12 string Guilds

[chazmo]

MGTLT,

The Martin Grand J12-40E Special is a very cool guitar, but it is/was very expensive and was (in my opinion) clearly Martin's take on the F-512. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they say. Martin even pinned the bridge the way Guild does. Very lovely, but entirely out of reach.

Martin used the Grand J body style on a few other models that were not as expensive. They make a mahogany 12 version now (I think) which is similar to the F-212XL and is much cheaper (I think it's MIM). The great thing about that guitar is that it comes with D-TAR multi-source pickup system, which is as good as it gets.

 

[etzeppy]

So, bottom line: if I was you I would go for the F-512. The playability is very, very good but, first and foremost, the tone is THEE TONE -- archetypal and, as far as I know, unmatched by anything else.

That's what I did. Just closed a deal on a New Hartford F-512.

 

[MGTLT]

That's what I did. Just closed a deal on a New Hartford F-512.

Congrats man!

 

[idealassets]

MGTLT,

The Martin Grand J12-40E Special is a very cool guitar, but it is/was very expensive and was (in my opinion) clearly Martin's take on the F-512. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they say. Martin even pinned the bridge the way Guild does. Very lovely, but entirely out of reach.

Martin used the Grand J body style on a few other models that were not as expensive. They make a mahogany 12 version now (I think) which is similar to the F-212XL and is much cheaper (I think it's MIM). The great thing about that guitar is that it comes with D-TAR multi-source pickup system, which is as good as it gets.

THe Martin J12-40 is spec'd to be comprible to a D40 guitar, or a premium made instrument from Martin. However with the guild F512 you get a premium Guild constructed guitar as a standard unit, more for your money. I A/B'd both guitars the day I bought the Guild F512 in 2010, and I am still very happy with that decision. However I do also appreciate a good Martin when I see one, as I do not diss any well made guitar. But I went the Guild direction for my 12 string, dreadnaught, and jumbo 6 string (F50r).

 

[MGTLT]

MGTLT,

The Martin Grand J12-40E Special is a very cool guitar, but it is/was very expensive and was (in my opinion) clearly Martin's take on the F-512. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, they say. Martin even pinned the bridge the way Guild does. Very lovely, but entirely out of reach.

Martin used the Grand J body style on a few other models that were not as expensive. They make a mahogany 12 version now (I think) which is similar to the F-212XL and is much cheaper (I think it's MIM). The great thing about that guitar is that it comes with D-TAR multi-source pickup system, which is as good as it gets.

Yes, I'm sure the Martin would be great like anything Martin makes in that price range. I would've liked to have played one. However, as you noted, it was Martin's answer to the F-512.

All in all, I have to say that I'm rathered overwhelmed by how incredible the tone and playability are of my new F-512. It is thee genuine article.

 

[JohnW63]

Very cool thread. However, keeping TRACK of all the dang versions of Guild 12 strings is like a full time job ! If I didn't already have a nice Ovation 12 string I would be jonesing for a Guild one, about now !

 

[chazmo]

THe Martin J12-40 is spec'd to be comprible to a D40 guitar, or a premium made instrument from Martin. However with the guild F512 you get a premium Guild constructed guitar as a standard unit, more for your money. I A/B'd both guitars the day I bought the Guild F512 in 2010, and I am still very happy with that decision. However I do also appreciate a good Martin when I see one, as I do not diss any well made guitar. But I went the Guild direction for my 12 string, dreadnaught, and jumbo 6 string (F50r).

Craig, correctly stated on the 40-series appointments. IMO, the Guild F-412/512 appointments are very similar to a Martin 40 series.

But, just FYI, there is a distinction between the Grand J body style and the "standard" J, in Martin parlance. You probably did play a Grand J12-40E Special if it was anything like the Guild, but a standard J12 is more like an Orchestra-sized model, I think, and really has it's own unique voice... Lovely guitars, by the way, but nothing like the Guilds.

Did it look like this?: http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...rows-down-the-gauntlet&highlight=Martin+Grand

 

[fretless]

If you can find a JF 30 12, you would not be disappointed. Not as much bling as an F412, but magnificent in every other way!