F112 Question

[Smobno1]

Hi, wondering if I could get my help learning about an F112 that I own. The tag says Hoboken, with a serial number OA820. I assume that makes it a 69/70 (during the period when production moved to Westerly). Here is the odd thing, the fretboard has two dots for every fret —not just the 12th. The dots are also a bit larger than those I have seen on guilds of this period. Obviously it could be a fretboard added after a repair, but I thought I'd ask in case it was a standard feature during the late 60's. I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

 

[AcornHouse]

Hi, wondering if I could get my help learning about an F112 that I own. The tag says Hoboken, with a serial number OA820. I assume that makes it a 69/70 (during the period when production moved to Westerly). Here is the odd thing, the fretboard has two dots for every fret —not just the 12th. The dots are also a bit larger than those I have seen on guilds of this period. Obviously it could be a fretboard added after a repair, but I thought I'd ask in case it was a standard feature during the late 60's. I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

Sounds like something added, aside from side dots, F-112s didn’t have any dots on the fingerboard.

 

[Smobno1]

Sounds like something added, aside from side dots, F-112s didn’t have any dots on the fingerboard.

Thanks, I suspected. Whoever the original owner was they must have had a really unusual playing style. They must have strummed right above the point where the neck meets the body and strummed very, very hard given the wear. Abused but still sounds great.

 

[kostask]

It could be that only the fingerboard dots were added, and not replacing the entire fretboard, which would be a much bigger job. The F112 not having any factory fingerboard dots means it is a blank canvas for any additions that somebody may wish to add.

 

[adorshki]

Thanks, I suspected. Whoever the original owner was they must have had a really unusual playing style. They must have strummed right above the point where the neck meets the body and strummed very, very hard given the wear. Abused but still sounds great.

Agree with Kostask and Acornhouse. Funny thing, my favorite spot is right over the fretboard extension, my D25 has some finish wear there.

 

[Smobno1]

Thanks everyone for your help. Taking a look with a magnifying glass I suspect that the dots were added.

 

[Heath]

Although, my 1968 F212XL has inlays from the factory while most 212XL’s had none. From what I understand this was an option. Could dots have been another custom option?

 

[adorshki]

Although, my 1968 F212XL has inlays from the factory while most 212XL’s had none. From what I understand this was an option. Could dots have been another custom option?

It'd surprise me but they were extremely flexible at the time. And were known to use an available part if the "regular" part was unavailable, like maybe a fretboard with dots if they ran out of "blanks" and needed to finish a run, or an F112 top on an F30 that needed a re-top.

I'd assume they were installed on the fretboard prior to being glued on the neck though, and then the board final finish sanding brings 'em perfectly smooth with the surface. I'd suspect a later installation would show signs of not being original as @Smobno1 now suspects.

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Hi, wondering if I could get my help learning about an F112 that I own. The tag says Hoboken, with a serial number OA820. I assume that makes it a 69/70 (during the period when production moved to Westerly). Here is the odd thing, the fretboard has two dots for every fret —not just the 12th. The dots are also a bit larger than those I have seen on guilds of this period. Obviously it could be a fretboard added after a repair, but I thought I'd ask in case it was a standard feature during the late 60's. I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

Photos please. Loves me some F112

 

[SFIV1967]

Sounds like something added, aside from side dots, F-112s didn’t have any dots on the fingerboard.

Well, that's not correct for all F-112. It's correct for that time however. Hans had once told me: "Most of the lower line Guild twelve strings didn't have position markers up till about the end of 1977. Position dots were introduced on the 12 strings during 1978."
The OP's OA820 is from year 1970 and was produced in Westerly already, using the old labels.



Ralf

 

[Br1ck]

For anone desiring clarity in a 12 string, the F 112 rules the roost. The bigger models, lovely in their own way produce a lot of tones filling up the sonic spectrum. If your playing tends toward Kottke, the F 112 is perfect.

