Fender are calling this JG12CE 12 string electro-acoustic a “Mini-Jumbo” model, which at first sight could be construed as a contradiction in terms. However in essence what they mean by this terminology is that the JG12CE has a scaled down Venetian soft cut-away Dreadnought-style body, which may appeal to some guitar players who like the intimacy of the small body coupled with the resonant sound of the 12 strings.
The top is crafted from Spruce with a Mahogany back and sides and a Nato wood neck, the fret board is constructed from Rosewood and has 20 frets that use inlaid dot position markers. The amplified sound comes courtesy of an on-board Fender 4T Piezo pick-up that was actually created by the acoustic pick-up experts at Fishman and is modelled on their Classic IV Piezo pick-up range.
The guitar is powered using active electronics and on the edge of the guitar are a number of control options relating to the pick-up system and the pre-amp, there’s a choice of adding Bass, Middle & Treble along with a Mid-sweep control known as “Body”. Additional to the EQ is a volume control and low battery indicator light and a handy inclusion is the integrated guitar tuner complete with on/off switch.
The bridge, like the fret board is made from Rosewood with a compensated saddle to facilitate low action and accurate intonation on the instrument whilst the strings are held in position using the traditional method of grooved bridge pins. On the large headstock the die-cast machine heads are chrome plated and the Natural coloured top has been given a Satin Polyurethane finish. Other cosmetic features include the black and white plastic binding around the edge of the body and the black and white decorative rosette encircling the sound hole.