Opinions On Guild 12 String Guitars

[troystory92]

I own a Westerly series Guild F2512e, retails for about 600 bucks.

Jumbo body, spruce top, and laminate maple b/s with an arched back.


It is my first 12 string and everything I'd hoped and wanted it to be.



Here's a cover of Wish You Were Here I did with it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmcVqeyDSI

[devellis]

Originally Posted by 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.

I think this pretty much nails it. If you want the quintessential 12-string, a Jumbo Guild F-512 (rosewood) or F-412 (maple) is probably what you're after. If your budget is tight, the Seagull, while not sounding like a Guild to my ears, is a remarkably good 12-string for the price you'll pay.

I haven't spent any time with the Guild imports, so I really can't comment on them.

If you can find a Guild F-512 to try, I think you'll understand why people often refer to it as the benchmark for 12-string guitars. Even if you end up getting something else (and you might actually prefer something else because it's all a matter of personal preference), you'll have a reference point for comparison.

Whatever you get, make sure it's in good shape and properly set up. How easy or hard it is to play a 12-string depends heavily on how well it has been set up. Guild and Seagull both have good factory setups. But even a new guitar that's been hanging on a music store wall for a while can get out of whack, so be sure to check playability.

[Misifus]

Originally Posted by Looburst

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

We used to say, if you’re going to be in a bar fight, Guild is your ax.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by 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.

Interesting. My first acoustic 12 string was an Art & Lutherie all cherry. I converted it to a 6 string and sold it a coup of years ago.

[drive-south]

I have 2 Guild 12s, both built in Westerly, RI. A D25-12 and a JF30-12. Both have big tone and big necks. The necks are a handful and may not work for everyone. These have dual truss rods and built like trucks.

When Fender moved production to Tacoma, WA they gave the 12 strings a slimmer neck with single truss rod. This design was continued in New Hattford CT. You should definately play any Guild 12 before you buy and make sure the neck works for you.

In any event I doubt you will find the right Guild 12 in your' price range. Keep saving and wait for the right one to come along.

[digman52]

I have a 1972 Guild D-40 12 String, and it is absolutely the best 12 string I have ever heard. Even better than the Olson 12 I bought last spring. I would highly recommend an older Guild for your purchase.

[muscmp]

i think you'll have a problem finding a used guild 12 string for that price. i saw the f212 which is a fairly small body for $800 a while back and the larger bodied ones, up to the 512, are usually more.

play music!

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by muscmp

i think you'll have a problem finding a used guild 12 string for that price. i saw the f212 which is a fairly small body for $800 a while back and the larger bodied ones, up to the 512, are usually more.

play music!

GC has 4 at $800.00 and one for $459.00. Once they sit for awhile, they reduce the price on used guitars, so they'll go down to $700.00 or less.

MF has an F1512 for $999.00 and I think their 17% discount applies to it, making it under $700.00. I think I'll check on that one.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

GC has 4 at $800.00 and one for $459.00. Once they sit for awhile, they reduce the price on used guitars, so they'll go down to $700.00 or less.

MF has an F1512 for $999.00 and I think their 17% discount applies to it, making it under $700.00. I think I'll check on that one.

Are any of these Guilds 'made in USA' jumbo's?

[John Bartus]

Seriously, I'd hold out for a used JF-30 12 or one of the dreadnought models. But the maple JF-30 12 has a huge "piano-like" sound and is an amazing guitar. As many have already stated here, Guild jumbos are the gold standard for 12-string guitars.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Are any of these Guilds 'made in USA' jumbo's?

I don't care where a guitar is made, just the materials and how it is put together. It can be made in Timbuctoo as far as I'm concerned.

[tippy5]

Another vote for USA 80's Guilds. Amazing. I would get a smaller one because they have plenty of sound and sport huge mids anyway. Unless you are playing aggressive music then maybe the slightly more scooped mids of a jumbo would possibly be better for your application?

I have played dozens in my 50 years and I let one get away. I only sold it because after my luthier performed a nice setup the saddle was the lowest it could go. Yet it still had sufficient string break angle to play it hard. Sometimes I forget that you can play vintage acoustics with very low saddle for another few years without the worries of reset, or resale, fear.

Similar to Wade I bought a Seagull for 200$ on Cl and it is strong and sounds decent for the price. Canadian wood is durable. Electrically I also have a Tom Petty 1.75" nut Ric. I love this better than 90% of 12 strings with the low E on top. This is where I prefer for first string struck. Highly recommend this instrument if you can get one. Red fingerboard and room for partial chords make it extra special.

The acoustic guitar that I want is the newish Taylor GC, 12 fret, cutaway, 12 string. Bright and chimey works for me. Makes me want to work on my background vocals, modulations etc... and play undeniable POP music, which I love.

[Steadfastly]

Originally Posted by troystory92

I own a Westerly series Guild F2512e, retails for about 600 bucks.

Jumbo body, spruce top, and laminate maple b/s with an arched back.


It is my first 12 string and everything I'd hoped and wanted it to be.



Here's a cover of Wish You Were Here I did with it...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmcVqeyDSI

Originally Posted by John Bartus

Seriously, I'd hold out for a used JF-30 12 or one of the dreadnought models. But the maple JF-30 12 has a huge "piano-like" sound and is an amazing guitar. As many have already stated here, Guild jumbos are the gold standard for 12-string guitars.

I quite like the F2512E. It has a "sparkly" sound that appeals. Do you know how the JF-30-12 compares to the F2512E?

[rsmillbern]

Originally Posted by Looburst

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

I owe one and love it.
It is a wee bit on the chunky side though ;-)

[troystory92]

Originally Posted by Steadfastly

I quite like the F2512E. It has a "sparkly" sound that appeals. Do you know how the JF-30-12 compares to the F2512E?

Sadly, I have never played a vintage 12 string Guild at all. My local SA had a 1970 D-50 I played alot but it was sold. Great sound, and great construction. VEry solid and whole sounding instrument. Really wanted to take it home.

I think the JF-30-12 would be big step up from the F2512e. It seems to be about double the price of the F2512e, so that is expected.

I would say to go and try out an F2512e, see how you like it. If you can try an older Guild 12 string, that'd be great, too!