Newbie with F512 string question

[Dr.Tom]

I'm new to this forum and am in need of some suggestions with regards to string choices for my new Guild F512 with DTAR. I had the guitar plekked when I bought it but didn't specify what strings to put on. The guitar sounds good but plays a bit stiff and I'm thinking some lighter weight strings might help. I don't know what strings are presently on it but I'm assuming mid to heavier gauge.

What strings on the lighter side do you use for your Guild 12 strings? Thank you .Here are some pic's of my newest addition and only Guild to date:

Regards,

Tom

 

[Graham]

Hey Tom welcome to LTG.

Beautiful looking 512.

Lot's of talk about string here and there, personally I like John Pearse 80/20 lights, I used them on the 512 I has and have them on my JF30-12 now. I think they sound very good on the Guilds and as an added bonus, our Bossman Don sells them at a very good price. :mrgreen:

 

[chazmo]

Dr. Tom,

Welcome aboard and very nice burst F-512 there!

I've been using both coated (EXP) and uncoated D'Addario Phosphor-bronze strings on my F-512. I use light gauge 12 string sets, which is what you probably want to be using, especially if you're tuning to pitch.

Definitely try lots of string sets on your F-512. I find that it's comfortable and relatively easy to play -- as a new guitar should be. You shouldn't have any neck issues on a new guitar.

If you can't get comfortable, you might want to consult a luthier to make adjustments to improve the action/feel.

Best wishes. Enjoy the king of the hill!

 

[6L6]

I use D'Addario light gauge phosphor bronze strings on my '06 F-412. I tune the guitar to Eb and love the tone!

6

 

[john_kidder]

Try a set of Thomastik Plectrums - there are no easier 12-sring sets to play, they sound wonderful, and last approximately forever. More money up front, but they've been my 12-string favourites for years, on a number of 12s.

 

[Dr.Tom]

Thank you to every one for the warm welcome and the suggestions for strings.

I found a set of Pyramid extra lights in my string box and installed them but broke the lighter G string in the process (it's only a .008mm string).I had to use the G string from a D'Addario medium set for the time being(which is twice the width); But the lighter gauge strings certainly help a lot as I've become feeble and spoiled after playing my PRS 12 string which actually plays more like a 6 string.

So its time to buy some more strings. I'll try some D'Addario and some Thomastik strings along with some more Pyramids. Surprisingly the Thomastiks may actually be a less expensive alternative to the Pyramids,yikes !! But I agree, the more expensive strings on a 12 string are worth the money as long as you you don't sweat a lot and go through string very quickly.

Regards,

Tom
ELECTRICS : 2006 PRS CU 22 12 String Ch. Sunburst;2007 PRS Hollowbody Spruce w/p Platinum one off; 2004 PRS Hollowbody II McCart Sunburst; 2005 PRS CU24 20th Ann.Artist Blue Matteo,;2008 Les Paul Std ; Elliot Easton SG ;2001 Gibson ES-335 - natural; 1965 SG Special - White ; 1963 Fender Strat- sunburst ; 1964 Gretsch Country Gent-dark walnut ;1980 Gretsch White Falcon ; ; 1989 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe - greyburst ; 1969 Fender Tele- Blonde ; 1969 Fender Esquire - Blonde ; 1969 Fender Tele Bass - Blonde ; Ovation UK II-White; 199? Jackson Randy Rhodes V - black ; 199? Peavey Wolfgang - cognac burst ; 1968 Vox Sidewinder Bass- cherry ; 1965 Silvertone amp-in-case 2pickup - red sparkle; 1965 Hagstrom I (powder blue),1973 Mustang Bass Competition Striped

 

[Graham]

So its time to buy some more strings.

Regards,

Tom

ELECTRICS : 2006 PRS CU 22 12 String Ch. Sunburst;2007 PRS Hollowbody Spruce w/p Platinum one off; 2004 PRS Hollowbody II McCart Sunburst; 2005 PRS CU24 20th Ann.Artist Blue Matteo,;2008 Les Paul Std ; Elliot Easton SG ;2001 Gibson ES-335 - natural; 1965 SG Special - White ; 1963 Fender Strat- sunburst ; 1964 Gretsch Country Gent-dark walnut ;1980 Gretsch White Falcon ; ; 1989 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe - greyburst ; 1969 Fender Tele- Blonde ; 1969 Fender Esquire - Blonde ; 1969 Fender Tele Bass - Blonde ; Ovation UK II-White; 199? Jackson Randy Rhodes V - black ; 199? Peavey Wolfgang - cognac burst ; 1968 Vox Sidewinder Bass- cherry ; 1965 Silvertone amp-in-case 2pickup - red sparkle; 1965 Hagstrom I (powder blue),1973 Mustang Bass Competition Striped

ACOUSTICS : Guild F512;Gibson Dove ;Martin D-45V ;Adamas 2080 & 1688-8 12 ;Ovation 1858LX 12 String ;Takamine TAN 15C , EF 75 #70 ,Grand Ole Opry 75th Ann , SW341SC , EF360S, FP400SC-12 ;Taylor 814CE & 912CE(Cindy Inlay);197? Bruno Royal Artist

:shock: :shock: :shock:

You own a steel mill or somethin'? :shock:

 

[Dr.Tom]

So its time to buy some more strings.

