The Guitar Gallery Forums - The Guitar Legacy of Matsumoku

Q&A, discussion, and information for the labels covered by The Guitar Gallery (Specifically and exclusively guitars made by Matsumoku up to 1987)
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 Post subject: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Thu 14 Jul 2016 05:51 PM 
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Quick photo of the 12 string I just grabbed from my "dealer"

In good shape, no case tho, bummer, strings could be original judging from the method used to finish the ends at the tuners. Seller had never changed them and the individual he got the guitar from had it buried in his closet for years.

Looking forward to getting to know this guy better.

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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Thu 14 Jul 2016 07:39 PM 
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Oh, very nice Lance. That'll be a joy to play.

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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Fri 15 Jul 2016 10:51 AM 
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Barry wrote:
Oh, very nice Lance. That'll be a joy to play.


Holy man is the action high!! Wondering if this is an element of a 12 string as I have no prior experience.

Rings like a bell though!!


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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Fri 15 Jul 2016 04:49 PM 
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LanceT wrote:
Holy man is the action high!! Wondering if this is an element of a 12 string


Short answer; no, it shouldn't be any different to a 6 string! In fact, my electric 12 has a lower action that about half of my guitars!! However, the high action will be contributing in no small way to the sound....


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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Fri 15 Jul 2016 10:17 PM 
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Uh, oh. :unsure:

I didn't want to mention high action 'cuz I didn't want to rain on yer parade...but, I have a miserable problem on my Vantage VA30N-12.
It's a beautiful guitar but the bloody action is high enough to Limbo under! Nothing has worked including a bridge doctor. I'm afraid the only solution is a neck re-set (not gonna happen).

I can play her only by tuning her down a step then capo'ing her back up to pitch. Works, and it's a common thing to capo an acoustic 12, but it's not the way I wanted to be playing it. If you go this route I strongly recommend you get a Shubb capo, it's the only one I've found that will clamp the octave strings reliably.

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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Wed 20 Jul 2016 10:10 AM 
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Nice guitar Lance. Everybody should have a 12 string in their arsenal. Keep in mind that your fingers are now pushing down twice as many strings as a 6 string. This is by nature a little more difficult to do. It takes more strength in the pinkies. As far as the action goes it might take a tweak of the truss rod and maybe even shaving the saddle somewhat to improve things. I would try that if your comfortable with it. If you're like me then you'll mostly play within the first 5 frets anyway. Good luck and enjoy that closet classic. :)


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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Wed 20 Jul 2016 10:57 AM 
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Thanks for the reply's!! I'll likely do nothing with the guitar for awhile. It's nice just have found it and I can mess around with it at will and decide what to do down the road a bit.

It's kind of funny to me how these guitars while being relatively uncommon are a bit of a bargain, despite the quality of construction & history.

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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Thu 21 Jul 2016 05:04 PM 
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The bridge on 12 string acoustic guitars tends to lift the top a little (due to increased string pull). You can see this from the side when your "flat top" is not really flat anymore. If that is not compensated by an increased neck angle (or the top is reinforced under the bridge), you action will be high.


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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Wed 27 Jul 2016 10:25 AM 
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if this is the same as the aria version they have a tendency to have bridge lift. You can try lowering the saddle. If that doesn't work some kind of bridge fix is in order. I have some recollection Barry did a bridge fix on one of these and documented it here.


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 Post subject: Re: Vantage VA12LT
PostPosted: Wed 27 Jul 2016 11:49 AM 
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Yeah, I did attempt to lower the bridge with the Bridge Doctor but sadly, it was not terribly effective in my case. I think it may work better on a 6 string.

You can read all the gory details of my attempt here: http://www.matsumoku.org/ggboard/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=9662&hilit=bridge+doctor

YMMV.

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