Sigma SDR1228-H 12-string

I've had mine

Never had occasion to use it...would just take it Woodsongs if it needed any help.

This is - and has always been - a great guitar. I bought it new in '90 or '91 and it's never needed anything but strings. The only problem I had was the case smelled funny for years - I think it was the glue. Never hurt the guitar, tho. I'd be very unhappy to loose this guitar - I love it!

I've been playing for 29 years, tho only as recreation. I had a Framus 12-string in the mid 80's that met an unfortunate end at the hands of airline employees. It was a great sounding guitar, but temperamental. It required constant adjusting. The Sigma has been solid as a rock, with a great full sound. It's travelled in the outdoors a number of times and has held true, even in damp weather.

This model is no longer offered. This review will be useful to people looking at purchasing an older Sigma. Made in Korea. I have read that the "S" in the model number deignates solid back and sides. The "R" is rosewood. These were older designations. Now they use "DR # ST" to designate a solid top instrument. I don't think any current Sigma models have solid back and sides. Since they made both "DR" and "SDR" prefixes for otherwise identical models, it makes sense that the "S" would mean something. It does look like the grain pattern is the same inside the body and on the back. The "1228" designates a twelve string D28 copy and the "H" suffix indicates the herringbone trim for an HD-28 copy. It has a solid top and a mahogany neck. The neck is a little special. The Taiwanese Sigma DR28-H I recently sold had a thin "Taylor-like" neck with a glued on headstock. This 12 string has a solid mahogany neck with a one-piece headstock. It's also an extremely thick, chunky neck. I love this neck. There is a yellowed "aging toner" on the toip to make it look more like a vintage instrument. Overall, it does a good job of looking old. I gave it a 10 because you just can't get solid woods in this price point anymore and for the really great neck. The herringbone trim looks good and the overall look really is convincingly "Golden Era."

I have been playing for about 35 years now. This is the best sounding 12 string I have ever heard. It has a HUGE, full, well-defined sound. It doesn't sound overly bright like many 12-strings. I honestly sold my $2600 Taylor 655CE after buying this Sigma. It was quite thin sounding in comparison (although it sounded great plugged in.) I have to say that this particular Korean-made instrument sounds an awful lot better than any Martin 12 I've played. The Taiwanese Sigma DR28-H I recently sold pails in comparison.

The top and back are perfectly bookmatched. The inlays are perfectly executed. The neck (again) is just fantastic. The action is not nearly as good as on the Taylor 655CE I sold. But it is as good as most Martins I've played (and that's quite a few now.) On the other hand, it doesn't buzz all over the neck when you play loud, the way the Taylor did. Now, there is definitely something strange going on with the top, though. The bracing seems to be just fine where it counts. But right at the sides of the waist (to the outside of the soundhole)it seems to dip in just a little. It looks a little strange, but it seems fairly well-constructed otherwise. Again, in this price range, you don't normally get the overall attention to detail that went in to this instrument.

This guitar feels a lot more solid than the Taiwanese DR28-H I recently sold. It also feels less fragile than my Taylor. Stays in tune better too.

To the extent that you can't even FIND Sigma on the web, I'd say support is non-existant. The Martin site gives no useful information either.

I have been playing for 35 years, sometimes professionally, most of the time with a regular full-time day job. I've been through a lot of equipment. For 12 strings I have spent a lot of time with a Martin D1220, and I just sold my Taylor 655CE. This Sigma was a very surprising find. It is the best sounding 12 I've ever played OR heard. Obviously, I just love this guitar. I really like the extra-thick neck too. The only thing that bugs me about this guitar is that they don't make it anymore. I really think it's a better instrument than most, and at a tenth of the cost.