NGD '97 JF30-12 Burst

[Greenstar]

Thanks to all the knowledgable folks on this site for the insight I have gleaned on these fabulous guitars. I have been searching for a F412, or a JF30-12, for quite some time and was finally able to purchase one today after hours of research on these forums. I'm not sure a '97 Westerly is held in much esteem among the Guild connoisseurs but she sure caught my eye, plays like a dream and most importantly... sounds amazing.

I hope everyone has a very happy, and safe, weekend playing all those beautiful guitars.

Cheers

 

[GGJaguar]

That model looks great in sunburst, congrats!!

 

[beecee]

Stunning!!!!

No fears w a 97 Westerly. Guild didn't have any "bad" periods like, say, Martin in the mid 70's.

Late 90's Westerly's are some of the best (IMO)! I have a late 90's JF-30-12 and I love it...would love it more if it were a burst!!!!

You're going to give Cougar a run for his money for my favorite 12 string on these forums.

 

[Greenstar]

Thanks for the words of encouragement! I was able to play the guitar for a few hours last night and it sounds massive; very full and rich. The other 12s I have owned in the past never had the bass response, sustain or the wonderful piano like qualities this Guild has.

The previous owner told me it was recently restrung with D’Addario 9s. I have a brand new set of EJ38 10s I would like to put on. If this guitar has been living tuned to concert pitch wearing 9s do you think the 10s will stress it at all? The action, and the neck angle, are perfect right now so I would hate to mess that up by introducing more tension.

 

[HeyMikey]

Hi Greenstar, she looks like a real beauty! From what I can see that burst finish is fantastic. I’d love to see more pictures. Others will confirm but 10’s should not be a problem on this. They are built to handle it.

 

[Cougar]

Stunning!!!!
You're going to give Cougar a run for his money for my favorite 12 string on these forums.

Wowzer! That is a freaking beauty, isn't it! Stunning is right! Major congrats, Greenstar!

....it sounds massive; very full and rich..... the bass response, sustain or the wonderful piano like qualities ...

Yep, that's a JF30-12 alright. That describes mine as well (built in Corona).

The previous owner told me it was recently restrung with D’Addario 9s. I have a brand new set of EJ38 10s I would like to put on. If this guitar has been living tuned to concert pitch wearing 9s do you think the 10s will stress it at all? The action, and the neck angle, are perfect right now so I would hate to mess that up by introducing more tension.

Well, I'm no luthier; all I can tell you is that mine has the EJ38 10s, I always keep it at concert pitch, and the neck angle is still perfect. Having the dual truss rods undoubtedly helps in that regard. I expect it could handle anything you throw at it.

 

[Greenstar]

Wowzer! That is a freaking beauty, isn't it! Stunning is right! Major congrats, Greenstar!



Yep, that's a JF30-12 alright. That describes mine as well (built in Corona).



Well, I'm no luthier; all I can tell you is that mine has the EJ38 10s, I always keep it at concert pitch, and the neck angle is still perfect. Having the dual truss rods undoubtedly helps in that regard. I expect it could handle anything you throw at it.

Thanks for the quick reply, I’ll put the 10s on today. I always feel like I need to clean, and oil, the fretboard of any new / used guitar I purchase even though this guitar is very clean. Seeing the pictures of your guitar inspired me to search for a burst. Guild does amazing bursts in my opinion, almost 3D in the sun.

 

[Greenstar]

I'm not much of a photographer but I was able to snap a couple of the back while the sun poked through the clouds.

 

[davismanLV]

That guitar in burst is SPECTACULAR!! You are giving Cougar a run for his money!! Although he also had one in blue and he sold it which puts his sanity in question in my book. (Kind of Let's Talk Guild humor, almost everyone knows my penchant for BLUE guitars.) Raising the action or putting additional strain on the neck is always a concern especially with a 12 string. Lot of people here solve that by using their strings of choice and then tuning down a half or whole step, or some even lower. Gives it a nice low rumble and if you need to bring it up to pitch for your voice or to play with others, just pop a capo on it and there you go!! So that's a way to get the string gauge you want and avoid undue strain on the neck. Give it a try. A lot of people actually love that lower rumble you can get from lowered tuning. Congrats!!!

 

[walrus]

Beautiful! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[Cougar]

...I always feel like I need to clean, and oil, the fretboard of any new / used guitar I purchase even though this guitar is very clean.

Good idea, and very satisfying, too. Your fretboard does seem a bit light, and I expect a little oil will darken it up. Of course, mine has a rare ebony board about which I exult every time I take her out of her case.

Seeing the pictures of your guitar inspired me to search for a burst.

OK, now that's very cool. As someone said when I first joined up, we're always happy to help you spend your money!

Guild does amazing bursts in my opinion, almost 3D in the sun..... I'm not much of a photographer but I was able to snap a couple of the back while the sun poked through the clouds.

Like Tom said you've really got a spectacular burst there! Well done!

 

[Greenstar]

Good idea, and very satisfying, too. Your fretboard does seem a bit light, and I expect a little oil will darken it up. Of course, mine has a rare ebony board about which I exult every time I take her out of her case.


OK, now that's very cool. As someone said when I first joined up, we're always happy to help you spend your money!


Like Tom said you've really got a spectacular burst there! Well done!

After some cleaning, and a bit of oil, the fretboard has darkened up considerably. Beautiful Rosewood grain surfaced really adding to the appeal of the whole guitar.

Installed the 10s and noticed the action went up slightly. Dropped down to D and it seems to have stabilized. Sounds even bigger with the 10s tuned down.

Great advice from the members here. Many thanks!

 

[The Retro Rocker]

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.

 

[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.

Great advice and I actually wish I had kept the 9a on it. Hopefully the guitar will adjust to the 10s but it really sounds big now, just a tad higher action. I'll give it a day to acclimate in it's case and reevaluate.

Cheers

 

[tarheelguild]

Gorgeous ax and congrats! I have a '98 D30 antique burst which looks very similar to yours!

 

[Brucebubs]

Guitar looks fantastic - if you want to try larger gauge strings but worry about the extra tension then have a look at Newtone Heritage 'low tension' 12-string sets from the UK. All the benefits of a larger gauge without the extra tension.

Heritage Series Acoustic 12 String - Newtone Strings

Availability: made to order, up to 14 days These strings are designed to have a reduced and virtually equal tension on each string. They are made with Phosphor Bronze wrap on Round cores with unique core-to-wrap ratios, so the gauges which match up with some of our standard sets are not the same...

newtonestrings.com

 

[Greenstar]

Guitar looks fantastic - if you want to try larger gauge strings but worry about the extra tension then have a look at Newtone Heritage 'low tension' 12-string sets from the UK. All the benefits of a larger gauge without the extra tension.

Heritage Series Acoustic 12 String - Newtone Strings

Availability: made to order, up to 14 days These strings are designed to have a reduced and virtually equal tension on each string. They are made with Phosphor Bronze wrap on Round cores with unique core-to-wrap ratios, so the gauges which match up with some of our standard sets are not the same...

newtonestrings.com

I will definitely give those try! Signed up to be notified when the 11 - 47 set is back in stock. Thanks for the tip and the link.

 

[Coop47]

Oh wow - that is a stunning guitar. Absolutely breathtaking. Congratulations!

 

[5thumbs]

If it sounds as good as it looks you made a serious score!

 

[JF-30]

Nice I had a 6 string natural model.