 

[Wash]

Hi, wondering if I could get my help learning about an F112 that I own. The tag says Hoboken, with a serial number OA820. I assume that makes it a 69/70 (during the period when production moved to Westerly). Here is the odd thing, the fretboard has two dots for every fret —not just the 12th. The dots are also a bit larger than those I have seen on guilds of this period. Obviously it could be a fretboard added after a repair, but I thought I'd ask in case it was a standard feature during the late 60's. I'd appreciate any insight. Thanks.

I also have an F112 with dots on the side and on the fretboard. I believe it is a 1970 as the S/N is past the last # used in 1969. Hoboken patch inside. This guitar was purchased used in May 1973 for my brother by his girlfriend for I believe $225. Original as could be including hard case.
I'm looking to have the Grover machine heads repaired, or replaced.

 

[chazmo]

Any possibility that you guys could provide some pictures so we can see if your guitars are similar? And, @Wash serial number?

 

[Wash]

Any possibility that you guys could provide some pictures so we can see if your guitars are similar? And, @Wash serial number?

I'll confirm later, but I believe it is OA823. Will add pics, too. It has Grovers with full shielding, not Guild tuners.

 

[portsider]

Well, that's not correct for all F-112. It's correct for that time however. Hans had once told me: "Most of the lower line Guild twelve strings didn't have position markers up till about the end of 1977. Position dots were introduced on the 12 strings during 1978."
The OP's OA820 is from year 1970 and was produced in Westerly already, using the old labels.



Ralf

I'm glad you posted this. I always wondered why my F112 case was not what I'd seen in other Guild cases. It's the 2515 case with flannel lining. One less mystery in my life.

 

[Wash]

I'll confirm later, but I believe it is OA823. Will add pics, too. It has Grovers with full shielding, not Guild tuners.

Well I'm embarrassed to say that my fretboard has zero dots. I had it confused with my Washburn. With a few bogus tuners I haven't played it much. My daughters bought me the Washburn for Christmas a few years ago.
SN is OC721. There's a picture of the hard case badge, the SN tag, and the Grovers.
I think I found machines. They are vintage used Guild. The Grover machines are original. I almost bought used ones from an F112 several years ago, but $300 seemed steep. I inherited this guitar in May 1975 after my brother died tragically. He was 19 and I was 14. It was a 9 string then because it had the ruined machines. I didn't want to put the same ones on it since they were messed up after 5 years.
Peace!!

 

[chazmo]

Thanks for sharing the pix, Wash. Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that about your brother, but I'm really glad to hear that you've kept that great guitar!

 

[Wash]

Thanks for sharing the pix, Wash. Gosh, I'm sorry to hear that about your brother, but I'm really glad to hear that you've kept that great guitar!

Thanks @chazmo. He caught me playing it once trying to learn Heart of Gold... His bedroom, his Harvest album, his official Harvest songbook, on his stereo. I thought he was going to beat my face in, but he looked at me and grinned and said, "You're learning from the best, kid.". Missing him still.
I got the Harvest 50th Anniversary Box Set last year for Christmas. Still have all his albums and that old songbook too.

 

[GF60]

Thanks @chazmo. He caught me playing it once trying to learn Heart of Gold... His bedroom, his Harvest album, his official Harvest songbook, on his stereo. I thought he was going to beat my face in, but he looked at me and grinned and said, "You're learning from the best, kid.". Missing him still.
I got the Harvest 50th Anniversary Box Set last year for Christmas. Still have all his albums and that old songbook too.

So apparently I wasn't the only one who would sneak into an older brother's room and try to learn guitar by playing theirs. My brother wasn't mad either when he caught me. In fact he started showing me chords. Welcome to the LTG forum!

 

[Wash]

So apparently I wasn't the only one who would sneak into an older brother's room and try to learn guitar by playing theirs. My brother wasn't mad either when he caught me. In fact he started showing me chords. Welcome to the LTG forum!

Thanks @GF60 !!