I'm looking at a 1992 JF30-12 for $1000. I'm in love with the sound, but I mostly want to know if the price is right. The condition is excellent and it plays well, but I would say the action is a little higher than normal for a 6 string and I can just barely detect that the back of the bridge is slightly higher than the front. I've looked and passed on so many used 12 strings that I'm wondering if I should expect this and am just too picky.
Price for a used JF30-12
- Thread starter mozzer
- Start date
Hi Mozzer and welcome to LTG; can't comment on the price but it's generally understood that Guild glued its bridges down to the finished surface ... as opposed to the raw deck. As a result of stress, the bridges are susceptible to lifting ... sometimes, but not always, messing up the bridge plate underneath. Before you think of this as short-sighted, consider the risk of splitting up the fibers of the raw surface of the deck in the event the bridge-to-raw-deck glue joint failed.
Here in FL, re-fitting the bridge and maybe the plate too runs about $100-$125. Rather than seeing it as a defect, I think it's easier to think of the repair as just a cost of ownership or, alternatively, if the guitar's being sold out of a shop, either a price discount is in order or, if the shop is capable, maybe doing the work for you on the cheap.
If it's coming up, no force on earth will stop it and, if not addressed, can lead to a belly in the top below the bridge that normally goes away when the bridge is straightened out. Good luck with your decision.
Here in FL, re-fitting the bridge and maybe the plate too runs about $100-$125. Rather than seeing it as a defect, I think it's easier to think of the repair as just a cost of ownership or, alternatively, if the guitar's being sold out of a shop, either a price discount is in order or, if the shop is capable, maybe doing the work for you on the cheap.
If it's coming up, no force on earth will stop it and, if not addressed, can lead to a belly in the top below the bridge that normally goes away when the bridge is straightened out. Good luck with your decision.
bluesypicky
Enlightened Member
What the Capn said....
Welcome Mozzer!.... and there's nothing wrong with "picky"!!! :evil: :lol:
Welcome Mozzer!.... and there's nothing wrong with "picky"!!! :evil: :lol:
Scratch
Enlightened Member
Welcome aboard.
I gave more than that for 'Zeke' almost two years ago; well worth it IMO... 'Zeke' has a very small belly below the bridge; like most here, I keep it tuned down a step to lessen tension. Now set up to 4/64 at the 12th. Nicest sounding of three 12ers in the corral. Good luck.
I gave more than that for 'Zeke' almost two years ago; well worth it IMO... 'Zeke' has a very small belly below the bridge; like most here, I keep it tuned down a step to lessen tension. Now set up to 4/64 at the 12th. Nicest sounding of three 12ers in the corral. Good luck.
adorshki
Reverential Member
Seen 'em as low as $800 with slight issues and no case. Can you slip a piece of copier type paper more than 1/8" under the bridge? Sometime's it's not really lift but just a small area where no glue was actually laid down. If it's deeper than 1/8" it's more likely true bridge lifting.mozzer said:
If it's fully glued but just bellying a bit, then yes, that's part of life. There's a device called a Bridge Doctor which can help that, you can get more info about it here, if you decide to get the guitar.
It's pretty generally agreed even on other maker's forums that Guild made the best 12 strings of anybody. Dual trussrods were part of the formula, for neck durability.
If the guitar's in really good condition and has case, $1000 sounds reasonable from here. Especially since you already like the sound.
12stringer
Senior Member
Hi Mozzer
If the action is a little high either the saddle will have to be lowered, and or the truss rod adjusted (also the guitar could just need to be humidified and this can bring the action down again). I would just make sure there is plenty of saddle....if the saddle is already low then there is the possibility of a neck reset being needed in which case I would not pay $1000 for it. If there is plenty of saddle, then it is an indication that any repairs needed are minor (hopefully). It is advisable to have a luthier look at it to give you proper advice before buying. Best of luck...those are awesome 12 string guitars.
If the action is a little high either the saddle will have to be lowered, and or the truss rod adjusted (also the guitar could just need to be humidified and this can bring the action down again). I would just make sure there is plenty of saddle....if the saddle is already low then there is the possibility of a neck reset being needed in which case I would not pay $1000 for it. If there is plenty of saddle, then it is an indication that any repairs needed are minor (hopefully). It is advisable to have a luthier look at it to give you proper advice before buying. Best of luck...those are awesome 12 string guitars.
hojo199
Member
Welcome!
