F-612 Question

Taylor Martin Guild

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I once read that the F-612 was built with an arched back.
Is that true?
If it is, did Guild laminate the Rosewood on the back?

I have heard that this the case but not from a very reliable source.
 

GardMan

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Here's a pic of Tx's F-612 (right; lifted from an earlier thread)... clearly showing a flat, braced back.

Jey0R0.jpg


OTOH, there were a few (at least two that have been discussed here) F-50Rs with laminated, arched rosewood backs...
 

txbumper57

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I believe Hans did mention that there were a few F612's built with an Arched Rosewood Back that he has seen and I believe he has them cataloged. Your best bet to verify would be to send Hans an email himself through his website. Not all F612's were built the same. Some had different bindings, Pickguards, and other build details depending on which batch they came from. Hope this helps!

TX
 

chazmo

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I don't recall ever hearing that, TX, but if Hans said it... :)

I'm aware of the 1967 arched-back F-412 SPEC (which is arched Brazilian laminate). I don't know how many of those were made, but the one pictured in Hans' book is actually cut from the same flitch as the F-50R archie that I got from capquest and sold to the same guy who owns the F-412 SPEC.
 

SL50045

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I was told that the there were some F612's with arched Brazilian laminate backs. My F612 has a flat back.
 

chazmo

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:) I think you're right, Wood.

Well, we have two member/owners who have heard of arched-back F-612s. Awesome.

I'll bet it sounds rather different than the flat-back.
 

Nuuska

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"I'll bet it sounds rather different than the flat-back.[/QUOTE]"

Hello

How different is F612 vs F512 ? - or is it only fancier?
 

txbumper57

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Hello

How different is F612 vs F512 ? - or is it only fancier?

The F512 is the smaller overall when compared to the F612, The F612 is bigger, Deeper, Longer Scale, as well as Different inlays and bindings and such. The F512 has a 17" lower bout with a 25.625" scale length where as the F612 has an 18" lower Bout and a 26.25" scale length. Here is a pic from earlier in the thread so you can see the difference, The F612 is on the Right and the F512 is on the left.

Jey0R0.jpg


TX
 

chazmo

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"I'll bet it sounds rather different than the flat-back.
"

Hello

How different is F612 vs F512 ? - or is it only fancier?[/QUOTE]
What TX said, plus F-612s are rare and extremely hard to find.

Did you mean tone-wise, Nuuska? Can't speak to that directly, but TX has posted some sound clips somewhere and he has had both instruments (I think he compared it to the F-512 somewhere around here).

FYI, John Denver used an F-612 back in the day, and there's probably no better example of what this beast is than his rendition of Pete Seeger's "Bells of Rhymney" (which you can find on youtube). Just awesome. Also, Peter Cetera from Chicago used to use one, though I'm not sure what was recorded with it.
 

idealassets

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If you like the sound of a Guild F512, then the sound of an F612 will spoil you. I blogged Cordoba and suggested that they offer both a custom re-make of the F312 and F612. Unless that happens most F612's in existence are in the ownership of a new generation of very devoted owners.
 

txbumper57

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Here is a link to some of my Sound Clips, The F612 sound clip is at the bottom of the first post and the F512 sound clip is a little further up in the first post. Honestly in person and from the playing position the F612 sounds like you are playing 2 F512's in stereo. Some describe the F512's tone as a thousand angels singing together so I guess the F612 would be two thousand angels singing together.

http://letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthr...ght=txbumper57

TX
 
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