Steve Messenger
Member
I saw an Orpheum 12-string for sale, but I've been unable to find any video/sound files for one ... Has anyone had the opportunity to compare an Orpheum 12 with F-512s (or F-212XLs)?
Orpheum 12-string vs. F-512
- Thread starter Steve Messenger
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SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Those were/are my two (RW NT left, MH SB right), the left one is now with another LTG member.
Here is my former one next to a F-512 in the store I bought her:
You already notice the huge size difference. The Orpheums are totally different from the F-512. Honestly I bought them because they are so rare. But if you want the real full 12 string a F-512 cannot be beat.
I personally liked the even rarer Orpheum Mahogany version a bit more than the rosewood version. The rosewood version is bright and overpowers a bit when strumming, lots of overtones, the mahogany tames that effect more. Mind the Orpheums have a adirondack top and the F-512 a sitka spruce top. The F-512 is like a Bösendorfer Imperial in piano terms...
Since the Orpheum is much smaller and has a 12 fret neck she is easy to play at home and also in case a F-512 feels too big for one.
If you can get an Orpheum 12 string, you should at least try her, you might like her a lot. They are very rare and you hardly find one for sale anywhere. I have collected info about all of them, wonder which one is for sale...
Ralf
Here is my former one next to a F-512 in the store I bought her:
You already notice the huge size difference. The Orpheums are totally different from the F-512. Honestly I bought them because they are so rare. But if you want the real full 12 string a F-512 cannot be beat.
I personally liked the even rarer Orpheum Mahogany version a bit more than the rosewood version. The rosewood version is bright and overpowers a bit when strumming, lots of overtones, the mahogany tames that effect more. Mind the Orpheums have a adirondack top and the F-512 a sitka spruce top. The F-512 is like a Bösendorfer Imperial in piano terms...
Since the Orpheum is much smaller and has a 12 fret neck she is easy to play at home and also in case a F-512 feels too big for one.
If you can get an Orpheum 12 string, you should at least try her, you might like her a lot. They are very rare and you hardly find one for sale anywhere. I have collected info about all of them, wonder which one is for sale...
Ralf
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Rich Cohen
Senior Member
I own an Orpheum RW 12 fret slot head 12 string. I enjoy playing it very much. I have had all of the Guild 12-vers over the years. This one is very easy to sit in my lap and wrap my arms around it. At the moment I have very light John Pearse strings on it...very easy to play, but maybe a bit to jangly for my taste. Next set will be slightly upped in size. The RW tone wood is fantastic. The F-512 is of course an outstanding 12-ver, but just a bit challenging in the lap size department, and reaching around the body to play. Nevertheless, the voice of the F-512 is stellar and unbeatable in the RW family of 12-vers out there. I've also owned a Brazilian F-312 from the 60's and that was a joy to play as well, given its size and the overtones from the RW.
Completely agree with Ralf's assessment, Steve. You really can't compare the two.
And, I'm so super-glad that Rich is enjoying his rosewood beauty!!!! The tone *IS* fantastic, just very different from a Guild jumbo.
Ralf, I'm sorry to hear that you're letting go of yours, they are certainly a beautiful pair.
Steve, there is a strong comparison you can make between the F-512 and the F-212XL... A well-played-in F-212XL has enormous depth and growl... *almost* on a par with the F-512. I think an F-512 will always be king of my herd, but the F-212XL is a (close) second.
Edit: below's a picture of my F-512 and Orpheum before the Orph went to Rich... As you can tell, total apples and oranges:
And, I'm so super-glad that Rich is enjoying his rosewood beauty!!!! The tone *IS* fantastic, just very different from a Guild jumbo.
Ralf, I'm sorry to hear that you're letting go of yours, they are certainly a beautiful pair.
Steve, there is a strong comparison you can make between the F-512 and the F-212XL... A well-played-in F-212XL has enormous depth and growl... *almost* on a par with the F-512. I think an F-512 will always be king of my herd, but the F-212XL is a (close) second.
Edit: below's a picture of my F-512 and Orpheum before the Orph went to Rich... As you can tell, total apples and oranges:
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SFIV1967
Venerated Member
I think that was my plan anyway to only keep one of the two midterm. I run out of storage space... Sure I had to let the prototype go, but Thomas who owns her now is a happy camper, so I'm happy as well. It was a pretty fast decission, we were in contact and he asked me if I would consider selling any Guilds and so it happened. It also means I had not to ship her but could handcarry her to him. All very smooth. He owns many nice acoustic guitars, is an author and musician, so she is in good hands with him. We have plans anyway meeting after COVID comparing the models, he also has a F-312 which I never tried.
Ralf
beecee
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Nice guitars... but I'm really intereted in those stands.Completely agree with Ralf's assessment, Steve. You really can't compare the two.
And, I'm so super-glad that Rich is enjoying his rosewood beauty!!!! The tone *IS* fantastic, just very different from a Guild jumbo.
Ralf, I'm sorry to hear that you're letting go of yours, they are certainly a beautiful pair.
Steve, there is a strong comparison you can make between the F-512 and the F-212XL... A well-played-in F-212XL has enormous depth and growl... *almost* on a par with the F-512. I think an F-512 will always be king of my herd, but the F-212XL is a (close) second.
Edit: below's a picture of my F-512 and Orpheum before the Orph went to Rich... As you can tell, total apples and oranges:
Care to share make/model?
Hey, BC,
Those stands were made by luthier Pete Maricle who used to do repair work on my guitars here in MA. I own three of his stands. They are beautiful works of art in their own right (IMO). In recent years, Pete doesn't do repair work anymore and focuses on building guitars, but I wonder if he'd build more stands if asked! I'll PM you his contact information if you want to get in touch with him.
Those stands were made by luthier Pete Maricle who used to do repair work on my guitars here in MA. I own three of his stands. They are beautiful works of art in their own right (IMO). In recent years, Pete doesn't do repair work anymore and focuses on building guitars, but I wonder if he'd build more stands if asked! I'll PM you his contact information if you want to get in touch with him.
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
Could you share a photo of the stand without a guitar?
wileypickett
Enlightened Member
Pete was my repair guy for a few years too. Between Chaz and me he saw quite a number of Guilds! He even attended LMG1.
A very fine luthier, and an even nicer guy.
GG, I have three of them. I can't recall what woods Pete used on them. The one on the right has a broken support which I've been meaning to clamp and glue up. Anyway, lovely, aren't they??
They surely are, GG! Thanks! Pete Maricle gets all the credit!!!!!!
Rich Cohen
Senior Member
Well said, Chazmo. I like my orange, thank you!Completely agree with Ralf's assessment, Steve. You really can't compare the two.
And, I'm so super-glad that Rich is enjoying his rosewood beauty!!!! The tone *IS* fantastic, just very different from a Guild jumbo.
Ralf, I'm sorry to hear that you're letting go of yours, they are certainly a beautiful pair.
Steve, there is a strong comparison you can make between the F-512 and the F-212XL... A well-played-in F-212XL has enormous depth and growl... *almost* on a par with the F-512. I think an F-512 will always be king of my herd, but the F-212XL is a (close) second.
Edit: below's a picture of my F-512 and Orpheum before the Orph went to Rich... As you can tell, total apples and oranges:
