Guild 512 vs Guild 2512 vs Guild 1512

[Davelebon]

I posted a thread about buying a new dreadnaught and I am also looking to buy a 12 string for the first time. I fell in love with the 12 string because of the song Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd and guilds because of the david gilmour interview where he plays the 412. I cannot afford the 512 that guild offers right now and Im looking for a step down from that. I really do love the shape of the jumbo 12s that guilds offer so im more in favor of a guild but I would love recommendations on a 12 string. My budget is 1500. Also if you have any opinions on the 2512 vs 1512 I would appreciate it!

[RickRS]

Originally Posted by Davelebon

My budget is 1500. Also if you have any opinions on the 2512 vs 1512 I would appreciate it!

Unfortunately, can't help you with the compare since I've never had my hands on the three. I do have a F1512 and while Chinese built, it is a fine instrument. Well made, nice finish. Solid wood throughout. You should be able to get one new just a hair over $1000.

The "premium gig bag" it comes with is a pretty decent case. It uses stiff foam and is like a lot like a standard hardcase. Zips all around so it opens up like a standard hard case. Will take up just as much room as a standard case in your storage closet. So better protection than a gigbag or a cardboard case, not quite as good a fine hardcase. I don't gig or travel any, so no idea how well it stands up to hard use.

[generalliamsayn]

I played a 1512 at GC this past weekend and was thoroughly impressed at how good it was for the money (I think about $575 or so).

[Steve DeRosa]

If you're looking at the Westerly Series jumbo 12's, I'd recommend seeking out one of the predecessor Guild GAD imports - I played them when they first came out in the early-2K's and IME not only are they much more guitar for the money, but they come with an honest-to-goodness hardshell case. Another option is a (used) player-grade '80s/90s USA Guild JF30-12, the no-frills version of the maple F-412/F-512 (in trim only - they've got all the tone of the high-priced models, and some of them come with really spectacular woods). Finally, if you want all the classic Guild 12-sgtring tone but don't need a jumbo, check out the all-hog D-1212 dread; nicknamed "The Unofficial AGF 12-String" a few years back, this one punches way above its weight - and an A/B playoff against the similarly-priced Taylor 150e can be a revelation...

[Highroller]

I happen to own an F-2512e and absolutely love it. Great bang for the buck guitar as far as I'm concerned. Solid spruce top, carved back, Maple back and sides, (as opposed to rosewood on the 1512). Now I'll admit, I'm a big fan of maple bodies anyway, so there's that bias, but it's worth checking out, regardless of the price point. It's got a nice bright tone, sounds really good thru an amp, and comes in at around $500-600 depending on the finish.

And yeah, it included a really nice gig bag! Seriously - nicest gig bag I've ever seen. It's like a stoopid nice gig bag! LoL!

You can spend more on a 12-string, but you may not have too.

---

[Brucebubs]

I'd check out the Yamaha LL16ARE-12 too, it's also a good looking rosewood solid wood 12-string with great reviews.

[Glennwillow]

Hi Dave,

I am a longtime player of 12-strings. I bought a Harmony H1270 12-string when I was 18 years old in 1966 and played that guitar for years. But eventually I wanted a Guild 12-string. I picked up a used 1972 Guild F-212 in 1975 and recently gave that guitar to my oldest son when I acquired a used 2014 Guild F-512. Once I got the F-512, I found I was no longer playing my F-212.

To me, the F-512 is the ultimate 12-string, but it's expensive and a person probably should be a 12-string aficionado to put that kind of money into a 12-string. I saved probably half the cost of new by buying a used guitar, but it was only two years old when I bought it and it was like new. So I was very fortunate. Used Guild F-512 12-strings are fairly expensive, HERE for example.

I think for someone wanting to find out about whether a 12-string is for them, the Guild F-1512 is a very good alternative. It sounds good -- not as good as an F-512, but still very good. It's made well, and it's very reasonably priced.

