Guild Jumbo 12 string

bbernardesjr

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Hello guys,

I always have been a great fan of Guild acoustic guitars, however never had one, until one day my cousin let me try his 3 models...blown away by its sound, it changed my perspective forever!

Now, I am just starting to learn first and after that, I am going to buy a Guild Jumbo 12 string.
I have been looking online(however didn't find anything solid), I am trying to learn and understand Jumbo models, and specs of each model because I don't know the differences between models.

Basically, my personal taste would be a Guild 12 jumbo full body (non cutaway) all solid, chesterfield logo headstock, solid top(any wood which matches cedar in color?) solid rosewood back and sides, satin-finish neck, discrete inlay(not dots), mother of pearl rosette, but not new.
Picky huh?

I would like to know which models were available, which types of wood were used back there, inlays available, specs wise and etc.

Can you suggest any link, or provide reading material to learn all the differences between the models?

Or even if you can tell me the whole story here.

Thank you so much!

Best regards,

Ben.
 

Rich Cohen

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If you want a chesterfield headstock then you will have to settle for a JF-30-12. They are generally available on Reverb.com. Just search for "Guild JF-30-12." Good luck hunting!
I just checked Reverb. No JF-30-12s at the moment. But be patient they will appear.
 

bbernardesjr

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If you want a chesterfield headstock then you will have to settle for a JF-30-12. They are generally available on Reverb.com. Just search for "Guild JF-30-12." Good luck hunting!
I just checked Reverb. No JF-30-12s at the moment. But be patient they will appear.
Hello Rick, how have you been?

Thank you so much for your quick reply!
What about a headstock without chesterfield logo?

Were there any models which are 12 string Jumbo full body (non cutaway) all solid, satin-finish neck, grover tuners?

The best case scenario would be, to play all solid maple and all solid rosewood back/sides side by side...I haven't done that yet, even though I don't like the color of maple.

The one which sounds better for my ears, then the quest is over.

Best regards,

Ben.
 

davismanLV

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Ben, welcome to LTG!! You're looking at the right brand for exceptional 12-strings!! One thing you may want to consider is whether you want new, or used. Also, to make it more complicated, Guild has several lines of Asian built guitars on offer, some all solid wood, and some solid top and laminate sides and back that are very well liked and quality builds, but cost less. Going to the Guild WEBSITE will help give you an idea of what they currently offer in both USA and Overseas builds and an idea of the cost.

If you're going for the Asian built and will consider a used one you can save a ton of money, but the same is true with the USA built ones used and they will tend to hold their value a bit more than the others. Doing a search on REVERB will give you an idea of what's on offer currently used and new if you type in what you want.

If you narrow down your search a bit, then we can be a bit more specific about ideas, impressions, and personal preferences. Good luck with your search!!
Tom
 

awagner

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Sounds like you are debating between a F412 (maple back and sides, arched back) and a F512 (rosewood back and sides, braced)

They both have a fancier G-shield headstock and abalone block fingerboard inlay with V-shaped insert.

if you want the Chesterfield headstock, then you want a JF30-12 (maple archback) or F212XL (mahogany back and sides), but both have dot fretboard markers.

All of the guitars described above have spruce tops.

I am assuming you are looking for a used/vintage Guild, but if you are considering new, then go to the Guild website to learn about the specs of new models. Note that the F412 and F512 are now called the F512 Maple and Rosewood, respectively.

Good luck!
 

bbernardesjr

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Ben, welcome to LTG!! You're looking at the right brand for exceptional 12-strings!! One thing you may want to consider is whether you want new, or used. Also, to make it more complicated, Guild has several lines of Asian built guitars on offer, some all solid wood, and some solid top and laminate sides and back that are very well liked and quality builds, but cost less. Going to the Guild WEBSITE will help give you an idea of what they currently offer in both USA and Overseas builds and an idea of the cost.

If you're going for the Asian built and will consider a used one you can save a ton of money, but the same is true with the USA built ones used and they will tend to hold their value a bit more than the others. Doing a search on REVERB will give you an idea of what's on offer currently used and new if you type in what you want.

