I need to know what your opinions/experiences/likes/dislikes regarding these guitars. I plan on owning one at some point in my life, but I would like to know if the Tacomas are as good as the Westerlies or the Connecticuts... Or at the very least, what are your favorite 12 string guilds? Pictures are highly encouraged.
F412 and F512
- Thread starter Sefton419
- Start date
Both are exceptionally sweet guitars, the Steinway of 12 strings. Wide necks, however, too wide for my short fingers. I can play my 6 strings all night long but the F-512 I owned was just too much of a stretch for me and my left hand would start hurting after a few songs. I'm just sayin'....but my fingers are roughly the size of Twinkies :lol:
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
Keep an open mind and you will be able to look at a lot guitars to choose from.
Both are great guitars and remember that you have a choice of 3 different woods to pick from.
I like Rosewood best followed by Maple with Mahogany a very close third.
Personally. it doesnt matter where the Guild is build.
I would look at a newer guitar just because 12 strings can be hard on necks and tops.
New gives you a warranty, with is nice if you plan to keep the guitar.
Enjoy the quest and pick one that sings to you!
Both are great guitars and remember that you have a choice of 3 different woods to pick from.
I like Rosewood best followed by Maple with Mahogany a very close third.
Personally. it doesnt matter where the Guild is build.
I would look at a newer guitar just because 12 strings can be hard on necks and tops.
New gives you a warranty, with is nice if you plan to keep the guitar.
Enjoy the quest and pick one that sings to you!
6L6
Senior Member
You just can't miss with ANY Guild 12 string!
In my case, I like the brighter sound of maple and decided to purchase a new F-412 back in '06 (Tacoma). I love the guitar to death. And the Highlander iP-2 pickup I had installed works very well too.
I've owned Guild guitars built in every location except NH. All were superior instruments.
Never met a Guild I didn't love.
6
'06 F-412
'06 D-55
'74 D-40
In my case, I like the brighter sound of maple and decided to purchase a new F-412 back in '06 (Tacoma). I love the guitar to death. And the Highlander iP-2 pickup I had installed works very well too.
I've owned Guild guitars built in every location except NH. All were superior instruments.
Never met a Guild I didn't love.
6
'06 F-412
'06 D-55
'74 D-40
Sefton,
Not sure we can give you any general answers to those questions. The price of entry is definitely lower on the Westerly JF-30-12 model, which is as far as I know pretty much the same guitar as the F-412 although many of the appointments are different.
In truth, TMG's response is the right one... you've gotta' choose the one that sings to you. For me, the Tacoma F-512 was "the one." I literally laughed at the thing (really!) when I first saw it on the store wall. The shiny headstock with that blinding white binding and gold jewelry really was the opposite of my guitar sensibility.
Then I played it.
It took me about four trips back and forth to the store over several months hearing the siren song of that bawdy, sassy, tarty thing ringing in my head to actually believe what my ears were telling me. It's what brought me (back) into the Guild fold. I'd thought Guild was long dead.
Anyway, dread's concerns are valid although I think neck width did vary a bit over the years. The nut width on my F-512 is 1-7/8" which I find to be ideal for fingering a 12er. The thickness of my Guild necks through the ages seem to be fairly consistent. I love the profile. they're not thin, though, like my '80s Taylor.
Not sure we can give you any general answers to those questions. The price of entry is definitely lower on the Westerly JF-30-12 model, which is as far as I know pretty much the same guitar as the F-412 although many of the appointments are different.
In truth, TMG's response is the right one... you've gotta' choose the one that sings to you. For me, the Tacoma F-512 was "the one." I literally laughed at the thing (really!) when I first saw it on the store wall. The shiny headstock with that blinding white binding and gold jewelry really was the opposite of my guitar sensibility.
Then I played it.
It took me about four trips back and forth to the store over several months hearing the siren song of that bawdy, sassy, tarty thing ringing in my head to actually believe what my ears were telling me. It's what brought me (back) into the Guild fold. I'd thought Guild was long dead.
Anyway, dread's concerns are valid although I think neck width did vary a bit over the years. The nut width on my F-512 is 1-7/8" which I find to be ideal for fingering a 12er. The thickness of my Guild necks through the ages seem to be fairly consistent. I love the profile. they're not thin, though, like my '80s Taylor.
john_kidder
Senior Member
If you have a chance, try a G312 as well. It's a D50 12-string, an all around great rosewood dreadnaught 12. Not flashy, but a rock of a guitar. Mine sings like the proverbial choir.