Compare Guild American 12 String Guitars to Their Imports?

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Never seen a Guild import 12 string to play so I'm asking others here if they have.
How do they compare to each other?
What other brand 12 string sounds close to Guild's import 12 strings?

I had a newer Yamaha LL-16-12 and while it was nice, it was missing something.

 

[twocorgis]

I played a F1512 that wasn't bad, and a F2512 that I thought sounded brittle and awful. If you're expecting either of those models to sound even close to their American counterparts, you'll be very disappointed. And yes, I know I'm a bit spoiled, but before I ever bought any of the Asian Guild 12ers, I'd try to find a Corona build JF30-12. I owned one that was fantastic, and was an downright bargain for $1K. Pretty sure you can't find them for that anymore, but Coronas are a good value as a rule, because they get an undeserved (IMO) bad rap.

 

[56LPC]

I played a F1512 that wasn't bad, and a F2512 that I thought sounded brittle and awful. If you're expecting either of those models to sound even close to their American counterparts, you'll be very disappointed. And yes, I know I'm a bit spoiled, but before I ever bought any of the Asian Guild 12ers, I'd try to find a Corona build JF30-12. I owned one that was fantastic, and was an downright bargain for $1K. Pretty sure you can't find them for that anymore, but Coronas are a good value as a rule, because they get an undeserved (IMO) bad rap.

They’re still out there. I picked up my (first?) Guild a few weeks ago - a black Corona JF30-12 in beautiful shape for $1k. I’ve been pretty giddy with it since...

-Douglas C.

 

[wileypickett]

I have a bunch of Guild 12-strings, Hoboken and Westerly (my first Guild was a Westerly JF30 12-string), and I love 'em!

But IMO, for the money, the 1512 and 2512 are not to be sneezed at. They have good fingerboards, slim necks, the intonation is great and they sound pretty respectable.

(OK, granted they quake in fear of my F212XL -- but hey, Godzilla quakes in fear of my F212XL!)

I think they're worth checking out myself, especially if you're on a budget.

 

[chazmo]

TMG, I don't think any major guitar company makes a better sounding 12-er than Guild, period. So, what you're asking about is really non-existent.

My first guitar was a series I Ibanez Artwood AW-75 from a small shop in Japan. That's a mahogany dreadnought which can hold its own against anything out there. But, they only made those for a couple of years and it was lightning in a bottle.

I once played an Adamas (made by the Ovation crew) 12-er that was lovely, but those are/were very rare and I have no idea if you can still get one. Again, very limited edition. Regular Ovations never did it for me.

Yamaha is a good choice for an import... You can find great models among their offerings. Like a Guild, though? Nah.

Again, let me stress, I think you're asking the wrong question. As Glenn said, the GAD/100-series/Westerly Collection are nice imports but not really comparable.

 

[Longnose Gar]

What are the made in USA Guild models that have rosewood back and sides? I know the F-312 and F-512. Any others?

I have the F-2512. I think the neck and overall feel are excellent. The acoustic sound is a bit tinny. I mostly play plugged in, and I have it sounding good with a K&K pickup through a Boss AD-2 pedal. But maple isn't a good match for my voice. I had the F-1512 for a while but I found it soulless.

 

[mclkar54]

Never seen a Guild import 12 string to play so I'm asking others here if they have.
How do they compare to each other?
What other brand 12 string sounds close to Guild's import 12 strings?

I had a newer Yamaha LL-16-12 and while it was nice, it was missing something.

i own a 2512, a 1512 and an f 412. imo, nothing can compare to the f412, that being said i find the 2512 ,and 1512 both outstanding values. i find nothing thin or brittle? in the tone of either of the two. maybe change your strings

 

[twocorgis]

What are the made in USA Guild models that have rosewood back and sides? I know the F-312 and F-512. Any others?

I have the F-2512. I think the neck and overall feel are excellent. The acoustic sound is a bit tinny. I mostly play plugged in, and I have it sounding good with a K&K pickup through a Boss AD-2 pedal. But maple isn't a good match for my voice. I had the F-1512 for a while but I found it soulless.

