her on a couple ballads. If I want my mind distracted to anything besides the song, it's the brunettes with skinny waists and feminine hips (sigh). I'll gig with her again around Christmas.

It comes with the usual limited warranty. Hohner is its USA distributor. I've contacted Crafter with questions, and they referred me to HohnerUSA. Therefore, so far, customer service is terrible. EVERY GUITAR MANUFACTURER SHOULD PROVIDE MUCH MORE INFO BESIDES THE BRIEF DESCRIPTION NEXT TO A PICTURE OR ON THE STRINGED CARDS!!!!!!! Would it be too much to even see a few pics of every particular model as it's being made?

I love my electric Les Paul, and my accoustic Ibanez AW300. After some minor work, this guitar will rise closer to the 10. Forgetting customer support, I'll give her a 7 now...