seeking info from JF30-12 owners

[Appalachian Blues]

Guilds website states in the specs that the nut is 1-7/8", the fretboard and bridge are ebony and the back is solid flamed maple. I've never owned a maple guitar but I've heard a couple, one is a Taylor 600 series a friend has, it seems to have good midrange.
Sight unseen and unheard, is the JF30-12 trebly or does it also have good midrange, similar to mahogany. Thanks ahead of time.

 

[Scratch]

'Zeke' is strong across the range, Billy. Surprizingly strong bass. I was under the impression it is spaced at 1 13/16 vs. 1 7/8. I'll check this evening when I get home.

Sold my first JF-30 to a really great LTGer and got to missing it so badly, I soon bought a second. This one stays!!! Congratulations on the acquisition; some kinda 12er...

 

[chazmo]

I'll take the micrometer out this evening to measure, AB. Mine needed some nut work when I first got it because I couldn't play open strings, but now she sings great.

Oh, hey, AB, are you talking about a new GAD? That could be different than whatever Scratchy and I measure.

 

[chazmo]

AB,

The nut on my 1994 JF-30-12 is 1-13/16", just like Scratch's "Zeke." I never realized this was different than my F-512 (which is 1-7/8"), probably because the JF-30-12's got a pretty chunky neck. And what a work of art that tiger stripe neck is!

By the by, I can verify that the GAD version has a solid, flat, bookmatched back. Can't remember if the fingerboard and bridge are ebony, but they're not on the '94 -- they're rosewood. And, as you know, the back is arched, laminate on the '94.

For the record, I did an A/B comparison between the two ('94 and GAD) in the store, and I really liked the GAD though I thought there were some shortcomings. Honestly, I don't think the GAD is built as "made to be played" as the Westerly one was, but it's a terrific guitar. And of the 12s I played in the store, the GAD version stood out way above anything else in there (including some Taylors and Martins).

 

[12 string]

I was somehow under the impression that Guild 12 string nut width had widened a small amount somewhere around Corona and/or Tacoma. All of my Westerlys are 1 13/16.

I think the beauty of maple sound is a plain and unadorned beauty. Don't expect it to have the overtones of rosewood, koa or even mahogany, but the sound can have some real backbone. Do expect it to do very well with a mic or other amplification. It's great for blues. It is also great for extremely low 12 tunings, Kottke and lower. It may be something of an acquired taste. I remember the first couple of maple guitars I ever played back in the 60's were J-200s. To my unsophisticated ear (at the time) they just sounded dead. My perception has certainly changed since then. Rosewood is still my fave, but I love maple.

' Strang

 

[chazmo]

I was somehow under the impression that Guild 12 string nut width had widened a small amount somewhere around Corona and/or Tacoma.

I think the beauty of maple sound is a plain and unadorned beauty. Don't expect it to have the overtones of rosewood, koa or even mahogany, but the sound can have some real backbone. Do expect it to do very well with a mic or other amplification. It's great for blues. It is also great for extremely low 12 tunings, Kottke and lower. It may be something of an acquired taste. I remember the first couple of maple guitars I ever played back in the 60's were J-200s. To my unsophisticated ear (at the time) they just sounded dead. My perception has certainly changed since then. Rosewood is still my fave, but I love maple.

' Strang

Amen, 'Strang! And, maybe you're right about the later years bringing on a slightly wider nut. My F-512 (which is 1-7/8") is (as you know) a 2006 Tacoma.

 

[Scratch]

'Zeke' is definitely 1 13/16" fellers...

 

[Appalachian Blues]

yes, it is a GAD-JF30-12. Though I'd love to have one crafted here in the states, the fact that my financial status warranted a GAD F212e converted by the dealer to lefty and that after all is said and done, Guild stepped up to the plate by replacing it with the upgrade, the GAD will do just fine. The dealer doesn't know whether it will show up converted to lefty or not (egahs, just ask), they are taking a low-key approach and a wait and see. I'm missing something here but I've dealt with these guys for a long time so I'll ride along.
Thanks for all the info LTGer's. My friends maple Taylor doesn't impress me or really stand out, but I'm so particular with tone that my comparisons are with my vintage D-40, which is beyond anything in it's class.
You're know when it comes home.

 

[chazmo]

AB, the maple tone and jumbo size will be quite different than the mahogany/concert that you had. My best wishes, and I hope you like the sound. I really dig it.

 

[gilligan]

Hello All,

A few years back I wanted to add a 12-string to my collection and it didn't take much research to learn that Guild had set the standard in the '60's with the F-212XL. I found a '78 in great condition (with the help of Gardman) and was much more than extremely happy with my aquisition. About a year-and-a-half later, a friend of a friend was having a hard time "unloading" his '90 JF30-12 and I figured I could get a good deal and possibly trade it up to another Guild on my list (F-50 or D-55). From the day I brought it home, I loved the crispness of it's sound, and have always thought that I would have a hard time deciding which I would have to choose if I could only have one 12-string.
I've always felt that the 212 has a great richness in the bass and mid-tones, but the 30-12 covers a nice even balance of the treble through the bass with a beautiful clarity through the lower strings. Volume would still lean towards the 212's favor.
Also, my 30-12 has an arched back which I have always assumed is a laminated maple back, and according to my digital caliper the nut is 1 55/64", which is closer to 1 7/8", but I think I had that replaced with a bone nut when I got the guitar, so it is not the original nut.

Hope this info helps,

gilligan

P.S.--I got feedback for both of these guitars, before I purchased them, here on LTG...so if you search the forum you might get some more info.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi gilligan and welcome ..... back! Long time no post; all is well? CJ

 

[gilligan]

All is very well.
Thanks to you and Coastie for the inquiries...sorry for my lack of participation in the past few months. More involvement from all of us is what makes this forum great.

gilligan

 

[capnjuan]

No apologies necessary G and, you're right, ... LTG runs on people power 8) J