Dreadnought Versus Jumbo

[Mark WW]

Kind of a silly question but I am OCD and am trying to grasp at reality. I have (3) GAD acoustics and have been very impressed with them. They are all dreads. My 12 is a GAD G212 which sounds and plays GREAT! But here is the thing, I am drawn (GAS again) towards the Jumbo body style and am considering the Westerly F-1512e Jumbo. There are of course none locally to try out so this would be yet another blind internet buy which is OK.

Can anyone share their impression of a similar sized dread as compared to a Jumbo (6 or 12) sized Guild? Doesn't have to be a Westerly or GAD just in general. I read references about how Jumbos boom and projects but my dread does as well. So hoping someone can help me out with some hands on experience.

 

[Rayk]

First I thing that comes to mind is if you never played one arm comfort may be an issue depending .

I have two the new F55E and the 212xlce .
The USA guilds do sound better in a more refined way if I may say it that way .

I played a jumbo Westerly actually bought it it’s sound to me was good . I did return it as it had some issue which I can’t remember what it was .

I would have kept it but I don’t regret the return as the F55E is as I mentioned more refined. I don’t regret the extra spendage . Lol

Maybe you could find a new/older USA model if that refinedness is desirable.

Either way you’ll have a fine instrument if it meets your requirements when first strum it .

Good luck


Edit ; missed the “compare dread to a jumbo “ but per the norm for me LOL

Dread = big
Jumbo = more biggerer

Some one needs to do the math on the cubic inch differences

Tone wise between the two my Blueridge dread and the jumbo F55e is the dread is a bit brighter more in your face tone where as the jumbo has more of a softer edge .

Hmmm how else can I say it ? Oh ok how about this ,
You have a surround stereo setup your dread is the system with 6” drivers two way towers with 4” surround speakers . You get good frequency response but it’s a tad lacking especially if your into action movies and sci-if stuff so now you add a subwoofer that’s the jumbo

All the frequency of the dread but with a little more junk in the trunk so to say hahaha ...

All guitars will differ from one to the next . Though I never compared output between the two I think my jumbo puts out quite nicely but I’d give the edge to my dread specially sporting an Adirondack top otherwise the guitars are the same wood combo in all ways less the F55e having a Sitka spruce top both EIR ( Indian Rosewood ) back and sides along with Ebony fingerboard and bridge .

 

[Cougar]

Can anyone share their impression of a similar sized dread as compared to a Jumbo (6 or 12) sized Guild?

In my limited experience, jumbo wins. I recently got a like-new Gibson Songwriter Deluxe 12-string, which is a dread. It is quite nice, but my jumbo Guild JF30-12 out of Corona puts out more sound. BTW, the JF30-12, bought used, cost less than a new F-1512. Yes, I think you need to get yourself a Guild jumbo of some sort. :encouragement:

 

[jcwu]

I've always thought jumbos, being bigger, would have a "bigger" sound. Well, it's not a "bigger" sound than a dread, but definitely different.

My first Guild, which was my first nice acoustic, was a DV52. It was the guitar I thought I'd take to the grave, that I'd never part with. I loved the sound, the boom, the punch, the strong deep end. It was a percussive cannon.

Then I came into possession of a JV52. Much more bell-like, more of a shimmer, still had a nice bass response, but nowhere near as percussive or powerful as the DV52.

Guess which guitar I play most of the time now? The jumbo JV52.

 

[chazmo]

Mark,

Unless they changed the specs, the MIC version of the 512 is too small to be considered truly a jumbo. Not according to Guild history anyway. Having said that, please know that I'm not knocking it or anything, it's just not an F-512...

IN case it isn't obvious from my signature, I am a *huge* fan of the real Guild jumbo 12s. You will not be able to compare them (in my opinion) with the dreads. Playability might be an issue for you because the 17" lower bout is hard to sit with on your lap, however the pinched waist can, at times, be a little easier on the legs than a dread.

Just so you know, I had a G-312 (rosewood dread) which I never really bonded with that I sold to another forum member who adores it. It's purely a matter of taste. My first 12er was the Ibanez Artwood AW-75 that I bought new (mahogany) and it is still a cornerstone of my collection. That is just a magnificent playing and sounding guitar. The Martin D12-20 (also mahogany) that I have is a surprisingly quiet dread. Loveable in many ways, especially that 12-fret soundboard and iconic slothead.

