Should I go jumbo?

[Stomp]

I own a '96 Guild JF55 (F50 with RW), a '79 Guild F512 and used to own a '90 Gibson J200, all great guitars.

If I were to buy another jumbo, it would be a '50s or '60s vintage sunburst J200 with maple back & sides.
Some think that they're a bit of a handful, but think of the versatility...

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by ParisStarlight

I did find a listing for a Corona built JF30-12 that is in my general area. Anybody have specific thoughts on these? I know it’s a less showy J50, but I don’t need the binding or decoration. I also know it’s the rosewood fretboard over ebony. Has some finish hecking, but otherwise looks sound.

Thanks again! You all are a wealth of knowledge.

The JF30-12 is a 12-string.
You didn't mention you were looking for a 12-string jumbo in your original post so I recommended 6-string jumbos.

Guild guitars got shifted around after it was bought by Fender.
The very 1st move was from Westerly, Rhode Island to Corona in California in 2001.
Then to Tacoma, Washington in 2004.
Then to New Hartford, Connecticut in 2009.
Then Cordoba Guitars bought Guild from Fender in 2014 and shifted it all to Oxnard back in California again.

Guild buffs consider the Corona build era to be a low point in Guild's history.
Quality was up and down - I own a Corona F-412 'factory 2nd' with a faulty gloss top coat ... but it plays perfectly and sounds superb.

These factory 2nds play OK but have finishing faults, the word 'USED' is stamped over the serial number on the back of the headstock and a colored sticker with a machine printed serial number over the top of the hand written serial number on the inside label.

[donlyn]

Originally Posted by Stomp

I own a '96 Guild JF55 (F50 with RW), a '79 Guild F512 and used to own a '90 Gibson J200, all great guitars.

If I were to buy another jumbo, it would be a '50s or '60s vintage sunburst J200 with maple back & sides.
Some think that they're a bit of a handful, but think of the versatility...

Let me guess, it's HMS Dreadnought !

* * *

For those interested, here's a link to info on the real HMS Dreadnought:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Dreadnought_(1906)

Don

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[Birdbrain]

Built in 1906, HMS Dreadnaught was scrapped just 13 years later. Not a very long career.

Meanwhile, "Jumbo," P.T. Barnum's star elephant, lived 25 years, from 1860 to 1885. Jumbo would have lived much longer, but he was hit by a train.

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Guild buffs consider the Corona build era to be a low point in Guild's history.
Quality was up and down - I own a Corona F-412 'factory 2nd' with a faulty gloss top coat ... but it plays perfectly and sounds superb....

Not this buff. I've got a Corona JF30-12 (not a 2nd) that's a gorgeous burst, and like your F412, plays perfectly, and sounds superb.

[jp2558]

Martin GPC-28E.

[Brucebubs]

Originally Posted by jp2558

Martin GPC-28E.

umm.. I don't want to burst your bubble but ..

- Martin Grand Performance body is 15 3/4" wide and 4 1/2" deep.
- Martin Jumbo J-14 body is 16" wide and 4 7/8" deep.
- Martin Grand Jumbo body is 17" wide and 4 7/8" deep.

I probably wouldn't categorize the GPC as a jumbo, in fact it's even smaller than the Taylor Grand Auditorium which is 16" wide and 4 5/8" deep.

[L20A]

A couple of things to think about as far as a jumbo goes.
Just because a jumbo is bigger than a Dred, it isn't necessarily louder.
In fact most jumbo guitars are not as loud but they are usually more balanced.

A jumbo guitar can be uncomfortable to play when sitting.
I owned a few Guild Jumbo guitars over the years and sold them because they became uncomfortable as I got older.

As far as sound goes, I love the tone of a Guild Jumbo.
Both 6 and 12 string.
I have owned both.