Over the last couple of months, I've done something that was long overdue, getting all my acoustic guitars professionally set up. The last was my 512 that I picked up yesterday. Tonight, I spent an hour comparing the two, playing the same things on each, alternatingly. First, the nuts 1.87" (512) vs 1.99" (at least on my cheap digital calipers). Center of back to top of strings around the 3rd fret, both at .99", but the 512 has a much rounder shape, the 212 is broader. I'll try to get a shape picture tomorrow. Of course, many, if not all, Hoboken 12s had no fretboard radius, (at least one person remarked that it felt concave after playing it) and the 512 is 15", I think. To me, the 212 is more comfortable, but then I've been playing it for 57 years, and much of that time it was my only steel string guitar. I also have played a lot of classical guitar over the years, and that's a similar board. The 512 would probably be an easier transition for a six string player. Strings, the 512 has D'Addario light XS and the 212 D'Addario PB XLs. Both have solid spruce tops, RW vs. Mahogany, 17" vs 16", both 5" deep (according to http://westerlyguildguitars.com/index.htm. 212 is louder to my ears, and has what I've always thought of as growl. 512 has what some call the chimey sound that a lot of people associate with a 12. Different animals. To my ears the 212 is better suited for blues and hard driving rhythm playing, 512 for more crooning type material. I'll try to get some recordings of them tomorrow.
I do wonder how much almost 60 years of aging has to do with the sound, also the 512 hasn't had nearly as much playing time in its 10 years as the 212 did in its first 10 years.
I do wonder how much almost 60 years of aging has to do with the sound, also the 512 hasn't had nearly as much playing time in its 10 years as the 212 did in its first 10 years.
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