Newbie - with a 12 string question

[GELewis]

I'm new to the Let's Talk Guild forum. I'm a middle aged educator from MN who plays weekly at church. Up until two years ago I had three guitars (Taylor 814ce, 855 and NS72), but downsized to one - a Taylor custom GS. I've been a Taylor fan not so much because of their sound, but I have small hands with short fingers and found Taylor's to be the most comfortable to play.

I had saved up a few dollars and as I've been missing the sound of a 12-string, visited the Podium in Minneapolis with the intent of picking up a used Taylor 355 they had on their website. When I got there, the used 355 was gone and they were completely sold out of new Taylor 12s. The salesperson suggested I try the Guild f412 from the Tacoma factory he had hanging on the wall. Although I've always loved the sound of the Guild 12s, I had previously played a friend's JF30-12 and found the neck too thick for my hands. I was surprised when the f412 felt comfortable in my hand, and the deep rich sound really blew me away. While I would have loved to walk out with the f412 in hand - it was really more than I had hoped to spend.

So now I'm on a quest to find a Guild 12 string - and I'm hoping folks here can help me out by answering a few questions.
1. Do all current Guild 12s have a slimmer neck than they did in the past - or do the necks vary among models?
2. The f212 looks more in my price range - how does it sound in comparison to the f412?
3. Any other input or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -

 

[dreadnut]

Sounds like a 212 would be about perfect for you. Sound is going to be quite similar to the 412, not quite as big. 212's have the same double truss rod neck system common only to Guilds. I have short fingers, so I found my 512 a bit tiresome after awhile because of the width of the neck, I think the 212 neck is a bit thinner than the 412/512.

Good luck on your quest for a 212

 

[Scratch]

Welcome to LTG, GE. The F212 is my current favorite. Very nice smooth neck (even, in my opinion, smoother than my Taylor 355). The Maple 412 is louder (jumbo body) and brighter compared to the mellow, rich, warm tones from the hog 212. There were a couple 212s on eBay last time I looked; good hunting!

 

[6L6]

Welcome to the Forum!

I know what you're saying about the Tacoma F-412 you played. I played one too and walked out of the store with it (mine's a 2006)!

The good news is that ALL Guilds are great guitars! Over the years, Guild craftsmen/women have been of the highest caliber and the guitars they've produced really show it.

Good luck with your hunt and let us know where it all ends up.

6

'06 F-412

 

[coastie99]

Welcome to the forum GE.

Don't have a 12 string.... I struggle with 6.... but I'm certain that you'll get the best of advice here.

Best of luck with your quest.

Gary.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, GE!

 

[Metalman]

I heartliy agree with 6L6: ALL Guild 12-string guitars are great. Although I have played a few 6-string models over the years that didn't thrill me, I never played a Guild 12-string that I didn't like! They are the kings of the 12-strings!

The problem is, with so many so good, finding one for you that is just right will be a daunting task!

In the "F" series:
The American made Guild 12-strings include the 412, and the 512. Correct me if I am wrong here, fellas. And the only other new 12-string is the GAD F212. That is made in China. They all have a certain wide neck. That goes with the territory.

Another place to shop is online, on Ebay. You have to know what you are looking for, and what the prices bring for the older and vintage pieces.
Prices can range from $450 - $650 for used F-112s; about $700 - $1200 for older F-212s, and around $900 - $1500 for used and vintage F-412 (Maple body) and F-512 (rosewood body, the top of the heap, the flagship model).

This is all subject to many things: the shape of the guitar, the year, how desparate the seller is - ie: just laid off, needs cash, etc.

I didn't even mention the D-size 12-string guitars. There is a 12-string version of the D-25, D-40 (G-212), and the D-50 (G-312). These are all used, and Guild doesn't make them anymore.

Well, this is a guideline, there is a lot more, but this is it in a nutshell. good luck!

 

[killdeer43]

Welcome to fun, or at least what some of us consider to be fun!
My wife, bless her heart, doesn't get it; but then, she hasn't been....Guilded.

I play a D-412 these days. I keep it tuned down two stops and it sounds great, finger-picked or flat picked. Tom Petty or Beethoven. The sound coming from that big 12, when fingerpicked late in the evening, is sweet....and my wife gets that!

Enjoy all 12 of those strings,
Joe

 

[Metalman]

Welcome to fun, or at least what some of us consider to be fun!
My wife, bless her heart, doesn't get it; but then, she hasn't been....Guilded.

I play a D-412 these days. I keep it tuned down two stops and it sounds great, finger-picked or flat picked. Tom Petty or Beethoven. The sound coming from that big 12, when fingerpicked late in the evening, is sweet....and my wife gets that!

Enjoy all 12 of those strings,
Joe

Joe,

You know, you are right; one has to be Guilded in order to understand our passion. My wife, after all these years of listening to me play (married 34 years), she finally says she likes the sound of my 12-string best. Good ole F-212!

By the way, what is a D-412? I know a G-212 is a D-40 type 12-string, G-312 is the D-50 counterpart, what that ya got there: a D-412?

 

[chazmo]

By the way, what is a D-412? I know a G-212 is a D-40 type 12-string, G-312 is the D-50 counterpart, what that ya got there: a D-412?

I think that's a D4-12 (or "D-4-12") mahogany dread, but I too would like to see pix, kildeer -- got any?

Boy, we really need Hans' New Testament!!

 

[BobsterMan]

For a couple of years there, the only guitar I had was my F-212-XL... and I was in the best of company.

 

[Metalman]

For a couple of years there, the only guitar I had was my F-212-XL... and I was in the best of company.

Hey; when you find one thing that works, why look further?
Unless you are stricken with GAS . . .

That comes later.
Be forewarned!

 

[killdeer43]

My 12-string is a D-4-12. I omitted one hyphen.

Joe

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I'm new to the Let's Talk Guild forum. I'm a middle aged educator from MN who plays weekly at church. Up until two years ago I had three guitars (Taylor 814ce, 855 and NS72), but downsized to one - a Taylor custom GS. I've been a Taylor fan not so much because of their sound, but I have small hands with short fingers and found Taylor's to be the most comfortable to play.

I had saved up a few dollars and as I've been missing the sound of a 12-string, visited the Podium in Minneapolis with the intent of picking up a used Taylor 355 they had on their website. When I got there, the used 355 was gone and they were completely sold out of new Taylor 12s. The salesperson suggested I try the Guild f412 from the Tacoma factory he had hanging on the wall. Although I've always loved the sound of the Guild 12s, I had previously played a friend's JF30-12 and found the neck too thick for my hands. I was surprised when the f412 felt comfortable in my hand, and the deep rich sound really blew me away. While I would have loved to walk out with the f412 in hand - it was really more than I had hoped to spend.

So now I'm on a quest to find a Guild 12 string - and I'm hoping folks here can help me out by answering a few questions.
1. Do all current Guild 12s have a slimmer neck than they did in the past - or do the necks vary among models?
2. The f212 looks more in my price range - how does it sound in comparison to the f412?
3. Any other input or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -

When I find something that I truly want in a guitar, and money is an issue, one can always use a friendly, neighborhood credit union to obtain the object de' passion.

Why shouldn't You have the best?
Before it's gone, go buy that beautiful F412 Tacoma built Guild! :wink: :wink: :wink:

Good Luck with Your quest!