NGD - F-212C

GGJaguar

Reverential Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
21,306
Reaction score
31,391
Location
Skylands
Guild Total
49
I’ve been contemplating getting another Guild 12-string to add something different to the full-size jumbo 12er’s that I have. I lost my mind when I saw this 1979 F-212C on Reverb because it was so clean and looked similar to Ralph Towner’s custom cutaway Guild. It didn’t hurt that it came from the factory with Schaller Mini tuners instead of the usual, not-so-great 6-on-a-strip Japanese tuners. It also had a very well executed neck re-set so that’s something I won’t have to worry about. I made an offer and the guitar arrived two days later.

F212.jpg


Like the regular F-212, this guitar uses the small jumbo body shape of the F-40, but with solid mahogany back and sides instead of laminated maple. The “C” in the model name denotes that it has the addition of a Florentine cutaway. The solid Sitka spruce top is fitted with a rosewood bridge and is bound in 5-ply white/black. The 3-piece mahogany neck is topped with an unbound rosewood fretboard. The headstock sports the familiar pearloid Guild logo and Chesterfield inlay. This is a later version so it has pearloid dot fret markers instead of marker-less board. The bracing consists of a straight X-brace with 3 straight tone bars and 2 straight radial braces per side. The bridge plate is a large rosewood unit. As a result, it’s a sturdy guitar.

F212 bracing 1.jpg
F212 bracing 2.jpg


The neck has a 1 7/8 inch nut width and a chunky profile (0.98 inch at the nut, 0.99 inch at the 7th fret). It takes time to acclimate to it after playing the slimmer necks on the Oxnard F-412 and Martin Grand J. I haven’t explored playing above the 14 fret very much, but the cutaway does make access a little easier, but not as easy as on an electric guitar. I guess I can understand why this model was only made from 1976-81 – the market is small for 12-strings and even smaller for a cutaway 12-string. But I still love the way it looks, especially without the pickguard.

This guitar has a very sweet sound that is well balanced. It doesn't sound as big as the F-412, but still has a lot going on harmonically. As with the jumbo 12er’s, the notes coming from the F-212C bloom and develop after the initial pick attack. The 1980 Guild catalog states “In long, complex lines or solidly percussive chords, the F-212 is a 12-string to help the guitarist play with freedom and intensity”. I know it’s just marketing-speak, but I feel the freedom. :)

Below is a sound clip of the F-212C with a clip of my Oxnard F-412 for comparison.

F-212C sound clip F-412 sound clip

Overall, this F-212C is pretty fabulous and has a sound all its own. I can see why the non-cutaway model lasted so long in the Guild catalog. Plus, with the cutaway and absent pickguard, I can be a Ralph Towner poseur. :)

Ralph Towner.jpg
 

HeyMikey

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
5,415
Reaction score
4,723
Location
MA
Guild Total
9
Congrats GG! so glad you got it. She is a beauty. So clean. That Guild Florentine cutaway is dang sexy. You’ll appreciate it when you go up there. Nice playing! I think the 212 is mellower and more even when picking the arpeggios, but that 412 sounds awesome.
 

gilded

Senior Member
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
3,479
Reaction score
197
Location
texas
Sounded much better than the 212c I had.
Sounds like you had to dig in more to get the sound you wanted on the 412.
Enjoyed both guitars, thanks for the recordings
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
Very nice! I would say the 412 has a bigger, fuller sound. I used to have a 512.
 

davismanLV

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
19,196
Reaction score
11,812
Location
U.S.A. : Nevada : Las Vegas
Guild Total
2
WOW, GG!! That's a clean and sweet 12-string and I love the smaller body and the cutaway. Even more I LOVE NO PICKGUARD!!! Makes it look so nice. Both sound great. The bigger one has a bit bigger sound, but that's not always necessary. And the smaller one doesn't give up much and I'm sure easier on the shoulder. Congrats!! I LIKE IT!!! (y)
 

Bernie

Member
Joined
Apr 10, 2018
Messages
757
Reaction score
296
Location
Occitania
Real great post GGJAGUAR. Loved it...
Congratulations and many thanks. All is cool, guitar, song, Guitarium and so forth.
 

Wulfthar

Junior Member
Joined
Feb 27, 2020
Messages
86
Reaction score
54
Guild Total
2
Contratulations, the 212C is definitely a virtuoso guitar like the Martin MC28.
 

Rich Cohen

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2015
Messages
3,145
Reaction score
2,273
Location
Charlottesville, VA
Congrats GG! A real score. I had 212xl which was slightly more bassy than yours. I fo like the ringing overtones emanating from the F412 though. Enjoy!
 
Top