The Froggy Bottom F12 Model – a full-sized 16” guitar with 4.125” depth (significantly shallower than dreadnoughts) – was inspired by the instrument resulting from the chance conversion of a broken Martin F-7 arch top back in Greenwich Village of the 1960s.
In 1965, someone brought a old Martin F-7 with a trashed top into Marc Silber’s shop in the Village, wondering if it could be salvaged. Marc replaced the original arch top with a flat top and what had been a rather pedestrian guitar got a lot more interesting. As the guitar made the rounds in the Village scene, it caught the attention of players and builders alike. People started bringing the old F-7s into Matt Umanov’s shop for conversion. Word got around.
These early conversions demonstrated the sonic virtues of reducing the volume of air in the bodies of larger instruments and altered the course of contemporary flat top guitar design.
The shallower depth of the Froggy Bottom F makes the instrument comfortable to play and contributes to the guitar’s exceptional string-to-string balance, clarity, and projection.
It will never, ever leave.
“Just a note: Back in April of 2001 I purchased F-12 #F501(a Standard with slotted headstock, herringbone binding and rosette) from one of your dealers. Every time I’ve ever e-mailed you about it you’ve always seemed to remember that particular guitar for some reason.
“Well, it’s been nearly 5 years now since that day, and I just wanted to tell you how happy I’ve been with it. I’ve owned no less than a dozen acoustics in the last ten years or so, including an $8000.00 Ryan that I waited two years to receive from K.R.
“All of them have come, and then gone . . . except for Froggy #501. It will never, ever leave.”
F12 Model Specs
- Body Width:
- 16″
- Body Length:
- 21″
- Body Depth:
- 4 1/8“
- Scale Length:
- 25 1/4“
- Nut Width:
- 1 3/4” (variable at no charge)
Model F12 Prices
These prices reflect only the basic grade and wood choices for this model. Our price list has prices for specific custom options. Our current prices, effective January 2020, are subject to change without notice.
| F12 | standard / deluxe / limited |
|---|---|
| mahogany | 7595 / 8645 / 9895 |
| rosewood | 7595 / 8645 / 9895 |
| maple | N/A / 9395 / 10,645 |
| walnut | N/A /10,245 / 11,495 |
| koa | N/A / 11,345 / 12,595 |