tacoma001 said:
OK fellow Guild lovers, if you were to have a choice, which one would you own - and why? I have never played either model, but have owned a Westerly JF30-12 that sounded pretty good. I am especially curious about the Rosewood version...possibly more in the bass department maybe?? I am seeking your opinion if you own, or have played either of these guitars, and I thank you in advance for your comments....Jim
In 1984, I was given a chance to purchase a brand new F-412 for $1200, or a two year old F-512 for $1300. Both guitars were from the same high end acoustic guitar shop (Mandolin Bros.), and the choice was hard to make. $1200 was a lot for me at that time, and I was leaning toward a new guitar, as opposed to a used one for more money.
The used F-512 was a rosewood model, warmer sounding, a little heavier; the F-412 was maple, prettier, lighter, and brand new.
I went with the F-412, the maple guitar. Ended up not liking it so much for a couple of reasons: it was a bit big for me (as would have been the F-512), it was too bright sounding, not much bottom end at all, and after about a half hour of playing it, my fingers were so raw that I had to put it down. I ended up selling it to the friend who loaned me the money to buy it in the first place. He is happy with it, and has it to this day.
I wish I had gone with the F-512, for the warmer sound, more bass. However, the other problems would have been there as the F-412.
I am a small person, and my wife has since told me that the big jumbo guitars don't look good on me. At this time I was also playing my '82 D-50, which has since that time up to now, has been my main axe.
I have since gotten ahold of a smaller body F-212, from 1970. It has the "smaller shouldered" mini jumbo body, and with the warm but jangly sound, the smaller size, the less weight, this guitar is perfect for me.
If I had to do it all over, knowing what I do now, I would search out a new model F-212, or I would have taken the F-512, for the more bass, for the F412 had less bottom end.
Maybe they have changed their sound since the '80's.
But that is my experience.