Regards,

Tom

ELECTRICS : 2006 PRS CU 22 12 String Ch. Sunburst;2007 PRS Hollowbody Spruce w/p Platinum one off; 2004 PRS Hollowbody II McCart Sunburst; 2005 PRS CU24 20th Ann.Artist Blue Matteo,;2008 Les Paul Std ; Elliot Easton SG ;2001 Gibson ES-335 - natural; 1965 SG Special - White ; 1963 Fender Strat- sunburst ; 1964 Gretsch Country Gent-dark walnut ;1980 Gretsch White Falcon ; ; 1989 Fender Strat Plus Deluxe - greyburst ; 1969 Fender Tele- Blonde ; 1969 Fender Esquire - Blonde ; 1969 Fender Tele Bass - Blonde ; Ovation UK II-White; 199? Jackson Randy Rhodes V - black ; 199? Peavey Wolfgang - cognac burst ; 1968 Vox Sidewinder Bass- cherry ; 1965 Silvertone amp-in-case 2pickup - red sparkle; 1965 Hagstrom I (powder blue),1973 Mustang Bass Competition Striped

ACOUSTICS : Guild F512;Gibson Dove ;Martin D-45V ;Adamas 2080 & 1688-8 12 ;Ovation 1858LX 12 String ;Takamine TAN 15C , EF 75 #70 ,Grand Ole Opry 75th Ann , SW341SC , EF360S, FP400SC-12 ;Taylor 814CE & 912CE(Cindy Inlay);197? Bruno Royal Artist

:shock: :shock: :shock:

You own a steel mill or somethin'? :shock:

Yes and a hydroelectric plant

Amps:
1965 Pro Reverb,1966 Vibrolux Reverb, two 1968 Super Reverbs, two 1968 Vibrolux Reverbs,1968 Princeton Reverb, 1968 Deluxe Reverb, 1968 Bandmaster Reverb, two 1969 Bandmaster Reverbs, Vox AC15 2x10, Vox AC15TBX, Marshall DSL 401,Mesa Boogie Mark IV, 1964 & 1965 Ampeg Gemini 1's ; 1970s Ampeg V4 ; two 1970s Ampeg V2s; Vox AC30CC1 ; 1965 Gibson Falcon ; Fuchs ODS 50 Head & 1x12combo; Fuchs 100W TDS Head ;Avatar 2x12-Celestion Blues ; Avatar 2x12-Celestion Golds ; Reeves Stage/Studio MarkII ; VHT Pitbull 45

Pedals:
ADA Flanger(Vintage) w/RI Foot pedal,Analogman Stereo Chorus, (2) Analogman ,Bi-Comprossors,Analogman SunFace(NKT 275),BJF Honey Bee Overdrive,Boss Line Selector LS-2,Boss Equalizer GE-7,Boss PN-2 Tremolo/Pan,Boss Power Supply PSM-5,(5) Boss Chromatic Tuners TU-2,Boss DD-20 Giga Delay,Boss Metal Zone MT-2,Boss BF-1 Flanger(Vintage),Boss DM-2 Delay,Boss Delay DM-3,(2) Boss CE-1 Chorus Ensemble,Boss Bass Chorus CE-2B,Digitech Whammy II,Digitech FX-17 Wah/Vol,Digitech Bass Driver(X-Series),Digitech Jam Man,(5) Ernie Ball Volume Pedals,EH Screaming Bird Treble Booster,EH Small Stone Phase(Vintage),EH Big Muff PI(Vintage),FoxRox Captain Coconut II,Fulltone ’69 Fuzz,Fulltone Clyde Wah,Gibson Maestro Fuzztone (FZ-1A),Hermidia Zendrive,Hermidia Mosferatu,
Ibanez CS-9 Stereo Chorus,Ibanez TS-9 RI,(2)Ibanez TS-9DX,Ibanez TS-9DX Keeley Mod,Ibanez TS-9 Analogman Mod,Ibanez TS-9DX Analogman Mod,Ibanez Original TS-9(Analogman upgrade),Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah,Keeley 3-Way Rat,Keeley Rangemaster,(2) MXR Distortion+ (Vintage),MXR Phase 100 (Vintage-Script),MXR Dynacomp (Vintage-Script),MXR Noisegate Linedriver(Vintage),MXR Micro Flanger(Vintage),
MXR Loop Selector(Vintage),MXR Power Converter(Vintage),Paul Cochrane Timmy,
Peterson Strobo Stomp,Peterson VS-II Virtual Strobe Tuner,Pro Analog Dual Drive,Radial ToneBone Classic Distortion,Time Machine Boost,T.C. Electronics Stereo Chorus,Vox Big Ben Overdrive,Whirlwind Selector A/B Box,Teese RMC-3 Wah,Teese Picture Wah


Regards,

Tom

 

[fab467]

Oh my.......you must own a BIG house. :shock: :shock:

 

[Scratch]

Try a set of Thomastik Plectrums - there are no easier 12-sring sets to play, they sound wonderful, and last approximately forever. More money up front, but they've been my 12-string favourites for years, on a number of 12s.

