NGD: 1969 F312

[casey2048]

Hmm... OK. They look "normal" to me, Glenn, but I haven't had a chance to consult the bible.

I’d be curious if @hansmoust has any thoughts about their stockness!

 

[wileypickett]

Hmm... OK. They look "normal" to me, Glenn, but I haven't had a chance to consult the bible.

Well, what do I know?

It's the "plank" part that doesn't look right to me. (Or maybe I should say, "doesn't look familiar.")

These are like most of the ones that have come on various of my Westerly 12-strings, right down to the engraving:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/126285348188

 

[casey2048]

On closer inspection, they're definitely not the same as the "Sta-tites" that Hans had on his site. No idea what they are! They're a bit stiff but they actually don't work too badly.

 

[HeyMikey]

Here is what is on mine, which is 17 units after Casey’s. I recall someone saying they are of a Japanese manufacture.

I actually bought another set (no ferrules) so you can see the back side here. FYI I’d part with them cheap if you need them.

 

[casey2048]

very cool thank you for sharing. and i might take you up on that too. i do prefer the nickel look, but those look nice too. how is the feel on those?

 

[casey2048]

For those interested, @hansmoust advises the tuners on my F312 are stock.

 

[chazmo]

For those interested, @hansmoust advises the tuners on my F312 are stock.

Hey, I "Charlie'd" everyone!

 

[West R Lee]

Beautiful guitar Casey. I'm betting Urban would tell you a neck set on a Guild is quite a bit different than Collings, but if Urban worked there, he knows perfection, or as close as humanly possible.

West

 

[casey2048]

Beautiful guitar Casey. I'm betting Urban would tell you a neck set on a Guild is quite a bit different than Collings, but if Urban worked there, he knows perfection, or as close as humanly possible.

West

I’m sure that’s true! When I told him how much trouble I’d had finding someone his quote was, “Guild necks don’t scare me.” He also told me has a different process for getting the neck off - he doesn’t use steam but rather a foam cutter that he customized. First I had heard of that.

 

[GGJaguar]

For those interested, @hansmoust advises the tuners on my F312 are stock.

I only wanted to know if they were made by Van Ghent. Guild sometimes used them.

 

[casey2048]

I only wanted to know if they were made by Van Ghent. Guild sometimes used them.

I asked Hans who made them but i haven’t heard back. I did see some other VG tuners on reverb that look a little similar. I wouldn’t be very surprised to hear that was the case.

 

[kostask]

I’m sure that’s true! When I told him how much trouble I’d had finding someone his quote was, “Guild necks don’t scare me.” He also told me has a different process for getting the neck off - he doesn’t use steam but rather a foam cutter that he customized. First I had heard of that.

Ted Woodford (twoodfrd on Youtube) has been doing this for at least a couple of years now. He even has a video that goes over the reasons for it, and what benefits it brings. He also has more than one video of the foam cutters being used to remove necks for neck resets. A couple are Guilds, but also note that Guild was not the only one to finish a guitar with the neck being attached; there are also Gibsons done the same way. The last video he did in which he talks about this involved a Gibson Dove (I think; it was a square shouldered dread in any case).

P.S. Ted Woodford doesn't claim to have come up with this, in the video in which he discussed the use of the foam cutters, he gives full credit to the person who came up with the idea, and even points to where the foam cutters and associated equipment can be bought.

 

[F-412Spec]

Here are some factors which may affect luthiers' willingness to set these necks:

1. There is factory finish over the joint. This finish must be separated before removing the neck. I have a little Xacto chisel (razor-blade thin and sharp; 3/8" wide) I use for this. Takes about 30 seconds.

2. Many Guild necks are laminated. Some luthiers believe there is a greater risk of separating the laminations at the heel when steaming the joint. I have not had this happen (I use steam, but only for about 45-60 seconds (three 15-20 second injection-bursts).

3. The Guild dovetail is 5º instead of the more widely used 10º. This makes it harder to get a good, fast pull-together while gluing the joint.

4. To match the factory appearance, finish must be matched, blended, sanded, and polished at the reset joint. Sometimes this is a pain in the rear due to varying factory finish color, and color-shifting from aging.

Take a look at Bryan Kimsey's comments about neck reset procedures if you want info from a paid professional who has done too many resets to count. Also look at Frank Ford's comments (frets.com).

This might interest you as well:

Neck joint dovetail geometry on Guild 12 string guitars​

I just took this Guild F212XL S/N 89015 1973 neck/body joint apart and thought maybe others would like to know what it looks like, and other information. First, an observation - The Guilds I've taken apart (four from the '60s and two from the '70s) have had no dovetail shims from the factory...

letstalkguild.com

 

[SFIV1967]

Are those Van Ghent tuners?

Good question! Comparing them with the 6 string Van Gent on the left they are constructed differently. Waverly?
(By the way, Van Gent is spelled without the "h". http://www.gebrvangent.com/Eng/Enggent.html)



Ralf

 

[casey2048]

@F-412Spec That’s all great info. The neck has already been successfully reset on this guitar, but I’m sure luthiers out there can find this while researching.