The only Guild rosewood 12ers are the F312 (discontinued long ago) the G312 (dreadnought, made in Weszterly, then discontinued, and reissued for a time in New Hartford), and the F512. None of them would come cheap I think.

 

[twocorgis]

i own a 2512, a 1512 and an f 412. imo, nothing can compare to the f412, that being said i find the 2512 ,and 1512 both outstanding values. i find nothing thin or brittle? in the tone of either of the two. maybe change your strings

For me it was just the F2512. Admittedly I've only played two, but they both sounded the same to my ears. A string change might help I guess, but I have a feeling it wouldn't be that noticeable a difference.

 

[mclkar54]

What are the made in USA Guild models that have rosewood back and sides? I know the F-312 and F-512. Any others?

I have the F-2512. I think the neck and overall feel are excellent. The acoustic sound is a bit tinny. I mostly play plugged in, and I have it sounding good with a K&K pickup through a Boss AD-2 pedal. But maple isn't a good match for my voice. I had the F-1512 for a while but I found it soulless.

i too find the 1512 and 2512 easy to play, but i disagree that the 1512 is soulless. put a set of DR rares on it , or martin retro monels. Different strings, but either set gets a great tonal response out of mine. I find it superior to other import 12 strings ,even those costing more. i own 6 12 string guitars ,3 are guilds, 2 are imports. again your string choice and set up will make big differences.Try .010 relief at the 8th fret

 

[cupric]

This might work....

Guild USA JF-55-12 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[twocorgis]

This might work....

Guild USA JF-55-12 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

That's a good buy, but those double pickguards, yuck!

 

[cupric]

That's a good buy, but those double pickguards, yuck!

Agreed! But I could possibly live with them for that price! Hard to tell if anything else is happening. But it's returnable.....

 

[Cougar]

....I'd try to find a Corona build JF30-12. I owned one that was fantastic, and was an downright bargain for $1K. Pretty sure you can't find them for that anymore....

100% agree. I'll never part with mine, which I got for even less than $1K. Stupendously great 12er!

 

[twocorgis]

100% agree. I'll never part with mine, which I got for even less than $1K. Stupendously great 12er!

I've played JF30-12s from Westerly that weren't nearly as good as mine, and the Corona builds also had an ebony fretboard and bridge. Mine also had the nicest finish I think I've seen on any guitar.

I'd still own mine if I didn't prefer the slimmer neck profile on the New Hartford F512. Second best Guild 12er I've ever played, and that includes a lot of them.

 

[Longnose Gar]

That's a good buy, but those double pickguards, yuck!

How fortuitous. I bought it. Hopefully the sound drowns out the pickguard. Thanks for posting!

 

[Longnose Gar]

i too find the 1512 and 2512 easy to play, but i disagree that the 1512 is soulless. put a set of DR rares on it , or martin retro monels. Different strings, but either set gets a great tonal response out of mine. I find it superior to other import 12 strings ,even those costing more. i own 6 12 string guitars ,3 are guilds, 2 are imports. again your string choice and set up will make big differences.Try .010 relief at the 8th fret

My limited experience of comparing MIC guitars is that there can be quite a bit of variation from guitar to guitar for the same model. I've had three F-2512's because of warranty replacement for the bridge lifting. The first sounded the best. Unfortunately, Cordoba sent me a new guitar instead of repairing the bridge. My guess is my 1512 was a bit of a loser. I did try various strings and pro setup. I have no doubt yours is great!

 

[awagner]

The only Guild rosewood 12ers are the F312 (discontinued long ago) the G312 (dreadnought, made in Weszterly, then discontinued, and reissued for a time in New Hartford), and the F512. None of them would come cheap I think.

Don't forget about the F612!

 

[cupric]

How fortuitous. I bought it. Hopefully the sound drowns out the pickguard. Thanks for posting!

I think this will be great! Please let us know. Congratulations!

 

[Cougar]

How fortuitous. I bought it. Hopefully the sound drowns out the pickguard. Thanks for posting!

Wow! Well done, Gar, and major congrats! Looks like a good one! Gotta love that abalone rosette! I hope you can get us some better pics when it comes in. The ad's pics seem overexposed or something, so it's hard to see any top grain and other details. There's just a little finish checking, otherwise looks remarkably clean!