Froggy Bottom Guitars - Model D-12 Prototype

Model D-12 Prototype

People have been asking us to make twelve fret dreadnoughts since 1971. Since we have a lot of fun watching players compare our 14 fret D models to those of other builders whose dreadnoughts are considered exceptional, we finally thought it would be fun to do a traditional 12 fret, “slope-shoulder” “D”. We’ve always been known as 12 fret aficionados, why not see what we can do with our own spin on this tried and true guitar?

The prototype is of very finest Brazilian rosewood, with a superb German spruce top. The body is bound in highly figured koa with Paua trim on all the edges and the fretboard extension. This one does have an appetite for banjos, and it is the only one in the world! Price: $22,500 Sold!

Click on thumbnails below for other views of the guitar. Also, see D12 Model page for still more views.

The D-12 Model Specs

Body Width: 16"

Body Length: 21.375 "

Body Depth: 4.5 "

Scale Length: 25.25"

Nut Width: 1.75"

Price: $22,500 Sold!

“I had the pleasure of holding and playing this featured guitar for a couple of hours for photos, most of it with my bare fingers. It makes a rich, bright and beautiful sound.

Just before the end of our shoot, Michael says, “Do you have a flat pick?” “No,” but he did. So, I started to flat pick the guitar. And suddenly, I couldn’t hear anything else. The comments Michael was making to me from six feet away; the photographer’s directions: totally eclipsed.

All I could hear was the guitar.

This instrument has astonishing power and brilliance under a flat pick. The overtones, the volume, the sweet, biting and balanced tone: it has an edginess and muscularity that will delight you. I suspect playing it with finger picks would present a similar profile."

— Scott Ainslie, Vermont