1970s Dorado ("by Gretsch") Japanese-made 12-String Dreadnought Guitar

This guitar's label reads "Dorado by Gretsch" and model 5993 in the soundhole. It's Japanese-made and probably dates to the mid-'70s. The whole body is thin plywood but, as you might expect for a funky old Japanese acoustic from the time, it sounds way better than it should after repairs. These down-market boxes tend to have good clarity, excellent volume, and a fairly balanced tone. The  main issue is usually a zippy-sounding/thin high-end -- which this has, but it sounds fine in a super-jangly way in this 12-string context.

Work included: shaving the bridge and adding string ramps, making a new fully-compensated bone saddle, cleaning, and a good setup. The truss-rod is basically maxed-out but the neck remains straight and is fine at tension with the 46w-9 gauges I strung it up with. Action is 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE at the 12th fret.

Scale length: 24 7/8"

Nut width: 2"

String spacing at nut: 1 11/16"

String spacing at bridge: 2" (narrow)

Body length: 20"

Lower bout width: 15 3/4"

Waist width: 10 7/8"

Upper bout width: 11 5/8"

Side depth at endpin: 4 7/8"

Top wood: ply spruce

Back/sides wood: ply mahogany

Neck wood: nato or mahogany-like

Bracing type: x-braced, non-tapered

Fretboard: rosewood, zero fret

Bridge: rosewood

Neck feel: medium D shape, ~12" radius board

Condition notes: modified bridge, bad old heel crack repair, replacement saddle and some replacement pins, plenty of scratches and scuffs.