If you narrow down your search a bit, then we can be a bit more specific about ideas, impressions, and personal preferences. Good luck with your search!!
Tom
Hey Tom, thank you for replying.

I am sure that I want one USA made, nothing against others.
As I think it is going to be a lifetime buy, I'm not worried about paying more for the unquestionable quality and tradition of those made in USA.

Narrowing it right now Tom:

Made in USA
All solid
Rosewood back and sides
Not sunburst paint

Does it help?

Thank you!
 

Brucebubs

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Technically speaking the maple F-412 - now F-512 Maple - is not all solid wood. The unbraced arch back is laminated and shaped in a press.

The rosewood F-512 is all solid wood with a more traditional braced back.
 

bbernardesjr

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Technically speaking the maple F-412 - now F-512 Maple - is not all solid wood. The unbraced arch back is laminated and shaped in a press.

The rosewood F-512 is all solid wood with a more traditional braced back.
Hey Bruce,

Do you know which rosewood was used? Indian? Did they ever make a jumbo with brazilian rosewood?

Thank you
 

Brucebubs

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Hey Bruce,

Do you know which rosewood was used? Indian? Did they ever make a jumbo with brazilian rosewood?

Thank you

I'm sure the Guild experts here can answer that better than me but East Indian Rosewood is the most commonly used.

This demo clip of a new F-512 Maple was filmed at the Guild Oxnard factory in front of the actual press used to make the arch backs.

 

Cougar

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Sounds like you are debating between a F412 (maple back and sides, arched back) and a F512 (rosewood back and sides, braced)

They both have a fancier G-shield headstock and abalone block fingerboard inlay with V-shaped insert.

if you want the Chesterfield headstock, then you want a JF30-12 (maple archback) or F212XL (mahogany back and sides), but both have dot fretboard markers.

All of the guitars described above have spruce tops.

If I am not mistaken, the above describes the complete lineup of the Guild jumbos. Oh -- except for when they renamed them: JF55-12 (solid rosewood b/s) and JF65-12 (maple). Not sure many 12s were built in that era.

...Basically, my personal taste would be a Guild 12 jumbo full body (non cutaway) all solid...

As mentioned, Guild has an alternative answer to the solid, braced back by crafting a braceless, arched fine maple laminate back that rivals a solid back. With Guilds, "all solid" is no longer a requirement for a full, balanced, and lusty tone. :cool:
 

twocorgis

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Hey Tom, thank you for replying.

I am sure that I want one USA made, nothing against others.
As I think it is going to be a lifetime buy, I'm not worried about paying more for the unquestionable quality and tradition of those made in USA.

Narrowing it right now Tom:

Made in USA
All solid
Rosewood back and sides
Not sunburst paint

Does it help?

Thank you!

If you want rosewood and USA made, your only choice is the F512. And you'll have to take the G Shield headstock and bling, as that's the only way they come. After buying a bunch of 12ers, I realized that the F512 is the granddaddy of 12 strings, especially with the slimmer neck profile of the later single truss rod examples from New Hartford and Oxnard. My 2010 F512 is by far the best 12 string guitar I've ever played.
 

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awagner

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If I am not mistaken, the above describes the complete lineup of the Guild jumbos.

There are some others. F612, JF4-12, JF100-12, for example. And technically, the F112, F212 and F312 are also jumbos, albeit small jumbos (forgive the oxymoron).
 

davismanLV

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We're happy to help you spend your money!! And the F512 sounds like just the ticket for you!! And now that we've helped we'll also expect you to share the joy when you buy it. Please post photos when she arrives, okay?? (y)
 

davismanLV

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Well, except for the satin finish requirement.
Well, I guess I missed that one on the list. Shiny is better, so when you play them and get "shiny spots" you can't tell...... LOL!!

And they did use Brazilian Rosewood back in the day. I'm thinking at or before 1968-69 for sure. After that time they mixed Brazilian and Indian on the same guitar. Then you have to deal with a much older 12-string and all the stuff that comes with that and the cost factor, and is it really worth it?
 
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