There are other good 12-strings out there for similar price of the Guild F-1512. Eastman makes an excellent 12-string and so does Yamaha. However, to me both of these guitars lack the bass response of the Guild F-1512. To my ears, the Guild F-1512 still sounds like a Guild 12-string, and for me after playing 12-string after all these years (I am now age 73), I know that the Guild 12-string is the sound I want. Taylor 12-strings have a lighter sound (less bass) compared to Guild. High quality Taylor 12-strings are also expensive.

This is my YouTube channel playlist for my 12-string songs, if you are interested in hearing what my F-512 sounds like. I record with pro-quality mics, preamps and recording equipment, so what you hear is really what the guitar sounds like in a room.

Best of luck to you!

- Glenn

[RickRS]

Originally Posted by Highroller

... Solid spruce top, carved back, Maple back and sides, (as opposed to rosewood on the 1512).---

Just nit-picking: it's laminated maple back and sides for a F-2515, solid rosewood back and sides for a F1512. Which makes for the price jump between the F-1512 and F-2512. However, I will agree laminated back and side can still be a great guitar.

Originally Posted by Highroller

... And yeah, it included a really nice gig bag! Seriously - nicest gig bag I've ever seen. It's like a stoopid nice gig bag! LoL!
---

If it is the same "premium gig bag" that the comes with the F-1512, I would say Guild mis-named the thing. It is more a soft "case" than a gig bag. Agreed, that thing is one impressive "gig bag". I didn't feel cheated getting that instead of a hard case.

[gibpicker]

To me the 2512 has too many cheap parts, and I didn't care for the brash/ too bright sound of the 1512 to my ears. I stuck with the 1212 for tone.

[boombox]

Originally Posted by Steve DeRosa

If you're looking at the Westerly Series jumbo 12's, I'd recommend seeking out one of the predecessor Guild GAD imports - I played them when they first came out in the early-2K's and IME not only are they much more guitar for the money, but they come with an honest-to-goodness hardshell case. Another option is a (used) player-grade '80s/90s USA Guild JF30-12, the no-frills version of the maple F-412/F-512 (in trim only - they've got all the tone of the high-priced models, and some of them come with really spectacular woods). Finally, if you want all the classic Guild 12-sgtring tone but don't need a jumbo, check out the all-hog D-1212 dread; nicknamed "The Unofficial AGF 12-String" a few years back, this one punches way above its weight - and an A/B playoff against the similarly-priced Taylor 150e can be a revelation...

This, definitely. Although I have to admit I picked up my F512 in mint condition for less than $1500?

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by Davelebon

...I really do love the shape of the jumbo 12s that guilds offer so im more in favor of a guild but I would love recommendations on a 12 string.

I think you're right to focus on Guilds. You should also consider a used American-made Guild JF30-12, like this one built in Corona, CA. (No affiliation.) Note that the "flamed maple back" is not "solid" as claimed in that listing, but don't let that fool you. Guild's braceless arched laminate backs on their jumbo 12-strings (including the high-priced F412) are special and do not carry the usual baggage of "laminate" in guitar circles. My first jumbo Guild 12-string was a JF30-12, and it is spectacular.

Of course, when buying used, you want to contact the seller and check on whether there is "plenty of saddle," how is the action, and how about the neck angle? so you have to do a little research, but it'll be totally worth it! Best of luck!

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

....My first jumbo Guild 12-string was a JF30-12, and it is spectacular.

By the way, although the tone is different, I put my JF30-12 right up there next to my Oxnard-built F512.

[Br1ck]

I'd buy a used F 212 if I could find one in decent shape, but in general, a 12 string throws out a lot of sound, and I'd consider an import if I knew it was only a guitar I'd play now and again. I ended up with a Pono parlor size guitar that puts out a very big sound. It was priced so I don't feel guilty neglecting it due to my double course fix provided by mandolin now.