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Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | OK, before the Adamas 12-String fans come out of the woodwork and cry "FOUL", let me say that I'm not comparing this to an Adamas 1688 or saying it's better, whatever. Different animals. I'll just say that this one is damn damn freaking good.
The story ... Guild has of course had a great reputation for 12-string guitars for a long time and ever since I got my D40 6-string last year I've been super impressed what the boys formally known as ovation, could pull off in a wooden guitar. And I guess filed away in the back of my mind was the thought that shit of the D40 could be THAT good, I wonder what they could do with a 12-string? Mind you, these are the builders that have brought us all those great Ovation and Adamas 12's.
I saw the Guild F-412 at NAMM and was super impressed. The fit, finish and craftmanship was as good or better than you could buy from ANY other maker. I even jokingly asked Dave G the product mgr "OK, WHO really built this?" Unfortunately sharing a booth with Fender and Jackson I couldn't tell a lick how it sounded. Fast forward a few months and I got GLOWING reviews of the guitar from 2 trusted friends who had played one at the factory and another crack fixer was about to get one himself, so basically I was hooked without ever actually HEARING the thing. I sold off my Pacemaker and two Adamas 12's to make room for the pending addition (felt sorta strange to be 12-less for a short while). Anyway, a few things fell together and BINGO here she is.
Guild F412. Jumbo 12-sting, solid spruce top, solid flame maple sides and back. Beautiful double WBWBW trim work all around including inset on the fretboard face. Neck is straight and smooth and plays like a dream, every bit as easy to play as a 1688. Outstanding inlay work and just beautiful craftsmanship all around. Gotoh vintage open gear tuners that stay in tune amazingly well. Guitar is quite light and effortless to play. The sound is out of this world. I can't compare to Adamas, very different. Each wonderful in it's own way. I just have to say that overall I could not be happier.
What's wonderful to me might not be wonderful to you and I'm not encouraging anyone to throw away their ovation and adamas 12's. Just saying that if you have an itch to try out a wooden 12-string I would recommend the Guild with NO reservation what so ever. Mine is the F412 with maple back/sides, and they also make the F512 which has rosewood back/sides. |
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Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | That should be a great one Dave. I think maple was the right choice. Beautiful! |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | While these are not my cup of tea, they have a TREMENDOUSLY GOOD reputation.
Are you totally roundback 12-less? |
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August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | Thanks again for letting me play it for a brief moment whilst you had it in transit to gallerie gallerinski. You know how much I love my CL12. This guitar played every bit as well with just as sweet a sound. Interstingly, the jumbo body seems in perfect proportion to the neck width and scale so it just feels so right. At least for my arms and frame. It's definitely on the list. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | These are great guitars. Nearest I can tell the New New Hartford Guilds are as good if not better than any previous Guild Guitars.
Congrats.......
I plan on getting one in the future.
If ya miss your Adamas II 12 I could let you visit it.... |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | A beautiful gutar! I love Maple! |
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November 2006
Posts: 3969
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Gorgeous guitar. From the closeups, fit and finish look superb. Can't wait to play it. |
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December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | I can see another T-shirt in the making...
Nice one Dave. |
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May 2006
Posts: 4232
Location: Steeler Nation, Hudson Valley Contingent | I admit I'm not much of a jumbo fan....
But a 12-string...and I LOVE me some nice maple?
You've definitely got my attention.
Congrats! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Gorgeous wood and fine looking workmanship!
Hopefully, those are the tuners ya wanted... |
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March 2002
Posts: 15677
Location: SoCal | I'm surprised no pics of the tuners.... |
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September 2008
Posts: 1281
Location: Ohio | Beautiful instrument. Years ago I had a friend that had a Guild Maple/Maple 12 and it was a canon....Loudest thing I had ever played.
Steve |
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September 2005
Posts: 3619
Location: GATLINBURG TENNESSEE :) | I have to say that I BURN maple in my fireplace during the winter (:
... But that sure does look like a nice guitar. Dave, if you say it plays and sounds great I believe you. |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | - the jumbo size is perfect on a guitar like this. it makes the whole thing just seem well proportioned.
- tuners are fine, no changes needed. actually I was curious how they would do open gear individual tuners on a 12-str. look at the photo, it's pretty trick how they fit.
- yeah paul, roundbackless. decided that 12-string is a speciality tool and you only need one of them. for me this is the one. |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | Damn I was planning charging a fee to use it...
Foiled again...
I understand those guitars are I like switching off.
Adamas, Ovation all wood boxes
I use my 12s alot. |
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February 2010
Posts: 73
Location: Littleton, CO | Beautiful instrument, never have tried a Guild 12 string. Can I have it? :D |
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August 2003
Posts: 4619
Location: SoCal | At NAMM, unique time when it wasn't that noisy (about 4pm on Saturday)...started with one of their low end down by the floor in a corner...nice; then went to the primary display of the 412 and 512.
If I hadn't just picked up a great Custom Martin D12-45, I would have seriously considered one. Did mention to the one Guild rep that it was too bad my favorite dealer wasn't signed with Guild.
However, I don't think I would have sold one of my six Adamas and Ovation 12's. |
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February 2005
Posts: 212
Location: France | beautiful guitar Dave!
Tom |
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November 2004
Posts: 4413
| Love the inlays.
Not a lot of margin for error drilling holes for those tuners. Beautiful.
Pity about the gloss neck. maybe you could get that fixed. |
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August 2009
Posts: 602
Location: Hanau, Hessen, Germany | Beautiful guitar, Dave! Enjoy it |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | Last Sept. Al, Beal, Temp & I were visting Kim up at th'Factory and they had just finished production on a bunch of these.
I seem t'recall that Beal had to subject to a "pat-down" upon leaving th'building at the end-of-th'day . . .
STONKing 12-string!!
Not an Ovation/Adamas-Sound, but "different", and very, VERY, Nice!
Dave's right, the body-shape "balances" th'guitar very nicely, and at the same time let's you KNOW that you're playing a 12-string.
If I were t'buy a WoodBox 12-String (or recommend one) tomorrow, THIS's be th'One!
Nice,Dave!!! |
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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Gallerinski:
... I got GLOWING reviews of the guitar from 2 trusted friends who had played one at the factory ... Whadda mean you WOULD recommend it?
You DID recommend it !!! |
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July 2003
Posts: 3111
Location: Nashville TN. | LOL
oops I guess Cliff forgot.
Those cavity search for camphone can be tramatic while leaving the building. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Wonderful guitars: Nice addition Dave!
I've owned three in my lifetime so far: a '76 F 212, '98 J-30-12, and the '93 J-65 12 below. All were outstanding 12's...I will be getting another...I still regret selling the J-65...it had a huge sound: like a Bösendorfer grand piano...
12-string is a speciality tool and you only need one of them. I must of missed that info.... |
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November 2007
Posts: 1486
Location: Cincinnati | Beautiful guitar, Dave. Congrats. |
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My Newest 12-String Toy from New Hatrtford
