Need Advice - Which 12 String?

[Tunes]

IF (big if), I decide to chase a 12 string, looking for some advice on which one. I would say my price range is probably around $7-8 hunnerd. My other criteria (as always), is that it is Westerly built.

I know there is a F412, F512, JF30-12, JF55-12 - but I am sure there are others.

I have seen some posts that suggest the JF-30 is the best bang for the buck. Opinions? Thoughts? Jokes? Insulting pictures?

 

[Scratch]

F112, F212, D212, D4-12, F312, All Westerly produced. Agree the JF30 is the best bang for the buck, Tunes...

 

[fungusyoung]

Really depends on what you're looking for, but in that price range you have a few options.

Dreads:
D412
D212
D25-12
D15-12

Jumbo: JF4-12, JF30-12 (had one & sold it to Chazmo because I'm not a jumbo guy, but yeah... awesome sounding 12's!)


Might be tougher to find these priced that low:
Mini jumbo: F112 (love my '73!)
Jumbo: F212, F212XL
Dreads: G212 (these look awesome to me, but I've never played one)


Once you play a Westerly Guild 12, it's very very difficult not to own at least one!

Good luck!




See about the 12th post in this thread for very basic specs. & 12 string options... all of those in that post were made in Westerly at one point or another: http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3915&hilit=

 

[killdeer43]

I won't part with my D4-12. I'll be happy to add an F or a JF-whatever, but the D4 stays. Best 12 I've had/heard, and it's tuned down, of course.

Joe

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Tunes: late 60s to late 70s F212 or, if you can find one for your money, an F212XL ... 17" lower bout ... wondrously complex mahogany tone.

 

[chazmo]

Tunes, now you're talkin'!

An F-412/JF-65-12 or F-512/JF-55-12 will probably not make your price range. The other ones suggested by the guys are excellent choices.

In the 17" jumbo size, your options are a maple JF-30-12 (brother of the F-412), or a mahogany F-212-XL. Fabulous guitars, and there's a lot of love for both around here. In smaller sizes, well,... the suggestions above are excellent. The F-212 (not the XL version) is a concert-bodied 12 that was extremely popular years ago and is also much loved around here.

I advise patience. THere's almost always one of these 12-strings each month in play around here on LTG among the members. The sub-1K ones are perhaps not as frequent, but they show up.

 

[Guildgator]

I just picked up an F112 with a Baggs M1 installed for $350. It needed a little work, but it's cool. I tuned it to D to help reduce the stress on the neck.

You can find these on ebay from time to time for under $800, although people have gotten a little greedy with their pricing these days, perhaps a result of renewed interest in Guild due to Hans' book.

 

[dogberry]

Hi Tunes: late 60s to late 70s F212 or, if you can find one for your money, an F212XL ... 17" lower bout ... wondrously complex mahogany tone.

I'll second that -- I love my F212. I hope you can find one.

 

[irishjohnny]

I recently bought a 1999 JF30-12 s/hand and had it set-up by a very good tecchie.

I like it so much because, apart from the great tone, it's not (to my eyes - and here opinions differ) over-adorned with neck binding, block fingerboard inlays, and that big "G" inlay on the headstock. The only concession to "taste" is the gold-plated tuners. The rest is pretty understated.

OK, so tone is the main thing - and the JF30-12 has TONS of that AND volume! - but the appearance of a guitar is important too.

Just my opinion . . .

IJ.

 

[capnjuan]

See about the 12th post in this thread for very basic specs. & 12 string options... all of those in that post were made in Westerly at one point or another: http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3915&hilit=

Hi Michael; thanks for the link to the details thread ... too easy for so much work to become [..........]

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

The deal killer for me is a wide neck.
Now days, I have to play a 12 string with a smaller neck.
After owning it for 17 years, I sold a beautiful sounding and looking JF-30-12 because the neck became too large for me.
I also now play guitars that are Dred size or smaller.

Play the guitars you are interested in for several hours, if possible.
Take your time in deciding which guitar you like best.
Even if you buy sight unseen, try to play the same model locally first.

Once you have your 12 string, get a good set up done.
It will make a big difference in how it feels and plays.

Good luck with your search and report back with what you get.
TMG

 

[cuthbert]

IMO, the best 12 string Guild is the 412, sunburst.

Unfortunately they are expensive, and out of your range, so I'd suggest the JF30-12.