 

[Neal]

I have owned, at one point or another, a lot of Guild dreads and jumbos.

Generally speaking, the dreads have been louder, while the jumbos have been more balanced.

The F-50 jumbo I have currently is the best-sounding guitar I have when plugged in. Perfect for my singer-songwriter stuff, a great strummer. Refined, balanced, chimey, but not especially loud when unplugged.

IMO, it is not all that well-suited for flat-picking, which is where a dreadnought will really shine. So some of your decision-making depends on the style of music that you play.

 

[Mark WW]

I am trying to think of a delicate way to say this. OK let me give it a shot. I have been a member on this Forum for quite some time and read (not always post) daily. I applaud the enthusiasm of those Made in US owners and their attempts to nudge me (good intentions I am sure) in that direction but I did not ask the question-should I buy a US Made or Chinese made Guild. I thought I stated that I own 3 GAD's and really like all of them. I owned a Guild True American and it was a piece of junk. I also owned a D-40 and to be honest prefer the playability and sound of my GAD G40ce. But I am NOT suggesting the Chinese Guild's are as good or better than the American Made - just saying I am very happy with the examples that I currently own.

So my question was Guild Dread versus Jumbo. American or Imported. I really value the input of those that have owned both styles of Guild. What I have been able to ascertain is the the Jumbo does not have as much bottom end as the Dread but has perhaps a little more definition and chime. Neal - great input on the flatpicking. That is my preferred playing method.

Guys I did not mean to be snarky but I have seen repeated dismissal of the GAD's here and that is fine but it just was not the context of my post. Peace!

 

[wileypickett]

I was wary of the GADs myself. Whenever I came across a Guild with the tell-tale GAD pickguard shape at a store, I gave them a wide berth.

A few years ago I came across a Guild -- sans pickguard -- in a store, picked it up and played it for while and was *very* impressed. "What model is this?," I wondered, and peering inside discovered it was a GAD and had a good laugh on myself for having been such a snob.

I haven't traded in my mountain of Westerly and Hoboken Guilds in for GADs yet, but I no longer am so dismissive of them either.

I recently added a 1512 and 2512 to my collection of 12-strings and like them both very much. They're well-made, the intonation is perfect up and down the necks, and the necks are slim and comfortable.

Sound-wise they don't touch my 1966 Guild F212XL, which stands a few inches taller than any other 12-string in my arsenal, including my F512 and F412. But the 1512 and 2512 I find more playable.

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T," to quote the late Aretha.

Glenn

 

[mavuser]

im no professional but have tried a lot of guitars. the dread vs jumbo thing is interesting, but there are so many other microscopic variations from instrument to instrument, it really just comes down to comfort, playability, and just individual chemistry between player and instrument. remember we all play differently too. I have kinda concluded (I think) for me personally, other than the small F-112 I seem to prefer short scale in the jumbo or orchestra shape, and long scale dread. All things equal I agree that the dread seems more full sounding and the jumbo more delicate (or something like that)...but with just some quality time spent playing, perhaps a change in strings and/or play style adjustments, one can make a D-55 sound just like an F-50R, and visa versa. When I pick up a guitar i know immediately if it feels right or not. i tend to discover my tone after playing for a while. Also I tried a few F-1512s a few years ago when they first came out. they were well made and of high quality. One in particular spoke to me for sure. It wasn’t so cheap though, just couldnt bite at that price.

 

[Mark WW]

The 2512 has as I understand a slimmer front to back profile. The 1512 Is supposed to have a classic C profile. I need chunk so that eliminated the 2512 from my consideration. I have read that the 1512 has a little bit sweeter sound maybe due to the solid woods?

Hey all you guys that were trying to convert me...I get it. I just can't drop that kind of coin on myself and I just am unwilling to buy a used acoustic so a US made just isn't in the cards.

 

[Mark WW]

im no professional but have tried a lot of guitars. the dread vs jumbo thing is interesting, but there are so many other microscopic variations from instrument to instrument, it really just comes down to comfort, playability, and just individual chemistry between player and instrument. remember we all play differently too. I have kinda concluded (I think) for me personally, other than the small F-112 I seem to prefer short scale in the jumbo or orchestra shape, and long scale dread. All things equal I agree that the dread seems more full sounding and the jumbo more delicate (or something like that)...but with just some quality time spent playing, perhaps a change in strings and/or play style adjustments, one can make a D-55 sound just like an F-50R, and visa versa. When I pick up a guitar i know immediately if it feels right or not. i tend to discover my tone after playing for a while. Also I tried a few F-1512s a few years ago when they first came out. they were well made and of high quality. One in particular spoke to me for sure. It wasn’t so cheap though, just couldnt bite at that price.


