1994 Guild D4-12 Overhaul

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

Hi everyone,

I trust you all are well and have become virtuoso guitarists over the past several months, if you weren't already virtuosi. ;~}

I had successfully put off writing an article for nearly 3 years about a repair on a friends 12 string, one that began as a lifted bridge and turned into a complete remake. I was reminded again and finished the article. I tried to document most of the work, but managed to lose a few photos along the way. I have included a handful of pics here for those that don't want to bother with an article. As always, I don't mean to hijack anyone away from the forum, and post the link here only for those that promise to return to the fold once they have finished reading.

Christopher

1994 Guild D4-12 Overhaul

adorshki · Apr 12, 2021

Great article, nice to see you!

GGJaguar · Apr 12, 2021

Whoa, a complete re-top! That's some amazing work!

geoguy · Apr 12, 2021

Wow. What exemplary craftsmanship!

Did you have any difficulty with the body's shape becoming distorted while the top was off?

twocorgis · Apr 12, 2021

What a terrific job, and attention to detail. That's the nicest D4-12 in the world by a long ways, and your friend is very lucky to know you!

And it's great to see you around again, don't be a stranger!

walrus · Apr 12, 2021

For someone as un-handy as I am, that is extremely impressive work! Beautiful!

walrus

davismanLV · Apr 12, 2021

Christopher, that is awesome and I'm loving the photos. This is just a quick response and I'll check out the article in its entirety in a little bit. Thanks for sharing this with us!! Always enlightening.....

Bonneville88 · Apr 12, 2021

Wow, that went from ho-hum to hot! Amazing work and
wonderful step-by-step article! Definitely the sweetest D4-12 on the planet!
And have to say - a bit dismayed by the original Guild build.

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

adorshki said:
Great article, nice to see you!

Thanks Al. How are things?

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

GGJaguar said:
Whoa, a complete re-top! That's some amazing work!

You're very kind. I lost my fear of "re-tops" as you call 'em a long time back. I have never had so much fun.

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

geoguy said:
Wow. What exemplary craftsmanship!

Did you have any difficulty with the body's shape becoming distorted while the top was off?

Great question. In a word, no, the bodies maintain their shape (relatively speaking). To be fair, for clearer photographs I took the body out of its mold, a plywood frame designed to hold the sides of a given body to a precise shape. But that's me; not everyone does it that way.

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

twocorgis said:
What a terrific job, and attention to detail. That's the nicest D4-12 in the world by a long ways, and your friend is very lucky to know you!

And it's great to see you around again, don't be a stranger!

Hi Sandy. I was thinking the same thing... about the uniqueness of his D4-12, of course. ;~}
How have you been?

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

walrus said:
For someone as un-handy as I am, that is extremely impressive work! Beautiful!

walrus

Ah, don't sell yourself short, man. A weekend or two with me in my shop and you'd be downright unstoppable.

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

davismanLV said:
Christopher, that is awesome and I'm loving the photos. This is just a quick response and I'll check out the article in its entirety in a little bit. Thanks for sharing this with us!! Always enlightening.....

Hi Tom. I have more stories to tell, I just need to take the time to write them. As you well know, these guitars call me Ol' Softy behind my back. ;~} I so enjoy giving them voice. We need to catch up... lot's to share...

Christopher Cozad · Apr 12, 2021

Bonneville88 said:
Wow, that went from ho-hum to hot! Amazing work and
wonderful step-by-step article! Definitely the sweetest D4-12 on the planet!
And have to say - a bit dismayed by the original Guild build.

Yeah, you and me, both. That work was downright ugly. But the guitar lives! Better than ever, right? I have to say, it is one impressive 12 string dread, and I have heard one or two in my day. There is something special about a Mahogany 12, and something extra special about those Guild archbacks... very nice.

davismanLV · Apr 12, 2021

Wow!! What a great adventure!! I thank you for detailing the process and sharing it with us. We will talk soon, I promise!! Thanks again!!

twocorgis · Apr 13, 2021

Christopher Cozad said:
Hi Sandy. I was thinking the same thing... about the uniqueness of his D4-12, of course. ;~}
How have you been?

Everything has been good here Christopher! Hope all has been well with you and the family.

Christopher Cozad said:
Yeah, you and me, both. That work was downright ugly. But the guitar lives! Better than ever, right? I have to say, it is one impressive 12 string dread, and I have heard one or two in my day. There is something special about a Mahogany 12, and something extra special about those Guild archbacks... very nice.

I wish I could see a photo of the separated top, as I don't ever think I've seen a flattop guitar do that. And yes, there is something special about a mahogany 12er, especially with an arched back. I'll bet it sounds a lot like my old '96 D25-12 (now living with my bestie), which was and is a great guitar.

Christopher Cozad · Apr 13, 2021

twocorgis said:
Everything has been good here Christopher! Hope all has been well with you and the family.

I wish I could see a photo of the separated top, as I don't ever think I've seen a flattop guitar do that. And yes, there is something special about a mahogany 12er, especially with an arched back. I'll bet it sounds a lot like my old '96 D25-12 (now living with my bestie), which was and is a great guitar.

Good to hear, Sandy. All is well here, also.
I'm glad to hear you mention the D25-12, as that is a good comparison.
Here are the only two images I can locate from the tear-out. I think the blur was the result of my tears all over the lens - lol. Hopefully you can get some indication of the severity of the runout. The wood just peeled off.

twocorgis · Apr 13, 2021

Christopher Cozad said:
Good to hear, Sandy. All is well here, also.
I'm glad to hear you mention the D25-12, as that is a good comparison.
Here are the only two images I can locate from the tear-out. I think the blur was the result of my tears all over the lens - lol. Hopefully you can get some indication of the severity of the runout. The wood just peeled off.

Ouch! Doesn't look like there was any salvaging to be done there>

Guildedagain · Apr 13, 2021

My 1st Guild when I joined the forum 5 years ago was a D4-12 in need of some TLC. Long story short but while trying to heat and glue the lifting pickguard, it burst into flames... I got some original material from Hans, traced it, cut it, installed it. A whole summer of my life went by as I fussed over it, pretty much the only thing I remember about that summer. Guitars are the greatest escape...