12 fret guitars have always been known to have a special sound, very centred and musical. Not because the neck is shorter, rather because the bridge is moved back on the soundboard and away from the sound-hole. It's this smaller area between the bridge and the tail of the guitar that gives the 12 fret sound.

My D guitar, being in effect a long scale 12 fret guitar, has this distinctive sound.

Putting a capo at the second fret gives standard scale, standard tuning and standard string tension so has the sound and feel of a standard 12 fret guitar.
Taking off the capo puts the D guitar one tone down from standard and on a long scale. This makes some keys easier (such as F and B flat), handy for accompaniment, and gives a majestic depth and sustain.

My original D was based on a Model 1, later Ds have all been versions of the Martin Simpson Signature Model. I plan D versions of the New World and Model 4 Dreadlought guitars in the near future.

 Apart from the longer neck and re-positioned bridge, D guitars are built to the same specifications (and have the same options) as standard guitars.

Scale