60th Anniversary GUILD?

[idealassets]

+6 for the F612. Att'n Guild: make someof these for me! I don't even care if they call it a "JD" special edition just as long as I can get maybe 1 or 2 of them. They were about $1000 when John Denver bought his in '71 or '72. Now lets see with inflation that would be... how much today?

-Craig

 

[chazmo]

Martin is bragging about their new "Big" 12 Stringer.

http://www.mandoweb.com/Instruments/Martin-Grand+J1240E+Special/1410.aspx

As a veer, I have to say this article really bugs me. While I enjoyed the author waxing poetic about the very rare and long-dead F-612 model, the author fails to mention that the F-512 has been in constant production (name changes notwithstanding) and is clearly the Guild model that the Grand J takes aim at. That article makes you think the (expensive) Martin is the only game in town, and that Guild is no longer a player in this space... which is just not right. As a matter of fact, the Grand J is still only available as a rosewood 6 or 12, while Guild offers rosewood, maple, or mahogany (12 string only) at this point. Great diversity!

Back on topic, while I love the idea, I think it's unlikely that Guild would choose the F-612 to re-release as an anniversary model. I doubt they'd dwell on an extremely high-end, low-volume model that requires a complete re-tooling. I think it's far more likely they'd do a limited electric release, or maybe bring back a US-built D-25 where there's likely to be some future interest. Just my thoughts, not based on direct information.

 

[idealassets]

I have to jump in about the Martin J12-40. My first nice guitar I bought new was a Martin HD28 in September, 2010. I do like it's sound as a 6-string. I am too far aaway from any Guild 6 string dealers, or I would have driven, and bought one. Perhaps some day.

I then wanted to add either a F412 or F512 after seeing John Denver play one on youtube. So the nearest new F512 and a Martin J12-40 for sale, I drove 250 miles to see. Both the guitars were pulled out of boxes at the store for me. The results are:

1. The salesman really pushed the Martin, and handed it to me more than the Guild.

2. They both were pretty guitars, with the Martin bling looking like the top of the line D42, or D45 dread. The Martin was $1300 more than the Guild. I played them both.

3. I bought the Guild. I loved the mid-range & high-range sound of the Guild, whereas the Martin had a very booming "Martin sound" to it. Its all in what you like.

Guild F512 fan,
C. Griffin

 

[fronobulax]

1. The salesman really pushed the Martin,
2. The Martin was $1300 more than the Guild.

Salesman on commission or did he give you a reason for his preference?

 

[FNG]

Guild would build a F-612, with all the extra inlays, design and retooling costs, then everyone would complain and not buy it because they thought it was too expensive. :lol:

 

[hansmoust]

Att'n Guild: make some of these for me! I don't even care if they call it a "JD" special edition just as long as I can get maybe 1 or 2 of them. They were about $1000 when John Denver bought his in '71 or '72. Now lets see with inflation that would be... how much today? -Craig

Guild would build a F-612, with all the extra inlays, design and retooling costs, then everyone would complain and not buy it because they thought it was too expensive.

Hello folks,

Today that would be at least $ 5500.00.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[idealassets]

2 things to add:

1. In my case, the Martin J1240 salesman may have been on commission, but also I live in "Martin Territory", and Guild is quite rare around here (northern Michigan). When I play my Guild's I always get these annoying comments such as "I have a Guild 12-string back home, but..."

When I ask a few simple questions such as "Oh great, what model is yours?", or "Will you bring it to the next jam?" I usually get a lot of fast talking, something like "my model of Guild looks sort of like yours!"

2. Hans, if the inflation adjusted cost of a new F612 would be around $5,500.00, that's not much more than what Martin wants for the J1240. Perhaps Guild could re-add it to their line of guitars as a "special order" item. Another great item would be a top of the line 12 string dreadnaught, like a D55-12 with turqoise/abolone bling. Have you ever seen Roger McGuin play his Martin acoustic that looks like a 12-string version of a D45? Its what he usually uses to play "Ballad of Easy Rider". Cool!

Craig

 

[capnjuan]

... Have you ever seen Roger McGuin play his Martin acoustic that looks like a 12-string version of a D45?

Hi Craig; are you talking about this 7-string Martin/McGuinn? I've seen him play it in his one-man show ... along with his siggie Rickenbacker ... the only artist with siggie guitars from two different companies?

 

[idealassets]

capnjuan,
If you go on youtube: put in Roger McGuinn Live from Spain, posted by "alvarotheking". You will see him playing a full 12-string with these same features. Personally I like 'Rog better on the 12 string than the 7 string.

If I could I'd buy this Martin 12-string, but "so many guitars, so little time", er ah, actually so little money.

In my humble opinion Roger McGuinn's style is just as relevant today as it was in that day back in '65. I have become a fan.

Y'know for many years I hated the folk music stuff (like what, no drums required?) I was a fan of John Bonham (Led Zeppelin drummer), etc. I even liked Ted Nugent (Motor City Madman) due to the good drummers that he had backing him. I'll bet that's a can of worms that I shouldn't open up at this Guild site, ..Like hey Ted- how about a nice folk song from you on a cool Guild guitar, eh?

CG

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Craig; mis-read on my part ... I read your post to mean a McGuinn-siggie 12-string Martin. Yes; the guy can play ... but he'd probably sound good no matter what he was playing.

 

[idealassets]

Pardon my ineptitude, but please explain "siggie" to me. Also the caption for that Roger McGuinn image could be "why is thisman always smiling so much?".

Craig

 

[FNG]

Signature guitars...

 

[fronobulax]

Pardon my ineptitude, but please explain "siggie" to me.

Signature.

In context the reference was to a signature model guitar. Lots of folks also use siggy or siggie to refer to the signature attached to forum posts by members. Such siggies usually have lists of guitars or pithy quotes.