Maple Arch-Backed 12-Strings

[GuildAppreciator]

If I were to acquire one I'd be looking I'd probably go for a JF-30-12 as it's affordable and a jumbo size.

What's the fair price-range (I say range as it varies based on condition) and what should I look for when buying aside from standard stuff like neck angle, binding separation, bridge lift?

 

[JohnW63]

Look for the same things as any 6 string guitar. Any cracks between the end of the fret board and the sound hole? That would be the neck block shifting, but that could happen on a 6 string too.

 

[GuildAppreciator]

Biggest advice I'm looking for is price-range, particularly what's too high.

 

[SFIV1967]

Biggest advice I'm looking for is price-range, particularly what's too high.

Best to check Reverb or ebay for sold listings of the model to get an idea of the range. Both you can select for "sold items".
Ralf

 

[beecee]

Too high

Vintage 1996 Guild vF30 12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Vintage 1996 Guild vF30 12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Not bad

Used 2001 Guild JF30-12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used 2001 Guild JF30-12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

As far as what to look for, @Cougar has a great example of the Corona model, ebony fret board, luscious 'burst.

He may be coaxed into sharing a picture of it, but he's shy about that.

I'm partial to a maple neck myself.

The 2001 listed above is late Westerly, two truss rods that could support a school bus. If you're near a GC it costs about $20 if you need to return it. EDIT......Sorry I see you're in Canada...not sure if they're located there.

I've pulled mine off the rack from my chair more than once thinking it was my F412, they look similar from below, and played it for a bit before I realized I had the JF30-12 in hand.

 

[steveintampa]

I have seen them mostly in two conditions. Either needs repairs or VG-Excellent.

A lot of them do not get the play time the 6 strings get so they can live in the case most of their lives.

I picked up a JF-30 12 in 2009 for $1200.00 in pristine condition, no repairs needed.

In today's dollars that would be around $3185.00. You should be able find a nice one under 2K these days.

 

[Cougar]

If I were to acquire one I'd be looking I'd probably go for a JF-30-12 as it's affordable and a jumbo size.

What's the fair price-range (I say range as it varies based on condition) and what should I look for when buying aside from standard stuff like neck angle, binding separation, bridge lift?

The JF30-12 is an excellent choice. It was my first Guild 12-string, and I love it just as much as my F512 and F412.

Looking at prices on reverb, I cannot believe several JF30-12 sellers are asking $2,000. I'd say that's too high. "Sold listings" gives a better idea for what these are going for. Several went for right around $1,200, and I'd say that's a great deal in this day and age. Here's a great looking one that sold in the last couple weeks that you missed, AND it has an ebony fretboard (just an added plus -- some have it, some don't).

As far as what to look for, @Cougar has a great example of the Corona model, ebony fret board, luscious 'burst.

He may be coaxed into sharing a picture of it, but he's shy about that.

Haha! Now, there's some serious sarcasm . I take a lot of heat showing off my JF30-12 so much

 

[Boneman]

And look at that tall proud saddle, that JF30-12 just booms and jangles huh Cougs?

I have a Corona model, has the hog neck and ebony fretboard. I swapped out the gold tuners for chrome, and the tort guard for black. It’s a great 12 string to have laying around. Admittedly I don’t play mine that often, but when I do, there’s nothing like it, especially since it’s setup so well, mmmm


$1200-$1500 is the range I’d be looking in. The factory of origin probably not as important, but of course Oxnard isn’t and hasn’t been making them.

 

[GuildAppreciator]

I have a Corona model, has the hog neck and ebony fretboard. I swapped out the gold tuners for chrome, and the tort guard for black. It’s a great 12 string to have laying around. Admittedly I don’t play mine that often, but when I do, there’s nothing like it, especially since it’s setup so well, mmmm


$1200-$1500 is the range I’d be looking in. The factory of origin probably not as important, but of course Oxnard isn’t and hasn’t been making them.

