F-512 vs JF30-12
- Thread starter cainamps
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My bad. JF55-12 vs F512
213Cobra
Junior Member
Oxnard F-512, easily. I had a new 1992 JF30-12 which I kept only about six months, having replaced it with a 1992 JF65-12, which was a much more articulate and resonant instrument than the 30. And that was a consistent difference iver the years I played and compared samples of both. I owned that JF65-12 from 1992-2023. In 2024 I got an Oxnard F-512 Maple. Soundwise, the Oxnard 12 outperforms any prior Guild 12 string I've encountered. It doesn't have the battleship-build feel of a Westerly 12, but it's responsiveness, ring, resonance, volume, tonal complexity and dynamic range exceeds any of them. We'll see whether the new, lighter 12 string builds out of Oxnard have the staying power of the Westerly brutes, but I am optimistic. The tops and bracing are definitely more responsive to inputs. I'm a fingerstyle player and can not only get more volume at given finger attacks than from a Westerly 12, but get louder with less dynamic compression with maximum attacks. The useful dynamic range is noticeably greater.
This isn't in any way disparaging of Westerly 12s. They were the best of their day. But the Oxnard instruments are a further evolution with new points-of-view embodied. However, if you're really choosing between contemporary F-512 and Westerly early '90s, then the peer-to-peer choice would be between Oxnard F-512 and Westerly JF65-12 or 55-12, depending on which wood you prefer.
Phil
This isn't in any way disparaging of Westerly 12s. They were the best of their day. But the Oxnard instruments are a further evolution with new points-of-view embodied. However, if you're really choosing between contemporary F-512 and Westerly early '90s, then the peer-to-peer choice would be between Oxnard F-512 and Westerly JF65-12 or 55-12, depending on which wood you prefer.
Phil
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chazmo
Reverential Member
I’d think they’d be comparable. Given of course that you’re talking about F-512 and JF-55-12 comparison-wise.
The modern F-512 is a bit lighter, and harkens closer to the original/early specs stemming from the very early 1970s. At least that’s been the goal since the mid-2000s (to shed weight and build closer to the original specs).
There should be a pretty vast difference in price (the Oxnard being quite a bit more expensive), but if things are close to being equal then I’d choose the more recent (Oxnard) one. Caveat: I haven’t played an Oxnard-built F-512. But, I have played MANY earlier models of F-512 and JF-55-12s.
The modern F-512 is a bit lighter, and harkens closer to the original/early specs stemming from the very early 1970s. At least that’s been the goal since the mid-2000s (to shed weight and build closer to the original specs).
There should be a pretty vast difference in price (the Oxnard being quite a bit more expensive), but if things are close to being equal then I’d choose the more recent (Oxnard) one. Caveat: I haven’t played an Oxnard-built F-512. But, I have played MANY earlier models of F-512 and JF-55-12s.
Hey Phil. When I made the post I ment to compare the f512 to the JF55-12 since they are so similar. I inadvertently typed JF 30-12 I have one of each now. I think it will be fun to here other people's opinions. The JF 30-12 is still under repair. The JF55-12 has rusty strings and the F512 brand new strings. So I'm gonna put some strings on tonight. Should be fun. One observationthe F512 is about 1/2" thinner. I didn't know that till today.
213Cobra
Junior Member
Yeah, the Oxnard F-512 is a little thinner body than the Westerly 12s. In fact on feel alone I prefer the deeper-body build of the old ones, but I'm 6'3" with attendant wingspan. For me there's no comparison about the sound differences. If more people actually encountered and played the current F-512, maple or rosewood, I think there'd be more Westerlys on the used market.
Incidentally, I prefer the F-512 Maple to the Rosewood. Not that I don't love rosewood guitars, but in the F-512 Maple, Oxnard has managed to retain the articulation and projection of maple while dialing in a pretty fair bit of the warmth of rosewood. In the Westerly builds, the JF65-12 and JF55-12 differences were broader and more distinct. Anyway, I played both when I bought a JF twelve and also last year the F twelve, and in both cases maple won for me. But when I had the JF65-12 I often thought about having the 55 too, because of the difference. With the F-512 Maple, I don't think about that at all.
Phil
adorshki
Reverential Member
I know that was a typo but it's perfect. Might have to try to work it into forum vernacular.
rmoretti49
Member
I have a 1994 JF55-12. Took it to a guitar store and did a head-to-head comparison with the 2024 F512. The F512 was a tiny bit easier to play. The sound was very close, with the JF55-12 a tiny bit better to me.
The F 512 definitely was not worth an $$$$ "upgrade" from what I have.
The F 512 definitely was not worth an $$$$ "upgrade" from what I have.
213Cobra
Junior Member
Got me! Fixed it. -PhilI know that was a typo but it's perfect. Might have to try to work it into forum vernacular.
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Yeah, that Oxnard F512 Maple has got to be killer! The archback maples just really do it for me, so I tend to favor my Tacoma F412 AND Corona JF30-12 over my (still fabulous) Oxnard F512 Rosewood.
In my opinion, I like my JF55-12 quite a bit better, fuller sounding. The 512 ain't no dog though.
I'm anxious to compare the JF30-12 that I'm currently working on. Then there is my F212xl. I would say runs a close 2nd to the 55-12.