JF30-12 Day!

[12stringer]

Hello everyone. Here is my tale...
Well it was a beautiful day to drive to Waterloo after work. The weather was mild, the sun had sun dogs on either side and waiting for me was a JF30-12 that was sitting in a closet virtually unplayed. Someone had to save her and the one blessed with the honour was me.
The seller was a real nice guy and he had received the 12er as a gift from his boss. He liked 6 strings better so this cannon got put in the guitar case time capsule.
Prior to getting this Guild I thought I could get by with my Yamaha FG720 12er but as the Guild began to warm up she just could not be stopped. Even the cats came out and clearly were enjoying the harmonies.
So after about a 10 year vacation from Guilds I am fully entrenched in the rich sound and soulful expressions that a Guild inspires. Especially with a cut capo!

 

[Opsimath]

A beautiful guitar of which even the cats approve! Congratulations!

 

[F312]

Almost looks like an ebony board.

Ralph

 

[Zelja]

Lovely & probably the best bang for buck in the 12 string world. Congrats!

 

[GGJaguar]

Cat approved and LTG approved, congrats on a fine 12er!!

 

[12stringer]

Almost looks like an ebony board.

Ralph

Hi Ralph. It’s an early 2000 model and was recently set up so probably they oiled the finger board. But even so it does look like ebony. Did they make them with ebony fret boards?

 

[12stringer]

Hi Ralph. It’s an early 2000 model and was recently set up so probably they oiled the finger board. But even so it does look like ebony. Did they make them with ebony fret boards?
[/QUO

Hans confirmed ebony and 2001
Thanks Hans!

 

[HeyMikey]

Mmmmmmm. Mmmmaple!

 

[Cougar]

Here is my tale... Well it was a beautiful day to drive to Waterloo... and waiting for me was a JF30-12 that was sitting in a closet virtually unplayed....

A beautiful tale and super major congrats on a grail of a find! Brings to mind my own drive from the Great Salt Lake to Dana Point, CA (700 miles) to find my own cherished JF30-12, also with an ebony board, also in mint condition, which gives away nothing to my newer F512. (Well, the trip included a visit to family in SoCal, so it wasn't all for the guitar.) Like me, I expect you'll find the joy embodied in such a fine JF30-12 to be difficult to express, except through the music that emanates from it!

 

[Guildedagain]

Nice Sundog ;]

 

[12stringer]

A beautiful tale and super major congrats on a grail of a find! Brings to mind my own drive from the Great Salt Lake to Dana Point, CA (700 miles) to find my own cherished JF30-12, also with an ebony board, also in mint condition, which gives away nothing to my newer F512. (Well, the trip included a visit to family in SoCal, so it wasn't all for the guitar.) Like me, I expect you'll find the joy embodied in such a fine JF30-12 to be difficult to express, except through the music that emanates from it!

Very nice find Cougar! They are fantastic cannons. What strings do you prefer?

 

[Cougar]

What strings do you prefer?

Oh, I'm no string connoisseur. I just go with D'Addario EJ38 .010-.047 for 12-string.

D'Addario EJ38 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .010-.047 Light 12-string

.010-.047 Light Gauge 12-string Acoustic Guitar Strings, Phosphor Bronze

www.sweetwater.com

 

[walrus]

Congratulations! Beautiful guitar!

walrus

 

[12stringer]

Oh, I'm no string connoisseur. I just go with D'Addario EJ38 .010-.047 for 12-string.

D'Addario EJ38 Phosphor Bronze Acoustic Guitar Strings - .010-.047 Light 12-string

.010-.047 Light Gauge 12-string Acoustic Guitar Strings, Phosphor Bronze

www.sweetwater.com

I think those are the current strings. Pretty Good!

 

[blakeb2193]

the late westerly 2000 and 2001 JF30-12s came with mahogany necks rather than the flame maple.(i was not a fan of this change) I believe they also swapped over to ebony fingerboards, rather than rosewood. Beautiful guild and a great score!!

 

[12stringer]

the late westerly 2000 and 2001 JF30-12s came with mahogany necks rather than the flame maple.(i was not a fan of this change) I believe they also swapped over to ebony fingerboards, rather than rosewood. Beautiful guild and a great score!!

Hi Blake
Thanks for the info on late changes on Westerly builds. They are truly great guitars.

 

[HeyMikey]

the late westerly 2000 and 2001 JF30-12s came with mahogany necks rather than the flame maple.(i was not a fan of this change) I believe they also swapped over to ebony fingerboards, rather than rosewood. Beautiful guild and a great score!!

Given the choice of a maple neck with rosewood or a mahogany neck with ebony I would without a doubt prefer the latter. Ebony fretboards are so much nicer in terms of feel, wear and looks.

Though ideally having maple with ebony would be the best on a maple guitar

 

[blakeb2193]

Given the choice of a maple neck with rosewood or a mahogany neck with ebony I would without a doubt prefer the latter. Ebony fretboards are so much nicer in terms of feel, wear and looks.

Though ideally having maple with ebony would be the best on a maple guitar

Agreed, Flame Maple neck with an Ebony board is delicious!!

 

[12stringer]

I just ordered some DR rare 12 string sets to try out. they are only $6.99 and have good reviews. I like that for a light set they have a low E 48 gauge and a Hi G 9 gauge. (heavier than usual light string set)
https://www.juststrings.com/drs-rpl-10-12.html
Has anyone tried them on a maple jumbo 12?

 

[12stringer]

Finally swapped the D'addario light strings to the coated DR Rare set and they of course sound great. The added bonus is that they are easier on the fingertips and I have much longer play time! https://www.juststrings.com/drs-dsa-10-12.html
Note...I have yet to try the uncoated set of DR mentioned in previous post.