Newbie with F512 string question

[chazmo]

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?

Count, I really don't know. I'm scratching my head on that because it's a very good question. The F-50 shape with a rosewood box just makes for the most responsive and harmonic-rich sound I know of in a 12-string. I've played a lot of 12s too, but that combination really does it for me. Martin just this year came out with a competing product (Grand J12-40E Special) which is an F-512 clone. I really want to try one of these and compare it. It is strikingly similar.

As for the Guild sound, I haven't played enough of the Guild 12s to be sure if there's really a family sound going on. I'm not sure how much I buy into that kind of thing anyway as it's pretty vague... IMO, an F-30 doesn't sound like an F-50. And, for that matter, a D-50 doesn't sound like a D-55 -- and the specs there are pretty darn close. Guild "magic" though simply means to me that they've hit on some fantastic designs, chief among them being the jumbo F body.

 

[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!

Can't believe it... Oh yes I can... :evil: I opened the package from Musician's Friend to find two sets of DR Rare PB strings with Plectrum Bronze Acoustic 12 bar code tags stuck on them. I was confused, so I looked up the DR strings and saw that they cost all of $7.50 per set. Of course the Plectrums I ordered were $29.95 per set! What a buy!

Anyway, I just contacted Musician's Friend Customer Service. After apologizing, they said I could keep the DR's and they would send any other brand at no additional cost. I told them I want the Plectrums only. After a while they came back on line and said "that will be about a four weeks wait". Aargh. Think that may be my last MF order...

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Scratch, I hope that they will make it right and send you the correct strings.
But, in the meantime, you may want to try the DR Rare strings.
I have used them and love them.
You didn't say that they were for a 12 string and by the price you quoted, I doubt that they are. Put them on a 6 string and listen for the magic that will follow.
They sound great and fret easy.

I will still be waiting for your report about the Plectrums,
TMG.

 

[Scratch]

TMG,
Thanks for the correction, as I quoted the 6-string price. The 12 string RPLs that I received are actually 11.99 per set. I'll give 'em a try on 'Bronson' as he's more than ready for a string change. I'll put the Plectrums on 'Hanzz' when they arrive. Best... Ken