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14 Fret Dreadnaught Guitar, October 2009

When Lee Thornton received his 14 fret Dreadnaught in December 2009 he said:

Had the new guitar for a couple of weeks now. At first, when I put my left hand on the neck and thought this neck is just too shallow, I'll never be able to play it. The sound is superb even for a new 'tight' guitar, but I was having trouble with the shallow neck and my very large hands.
I left town for several days and came back for a fresh try and I must say I'm beginning to get used to it. Tonight I began to run through some folk and bluegrass numbers and when I really started strumming it hard it really opens up and gets loud but remains clearer than any other guitar I have played. Never muddies up and the more you give her the more she gives back.....really quite amazing. As with all of yours I have played the sustain and overtones are true and clear and resonant with a sort of haunting feel I get from the body resonance against my body that again you don't find often. It is a great feel.

I have a few days off and will continue to develop the feel for the neck. I do appreciate you making the concession for me on the 14 frets to the body. I don't know how it compares to the 12 fret models, but I can't imagine they outdo this one by much if at all.

In his next email he said:

If you have any thoughts of doing more 14 frets I can certainly say go for it as this one is a gem. I know the 12 fret has a certain mystique and a wonderful sound, but in the end the dreadnaught is really a 14 fret for most folks looking for dreads.
I've had and do have some of the 'holy grails' of dreads and without question this one is already up with or above them. That is a true statement as I was up most of the night finding that out first hand. I wish you could hear it next to my old Gibson SJ and Martins, different yes, but in the same vein and already really better at many things they do so well.

However, while so many guitarists love this slender neck, Lee eventually decided he just couldn't adapt to it. It's not the fingerboard width, which is fine, it's the shallowness permitted by the very stiff Madagascan rosewood neck material. He says:

The sound this guitar makes just keeps impressing me and all who hear it. However, now after a couple of months of at least one hour daily trying to get used to the neck I must say I can't. I can't make my hands do the things I do without thinking, needless to say I hate this. Sorry I can't make it work. The guitar appears as new of course.

This (as yet) one of a kind dreadnaught is a great guitar, with the neck many acoustic guitarists long for. The back and sides are glowing Brazilian rosewood, the soundboard best Italian (Red) spruce, and the fingerboard and bridge are best black ebony. The sound is as described by Lee and will open up over the years to become even richer and stronger.
It is fitted with a Highlander pickup; Highlanders give the best amplified sound I've heard.

To buy this guitar contact either me (stefan@sobellguitars.com, telephone +44 1434 673567) or Lee Thornton.

Lee's contact details are:
Email:                leethornton@mac.com
Telephone:         601-917-1315
Region:              Mississippi, USA