Review of Guild F-2512e 12-string

wileypickett

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I replaced the 14:1 tuners on my F2512 with these 18:1 versions, which match the original tuner footprints exactly -- you don't have to drill new screw holes.


The guitar was so cheap, it was easy for me to justify the cost of the upgrade, and well worth it IMO -- I very much prefer these to what comes on the guitar. (I do a lot of retuning!)
 

mclkar54

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I replaced the 14:1 tuners on my F2512 with these 18:1 versions, which match the original tuner footprints exactly -- you don't have to drill new screw holes.


The guitar was so cheap, it was easy for me to justify the cost of the upgrade, and well worth it IMO -- I very much prefer these to what comes on the guitar. (I do a lot of retuning!)
yes, i changed out to grover 18:1 102 vg,s
 
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Is the the AP1 mic that’s coming within any good? I also saw that they’re sold with Fishman Sonitone GT1 pickup system attached.
 

RGSmith265

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I agree witth you about the F-2512 being a big bang for the buck! I bought one to add to my stable of Guild 12s (F-112, F-212, G-312, F- 412, Starfire IV-12) and have been very happy with the sound. The Maple back and sides give it a nice bright sound.
1656348424278.jpeg
 

wileypickett

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I agree witth you about the F-2512 being a big bang for the buck! I bought one to add to my stable of Guild 12s (F-112, F-212, G-312, F- 412, Starfire IV-12) and have been very happy with the sound. The Maple back and sides give it a nice bright sound.
1656348424278.jpeg

Looks like the attack of the mops in Fantasia!

I'm with you 100% on the F2512. Like you, I have a bunch of Guild 12-strings -- Hoboken, Westerly and New Hartford. IMO this holds its own with Guild's classic 12s in terms of sound (and sounds better IMO than my New Hartford), AND it has a thinner profile neck than its Westerly and Hoboken grandparents.

You can find them new for $500.00 (+ or -) and as factory seconds (slightly damaged) for as little as $300.00. Can't beat that.

The only thing I'm not crazy about are the tuners. I replaced the stock versions with Grover 18:1 minis on mine. At that price, it was easy upgrade to justify.
 

RGSmith265

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Looks like the attack of the mops in Fantasia!

I'm with you 100% on the F2512. Like you, I have a bunch of Guild 12-strings -- Hoboken, Westerly and New Hartford. IMO this holds its own with Guild's classic 12s in terms of sound (and sounds better IMO than my New Hartford), AND it has a thinner profile neck than its Westerly and Hoboken grandparents.

You can find them new for $500.00 (+ or -) and as factory seconds (slightly damaged) for as little as $300.00. Can't beat that.

The only thing I'm not crazy about are the tuners. I replaced the stock versions with Grover 18:1 minis on mine. At that price, it was easy upgrade to justify.
I’ve had no issues with the tuners on mine, but would certainly replace the originals if I did.
I also have a ‘70s Takamine F395MS (so-called “Lawsuit era”) that looks and sounds amazingly like the Guild F-512. Apparently only about 200 or so made it to the US. It’s part of a sub-collection of lawsuit era guitars I’ve picked up over the years…
 
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wileypickett

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Yeah, nothing especially wrong with the tuners that come on the guitar, I just prefer a finer tuning ratio.

Funny -- I have that Takamine "lawsuit" Guild copy too! I got it for cheap in Seattle years ago because the back had a big hole in it. Rest of the guitar was in great shape. My luthier friend Federico Shephard replaced the whole back.
 

RGSmith265

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Yeah, nothing especially wrong with the tuners that come on the guitar, I just prefer a finer tuning ratio.

Funny -- I have that Takamine "lawsuit" Guild copy too! I got it for cheap in Seattle years ago because the back had a big hole in it. Rest of the guitar was in great shape. My luthier friend Federico Shephard replaced the whole back.
I agree, I like 18-1 tuners, especially using a Peterson stroboclip tuner. I’ll often put on a set of Hipshot tuners so I don’t have to drill holes… they work great. And I can put back the originals without harm if I decide to sell…
 
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Boneman

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:eek:! my wife would divorce me if my guitar collection got that big lmao
 

mclkar54

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:eek:! my wife would divorce me if my guitar collection got that big lmao
yeah, i get that alot.. i dont have a wife. However i do have a live in woman friend of uhhh 30 years. My Guitar collection over the last decade or 2 has # 1 kept me out of the bars.# 2 , dont spend money on drugs.#3 provides me with enjoyment .# its actually a pretty decent investment.#5. The knowledge gained from learning to make my own repairs,and that includes neck resets,refinishing etc. cannot be priced. Plus, i help out with what i can to individuals that cant afford to send guitars out for repairs setups etc.
 

Ardor13

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I agree witth you about the F-2512 being a big bang for the buck! I bought one to add to my stable of Guild 12s (F-112, F-212, G-312, F- 412, Starfire IV-12) and have been very happy with the sound. The Maple back and sides give it a nice bright sound.
Hello RG, and everyone else commenting on this review since I first posted it. RG, That's one stellar collection you have there, by the way.

I figured I would do a followup on my review...

I was disappointed last year when I came back to my 2512e and found that the bridge had lifted *rather* high from the top. None of my other 12 strings stored in my house have budged an inch in the last 10 years. Maybe mine was a lemon, and I hope it doesn't happen to you, but I do have to comment that I am not convinced these guitars are constructed as well as they should. I have a Taylor 150e, a Guild F-512 Maple, and an old beater 12 string called a "Mountain", and they are all super stable.

Here's the fun part of the story... After being annoyed that I lost my DADGAD machine, I decided to remove the 6 standard low-octave strings, effectively converting it into a Nashville tuned guitar. By doing so, I took a ton of pressure off the body, especially considering that it's just the higher strings left on there, and this might extend the life of the bridge and prevent it from lifting further. I have since used it to record on a studio track opposite a standard-tuned Larrivee. It actually sounded awesome in nash-tuning, and had a medieval circus flavor. A happy accident I suppose, but again I have been wanting modify my original review of the 2512 by adding that I question whether these are built as solidly as they should be. Maybe I just got a bum guitar, but I've had many acoustic 12 strings in the same house, and never had this issue.. When you pick them up, they feel much lighter than you would expect. Yes, I'm sure that's a part of their unique tone, etc... but stability is my question. All said, I hope that everyone's guitar is functioning up to spec, and then some. Cheers!
 

mclkar54

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ive had a 2512 e for 4 years. not a single problem.Same with a few customers who have purchased and brought in for set ups. The only real concerning thing ive noticed on a couple, is the 3rd and 4th strings(b) have a tendency to play too sharp. my solution was to tune those a tad flat .that helped. The other one that had the same problem, i ended up widening those two slots on the nut.
no bridge lifts though. Glad you fiured out a good solution for your problem. Can i ask, why didnt you just have bridge reglued. Ive seen that before on new guitars. And mostly its been because for some reason, the glueing process didnt go all the way to the edges
 

Ardor13

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ive had a 2512 e for 4 years. not a single problem.Same with a few customers who have purchased and brought in for set ups. The only real concerning thing ive noticed on a couple, is the 3rd and 4th strings(b) have a tendency to play too sharp. my solution was to tune those a tad flat .that helped. The other one that had the same problem, i ended up widening those two slots on the nut.
no bridge lifts though. Glad you fiured out a good solution for your problem. Can i ask, why didnt you just have bridge reglued. Ive seen that before on new guitars. And mostly its been because for some reason, the glueing process didnt go all the way to the edges.
Glad you've had pretty good experiences. For my part, the guitar is not valuable enough to pay for a reglue, which can be fairly costly. Would rather put that money toward something else.
 

GAD

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Hello RG, and everyone else commenting on this review since I first posted it. RG, That's one stellar collection you have there, by the way.

I figured I would do a followup on my review...

I was disappointed last year when I came back to my 2512e and found that the bridge had lifted *rather* high from the top. None of my other 12 strings stored in my house have budged an inch in the last 10 years. Maybe mine was a lemon, and I hope it doesn't happen to you, but I do have to comment that I am not convinced these guitars are constructed as well as they should. I have a Taylor 150e, a Guild F-512 Maple, and an old beater 12 string called a "Mountain", and they are all super stable.

Here's the fun part of the story... After being annoyed that I lost my DADGAD machine, I decided to remove the 6 standard low-octave strings, effectively converting it into a Nashville tuned guitar. By doing so, I took a ton of pressure off the body, especially considering that it's just the higher strings left on there, and this might extend the life of the bridge and prevent it from lifting further. I have since used it to record on a studio track opposite a standard-tuned Larrivee. It actually sounded awesome in nash-tuning, and had a medieval circus flavor. A happy accident I suppose, but again I have been wanting modify my original review of the 2512 by adding that I question whether these are built as solidly as they should be. Maybe I just got a bum guitar, but I've had many acoustic 12 strings in the same house, and never had this issue.. When you pick them up, they feel much lighter than you would expect. Yes, I'm sure that's a part of their unique tone, etc... but stability is my question. All said, I hope that everyone's guitar is functioning up to spec, and then some. Cheers!
Well that’s a bummer!
 

GAD

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Glad you've had pretty good experiences. For my part, the guitar is not valuable enough to pay for a reglue, which can be fairly costly. Would rather put that money toward something else.
Honestly, I would do the same.
 

geoguy

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Shouldn't the bridge re-glue be a fairly modest expense? $100 or so? Or DIY if you have appropriate clamps.

Or maybe even a warranty repair, if it was new when you bought it.
 

Ardor13

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Shouldn't the bridge re-glue be a fairly modest expense? $100 or so? Or DIY if you have appropriate clamps.

Or maybe even a warranty repair, if it was new when you bought it.
Sounds like a steal to me.
 

BigBeard

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Great review. I have a 79 F-212XL and a 75 Kasuga T-813 12 String (think Martin D-35). Alternate tunings are work indeed. Been playing David Crosby's Music is Love in DADDAD. The 008 G string breaks almost every time. I've been contemplating a newer 12 with a cutaway. Just weighed the F-212XL and it's 6.2 lbs and she's a true beast with a great voice. Pics are front & backs.
 

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