Now this what I like to hear about my 12 string.

[richt54]

“The Guild JF-55-12 was made from 1991 to 2001 in the Westerly, R.I., plant, basically replacing the F-512 according to the Guild website; it is considered by many to be the greatest 12-string acoustic of all time.”
This quote is from the “Gear” Website.
It’s a MIGHTY BOLD statement. But nice to know that some people think this about a Guild 12 string model that I own. I’m sure this statement will be met with resistance here. But that’s ok. I will modify it for my circumstance. “It’s the greatest 12 guitar of all time that I have ever owned.”

 

[chazmo]

. The F-512 itself is a mighty bold statement, Rich. . Enjoy your JF-55-12.

 

[richt54]

. The F-512 itself is a mighty bold statement, Rich. . Enjoy your JF-55-12.

I do Chaz. Whether I pluck one or several strings at once, it thrills my ears. Especially early in the morning when it’s very quiet and my hearing is more acute. However, It would be nice to compare the Tacoma, New Hartford and Oxnard produced F512’s as well. But sadly that’s a rabbit hole that I don’t have enough time and money to go down.

 

[Westerly Wood]

The greatest 12 string of all time is the F612. But I bet your JF55-12 will give it a run for its money!

 

[rmoretti49]

“The Guild JF-55-12 was made from 1991 to 2001 in the Westerly, R.I., plant, basically replacing the F-512 according to the Guild website; it is considered by many to be the greatest 12-string acoustic of all time.”
This quote is from the “Gear” Website.
It’s a MIGHTY BOLD statement. But nice to know that some people think this about a Guild 12 string model that I own. I’m sure this statement will be met with resistance here. But that’s ok. I will modify it for my circumstance. “It’s the greatest 12 guitar of all time that I have ever owned.”

Rich,

Just curious as to how you have chosen to keep your JF55-12 tuned. Mine is significantly easier to handle when tuned to D# or even D, and I like the depth of the bass, too.

RM

 

[Cougar]

...basically replacing [renaming?] the F-512... it is considered by many to be the greatest 12-string acoustic of all time.”

Yep, along with the F512.

 

[richt54]

“...basically replacing [renaming?] the F-512”
That’s an excellent point. Is that all that was done? Anyone know the difference between the pre 1991 F512’s and the JF55-12?

 

[richt54]

Rich,

Just curious as to how you have chosen to keep your JF55-12 tuned. Mine is significantly easier to handle when tuned to D# or even D, and I like the depth of the bass, too.

RM

Right now it’s in Open D, I’ve used open G and DADGAD. The strings on it from Dan I think are 10’s. His shop did an outstanding job of setting it up. Dan is the man

 

[maxr]

Sounds like a great guitar. On a used guitar, it might be worth checking whether the octaves are in tune with the octave harmonics. If not, have a look at the bridge saddle to see if it's compensated to be in tune. I just bought a used '93 Guild 12 that probably at one time had a saddle compensated for each pair of strings. It looks like a person of some genius has lowered the action by taking material off the TOP of the saddle, thereby turning it into an almost straight saddle and doing away with the tuning compensation. It's in the shop now for a new compensated saddle. That's an affordable job, but it might be worth checking yours?

 

[Cougar]

“...basically replacing [renaming?] the F-512”
That’s an excellent point. Is that all that was done? Anyone know the difference between the pre 1991 F512’s and the JF55-12?

I figured someone would be along to confirm this. Here is an old LTG thread that pretty well indicates it was mainly a name change. Of course, even when it was called F512, there was a big change during the Tacoma era (I think) when Guild went from two truss rods to one, and then other changes at the New Hartford shop.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Right now it’s in Open D, I’ve used open G and DADGAD. The strings on it from Dan I think are 10’s. His shop did an outstanding job of setting it up. Dan is the man

Yep, strings are 10's.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Sounds like a great guitar. On a used guitar, it might be worth checking whether the octaves are in tune with the octave harmonics. If not, have a look at the bridge saddle to see if it's compensated to be in tune. I just bought a used '93 Guild 12 that probably at one time had a saddle compensated for each pair of strings. It looks like a person of some genius has lowered the action by taking material off the TOP of the saddle, thereby turning it into an almost straight saddle and doing away with the tuning compensation. It's in the shop now for a new compensated saddle. That's an affordable job, but it might be worth checking yours?

On Rich's JF55-12, my luthier installed a new compensated saddle. The previous one was not compensated.

 

[maxr]

Thanks Gar - mm, so maybe the pairs weren't compensated from the factory. Interesting if not, as my compensated F-2512 plays noticeable more in tune than the JF30-12 with the straight saddle.

 

[Nuuska]

I borrowed my F-512 to my friend about 35 years ago - he was so impressed that he could not stop wanting one.

Years later some relative of his travelled to US and my friend had him get one. So this is how JF-55-12 came here.

I have never compared them side to side - and we use different strings.

But he still insists that my F-512 is better than his JF-55-12 - I have no reason to argue with him - but then neither of us has no reason to set up a scientifically valid comparison either.

All we do about it . . . is . . . . ENJOY

 

[richt54]

On Rich's JF55-12, my luthier installed a new compensated saddle. The previous one was not compensated.

My J55-12 from Dan is easier to tune and I’m sure that has to do with a knowledgeable Luthier. And that’s what was implied in my praise of the set up.

 

[richt54]

I borrowed my F-512 to my friend about 35 years ago - he was so impressed that he could not stop wanting one.

Years later some relative of his travelled to US and my friend had him get one. So this is how JF-55-12 came here.

I have never compared them side to side - and we use different strings.

But he still insists that my F-512 is better than his JF-55-12 - I have no reason to argue with him - but then neither of us has no reason to set up a scientifically valid comparison either.

All we do about it . . . is . . . . ENJOY

Curious as to the plant your 512 was made in?

 

[Nuuska]

My guitar

F512 - 1977
Rosewood - spruce top
Natural with black pick guard
ser # 157823
Westerly R.I.



His guitar
1994 JF55-12
J255NT AJ520024

 

[richt54]

My guitar

F512 - 1977
Rosewood - spruce top
Natural with black pick guard
ser # 157823
Westerly R.I.



His guitar
1994 JF55-12
J255NT AJ520024

So this was a “pre” JF model. Interesting. The JF was one year pre-Fender. Your friend used the term “better”. I wonder if he meant sound, build, both, or just an overall perception?

 

[adorshki]

Yep, along with the F512.

I think that's what the original intended message was, that the 512 was considered best in the world ad that was intended to give "creds" to the new model name.

he new model name.he new model name.“...basically replacing [renaming?] the F-512”
That’s an excellent point. Is that all that was done? Anyone know the difference between the pre 1991 F512’s and the JF55-12?

In past it's always been said that it was just a rename, but I'm sure subtle tweaks were made in many places like bracing. Very early in the JF series there were depth differences as well, but that may be attributable to the fact that Guild's body buck depths could vary by as much as a 1/4" and after sanding sides flat for top/back gluing slight depth variations were the norm.

Also Brazilian back/side stocks were used up by the time the JF55-12 was introduced.

 

[richt54]

Also Brazilian back/side stocks were used up by the time the JF55-12 was introduced.

Wouldn’t the BRW have been used up long before? Since we’re talking 1991. And are there 512’s with the BRW?