Rate F212XL vs other Guild 12s?
- Thread starter Mikeoso
- Start date
Mikeoso said:
Let me start. The mahogany model will be warmer, a little more midrange. On the other side of the spectum, the maple will be much brighter. The rosewood will be a little of both, more majestic sounding, and more in the bottom end.
I personally love the look of the older 212, with the "pear-shaped" body.
It came in any wood you wanted, as long as it was mahogany
Back in 1984, I purchased a new 412 - the maple body Guild. For another 100 bucks or two, I could have had a used 512 - the rosewood model. I wanted something "new", and that is why I opted for the maple one.
I wished I had gone with the 512, for that was indeed much warmer than the 412. The 412 had no bottom, all highs.
But this was '84. Guild might be using different methods now, different techniques.
That is it in a nushell. Others might be able to shed some light on this in more detail.
Hope this helps.
Metalman
john_kidder
Senior Member
One more short plug for the dreadnaught-shaped rosewood-bodied G-312. A 12-string D-50.
Loud, big, chimey, and balanced. Works for me.
Loud, big, chimey, and balanced. Works for me.
I'll jump in by saying I have never been disappointed with any Guild 12 string I have played, except the new GAD212, which I have mentioned here once before. My beef there was narrow string spacing, though, for fingerpicking - not tone. I echo John regarding the G-312! I've had mine 29 years and I have not played anything that will ever replace it. However, I would not mind adding a maple stablemate, like an F412, or a JF65-12, just to expand the breeding stock. Mahogany 12's don't quite float my boat enough to own one. In fact, I just closed an eBay sale today of a '64 Gibson B45-12 that I had re-built - new AA spruce top - but the mahogany body was in very good shape. Bright, clear traditional 12-string tone, but a little too jingle-jangly for me. Metalman's synopsis is spot-on, so it mostly just comes down to which kind of tunes you're making.
Them's my 2¢. Where's my change?
Mahogany 12's don't quite float my boat enough to own one. In fact, I just closed an eBay sale today of a '64 Gibson B45-12 that I had re-built - new AA spruce top - but the mahogany body was in very good shape. Bright, clear traditional 12-string tone, but a little too jingle-jangly for me. Metalman's synopsis is spot-on, so it mostly just comes down to which kind of tunes you're making. Them's my 2¢. Where's my change?
Terry Allan Hall
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I've got two F212XLs and I'll never let 'em go...the other Guild 12s are OK, but the F212XLs are EXACTLY what I want a mahogany 12 to sound like! 8)
I have a 70's sunburst F412 which just eats other 12's for lunch. I tune mine down a whole step to D and even though it's maple, I am very happy with the F412's low end.
The F212XL is a nice guitar; Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues has had one forever, pretty much, since "Questions". I agree it's mellower, but to me it lacks a bit of the presence of the F412. Ok for a coffeehouse or recording, but won't project like an F412 unless it's amplified.
The F212XL is a nice guitar; Justin Hayward of the Moody Blues has had one forever, pretty much, since "Questions". I agree it's mellower, but to me it lacks a bit of the presence of the F412. Ok for a coffeehouse or recording, but won't project like an F412 unless it's amplified.
Dr Izza Plumber
Senior Member
The new F412 Maple has sweet, bright, tone. I recently had a brand new Tacoma Built specimen in My hands. If I wasn't so headstrong and desirous of a rosewood F512, I may have bought that guitar on the spot.