I paid 830.00 for mine (with original HSC)and the saddle is all the way down -- action 1/8" at the 12th fret -- could say "neck reset" if so inclined. I'm not -- at least now. Put .009 Ernie Ball phosphor bronze on and tweaked the truss rods and she sounds and plays just fine....
I paid 830.00 for mine (with original HSC)and the saddle is all the way down -- action 1/8" at the 12th fret -- could say "neck reset" if so inclined. I'm not -- at least now. Put .009 Ernie Ball phosphor bronze on and tweaked the truss rods and she sounds and plays just fine....
Graham
Venerated Member
Hey Mozzer, welcome to LTG!
We tend to be a bit conservative in our pricing thoughts here. Is the JF-30-12 worth $1000? Absolutely! Check out the competition, which pails on the 12 strings, and you'll soon see.
The JF-30-12 is one very fine 12 string, the only thing, IMO, that sets it apart from it's costlier cousin is the bling! That being said, the 412 and the 512 are incredible values as well!
We tend to be a bit conservative in our pricing thoughts here. Is the JF-30-12 worth $1000? Absolutely! Check out the competition, which pails on the 12 strings, and you'll soon see.
The JF-30-12 is one very fine 12 string, the only thing, IMO, that sets it apart from it's costlier cousin is the bling! That being said, the 412 and the 512 are incredible values as well!
killdeer43
Reverential Member
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Did someone mention Zeke?Scratch said:
Joe
wileypickett
Enlightened Member
My first Guild 12 string was a Westerly JF-30. I still have it; it's one of my most frequently played 12's.
After a year of playing it almost every single day (I'd set my Taylors aside), I decided to invest in a bone saddle. I also had the frets dressed and polished, and a Bridge Doctor installed (not because there was a problem with bridge lift, but because they were recommended to me for preventing bridge lift).
The guitar came back sounding even more impressive.
I just picked up another JF-30 a few weeks ago (I'm too embarrassed to say what I paid for it). It's in mint condition -- looks like it just came out of the factory. (It's getting a bone saddle put in right now.)
I think these are absolutely great guitars - they have so much AUTHORITY!
I also have a 412, a 512 and two JF-65s. All are terrific guitars, but just because the JF-30 was lower on the Guild totem pole than these others doesn't mean it's a lesser guitar -- I prefer my JF-30 to my F-512.
Good luck!
Glenn//.
After a year of playing it almost every single day (I'd set my Taylors aside), I decided to invest in a bone saddle. I also had the frets dressed and polished, and a Bridge Doctor installed (not because there was a problem with bridge lift, but because they were recommended to me for preventing bridge lift).
The guitar came back sounding even more impressive.
I just picked up another JF-30 a few weeks ago (I'm too embarrassed to say what I paid for it). It's in mint condition -- looks like it just came out of the factory. (It's getting a bone saddle put in right now.)
I think these are absolutely great guitars - they have so much AUTHORITY!
I also have a 412, a 512 and two JF-65s. All are terrific guitars, but just because the JF-30 was lower on the Guild totem pole than these others doesn't mean it's a lesser guitar -- I prefer my JF-30 to my F-512.
Good luck!
Glenn//.
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
I sold my JF-39-12 a year ago for $100 per string. [$1200.00]
At least that's what I told the buyer.
It was near mint with a perfect neck and no scratches.
The case was also near mint.
If you have the guitar looked at by a good tech and it doesn't have any issues, $1000.00 would be a fair price for both you and the seller.
I hope it works out for you,
TMG.
At least that's what I told the buyer.
It was near mint with a perfect neck and no scratches.
The case was also near mint.
If you have the guitar looked at by a good tech and it doesn't have any issues, $1000.00 would be a fair price for both you and the seller.
I hope it works out for you,
TMG.
12stringer
Senior Member
SWEET!!!
8) 8) 8)
8) 8) 8)
Scratch
Enlightened Member
Nice grab mozzer. Be right over to jam; got chips & beer? :lol:
Graham
Venerated Member
Scratch said:
Just an FYI Mozzer, Scratch prefers ding dang chips! :lol: :lol:
Scratch
Enlightened Member
Ding Dang Chips and Dadburn Beer... :wink:
Graham
Venerated Member
Scratch said:
Damn I love you Ken!! :mrgreen: