g312 advice needed!! New frets and strings, what type??

[gilded]

guildmark, kidder, scratch, mario1956, 12 string, et al,

Hey guys, I took my 1974 G312 (a recent 'eBay prize') over to my luthier. He wants to do a bit of fixin' on it, all of it within the foreseeable amount of repair for a 'project guitar'.

Since we all need something to talk about, here's the repair list:

1) A partially loose neck block (the treble side of the block has been 'giving way' for a loonng time, probably got hot 'way back when', yea, even before the neck set 10 years ago).
It has caused the side wood to move in, oh, ever so imperceptibly by the treble-side neck heel.
It's also allowed the sound hole wood to buckle on the front treble edge, plus the top has a fine split right next to the
fingerboard on the treble side (between the edge of the body and the sound hole).
He'll fix that, then glue a triangular piece of wood to the treble side of the block and the interior side of the top
(the idea is to support the top plate in the general area of the split).

2) The neck block/top glue-join may also be loose. He's got a fix for that, but it's too complicated to write down.....
(that means I couldn't follow him when he explained it on the phone ).

3) Clean up the finish on the old neck re-set.

4) Buff-out or fill-in some old strap marks. You know how laquer finishes will sometimes 'react' to laying against those
'70's plastic guitar straps? Well, it's got a bit of that but nothing that's really bad!

5) He'll put the bridge back on.

6) Finally, the frets are fine, but just Really Low, so I'm gonna re-fret it.

That's where I need some advice.
Here are my questions:

1) Have any of you guys refretted a g312, or any Guild 12 for that matter?
If so, what size frets did you find worked out for a 25.5" scale length 12 string? Tall and Narrow, Tall and Medium, Fat and Short (like me!), Dunlop True Jumbos? My luthier has suggested wire no. 155 out of the Stew-Mac catalog. The measurements are .080" x .050". I've used it on a lot of 6 string guitars, and like it fine. Any opinions??

2) I'm sure this has been asked zillions of times, but what kind of strings?? What guages??


I like D'addario strings generally. Usually, I use medium Phosphor Bronze on acoustic 6 string Gibsons, Martins and the like (my Guild collection consists of 2 basses, 2 amps and the g312; no flat-top 6 strings, but I'm workin' on it).

Thanks and I'll listen to your answers off the Air.........

 

[mario1956]

Have never had my G312 refretted, but I assume the standard medium/tall fret wire would do the trick. After leveling and crowning, it should be about right.
I usually use the Martin SP Extra Lights (.047 bass "E". .010 treble "E") 80/20 or PB. The 312 has plenty of sound with that size string, and I also keep mine tuned to standard pitch with no problems. If you go with a lower alternative tuning, the heavier light guage .054-.012 would do a better job and wouldn't hurt the instrument.

 

[gilded]

Thanks for the info! Much appreciated.

 

[mario1956]

You're welcome !!! :mrgreen:

 

[12 string]

Hi, Gil,

I really can't help you with your fret question. I have always liked my Guilds the way I found them, and when the time comes for me to do a refret I'll try to replicate what's on there now. I'm sure your luthier knows a lot more about this than I do.

As for your string question, for standard tuning I use .010-.047 in phosphor bronze, D'Addario or Elixir, mostly. I buy my strings in bulk and maintain a dealer's inventory of different guages so I can assemble a set for any oddball tuning I may have in mind. Replacing the .018 high octave A string with an .020w will make your guitar sound better. Even though a few will break, it's well worth it.

I have guitars going from tuning a m3 (3 frets) high to a P4 (5 frets) low and many points in between. One of these days when I have more time and patience (computer driving me crazy this week) I'll post the method I use to figure out string guages. It's in the AGF archives, but this would be the perfect time to put it up here because of all the 12 string threads that have been on these boards lately (man, have I been loving it!). Maybe this weekend. And I haven't forgotten that I still need to answer some questions from you and others on one of those other threads.

I'm glad you're getting your 312 all tricked out; you're going to love it.

Keep the 12 string going!

David

 

[Scratch]

Gilded, my man. Congrats again. I hope Mark or John can assist with the fret issue; I can't offer anything there. Also having a 1/4' minor crack repaired and hope to have it back from Ross the magic luthier by Wednesday. Sounds great now, but Ross will also add a bone saddle; I can only imagine how it will sound with that and a new set of JP 80-20s lights. Slight bridge belly and very minor lift so I'll keep it tuned down a step ('D')...

 

[gilded]

Scratch and 12 string,

Thanks for the input on string choices. I guess I ought to try and go through all of the various light guage sets and see what I like. So far, the choices are Martin, D'Addario, JPs and Elixir.

Say Scratch, ask your luthier to look inside your 312 (while it's there) and see if it has an ebony bridge plate. Mine does, and boy is it a big one! Also, in addition to a good sized neck block, there seems to be yet another block that is a) notched into the neck block and b) extends on out to the front cross brace It's glued to the top and certainly looks factory!

Anybody know 'bout that stuff??

 

[Guildmark]

Howdy, Harry!

I had the nut replaced on my G-312 this past summer (the end on the treble side had chipped) and asked the luthier about the frets while it was in there. He determined there was no need for a re-fret at this time, so I'll ask him again in a few years. I guess that means I can't offer any insight on the frets. Except that maybe the strings I've used and my style of playing hasn't worn them too much. He also was quite satisfied that the neck was stable, properly positioned, and not in need of a reset.

Strings: For most of it's life this axe has had Martin Silk-n-Steel stock out of the package. In the last 5 years, though, I've used mostly Martin SP Extra Lights, stock gauge. Since joining LTG I've also used John Pearse PB's and have been very satisfied with the tone and feel. I've never experimented with mixed or custom sets.

You've got me curious about the bridge plate and neck block. Never paid too much attention. I'll have a look at mine and report back.

 

[12 string]

Hi Gilded,

The bridge plate in my 1978 G-312 is rosewood.

More later,

David

 

[dklsplace]

Thanks for the input on string choices...So far, the choices are Martin, D'Addario, JPs and Elixir.

I only carry JP's. 8)

 

[12 string]

Gilded, all my Guilds from 1990 and later have blond bridgeplates, not sure if they're spruce or maple. I'd guess maple. All 4 of the Guilds I keep at home have the same neck block extension you mentioned. I think I read in one of my old Guild catalogues that all of their bridgeplates, or maybe all 12 string bridgeplates were rosewood. I'll check out the F-112 next time I visit my mother.

David

 

[gilded]

Gilded, all my Guilds from 1990 and later have blond bridgeplates, not sure if they're spruce or maple. I'd guess maple. All 4 of the Guilds I keep at home have the same neck block extension you mentioned. I think I read in one of my old Guild catalogues that all of their bridgeplates, or maybe all 12 string bridgeplates were rosewood. I'll check out the F-112 next time I visit my mother.

David

12-David-string,

Thanks, for the info. I thought my bridge plate was ebony, but I'll look at my bridgeplate again with a better light.
I'm glad to hear about the neck block extension in other models.

As for the blonde bridgeplates, I would guess maple, too, because it's stronger, but you never know.

Thanks again. g