All of my Guilds are Westerly so I naturally have a bias towards them. That said, after reading people raving about their Tacoma and New Hartford Guilds I'd be open to owning one from either of those factories, especially New Hartford given Ren Ferguson was overseeing production there.

 

[steveintampa]

There's a few out there. Did not see any bursts.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=guild%20jf%2030%2012

 

[GuildAppreciator]

There's a few out there. Did not see any bursts.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=guild%20jf%2030%2012

All of my electric guitars are sunbursts but I prefer my acoustics natural (D-25M being a special exception).

 

[Tom O]

I liked my Corona model so well, I bought a Corona JF-30 (6) to match. They sound great tuned down to D.

 

[adorshki]

Too high

Vintage 1996 Guild vF30 12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Vintage 1996 Guild vF30 12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Agreed and there's no mention of a case which was included in '96:

And anyone who can't be bothered to verify a correct model number doesn't deserve my business, with all the other JF30-12's available out there.

Not bad

Used 2001 Guild JF30-12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

For greater savings check out our Used 2001 Guild JF30-12 Natural 12 String Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!

www.guitarcenter.com

Note it's got damage but does have the case

I picked up a JF-30 12 in 2009 for $1200.00 in pristine condition, no repairs needed.

Recall though that '09 was the depths of the great recession so a lot of stuff like guitars were severely undervalued as demand dried up.

In today's dollars that would be around $3185.00.

Thought that sounded a bit steep. I'm only getting around $1820.

You should be able find a nice one under 2K these days.

Agreed.

 

[davenumber2]

Agreed and there's no mention of a case which was included in '96:

GC gives you nothing for the case when you trade with them so it makes sense that there’s no case. Whoever traded it likely kept it and sold it elsewhere. Also, their sales people know next to nothing about acoustics so it’s no surprise they thought the “J” was a “V” when taking the guitar in based on label handwriting, I would assume. It’s my understanding that once it’s entered into the GC system it can’t be changed unless you create a new listing.

 

[GuildAppreciator]

I've seen a couple JF-30-12s online with mahogany necks that were made in Westerly. I'm assuming these were made after FMIC bought Guild and probably towards the end of the Westerly days, but the pics of the sound hole label weren't good enough to get serial numbers.

Anyone have insight into when they might have been made. I imagine the tonal difference is negligible and I'd prefer a Maple neck anyhow for aesthetic reasons, but I'm curious nonetheless.

 

[adorshki]

I've seen a couple JF-30-12s online with mahogany necks that were made in Westerly. I'm assuming these were made after FMIC bought Guild and probably towards the end of the Westerly days, but the pics of the sound hole label weren't good enough to get serial numbers.

Fender's acquisition was finalized in Nov.'95

Anyone have insight into when they might have been made. I imagine the tonal difference is negligible and I'd prefer a Maple neck anyhow for aesthetic reasons, but I'm curious nonetheless.

'Hog necks started coming in ca 2000, first catalog appearance in '01 Fender Frontline, so yes late Westerly. (New builds stopped Sept '01, closed end of '01).

 

[steverok]

And look at that tall proud saddle, that JF30-12 just booms and jangles huh Cougs?

I have a Corona model, has the hog neck and ebony fretboard. I swapped out the gold tuners for chrome, and the tort guard for black. It’s a great 12 string to have laying around. Admittedly I don’t play mine that often, but when I do, there’s nothing like it, especially since it’s setup so well, mmmm


$1200-$1500 is the range I’d be looking in. The factory of origin probably not as important, but of course Oxnard isn’t and hasn’t been making them.

Wow, I really like what you've done with her. IMO the black pickguard matches much better with the ebony fretboard and bridge, and I much prefer the 12 chrome tuners to the gold. Very nice. I would buy this guitar.

 

[Boneman]

IMO the black pickguard matches much better with the ebony fretboard and bridge, and I much prefer the 12 chrome tuners to the gold.

Thanks! Yes, that’s exactly why I did it, to get that ebony aesthetic consistent. Plus not a fan of gold hardware anyway. If I ever decide to sell it, I’ll give you first dibs