rmoretti49
Member
I recently had the opportunity to do an A/B comparison between my 1994 Guild F512 (which was at that time designated as "JF55-12") and a 2021 F512. I fully had expected that I would like the newer model because it is more lightly built. But it turned out not to be so simple.
Yes, the newer F512 was noticeably lighter in weight. Was it more resonant? I'm not really sure. It had better note separation, but I'm again not really sure that I preferred that (after all, it is a 12 string and the blending of tones is one of the reasons we buy them) either. The highs were a little clearer, and the bass was, too.
The 1994 had an overall deeper, fuller sound, which I do like.
Surprisingly, there was little difference between the feel of the necks, so there wasn't much difference in playability.
Who knows, when the 2021 model is as old as the 1994 model now is, perhaps its sound will resemble the 1994 model.
In any case, I don't think I would trade my 1994 for the 2021. But I also wouldn't be terribly disappointed if I had to do so. They are different guitars, both great. Now I can stop looking for greener 12 string guitar pastures.
Yes, the newer F512 was noticeably lighter in weight. Was it more resonant? I'm not really sure. It had better note separation, but I'm again not really sure that I preferred that (after all, it is a 12 string and the blending of tones is one of the reasons we buy them) either. The highs were a little clearer, and the bass was, too.
The 1994 had an overall deeper, fuller sound, which I do like.
Surprisingly, there was little difference between the feel of the necks, so there wasn't much difference in playability.
Who knows, when the 2021 model is as old as the 1994 model now is, perhaps its sound will resemble the 1994 model.
In any case, I don't think I would trade my 1994 for the 2021. But I also wouldn't be terribly disappointed if I had to do so. They are different guitars, both great. Now I can stop looking for greener 12 string guitar pastures.