NGD 1994 JF-30-12

[Neal]

Thanks to Chazmo, I am now the proud owner of a USA Guild 12-string maple jumbo.

Over the past couple months, I ordered not one, but two Westerly Collection F-2512’s, and both were damaged in shipping, at least in part because Guild now sells them without a case, and neither was properly protected in the box.

It was then that I made an impassioned plea to this forum to see if someone had a 12-string lying around that they would care to part with, cosmetics being of little consideration to me.

Well, I lied. Cosmetics do matter when a guitar is this beautiful! Wow. Guild was on top of their game in the late Westerly years.

The acre of Sitka spruce on the top is heavily silked. The flame of the maple on the back and sides is pronounced. The neck itself looks like a tiger’s tail.

And the case it arrived in could have survived a drop from a commercial airliner at cruising altitude.

Yeah, yeah, Neal. But how does it sound? In a word? Huge. Just like it should. I have it tuned down to D and capo-ed up, and it is like a band of angels, but with attitude.

Many thanks, Charlie! I intend to use this guitar on my upcoming recording, and will share that once it is in the can.

And now, the moment you have all been waiting for…the pictures!

 

[walrus]

Beautiful maple! Congratulations!

But this makes no sense - "Over the past couple months, I ordered not one, but two Westerly Collection F-2512’s, and both were damaged in shipping, at least in part because Guild now sells them without a case, and neither was properly protected in the box."

What are they thinking?

walrus

 

[Neal]

Not sure, Walrus. And they were both damaged in the same way, with the box taking a hit to the lower bout, cracking the finish on the back of the first one in multiple places, and cracking the top on the second one near the rim. There was literally nothing between the box and the guitar in both instances. No packing peanuts, no foam, no bubble wrap. Nothing.

Maybe it was fate's way of guiding me to this guitar, which, based on my playing of the second F-2512, is a far superior instrument in every way.

 

[twocorgis]

Congratulations Neal, it looks like a beauty! I had a Corona JF30-12 for a while that I think had the nicest finish I've seen on any guitar.

I don't think I've seen any of Charlie's 12ers other than the F512, as that was the only guitar that he brought to any of the LMG factory tours. This one obviously has been well cared for.

 

[Bonneville88]

Congrats!

 

[GGJaguar]

Beautiful, congrats! I like the contrast between the subtle flame on the back and the 10-alarm fire flames on the neck. Wow!

 

[geoguy]

Gorgeous guitar. Love the stripey maple neck, instead of a mahogany neck as used on the F-412.

LOL at "a band of angels, but with attitude"!

 

[chazmo]

Neal, I'm truly glad it's in your hands and that it arrived without incident! I hate shipping; especially in the winter!

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

Yeah, that tiger stripe on the neck is spectacular, isn't it? And, that custom shop case is truly a tank. You might wanna' get something a little easier on the back for your gigs.

Sandy, I thought I brought my 12-string herd down to the LMG events, but I think maybe you were mesmerized by my F-512. Hope we can get together again one of these days. I never get down your way anymore, it seems.

 

[Neal]

It is definitely well cared for, Sandy. For a guitar that is 28 years old, it is in remarkably good shape. I intend to try to keep it that way, but it will get played, in bars, with people drinking all around, so I'm not going to baby it in the least.

 

[chazmo]

It is definitely well cared for, Sandy. For a guitar that is 28 years old, it is in remarkably good shape. I intend to try to keep it that way, but it will get played, in bars, with people drinking all around, so I'm not going to baby it in the least.

Made to be played, Neal. The arched back and strong, maple neck will serve you well playing out, Neal!!!

 

[Cougar]

Thanks to Chazmo, I am now the proud owner of a USA Guild 12-string maple jumbo.

Super major congrats, Neal! A spectacular 12er!

 

[twocorgis]

Sandy, I thought I brought my 12-string herd down to the LMG events, but I think maybe you were mesmerized by my F-512. Hope we can get together again one of these days. I never get down your way anymore, it seems.

That indeed might be the case Charlie. When I first met your F512, I only had my D25-12, and playing yours made me determined to find one. And it wasn't long after that I lucked into mine from a GC in Oklahoma City. Oddly enough, it looks like that D25-12 might be coming back to me. I sold it to my bestie, and when talking to him the other night he told me he doesn't play it much and was thinking of selling it. I told him to give me first crack at it, so now it looks like the G212 I bought recently might be up for sale soon. Wish I had known this before I paid to have the G212 set up with a new bone saddle!

It is definitely well cared for, Sandy. For a guitar that is 28 years old, it is in remarkably good shape. I intend to try to keep it that way, but it will get played, in bars, with people drinking all around, so I'm not going to baby it in the least.

That's precisely why I never play Greenie out, even if @mgod vehemently disagrees with me. I can't even bear the thought of some drunk idiot spilling beer on it.

 

[5thumbs]

I can't even bear the thought of some drunk idiot spilling beer on it.

Even if I apologize in advance?

 

[Neal]

“Hey, mannnn. Mind if I check out your guitarrrrr?”

 

[chazmo]

Only if they offer you a beer, Neal!

 

[davismanLV]

That's a beauty, Neal!! Both my Guilds are from 1994. They sure made some great guitars back then. Play it in good health, my friend!! That striped maple neck is amazing!!

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

We were at a small bar/music venue for my buddy's bachelor party and there was a guy playing solo acoustic. My buddy was drunk and asked him if he could play a song (he's a singer/songwriter). About halfway through a string breaks! The guy was nice but you could tell he was pissed.

 

[12stringer]

A real beauty! Welcome to the JF30-12 club!!! Enjoy that 12er! I have been super happy with mine every time I pick it up

 

[Rickenmaxer]

That's an awesome guitar in great condition. I love my JF30-12...it's got the nicest action of any acoustic 12 I've tried. Enjoy!

 

[Neal]

I am going to try an experiment for recording.

First, record a 12-string track on the JF-30-12. Pan it almost all the way right. Then remove the 12-string set, string the same guitar with a six-string set of heavy 14-59’s and record another track, panning left. Then record vocals over both.

Same guitar, two voices. Anyone ever tried this?