Finally Home F612 NGD!!

[tjmangum]

Holy molly! i first found LTG because I was searching for a 12 string. This is truly the holy grail for most of us here. Congrats and well done..
T

 

[Geotrio]

I became so involved reading through the dumpster F612 saga when I came back to this thread I forgot what I'd been reading. 17 pages wow...love the part about Hans 'preferring to work in silence' that's classic.

I too wonder what happened to that dumpster F612.

Oh and btw, tx your F612 is a beauty. Happy NGD to you.

 

[shot put]

Hi- My luthier- Jim Grainger- checked with guild exec when neck was reset and was told that 3 lots of 6 were built- makes some sense numbers-wise.

 

[txbumper57]

Hi- My luthier- Jim Grainger- checked with guild exec when neck was reset and was told that 3 lots of 6 were built- makes some sense numbers-wise.

I have heard the same number Shot Put. Last I remember Han's said he had no more than 10 in his database and mine was one of the 10 he knew about.

 

[Westerly Wood]

so 18 F612s built period? Didnt you snag some rare guild that was in the basement of some old guitar shop?

 

[txbumper57]

so 18 F612s built period? Didnt you snag some rare guild that was in the basement of some old guitar shop?

That's the number I have heard as far as the F612's Built. The one I got out of the Basement of Chuck Levin's Music world was my NOS 2003 D55 50th Anniversary with the Brazilian RW back/sides. It is #10 out of 50 and I had to go on a treasure hunt for that one! LOL. They forgot they had it in the basement!

 

[davismanLV]

That's an amazing story, too, Tx!! I doubt I'd ever "forget" I had a 50th Anniversary D55 in my basement, but then I have no basement so, I guess it's a pointless comparison. LOL!! You've got an impressive collection of Guilds!

 

[charliea]

OK, I'll play devil's advocate. Why do you suppose only 18 were built? If there were a demand, you'd think Guild would have supplied it.

 

[jeffcoop]

Astounding guitar, tx. Can't wait to hear it (but no pressure!).

 

[shot put]

Why were 612's discontinued? Cost,wood supply,structural issues with the larger top were some issues Mr. Grainger mentioned to me. Guild also made some poor business decisions-they didn't capitalize on artists using their instruments such as JD,Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait John Renbourn and many others. IMHO

 

[Westerly Wood]

Why were 612's discontinued? Cost,wood supply,structural issues with the larger top were some issues Mr. Grainger mentioned to me. Guild also made some poor business decisions-they didn't capitalize on artists using their instruments such as JD,Paul Simon, Bonnie Rait John Renbourn and many others. IMHO

I think Guild was just so focused on making great, affordable, iconic guitars that they didn't realize the actual gold they were creating. It is as if Dronge was super humble...appreciating the artists that loved Guild, but maybe thinking it would ruin the Guild essence by capitalizing on the awesomeness. At least I like to think so.

 

[charliea]

Gotta wonder. Pete Seeger was pretty much responsible for the baritone 12-string and long neck banjo. A lot of his fans coveted a big 12. John Denver played a 612, and he had a lot of fans. You'd think Guild would have made a bunch of them, back when there was a strong demand. Oh, well. We're left with what we're left with.

 

[Westerly Wood]

How much were they retail at that time?

 

[adorshki]

OK, I'll play devil's advocate. Why do you suppose only 18 were built? If there were a demand, you'd think Guild would have supplied it.

I'm sure it was primarily a cost issuelike Shotput said. If you're selling everything you can make already, you don't build a bunch of guitars which after all only garnered special orders for 18 in a couple of years.
Compare to Television D55 which did generate enough orders to justify moving to regular production from special order only.
AND if Shotput's info about structural issues is true (and no reason to doubt it), they coulda wound up with a bunch of instruments demanding warranty AND unsold, anyway.
They probably knew they were pushing the limits of a new design envelope at the time, were willing to build one if you wanted it, but still didn't know how the longevity was gonna work out.
I'm even reminded of Hans' statement in his book that they actually operated more like a custom shop than a production mill at the time, anyway.
Building 'em to order was just how they did things.

 

[gjmalcyon]

How much were they retail at that time?

Not sure, but here's a 1+ year old Reverb listing for one with the original bill of sale from '73 that looks like $895.

 

[Opsimath]

How much were they retail at that time?

I believe Hans' book says $1000 in 1972, 1973. I suppose that was a lot then.

Inflation calculator says that would be $5,524.98 today.

 

[shot put]

Hi- I inquired about one in'74 and was told they were special order items and list was 1500; shortly after they were discontinued. Thanks

 

[txbumper57]

OK, I know it is a long shot but I left the Orpheum Jumbo and the F612 on Stands next to each other in the back room. I turned the lights down low, Put on some Barry White, and gave them some privacy. :couple_inlove: If the chemistry is good, I am hoping to hear the pitter patter of little guitars before long. If this experiment works I plan on Hooking up The Brazilian D55 and the Orpheum 12 Fret Slope! Can't hurt to try right? I apologize but the pain pills are kicking in on the shoulder right now and my mind ain't quite right.

 

[Opsimath]

OK, I know it is a long shot but I left the Orpheum Jumbo and the F612 on Stands next to each other in the back room. I turned the lights down low, Put on some Barry White, and gave them some privacy. :couple_inlove: If the chemistry is good, I am hoping to hear the pitter patter of little guitars before long. If this experiment works I plan on Hooking up The Brazilian D55 and the Orpheum 12 Fret Slope! Can't hurt to try right? I apologize but the pain pills are kicking in on the shoulder right now and my mind ain't quite right.

I think your mind is working just fine. Sounds like an excellent idea to me! Good luck with the pairing and hoping for that pitter patter of little guitar feet soon!

You know we'll want to see baby pictures!

(By the way, if results are not positive I'll just throw out that, believe me, not every lady likes Barry White.)

 

[gjmalcyon]

that pitter patter of little guitar feet soon!

Wouldn't those be ukuleles?