Opinions On Guild 12 String Guitars

[Steadfastly]

I am looking to replace my 12 string which a sold awhile ago. It appears that Guild and Taylor are the 12 string pros. Taylors don't seem to be my thing so I am looking at a used Guild. Can you please give me some suggestions and recommendations? My budget for this one would be around $700.00 USD.

[Brucebubs]

Have you considered a new Takamine GJ72CE - 12 string?
Maple jumbo body.
Great reviews.

Sweetwater has them for $649.99
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GJ72CE12NAT

[Steve DeRosa]

Find a new-old-stock D-1212 all-hog dread while you still can; best 12-string under $1K IMO - check the NGD reviews from when Sweetwater blew these out back in 2016 and half the AGF membership bought them up...

Update: found you one for sale, close to your stated budget:

http://www.billsmusic.com/guild-d-12...oustic-guitar/

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

Find a new-old-stock D-1212 all-hog dread while you still can; best 12-string under $1K IMO - check the NGD reviews from when Sweetwater blew these out back in 2016 and half the AGF membership bought them up...

Update: found you one for sale, close to your stated budget:

http://www.billsmusic.com/guild-d-12...oustic-guitar/

I just listened to a demo of the all hog one. It's not what I'm looking for. The maple or spruce/rosewood is more of the sound I am after. Thank you, though, for your post.

Keep your eyes peeled for used USA Guilds. They're out there, but you might need to add a couple hundred to your budget. I saw two on Reverb today:

D25-12
80s D212

IMO, 90s-era Westerly-built Guilds are criminally underpriced.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Have you considered a new Takamine GJ72CE - 12 string?
Maple jumbo body.
Great reviews.

Sweetwater has them for $649.99
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GJ72CE12NAT

I have and I have decided on a Guild or perhaps an Alvarez.

[JoeCharter]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

Keep your eyes peeled for used USA Guilds. They're out there, but you might need to add a couple hundred to your budget. I saw two on Reverb today:

D25-12
80s D212

IMO, 90s-era Westerly-built Guilds are criminally underpriced.

What Willie says...

Owning a USA Guild 12-string is like owning a Martin dread. Be patient and you might find a gem that won't ruin your wallet.

[Cabarone]

Originally Posted by Willie Voltaire

Keep your eyes peeled for used USA Guilds. They're out there, but you might need to add a couple hundred to your budget. I saw two on Reverb today:

D25-12
80s D212

IMO, 90s-era Westerly-built Guilds are criminally underpriced.

Consider your search over...Either one of these would be a honey for the money...I just got a D25-12 last month and it's everything they're cracked up to be...and more...

[Wade Hampton]

Like Joe and others who've contributed to this thread so far, I'm a fan of Guild 12 strings. To me, Guild 12 strings are to that instrument what Martins are to square-shouldered dreadnoughts: they set the industry standard.

That said, my own 12 string guitar is a solid cedar-topped Seagull with laminated cherry back and sides. If you find a used one in good playing condition, to my ear these Canadian-made gems are the best 12 strings available for the money. I think I paid $300 for mine when I found it on the Anchorage Craigslist, maybe less.

That said, I'm not a serious 12 string guy. Mine doesn't get gigged with or used as often as my 6 strings.

So if you want a serious professional quality 12 string, I think you're on the right track looking for a Guild.

Hope this helps.


Wade Hampton Miller

PS: One caveat: be careful and inspect ANY used 12 string you're considering buying very, very carefully. The older it is, the more cautious you should be. Because of the significant tension they're under, all sorts of structural problems can develop. So take care.

[Looburst]

I will say this, the 1980s Guild 12, all maple I owned was a very heavy guitar.

[Cabarone]

Originally Posted by Looburst

I will say this, the 1980s Guild 12, all maple I owned was a very heavy guitar.

That's why only REAL men play them!!!

[Stomp]

To me, Guild makes the definitive 12 string, and has done since the 1960s.
They're big & bold, and good value for money.
I've owned a D25-12, an F112, a JF30-12 and currently own an F512, none have disappointed.
There are many used sub-$1K models (JF30-12 springs to mind).
Here's my '79 F512 on the right.



Another "iconic" 12 string springs to mind which can be had for less than $1K is the Gibson B45-12, a good one is funky and has loads of character.

That said, play as many different 12s as you can, you never know what speaks to you until you play the actual guitar.

Good Luck!

[zombywoof]

I play a pre-War Regal jumbo 12 string. Hard as all get out to find these days and not everybody's cup of tea.

Other than that I have only owned an, early 1960s Gibson and two Westerly-made Guild 12 strings.

At one time Guild set the standard for 12 string guitars. It is hard to imagine now but by the late 1950s Harmony was the only American builder even offering a 12 string guitar. Gibson came out with their B45-12 in 1961 followed by Guild with their F series guitars in 1964.

I have never even laid hands on a Cordoba-made Guild and do not know a soul who owns one. I know folks who owned Fender-made Guilds and speak highly of them. Taylor, of course, made a guitar for Leo Kottke who was trying to replace his stolen early 1960s Gibson. Not sure how close Taylor came but even though I am not a Taylor guy I would check one out if I ran across it.

[Athens]

You could even post a "WTB" listing.

But, if you're looking for a 12 string, Guild is the benchmark.

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I have an old G212 which has a hog back. The rosewood sister is the F212. Do a search. You might find one in your range.