An intriguing '72 F212XL a my nearest Music-Go-Round ...

[Thunderface]

I saw three Guild acoustics, a slightly worn '76 D-40SB with hardshell case for $649.99, a D4NT with hardshell case for $499.99 that I can't remember now, and most interesting, at least to me, was a 1972 F212XL that looked to be in very good shape, again with a hardshell case for $799.99. I looked at the website and they don't have a photo of the F212XL, but they do have photos of the other two -- albeit not very detailed photos.

Admittedly, I don't know squat about acoustics, but like I said, the '72 F212XL looked to be in pretty good shape for its age. I'd be tempted to go back and take more photos, should anyone want any.

http://www.musicgoround.com/search.aspx ... &c=10&ob=6

 

[bodde]

Looks interesting. I am looking for a good F212 XL myself for some time now.
So I might be interested if you are not wanting it. But we need some pictures of course.

 

[Thunderface]

I'm not interested for myself, I was just passing along the news for all of my acoustic bretheren who might be. I'll try to get over there and shoot some better photos, but it won't be until next week. I didn't know if that price seemed decent or not, again the result of my lack of acoustic knowledge.

Are there specific things I should be looking for?

 

[chazmo]

Sight down the neck and make sure that the fretboard is pretty flat between frets 1 and 12 and that the straight line that forms from those frets points right at the top of the bridge. If the fretboard is bowed, that can be corrected with truss rod manipulation, but if the angle is pointing too low on the bridge that indicates a neck reset is possibly needed.

You also want to check the condition of the nut, saddle and the tuners. Finally, have a close look at any binding on the guitar (I'm not sure what the 212XLs used to use) to look for deterioration (outgassing).

 

[BurstD55]

Look at the top for bowing out behind the bridge and bowing in near the fretboard and sound hole. Also look for crack's in the wood, especially on the top near the sound hole and fretboard.

 

[Brad Little]

Take a file card or piece of paper and see if it will fit under the back side of the bridge. Sometimes they are lifting so slightly that you can't see it, especially if your eyes are getting older (like mine ) If you have an inspection mirror, check the bridge plate to see how chewed it is, if the ball ends are pulling up a bit it may need a new one to keep the string windings below the saddle top-not a big job, though.
Brad

 

[Thunderface]

Okay, I made it back to the Music-Go-Round, camera in hand, with a printout of all the things you wanted me to look for, and from all that I could tell, this is a very nice old Guild 12-string. Couldn't get a piece of paper to fit under the back side of the bridge, didn't see any cracks or bowing out behind the bridge, the binding looked good and I didn't see any bowing of the fretboard. Again, I have a very unsophisticated eye for acoustic guitars, but to me is sure looks like a very nice vintage Guild 12-string. Here are some pictures that I shot, with the permission of the store employee.

 

[chazmo]

Looks fantastic!! For comparison, here's the new one (courtesy of the good eyes of FNG): http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-F212XL-F-212X ... 53e3de08d8

 

[FNG]

800 bucks? Seems pretty fair, if it sounds good.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

If it is any indicator, I watched a '73 F112 (not 212) sell for $900 on eBay yesterday (Sept 27). It was A> a 112 not a 212 or 212XL and B> did not appear to be in as good a condition.

At $799 this guitar looks like it might be a good find.

Christopher

 

[SkippyX]

MusicGoRound can be a great place to get some good deals.

That's where I got my GAD-50 ($425 + shipping). It was someone's closet queen. I check out the MusicGoRound website regularly.

 

[bodde]

I am looking for a F-212 XL for some time now. The shop has mailed me some pictures already and I am waiting for a shipping quote.
So hopefully this will mine.

It always will be a bit of a gamble because I will buy it unseen and unplayed.
Did you have the chance to play it?

 

[Thunderface]

I did not, unfortunately.

 

[capnjuan]

I am looking for a F-212 XL for some time now. The shop has mailed me some pictures already and I am waiting for a shipping quote.
So hopefully this will mine. It always will be a bit of a gamble because I will buy it unseen and unplayed. Did you have the chance to play it?

Good luck; the finish looks as if it was rubbed with Scratch-X ... very pretty satin quality. Hope it works out for you!

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, good luck, Bodde. This one looks really good to me. I'm not sure what CJ means about satin-like finish... looks glossy to me.

Just FYI, the new F-212XL Standard from New Hartford is coming with a gloss body and satin neck. I really like that. (I have one on order, and one just sold on eBay for 1.7K.) No Chesterfield though!

 

[capnjuan]

... I'm not sure what CJ means about satin-like finish...

CJ means it looks like it's been rubbed with Scratch-X which commonly leaves a lustrous, but not exactly shiny, finish.

 

[chazmo]

Which part of the guitar, in particular, John? Just curious.

 

[capnjuan]

Not looking to get Heisenberg here ... but all of it. Unless that 38 y/o guitar has never been played, it's been re-finished one way or another. Agree, it reflects a lot of light ... and maybe my eyes aren't as sensitive as they used to be ... or maybe I haven't had enough bran :wink: ... but the finish reminded me of John Kidder's results with Scratch-X on his X-50 shown below with it's lustrous, almost oiled-leather look to it. If you want, we can quibble about whether John's guitar is glossy ... or shiny ... or what ... I'm sure you read my 'satin' as matte ... it was intended as less than straight-out gloss ... whatever, this is what I had in mind.

If it matters, I approve of the finish on the F212XL ... and the one on John's super-fine X-50

 

[bodde]

I asked the shop about the bridge, if there is any bridge pull. There is a slight gap between the bridge and the body, although not much.
Not sure if this will need repair or that it doesn't matter if it stays like this.

I also asked about the intonation above the 12th fret. They said it is a little sharp but that the bridge can be lowered a bit. Will that solve the intonation problem?

Not sure what to do now.

 

[chazmo]

Bodde, there's no obvious answer for us to give you. The guitar shoulde probably be examined by a luthier; can that be arranged?

What I see is what looks like a pretty normally shaped lower bout with a very easy-to-fix bridge lift. It looks like a TON of saddle is left, telling me you've got a lot of adjustment room here if it's needed after the bridge is removed and re-glued.

I would take a chance on this one. But, you need a luthier to take care of the fix for you and set it up.

What I *can't* see is the neck angle and whether or not the guitar will be playable once the bridge is re-glued. Given the mountain of saddle, I'll bet you'll be just fine, but a luthier can give you a good read on the neck'.