Guild F412 vs Martin D35-12 vs Guild JF55-12

[richt54]

I’ve always liked comparison videos. But Guild vs Martin I don’t often see. These are videos of guitars that I own. Since one is a Martin if the video is deemed inappropriate due to not being Guild please delete. Tunes played are approximately the same. I added my JF55-12 that I bought from Dan (Longnose Gar) The Martin and F-412 are now gone. Nice to have them all together here.

 

[banjomike]

Very good comparison videos! They represent both brands very well.
They're both really good sounding guitars. The comparison wasn't at all inappropriate to me.
...and I liked your medley a lot.

 

[GGJaguar]

Nice comparison to show off the two flavors of 12ers!

 

[chazmo]

That's not inappropriate at all, Rich! I love it!

Besides, any excuse to match a Guild 12 against a Martin 12 is enjoyed around here, although that's one of Martin's big guns for sure.

Your comparo matches my own experience (with a D12-20, that is). The Martin is so different from the Guild.

Very nice playing, by the way, and good luck with the sales!

 

[rmoretti49]

Very nice comparison. At home, I have compared my JF55-12 (F512) to my D212. So the comparison is somewhat similar, jumbo vs. a dread. The jumbo wins, of course. But just as in your videos, the Guild jumbo has a depth that sounds different to me than any other 12 string. But that Martin of yours sounds quite fine in its own right. Nice playing!

 

[chazmo]

Very nice comparison. At home, I have compared my JF55-12 (F512) to my D212. So the comparison is somewhat similar, jumbo vs. a dread. The jumbo wins, of course. But just as in your videos, the Guild jumbo has a depth that sounds different to me than any other 12 string. But that Martin of yours sounds quite fine in its own right. Nice playing!

No 12-string collection is complete without a Martin D12. The Martin players also love their J12s, but for me it's the D12 that's iconic.

 

[richt54]

I added a video of my one remaining Guild.

 

[mavuser]

man u are dominating those Westerly birds, good for you! I am only curious if the strings are the same on the F-412 and the JF55-12, I imagine they are?

I have owned some really nice Guild 12-strings. F-112 (three of them), F-312, G-312, and F-412. Then a somewhat player grade black 1981 D-212 kinda fell in my lap, and I liked it better than all of them. The Brazillian F-312 I owned had a 2" nut and a classical/flat/no radius fretboard, I liked the guitar for what it was, but when someone surfaced here that wanted it, I let her go, along with a couple others, and now just own the black D-212. I never thought it would be easier for me to play than an F-112, but it is.

 

[richt54]

man u are dominating those Westerly birds, good for you! I am only curious if the strings are the same on the F-412 and the JF55-12, I imagine they are?

I have owned some really nice Guild 12-strings. F-112 (three of them), F-312, G-312, and F-412. Then a somewhat player grade black 1981 D-212 kinda fell in my lap, and I liked it better than all of them. The Brazillian F-312 I owned had a 2" nut and a classical/flat/no radius fretboard, I liked the guitar for what it was, but when someone surfaced here that wanted it, I let her go, along with a couple others, and now just own the black D-212. I never thought it would be easier for me to play than an F-112, but it is.

I don't feel as if they are the same. The JF55-12 has 10's I know because Dan (Longnose Gar) left a package of the 1st strings in the box and the F412 are slightly heavier. I don't know what they are size wise or brand for that matter. I got that guitar from Sound Pure. I have never changed the strings because they are still good IMO. When it comes to playing I have never learned finesse or have been very good with dynamics. I'm glad I still have strength in my hands because these 12 strings are beasts to play the way I like to play them. I certainly enjoy the jangle and I like my jangle loud. The Martin and the F412 are on their way to North Carolina. I'm trading for a Martin HD28v. The Martin and the Guilds contrast nicely. I like my JF55-12 slightly better than the Martin soundwise. I will miss all of my guitars. I had some nice Santa Cruz guitars and they were my favorite. Now they are ridiculously priced. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[twocorgis]

No 12-string collection is complete without a Martin D12. The Martin players also love their J12s, but for me it's the D12 that's iconic.

I'd consider getting one, but slothead 12 strings are the devil's spawn!

 

[Bernie]

Very interesting video, as it is a question I've often wondered, kind of who is the best between Guild and Martin when it comes to 12 strings...
First take : different, (and a louder 3rd it seemed to me) : I really hope no moderator will delete this, as I intend to do more listening soon (only listened to part of those videos, a bit of each but all in a row). Any guitar would do for me as they all are worth it...

Many Thanks

 

[Boneman]

Hmm, I don’t know about the others but I’m asked to enter captcha words to view the three videos, and after trying with 4 entries on one, I gave up. Thought maybe 2 was a filter for bots, but something’s odd.
*edited with screenshot, seems all videos now require this, paging @GAD, something change?

 

[twocorgis]

Hmm, I don’t know about the others but I’m asked to enter captcha words to view the three videos, and after trying with 4 entries on one, I gave up. Thought maybe 2 was a filter for bots, but something’s odd.
*edited with screenshot, seems all videos now require this, paging @GAD, something change?

Might be your VPN.

 

[Boomstick]

Very cool comparison. The Guilds sound great as does the Martin and they each sound different so there's a wide range of 12-string sounds you can get between all three.

 

[Greg Feo]

No 12-string collection is complete without a Martin D12. The Martin players also love their J12s, but for me it's the D12 that's iconic.

+1
Very Norwegian Wood'ish
All good !