I agree. I may be just trying to justify my decision to get the F-1512e. I really do like the looks of the Jumbo's.

 

[chazmo]

[ . . . ] But I am NOT suggesting the Chinese Guild's are as good or better than the American Made - just saying I am very happy with the examples that I currently own. [ . . . ]

Guys I did not mean to be snarky but I have seen repeated dismissal of the GAD's here and that is fine but it just was not the context of my post. Peace!

Mark, forgive me... As a moderator, I look out for such things, but I did not see any issues here with your posts or others. Did I miss something? If you do run into such things, or a thread goes political or something, please use the report a post feature (it's a triangle with an exclamation point in it) so we (moderators) can take action if necessary.

That said, what I see is that you are getting opinions of the MIC-based models versus US-built. That is not only allowed here on the board, but it's kind of why we're here, don't'cha' think?

 

[DV-72 NT]

Comparing my Guild dread with my Larrivée J3, I have to agree with the quotes below in regards to the jumbo.

First I thing that comes to mind is if you never played one arm comfort may be an issue depending .

In fact, I have considered selling my jumbo a few times because of this old shoulder of mine. But I see the specs on the F-1512 show it is a bit smaller than the Larrivée.

IMO, it is not all that well-suited for flat-picking, which is where a dreadnought will really shine. So some of your decision-making depends on the style of music that you play.

I find this to be true in my case. Where my jumbo really shines is with fingerpicking.

Boomier? Louder? The best way I can describe the jumbo is the lower end is louder/fuller than my dread which is immediately noticed when using a pick (make any sense?). Both guitars are sitka over rosewood with ebony boards. Larrivée is 20 years younger than the Guild.

 

[Mark WW]

Chazmo - Just delete the thread. I had an d have no intention to enter in to an internet argument and I did not request an opinion on US versus Chinese made but you are right everyone is entitled to their opinion. Sp much for my participation here.

 

[bluesypicky]

I'm confused. Is it old age?... must be old age cuz, I'm not on any med or illegal substances and haven't had any alcohol yet today.

So if I read this thread right, what we have here is something like this:

Poster: I didn't mean to start an argument.
Moderator: I didn't notice such thing, please go on.
Poster: OK delete thread, I didn't mean to start an argument.

Time to gather around a campfire perhaps? :gorilla: layful:

 

[Rayk]

Comparing my Guild dread with my Larrivée J3, I have to agree with the quotes below in regards to the jumbo.



In fact, I have considered selling my jumbo a few times because of this old shoulder of mine. But I see the specs on the F-1512 show it is a bit smaller

I think most if not all are tad smaller then their American counter parts .

 

[adorshki]

Time to gather around a campfire perhaps? :gorilla: layful:

Prairie Dog Pete says:
"Remember, Only YOU can prevent campfires!"

 

[chazmo]

Prairie Dog Pete says:
"Remember, Only YOU can prevent campfires!"

"I'm alright,
Don't nobody worry 'bout me,
Why you got to give me a fight,
Why can't you just let it be. "

 

[Mark WW]

I'm confused. Is it old age?... must be old age cuz, I'm not on any med or illegal substances and haven't had any alcohol yet today.

So if I read this thread right, what we have here is something like this:

Poster: I didn't mean to start an argument.
Moderator: I didn't notice such thing, please go on.
Poster: OK delete thread, I didn't mean to start an argument.

Time to gather around a campfire perhaps? :gorilla: layful:

Yeah. I am not a morning person. Anyway I found a F-1512e at Sam Ash and tried it out. I am sticking with my G212. Sounds bigger and in a comparison of my guitar versus that specific one mine played better. So thanks for the input and sorry if I am a grouch.

On a side note I also played (I know different beast) a Gretsch Jim Dandy and it was a very pleasant and warm little guitar.

 

[chazmo]

BTW, I think there was a GAD D-25-12 at some point, Mark, which was an all mahogany dread 12er. I remember playing the (slightly later) 100-series version of that D-25-based 6-string version and liking it very much. Anyway, stay on the lookout for a chance to try one of those.