High End Dreadnaught 12 String

[WaltW]

The question has run around in my head for decades: Why has Guild or any other guitar maker not made a 12 string Dreadnaught with higher level appointments like a D55 / D72 Guild or D42 / D45 Martin. They both have manufactured higher end conventional shaped guitars ie Guild F-512 and Martin J-40.
For this little guy, 5'7" a dreadnaught is more comfortable to play and I've always liked a nicely appointed instrument, they don't sound different to me but, it's another sense, sight, that can be stimulated.
I actually had a J-42 made by Martin Custom Shop in 1990, when money was less frugally spent by me. It was beautiful to look at but there was something seriously different about it than a stock J-40 12 that I had played. i finally sold it in 1994 during my divorce because I needed the $$.
I considered a D-42 Martin Custom 12 recently but the $9200. price tag changed my mind. Does anyone here have any inside knowledge about Guild's reasons or at least some opinions. Does guild have a custom Shop, with the recent Yamaha acquisition, that an inquiry can be spoken to?

 

[Rocky]

I think it's a combination of factors.

• Most people don't use a 12-string as their main instrument. It's just something to add tonal variation. As such, they aren't as likely to spend as much money on that type of instrument.
• Dreadnaught 12-strings (IMHO) don't sound nearly as good as larger or smaller bodied 12-strings. People who buy dreadnaught 12's (again IMHO) buy them because they feel familiar to the dreadnaught 6-strings they already own, and not for tonal qualities.
• People who are serious about their 12-strings buy a Guild Jumbo, which are available with bling.

Most high end shops don't even carry 12-strings unless they're in on consignment. They don't move very quickly.

I'm not particularly large, and I went with a Breedlove 12-string -'concerto' size, I think. Slightly smaller body, tighter waist. It sounds better, even if it's not a particularly high end model.

 

[Wilmywood]

There is a page on Guild's website for such inquiries

Contact Us | Guild Guitars

guildguitars.com

 

[FNG]

Guild has made some pretty fancy 12 string dreads..but not in production numbers.

 

[twocorgis]

There are a few D55-12s that were made in Westerly IIRC, and I think at least one of them is owned by our members. The rest of the fancy Guild 12ers are all 17" jumbos.

 

[WaltW]

Thank You gentlemen for the information. I had no idea that any had been made at all. The D8012 certainly has a lot of Abalone and that Cherry Burst? sets off the visual nicely.
I actually have, found since I asked the question, that Martin made a limited run Roger McGuinn M42 12. One sold used for ONLY $14,000+. In my younger days............maybe! Retired now.............I'll stick with my D312SB.

 

[twocorgis]

I'll stick with my D312SB.

Do you mean "G312SB"? For some unexplained reason (but consistent with Guild's inconsistent naming conventions), the 12 string versions of the D40 and D50 were known as "G212" and "G312", respectively.

 

[WaltW]

Wooooops!
Old habits don't change easily for me. I've always thought of it as a D for dreadnaught. I changed my signature description too!

 

[Cougar]

The question has run around in my head for decades: Why has Guild or any other guitar maker not made a 12 string Dreadnaught with higher level appointments....

Well, it's not the higher level appointments, but it's a Guild dread 12 over on reverb. Almost looks like an ebony fretboard, but I think it's just a dark rosewood.....

 

[kostask]

You don't need a dreadnought 12 string necessarily if you are looking for a smaller bodied 12 string. There is the F312, which is an OM sized 12 string in rosewood. I'm not sure about how your desire for fancy appointments and what is on the F312 match up, but it was the higher end "small" (as in F112/F212/F312 sized, approximately OM sized) 12 string in the line up. They are out there, but there aren't a lot of them out there.

 

[twocorgis]

Well, it's not the higher level appointments, but it's a Guild dread 12 over on reverb. Almost looks like an ebony fretboard, but I think it's just a dark rosewood.....

I agree, and that's a lot like my '96. Beautiful, bling or no bling.