Product: Arbor 180 12-String
Price Paid: US $150
Submitted
06/13/1999
at
11:30pm
by
Steve
Email: sboudrea<at>bellsouth dot net
Features
:
7
Laminated top 12-string acoustic, 14 frets to body, 20 total. Looks like ash top (light color, mahogny back and sides. Mine's a lefty model, which is why I got it- it replaced a Ventura 12 string. Hooded tuners, some of which were put on crocked by the factory- once one goes on wrong, not much you can do with the next and the next... Thin neck for a 12, thiner than the Ventura. Neat oval fret markings.
Sound
:
6
Sound is a little brite for my taste, briter than my last 12, but that may be because of strings on it- I use thinest 12 strings i can find, to minimize bridge tension, and this has bigger than my taste.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
7
Pretty good action, for a 2nd tier 12 (not a Martin, Gibson, Guild. Sorry, folks, Fender acoustics are very much 2nd tier, maybe even 3rd.) Bridge tends to lift body if I tune to pitch, and that keeps me up at night, so I tune 1 whole pitch flat and capo 2nd fret.
Reliability/Durability
:
7
Play live with if often. Seems well built, except afore mentioned bridge lifting. Would gig w/o backup, cause a 12 isn't used for every song, and who wants to carry 2 of the same guitar?
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Not under warranty, never dealt with them.
Overall Rating
:
7
Started playing for 30 years, laid off for 15, started agiain 3 years ago. Wish I had spend a little more, for a 1st tier 12 that would keep bridge area flat. I had a Bridge Doctor installed in Ventura, might have it done on this one.
