NGD '97 JF30-12 Burst

[Greenstar]

Wow! Sweet axe, and it looks like it’s been well cared for. But if she sounds “...massive, very full and rich”....with the 9s that are on it, why change?
I would just worry about putting a heavier gauge string on an older 12 string guitar, that’s all. Especially if she already sings out with the 9s!
Just my opinion, of course, but keep the 9 s on it for awhile and see if you don’t adapt to them.

Finally got a new set of EJ41s in the mail today so I am going to take your advice and restring it with the 9s. I have never owned a Guild 12 string before so does anyone have advice on changing them and keeping the neck stable as possible? When I put the 10s on I took all the strings off to be able to dress the frets and oil the fretboard. I don't want to shock the neck again so any suggestions would be a great help.

 

[davismanLV]

https://www.taylorguitars.com/support/strings/changing-steel-strings

I use this method and have done so for years. Your guitar will be fine. Take all strings off, clean and polish (I use a damp all cotton washcloth or better an all cotton T-shirt) and wipe down the entire guitar and then use a clean DRY version of the t-shirt or towel, dry and polish, then condition the fretboard if necessary or wanted. (wipe down carefully on the raw fretboard and bridge being careful not to get fretboard oil (I use boar oil for woodwinds, opinions vary) on the finished parts. Let sit and absorb, then wipe off excess and buff down). Then, string the guitar using the method above. The guitar will be fine with all the strings off for the short time that you're restringing and cleaning. Make sure you seat all the strings first, so you can shove your hand in the soundhole and make sure the strings ball end is seated up against the bridge plate and bridge pin. There you go!! Let us know how it sounds.....

 

[davismanLV]

Guitars are stronger and heartier than you think. They have all this tension on them all the time. Just avoid sudden changes in anything. Slowly unwinding vs. chopping all the strings while under tension...... that kinda thing. Slow, easy, careful. The guitar can handle it unless there's something wrong with it, which will show up eventually anyway.

 

[MLBob]

Beautiful JF 30-12 !!

 

[bobouz]

Beautiful Westerly sunburst - Congrats!

Guild sure had a lot of lovely maple stockpiled in the '90s.
I've seen so many examples from that decade with gorgeous wood.
Here's the back of my 1994 JF-30:

 

[HeyMikey]

https://www.taylorguitars.com/support/strings/changing-steel-strings

That’s a good tutorial. I typically don’t trim/cut the string until I’m done. What I also do that I don’t see here is to position the first wrap “over” the string coming through the whole, and all other wraps below.

 

[GardMan]

Congrats! Enjoy!

 

[ezstrummer]

That 12 string is stunning.. more pics please...

 

[Greenstar]

Thanks! I'll try to post some additional pictures shortly. The guitar sounds amazing.