Simon & Patrick SP12 Cedar 12-String Review

History: I've played guitar for about 35 years, mostly just for pleasure.

Purchase: The S&P was bought on the spur of the moment- i set out originally to buy an Ovation-type 12-string (which would be much more expensive but possibly more robust), to belt out strummed chords to accompany vocals rather than intricate finger picking. I haggled down to £290.

What I Like About This Simon & Patrick SP12 Cedar 12-String: This guitar certainly sings and has a powerful voice: it's loud and bold, and ecourages you to play loud- this is the instrument's forte. There's plenty space on this large neck for finger picking. It's also a light guitar, and has a lively feel to it. It's an honest, no-frills instrument. It's well put together- i could not fault the workmanship- and it looks good.

What I Do NOT Like About The Simon & Patrick SP12 Cedar 12-String: The cedar top of this guitar is fragile, and this should seriously be borne in mind before buying! Make sure that it lives in its hard case- it's very easy to mark and split the top. The sound is not as consistant throughout the range as more expensive guitars, and the upper frets not as playable as, say, a Guild. So, i wouldn't attempt to play ralph Towner on it: stick to the lower frets. The neck is quite chuncky. The action is very high and it's not the easiest guitar to play: I've sanded down the bridge to improve playability with some success.

Simon & Patrick SP12 Cedar 12-String Quality: Workmanship cannot be faulted at this price. There's very little finish, which no doubt contributes to its vibrant nature.

Summary: I would recommend this guitar to anyone- it has a lovable honest character and it's probably the best 12 string i've played at this price, though there are easier guitars to play and the neck design might not suit everyone. I reckon you'd have to pay perhaps 3 times as much for appreciably better quality

Rating of this product: 4

This Simon & Patrick SP12 Cedar 12-String Acoustic Guitars Review Submitted By: Mike

Date: 2008-01-30