Finally got around to ordering a couple sets of Thomastik Plectrums, John. They're a bit expensive, but much cheaper than buying a set with a Guild attached to them... :roll: Looking forward to stringing the F212 this weekend...

 

[jgmaute]

Welcome Tom...great lookin' 12. I've been using D'Addario EXP PB lights on my f-312 (it's quite humid down here so the EXPs are really needed). ...so, do you have a rotation schedule set up so your guitars get played and don't feel neglected? (I just took my beach guitar out of the case it had been in since November...it was so happy to be out and played again.)

jgm

 

[Dr.Tom]

jgmaute,

Thanks. Now that I have lighter gauge strings on it I'm enjoying playing it more and it still sounds thunderous and piano like.

I don't really have a rotation for all the guitars but I really should explain: I have a 6 piece Classic Rock band and we practice at my house. I supply all the instruments so that no one has to bring anything to practice; except themselves. That goes for guitars ,amps, bass, keyboard, drums, PA, etc,etc. I also have duplicated our practice setup for when we gig and store it in my garage so that we don't have to break anything down. We hire a sound man and bring my smaller combo amps to gig with and mic everything. That's why I have so much equipment. I let my band mates play it as well as me.

Regards,

Tom

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Tom and welcome to LTG! That's quite an inventory of gear you have there ... I'd say your band is fortunate to have you as ... eh ... the underwriter ... really pretty impressive! As long as I'm at it, I'll do my commerical for Martin PB 80/20 lights ... wtf ... everybody just toots their string favorite too ... so ... good trade-off between tone and string life ... unless you can get one of the other guys to change your strings :wink: Welcome! CJ

 

[john_kidder]

Finally got around to ordering a couple sets of Thomastik Plectrums . . . much cheaper than buying a set with a Guild attached to them...

Hadn't thought of that as an economy measure, but you're right, of course. If I were in your country, I'd suggest you get yourself down to Washington to assist with heaving money at obsolete industries, following the very principle you outlined so succinctly. Up here, of course, our obsolete industries are just branch plants of yours, so the government is capable of doing that heaving all by itself just by following Washington's lead. Leaves the rest of us to heave by ourselves in our own quiet ways.

I'll be very interested in your take on the Thomastiks - I recall being surprised at how soft they felt when I first put them on a guitar, and how that softness in playing conditioned how I heard them.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Welcome to the jungle, Dr Tom!

 

[Dr.Tom]

Welcome to the jungle, Dr Tom!

Thank you. I just got my Thomastik Plectrums and Pyramids in the mail so I can replace the one broken string.

It's amazing how good this guitar sounds even with lighter gauge strings.It must be part of the Guild magic!

Regards,

Tom

 

[Scratch]

My Plectrums just arrived this afternoon also. Pam and I are going to see the Billy Joel/Elton John 'face-to-face concert this evening in San Antonio. It will be tomorrow earliest before I can put them on the F212... Give us a report, Tom!

 

[chazmo]

[quote="Dr Izza Plumber":2jsg72ku]Welcome to the jungle, Dr Tom!

Thank you. I just got my Thomastik Plectrums and Pyramids in the mail so I can replace the one broken string.

It's amazing how good this guitar sounds even with lighter gauge strings.It must be part of the Guild magic!

Regards,

Tom[/quote:2jsg72ku]
The F-512 is the king of the hill, Doc. Definitely Guild magic within. Enjoy the string quest!

 

[count savage]

I totally concur. It has an almost unbelievable richness of tone that at the same time is immediately identifiable and completely unique sounding. Although it has taken some personal adjustment on my part playing it, the sound of medium gauge strings tuned down to standard D tuning on this guitar is something to behold, simply amazing. The low end on this guitar really gives you a chill. The whole guitar vibrates and vibrates your body.

Chazmo, what do you think it is about this guitar that makes it so special sounding? I mean, is it the construction, the design? Or is it very similar to most of the Guild 12 strings you have, meaning is it distinctively Guild -- the Guild magic -- you called it, or is there something distinctively magical to the F 512? What's your theory?

 

[taabru45]

I think there is a secret to the sound of the F512.......I suspect that its kept in a vault, maybe next to the Colonels' secret recipe, the original Coke formula, Absinthe formula, how they get the filling into the Cadburys bar, and whatever makes home cookin' taste so good. Ya gotta love it, cause it was made with love, and in a way it helps you unfold yourself .Steffan