So I went to the 12th Fret the other day!

[fogman]

No I don't have an EBMM yet!

I've been wanting to go there for too long. I've passed through Toronto many times but haven't had the spare time to pop in.
What a great place! It defines "boutique guitar shop". It's the perfect backdrop for Music Man guitars and Basses. It sure beats the typical whole in the wall guitar stores.
When you first walk in the door, the very first guitars in view are Music Man(s). I just stood there and stared for about 15 minutes. They are simply beautiful guitars!!!
The people there are great! I've talked to many of them on the phone or via email in the past, but it was really nice to talk in person.

There was a "Carbon Blue Pearl" Silo Special w/ Abalone pickguard (beautiful). It was so nice to finally see this colour in the real!!! What a crazy colour. I have over 300 pics of this colour, and only a few really capture it properly. If I had to describe it, words could not do it justice. I was surprised that my wife and daughter did not like it though?! I think they found it too flashy.
However, My wife really loved the Rosewood Axis though. She literally wanted me to take it home!
Her and the kids were like "Dad, just buy one!" but I declined. Only because at the moment I will only be able to afford one guitar, and I have my sights set on a Silo H-S-H. Tim who I was talking with said he felt like he was in some type of parallel universe! He usually gets much more of the opposite.

They also had another S.S. It was graphite pearl w/ moonstone guard.
The graph. pearl is also a must see in person!
Also on hand, they had a number of Axis', a black JP and a white Albert Lee.
It was nice to finally try an Al. This is a great guitar. After the Silo, I'm thinking this might be my No.2.
The only EBMM I haven't had the opportunity to try yet is the Luke.

Anyhow, I just thought I'd ramble and share my experience with you all.

 

[SteveB]

Ahhhh.... it won't be long now.

You've had an MM in your hands, and now it will haunt you!

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

So where are the pics?

 

[Beth]

Hey Fog,

The guys at The 12th Fret are really great and although I've never been to the shop myself, they've always come through and done so much for the customers. Thanks for the report!

-Beth

....so....not even one? You still didn't buy just one?

 

[g_man]

What a great place! It defines "boutique guitar shop". It's the perfect backdrop for Music Man guitars and Basses. It sure beats the typical whole in the wall guitar stores.
When you first walk in the door, the very first guitars in view are Music Man(s).

+1

Yeah! What a great place. Glad to hear others like it too. Just to add some of my personal experiences and some hopefully accurate history:

As far as service, I will never forget being treated with respect and given time as a young guy many years ago, buying a $250 mandolin from them. I have bought 3 guitars from them since then, and every time it has been a pleasure. I think that is the true mark of service: when a young person buying a cheap low end instrument is treated in a similar way to a pro who is dropping serious money in there on a monthly basis.

And I am not 100% sure on details, but my understanding is one of the co-owners is the original guy from '77 or so, and the other co-owner was very highly regarded as an acousitc guitar builder in the 70s and 80s. He was an apprentice with Jean Larrivee around the same time as Linda Manzer and Laskin. The owners of the store are the guys answering emails, and helping you out in the store. And when I bought my AL there a couple of months ago, I was helped out by Mike McAvan (sp?) - an EBMM artist who does seimiars throughout Canada for MM. He handled the sale and setup the AL - telling me great stories the whole time. How much better does it get than that?

 

[Spudmurphy]

Nice one Foggy - hope you took lots of pics ?

Now about this AL becoming #2 guitar? You ought to make it #1 or will the indecision just make matters worse?
Spud

 

[GWDavis28]

Foggy, alright nice to see you got your hands on the real deal. You've moved up from stalking EBMM's to really checking them out. Dude you need to take the next step and order/get one. Heck if your wife and kids are pushing you to do it, as Nike says "JUST DO IT!!!".

Bills and such will get paid, but the joy and pleasure these instruments bring will last you a life time.

Good luck, Glenn |B)

 

[koogie2k]

This has to be an uncommon event....the wife says "Buy it!" and YOU walk away?!?!?

Good to hear you got one in your paws...now, you are through. Your hands will start doing things like, slapping you in the head....poking you in the eye.....wrapping them around your neck.....all because you have now spoiled them and then denied them that elusive EBMM!

This is more suspenseful than a horror flick....will the monster eat them or will Foggy buy a EBMM.....

Cool that you had a good time at the store....I love going to my local store and staring at them myself. Each one is it's own character and I can swear they talk to me....then again, maybe it is CINCHouse telling me NO....but, I could be wrong.

 

[Jimi D]

+1 on the positive reviews for The 12th Fret! I've never been in the store either, nor met any of the ee's in person, but I've purchased two of my Balls from them, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them again. They've always been very nice in all their dealings with me...

Am I the only one who thinks it's bizarre that Foggy's talking about what he wants for his 2nd Ball before he's even ordered his first?!?

 

[francric]

He's NUTS!!!!!!!!!!!! If my wife said get it, I would be running out the door with it.........

 

[Bungo]

Ah! I understand. 12th fret =Guitar store.

I thought perhaps Scott Ian had started a thread about some new experience he'd had with a guitar!

 

[threeminutesboy]

that's a great news foggy ! I am very glad for you really

 

[beej]

Hey Foggy- if I'd known you were in town I would have met up with ya! Glad you had a fun trip.

My first memory of the 12th fret was in early high school - my dad signed us up to their build-your-own-guitar course. I went there a few times a week after school and build an electric from scratch- had a blast and learned so much putting the truss rod in, installing leveling and crowing the frets, etc. Got to hang out in the store with the guys every night, play guitar, talk about music.

It is one of my best memories, and the last thing I really got to do with my dad before he passed away. Still love that guitar (pics at the link in my sig).

Anyway, they've long since stopped offering that course- it was at their old shop. So I have fond memories of the store.

