Info on F312 at Lark Street Music?

[F-412Spec]

"Thanks for confirming the problems may be far less common than perceived by those who've had 'em."

I got the idea from the comments that most of the problems were appearing on later guitars.

 

[BOBREID]

Hi Bob, welcome aboard! A link to the guitar would help.

At least some of the early F212/312's had flatter/wider necks, closer to the 2" nut width of a classical. It's what drew Ralph Towner to the brand initially.

From here https://twogoodears.blogspot.com/2010/10/music-and-its-tools-ralph-towners-guild.html

"Towner had his first F-212, right in time - after Paul Winter Consort - to join Weather Report for "The Moor" on "I sing the Body Electric". Shortly after followed at least two custom-made at Guild's workshop: a Florentine cutaway F-212 and an abalone-less fretboard F-512: the first mahoganny bodied and the second in Brazilian Rosewood, both with flat, classical-like 52 mm at nut fretboards as per Ralph's wishes, needing the same room he was used to while playing his classical guitar."

And the author's comment re the "off-the shelf" models he owned:
"...Not bad guitars, BUT I always had the feeling of being imprecise in picking and fingering with my left hand... then I discovered the F-312 (1965), F-112 (1974) and F-212 (1964), ALL with that so wise 52 mm at nut."

If you can post a link we can offer observations from a deep pool of knowledge here re condition if nothing else, and it's just possible on of our members, Hans Moust, may have info previously reported to him by s/n..

How "experienced" are you in buying "vintage player" instruments?. It'll help us answer according to your experience level. We don't hold inexperience against folks, just no need to tell you stuff you already know.

I am appreciative of the input from this group. I am fairly experienced with vintage instruments, as well as some time spent doing repairs, built 1 guitar from scratch and another from a StewMac kit. I am fairly new to Guilds, though I have long admired them. I perform in a vocal/instrumental duo and have found the addition of the 12 string a pleasant surprise. It is displacing my Gibson Advanced Jumbo in all but a few songs. I am hoping this 312 will step in and play a role.

 

[chazmo]

Keep us posted, Bob. The F-312 has always been on my bucket list, but what I'd really like is to A/B them with my Orpheum 12.

 

[BOBREID]

I received the 1965 Guild F312 today and I am in love with it! It is the little brother to my 1985 F512. When I tuned it up to D, it took a little while to warm up, but “Oh my!” it has beautiful tone and plays quite well. The nut width and neck profile are not an issue and I find myself fingerpicking it more than I do my 512. It is very responsive.

The bridge has been shaved down and the break of the strings over the saddle is pretty flat, so a reset is in the future, but not as soon as I had thought. I haven’t looked inside to check out those top cracks around the pickguard.

I may raise the saddle a little. I think it would sing out more after a reset, but it could step onto stage tomorrow and be just fine. What a beauty!

 

[12 string]

Stunning!

 

[GGJaguar]

Beautiful, congrats!!

 

[chazmo]

Bob, congratulations. Wonderful!

 

[Cougar]

Niiiiiiiice!

 

[mavuser]

very nice! looks like a twin to mine, check it out here: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/1965-f-312-repaired-by-tom-jacobs.203037/

 

[BOBREID]

very nice! looks like a twin to mine, check it out here: https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/1965-f-312-repaired-by-tom-jacobs.203037/

Very nice! What do you strings yours with? Do you tune up to “E”?

 

[mavuser]

Very nice! What do you strings yours with? Do you tune up to “E”?

I use 9's, first I had Dean Markley Vintage Bronze, but I just changed them to Ernie Ball Earthwounds.
I do typically tune to standard (is that what you mean by "E?"). But I hadn't been playing this guitar much and thought I might sell it, plus with the totally flat neck and 2" nut, I am not so great on it. So recently I de-tuned it a full step. Have to say I am enjoying the guitar a lot more now. I may try open D next...is that what you did? or just a full step down like me? If I wind up keeping it, I may get heavier gauge strings and find an open or alternate tuning that accomodates that. It is a trophy Guild for sure. congrats again on yours

 

[BOBREID]

I use 9's, first I had Dean Markley Vintage Bronze, but I just changed them to Ernie Ball Earthwounds.
I do typically tune to standard (is that what you mean by "E?"). But I hadn't been playing this guitar much and thought I might sell it, plus with the totally flat neck and 2" nut, I am not so great on it. So recently I de-tuned it a full step. Have to say I am enjoying the guitar a lot more now. I may try open D next...is that what you did? or just a full step down like me? If I wind up keeping it, I may get heavier gauge strings and find an open or alternate tuning that accomodates that. It is a trophy Guild for sure. congrats again on yours

I am tuning mine down a whole step. It is strung with D’Addario J38 lights “10s”. It was tuned to pitch, “E” in the shop, but I am enjoying it tuned low.

 

[mavuser]

I am tuning mine down a whole step. It is strung with D’Addario J38 lights “10s”. It was tuned to pitch, “E” in the shop, but I am enjoying it tuned low.

On my first 12-string purchase (1980 Guild G-312) I went with 10's, and they were too much for me at standard pitch/E, but sounded amazing tuned down a full step. I really wanted to play in standard pitch though so I have been going with 9's since then. on this 65 F-312 again with that classical 12-string neck, playing in standard pitch just doesn't seem to be in the cards. I was never one for alternate tunings but i'm starting to have more fun with it on the F-312 now. I was thinking of trying 10's in open D and trying it for slide guitar. i'm not sure though

 

[HeyMikey]

I am tuning mine down a whole step. It is strung with D’Addario J38 lights “10s”. It was tuned to pitch, “E” in the shop, but I am enjoying it tuned low.

I do the same on mine.