Identify this guitar - acoustic 12 string edition

shoeless

shoeless

Riffin'
So my wife is currently at a thrift store and sent me this photo. They're asking $65, but I can't tell what it is. I'm guessing an old Martin copy (based on the headstock). It has no markings or serial no.

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So a few obvious observations. Non-sealed tuners, double bound body with a bound neck. Three hole truss rod cover, zero fret and a volute on the neck (I think). Looks like a cedar top. Any ideas?
 
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I'm no expert, but I always associate the zero fret with Japanese knockoffs from the 60's, early 70's. Some of these though were made by decent builders, like Kawai.
 
Tralfaz said:
I'm no expert, but I always associate the zero fret with Japanese knockoffs from the 60's, early 70's. Some of these though were made by decent builders, like Kawai.
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Yeah, that was my guess too...a Japanese copy of a Martin. I told her to pass on it, I may go by and take a closer look myself. It obviously needs some binding repair, which I've never done and not sure I have time for. Plus, I already have a cheap 12 string. Always hard to pass up a <$100 guitar though, if it's playable at all.

I know it's also pretty common for 12 strings to have neck joint issues, and it's hard to tell from the photo, but it almost looks like this one might be starting to come apart.
 
There were many 12-strings like that in the 60s; no-name guitars with a Martin-like headstock. And yes, they tended to be very unreliable, especially if tuned to standard pitch. (Many of us tuned di=own to at least D and used a capo.) It looks like a great guitar to pass on.
 
It looks well played which would lead you to believe it must be a good player.

But then again it’s an acoustic so it’s unexcitng and unnecessary.
 
reverend1 said:
It looks well played which would lead you to believe it must be a good player.

But then again it’s an acoustic so it’s unexcitng and unnecessary.
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Gary Blanchard said:
That's my general reaction to electric guitars. (Insert grinning smilie here.)
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I play electric way more than acoustic, but there's something very relaxing about sitting out on the porch with a cold beer and an acoustic.

smurfco said:
That looks like it'd be awful to play.
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Yeah, it looks pretty rough alright. I really need to raise my standards.
 
Gary Blanchard said:
That's my general reaction to electric guitars. (Insert grinning smilie here.)
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Well done sir.

Just a preference thing. I don’t like playing acoustics, if they come out during a show it’s my signal to head to the bar. If a band is setting up and they are only playing accoustics it’s time to find a new place to hang for the night.
 
shoeless said:
I play electric way more than acoustic, but there's something very relaxing about sitting out on the porch with a cold beer and an acoustic.


Yeah, it looks pretty rough alright. I really need to raise my standards.
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I had a Decca 12-string back in about 1967 or so that had a similar look. It was not easy to play new; this one looks to be a bear. Nothing relaxing there.
 
reverend1 said:
Well done sir.

Just a preference thing. I don’t like playing acoustics, if they come out during a show it’s my signal to head to the bar. If a band is setting up and they are only playing accoustics it’s time to find a new place to hang for the night.
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Funny how that works. I have always been more of an acoustic music guy who tends to avoid electric shows, especially in small places. But I got into music from the folk scene, and that has always been my comfort level.
 
Based on the screw adjust bridge, truss rod placement, and zero fret I would guess it is a 70's Japanese guitar made by Terada. The made a lot of different Gibson and Martin inspired acoustics for lots of different import brand names. Google 12 string Terada to see some examples of these.
 
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