bert thanks for the info. I put a set of John Pearse 10's on the G-312 based on how much I like the 6-string set on my mahogany 6ers, and will be looking to experiment with some different sets on that one, and really any 12-string, moving forward. For the F-112 for now I'm going with my luthier supplied 9's, which I believe are GHS- On this guitar, strings was my last concern up until yesterday, but now when I get it back (in about a month), it will be on like donkey kong to find out which strings sound best on her.
The F-112 was a survivor, definitely worth rescuing. it needs all of the braces and some binding re-glued, the bridge re-glued, bridge has small cracks between rear six pin holes but i'm sticking with it,the entire center seam of the top needs cleat, a second top crack needs cleat, no real cracks on back or sides (definitely some mojo however) the tuners need to be lubed and cleaned, pickguard needs to be reglued (but looks brand new and gorgeous tortoise!) the entire guitar needs to be seriously cleaned but will be fine, there was no label- and no evidence one ever existed, no case, no date stamp on the finger brace- however "5-13-70" written in pencil under the rosette, serial number (OA 109x) is barely there at all on back of headstock- but its there (seen this before in 1970), needs a couple weeks of humidity...
neck is dead straight. bridge and saddle never touched. frets look great, as does the fret board. the fret board and bridge are gorgeous figured Brazilian RW- which I did not even realize at first with all of the dust on the guitar. original tuners, original everything. truss rods never touched, TRC never removed. original strings (which still sound and feel great- which is to say yes, very "dead.)"
I guess that is kinda what I am going for. I had an F-412 and to me it just sounded like an electric guitar, right now the G-312 sounds like some pretty serious church music. I could not imagine playing either one of these with a capo, no matter how its tuned, ever. but the 1970 F-112, even with all of its issues, just seemed right from the first moment. I am realizeing I am just a mahogany guy, through and through. a mahogany *top* (and back) 12-string Guild may turn out to be everything id hoped and more, but based on my experience this far, and what I know of Tom Petty's music, even a spruce top mahogany back formula appears to be the 12-string for me, so far. The USA mahogany top 12s are not flat backs, and the imports are heavy poly, so while I may wind up with one at some point, I am holding off for now on those.
I played Sandy's NH F-512, just for a minute, but it seemed to have mellower tone somehow than my Westerly G-312 (we need to have the offical shoot out brother!). I'm not sure if the difference is more in the guitar, or the strings, or a combonation of both. The tone on that guitar was phenomenal- I just don't think im a 17 inch jumbo player (I would buy any guitar to fix up and sell however, if it was worth the rescue). Thats what makes each of us different i guess, and different instruments work for all of us.
i like 1970 Guilds, I own several. lots of mahogany. really looking forward to this one. thanks again all for your input. I have a 3rd variant on radar so feel free to keep this thread rolling. not sure how fast i can go for it though, if at all. If I buy that guitar I may wind up selling it (to one of u possibly?) 1970 is seeming like a keeper.