Jf55-12 = f512?

[martin.spitek]

I'm new to this forum so apologize if this is an old question re-asked. I've been searching for sometime for a F512 and only recently became aware of the JF55-12. I've never heard the JF55-12 referenced in a F512 discussion but always hear the F512 in a JF55-12 discussion -- "Same as". So are they really the same guitar? Same design, bracing, same action? I know that neck material is different -- maple verses mahogany. I've learned that the JF55-12 was produced from 1994sh to 99 at Westerly RI site. As far as I can find, no F512s were produced during this same time period. So, if it is the same guitar, why change model numbers when the F512 has a solid legacy and reputation -- doesn't make sense to me.

 

[chazmo]

Hello, Martin.

Welcome to LTG!

The model designation for the Guild jumbo-bodied guitars changed during the '90s, and, yes, Guild stopped using their original "F" designation in favor of "JF". Indeed, a JF-55-12 is an F-512 of that era. Things started changing back to original names after Westerly was shuttered. I'm not 100% sure what Corona used for designation, but Tacoma definitely went back to the old names.

Don't look for rational justifications for model name changes over the years. You're right to question it. Not all of the folks who've run Guild over the years have respected the history of the traditional models. As a result, JF-55s and JF-65s are not as well known in the used market as their F-50R and F-50 twins. Could amount to a good deal if you're savvy.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

How many different guitar sizes were made by Guild using the F prefix?

 

[12 string]

3 that I know of.

 

[chazmo]

Hmm, I think it's five:

F-20 (concert)
F-30 (orchestra)
F-50 (jumbo)
F-65 (shallow, A/E)
F-612 (18" jumbo)

Plus, the dimensions of the MIC guitars are different, but I'm not counting the here.

 

[adorshki]

Hmm, I think it's five:

F-20 (concert)
F-30 (orchestra)
F-50 (jumbo)
F-65 (shallow, A/E)
F-612 (18" jumbo)

Plus, the dimensions of the MIC guitars are different, but I'm not counting the here.

The F65ce's (all F65's were "ce"'s) were based on the original F40 Valencia body shape called "grand auditorium" or "grand orchestra"" which was right in between the F50 and F30 bodies.
The F45ce and F47ce's were full-depth.

 

[chazmo]

Oh, so I got it wrong. I thought F-40s were the same as F-30 (which is why I didn't put it on my list).

Thanks for clarifying the F-65s and the F-45s, Al. So it sounds like they all shared the same relative shape of the F-40 then. Thus, five remains the correct number, even if I got it a little sideways.

 

[adorshki]

.Thanks for clarifying the F-65s and the F-45s, Al. So it sounds like they all shared the same relative shape of the F-40 then. Thus, five remains the correct number, even if I got it a little sideways.

Right, and had to stick up for those F47's and F48's as well.
In fact, it occurs to me, the F40 might well have yielded the most variations on a shape of any Guild "F" body:
F4ce, F5ce, F15ce, F47ce (3 types, including F47Mce and F47Rce).
That's 11, counting all models listed in this post.

:friendly_wink:

 

[rampside]

Well, it's a good thing some of the F 'n cases are interchangeable, then.

...or, are they??layful:

 

[adorshki]

Well, it's a good thing some of the F 'n cases are interchangeable, then.

...or, are they??layful:

The F4, F5, and F65Ce's are shallow bodies and got a special case.
It's effin' awesome.
:glee:

 

[taabru45]

I think the F412 is feeling left out... ;-)

 

[adorshki]

I think the F412 is feeling left out... ;-)

Yeah but that would have been a JF65-12, still based on F50 outline.