Guild F512 12-String Jumbo Acoustic Guitar (with Case)

No longer available at zZounds
Solid Rosewood back and sides.

The quality and ubiquity of their jumbo 12-strings have garnered Guild a permanent place in guitar history. As historians Tom and Mary Anne Evans once wrote, "the basic virtue of Guild 12-strings is that they are very loud and [have] a clarity and definition of sound not normally associated with 12-string guitars."

One of the keys to achieving that clarity and definition is the solid construction that Guild's craftsmen employ. While the body size and scale length are the same as the 6-string jumbos, the 12-strings are 1-13/16 in. wide at the nut, feature a double truss rod system and Guild's time-proven jumbo bracing pattern. All Guild guitars are accompanied by a deluxe archtop case.

Designed in the late 1960's as Guild's first jumbo 12-strings, the F412 and F512 are some of our most enduring and popular guitars. While both share many of the same features, the F412 has an arched curly Maple back and solid curly Maple sides, while the F512 has solid Rosewood back and sides. Painstakingly true to their vintage roots, these new versions of the F412 and F512 are the essence of what a 12-string guitar should be. These powerful beauties feature the same body dimensions as the originals: they're 17 in. wide, 21 in. long and 4.8 in. deep, with solid AAA Sitka Spruce tops. The high quality Ebony fingerboards are detailed with Abalone and Mother-of-Pearl block position inlays. Both sport Guild's famous G-shield headstock inlay and gold Grover Rotomatic® tuning machines.

Specifications

Body Style: Jumbo

Top: Solid AAA Sitka Spruce

Bracing: Custom X

Back: Solid Rosewood

Sides: Solid Rosewood

Neck: 3-Piece Mahogany/Maple/Mahogany

Width at Nut: 1-13/16"

Fretboard: Ebony (12" Radius)

Scale length: 25 5/8"

No. of frets: 20

Machine Heads: Grover Gold Plated Die-cast Mini Tuners

Bridge: Ebony

Hardware: Gold

Finish: High Gloss (Nitro-cellulose Lacquer)

Unique Features: Natural Mother-of-Pearl and Abalone Position Inlays, Black Pickguard

Case: Includes C5217 Deluxe Hardshell Case

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 480-596-7195

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars. (40 ratings)
Submitted November 28, 2004 by a customer from comcast.net

"Oh, the SOUND of it!"

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
This SOUND would be tough to replace without spending $3,000+ so I suppose I'd get another one.
Sound
When I get strumming some old CCR tunes, my wife has to turn up the TV, and she's at the other end of the house! This 12-string really sings out. I like the Elixer strings in medium. They are a little "warmer" than some - less brassy. Guitar has awesome sustain and is brilliantly clear, even at its loudest.
Features
Great-looking gold Grovers, of course. This guitar was designed many years ago as a 12-string, and as such it is strong and solid (and weighs a bit more). I expect the neck to stay straight for decades. I tune it at 440 (not 1/2 tone lower). But listen... there's nothing up-tight about the sound!
Quality
The only possible drawback is the finish, which is "good" but not up to the level of my Taylor 915CE. From a few feet away it's great, but up close and personal... Guild (Fender) should have worked a little harder on the gloss. Mechanically (structurally) it is supurb!
Value
Good value. Remember, this is a rosewood acoustic... so it ain't gonna come cheap.
Manufacturer Support
No experience.
The Wow Factor
Not a "10" due to finish comments, above.

Musical Background:

Hobbyist re-learning guitar after many year vacation.

Musical Style:

Fingerpicking and strumming: Soft rock / classic rock / folk / country.
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