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Today I ordered a new E20 OM TC.
It'll be on approval - I've bought a guitar from this shop before so I can check it out and return it if not happy.
Not that I expect that to happen.
Assuming I do keep it, a Martin 000-28 will be moving in the opposite direction.
This is all down to a journey that began a couple of years ago, when I heard people talking at a workshop about 12 fret guitars. I filed that way for future reference.
A few months ago, I mulled that over and had a look around. Having liked the sound of a Taylor 322 12 fret, but being a bit worried about a review that said it was better for strumming (I'm a finger picker), I settled on an E10 OO-M.
I was taken aback by how good it is. The neck and fretboard really are something. My guitar teacher reckoned I played 20% better on the Eastman than on the Martin - and that I needed to because the Eastman's intonation was better and it needed to be played more accurately.
The E10 became my go-to guitar over the Martin and a Taylor 512, despite me having bought it as an alternative for certain pieces that needed that mahogany narrow depth and warmth.
And that led to the thought of trading in one rosewood and spruce guitar for another.
I did consider an E40 OM, but was worried that the appointments were a bit more 'out there' than I'm comfortable with. The shop assured me that the E20's tone was just as good.
My residual worry is that a 12 fret just plays better than a 14 fret (my E10 is the only 12 fret steel-string I've played).
So in about 7-10 days, once it's been set up and shipped, I'll find out what I think.
And then it's down to some recording (so I'm hoping the TC means that it won't need to played in too much).
Watch this space!
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