 

[Psychicpet]

very cool Foggy... alittle heartbreaking. but heck, you'd have to fly out here to check out our stock
we've got a Carbon Blue PEarl Luke in right now and it's got the funkiest neck on it, the shape is like a V style and it definitely makes me want to play a skinny stringer!

 

[Sherry SK8]

Yes, they're one of our best accounts and they have a great reputation

 

[Spudmurphy]

Hey Foggy- if I'd known you were in town I would have met up with ya! Glad you had a fun trip.

My first memory of the 12th fret was in early high school - my dad signed us up to their build-your-own-guitar course. I went there a few times a week after school and build an electric from scratch- had a blast and learned so much putting the truss rod in, installing leveling and crowing the frets, etc. Got to hang out in the store with the guys every night, play guitar, talk about music.

It is one of my best memories, and the last thing I really got to do with my dad before he passed away. Still love that guitar (pics at the link in my sig).

Anyway, they've long since stopped offering that course- it was at their old shop. So I have fond memories of the store.

Hey Beej - nice DIY Strat.
I bought a real cheap one to do up with my son - it could really do with a new neck but I'm being put off by my guitar building buddy.
What neck did you use ? -can u remember?
Cheers
Spud

 

[fogman]

Ahhhh.... it won't be long now.
You've had an MM in your hands, and now it will haunt you!

LOL! I've already had one in my hands! That's why I've been hanging around here for so long, and have sooooo many guitar pics.

Hey Fog,
I've never been to the shop myself.
-Beth
....so....not even one? You still didn't buy just one?

If you're ever in Toronto, that's the one EBMM dealer you'd have to check out!
Honestly, I'm kinda afraid to buy one (just one). I know shortly after that the real disease will kick in. Buy two (just two). Buy three (just three).
On the way home I started preparing my wife (who is very supportive) for my future purchases. I got this glance, then the statement "You've always been a big dreamer!!!" But I'm self employed, so the sky is the limit!

Now about this AL becoming #2 guitar? You ought to make it #1 or will the indecision just make matters worse?

I actually like the look of the Al better! But the Silo will be first because of its versatility.

This has to be an uncommon event....the wife says "Buy it!" and YOU walk away?!?!?

Good to hear you got one in your paws...now, you are through. Your hands will start doing things like, slapping you in the head....poking you in the eye.....wrapping them around your neck.....all because you have now spoiled them and then denied them that elusive EBMM!

This is more suspenseful than a horror flick....will the monster eat them or will Foggy buy a EBMM.....

LOL!!! You're too funny. But I know what you say it true!
If they would have had a Silo H-S-H, it probably would be in my hands right now regardless of colour!

Am I the only one who thinks it's bizarre that Foggy's talking about what he wants for his 2nd Ball before he's even ordered his first?!?

There's nothing on order yet. I've just had way toooooo much time to think about it.

Hey Foggy- if I'd known you were in town I would have met up with ya! Glad you had a fun trip.

My first memory of the 12th fret was in early high school - my dad signed us up to their build-your-own-guitar course. I went there a few times a week after school and build an electric from scratch- had a blast and learned so much putting the truss rod in, installing leveling and crowing the frets, etc. Got to hang out in the store with the guys every night, play guitar, talk about music.
It is one of my best memories, and the last thing I really got to do with my dad before he passed away. Still love that guitar (pics at the link in my sig).
Anyway, they've long since stopped offering that course- it was at their old shop. So I have fond memories of the store.

Jason,

I think about you when I'm heading to Toronto.
This was a trip to take the kids to the zoo! I didn't even think I was going to make it to the Fret yet again. I said there wasn't enough time as we were only there a couple of days. The wife and kids made sure I made it the store!
I'm planning on taking some business courses/seminars in Toronto this fall. I will be sure to contact you to see if we could hook up for a drink!
That's a cool story about the Fret and your Dad. Great memories!

very cool Foggy... alittle heartbreaking. but heck, you'd have to fly out here to check out our stock
we've got a Carbon Blue PEarl Luke in right now and it's got the funkiest neck on it, the shape is like a V style and it definitely makes me want to play a skinny stringer!

Pete,

You're not out of the running yet! I haven't ordered anything. The 12th Fret is an awesome guitar shop, but I would rather give you the business as you're a fellow forumite. I know you'll do your best to give a great deal!



.

 

[SteveB]

Foggy,

Yeah, definitely hook up with Beej if you're in Toronto this fall. He's a really cool guy and a lot of fun to hang out with.

 

[lenny]

I just got Back from Hamiliton, Oakville,burlington, and Niagra Falls ,And Jason if i had of made it to The Big Smoke i would have called but alas i didnt ,i am home now after a 11 Hour drive from Montreal, Clothes shopping and roller coaster riding with my 11 year old daughter,and it feels good t be at my desk ahhhhhhhhh Vacation good to be away....... good to b home

 

[darren]

The Twelfth Fret is awesome. There's no better place in Toronto to visit.

I too cannot believe you passed on your wife's encouragement to buy the rosewood Axis!

I've played the black JP they have there (it was the first EBMM guitar i'd ever played, actually), and that is one of the best-sounding, best-playing guitars i've ever laid hands on. I didn't even plug it in. I didn't have to. It was so incredibly resonant, i knew that plugging it in would just be a recipe for disaster (for my credit card!)

The guys there are great, and i've been going there since about 1987 when they were down on Kingston Road. I took their "build a guitar" course with Grant and Gord Barry. Incidentally, G.W. Barry acoustics are some of the most phenomenal sounding flat-tops i've ever heard. He can make a parlour-sized model so incredibly loud and explosive sounding, it's just incredible. And his guitars are beautifully tasteful and minimalist in their design and construction.