Ready to buy new F512..should I look for New Hartford built?

[Carpe Guitar]

After years of buying used, I want to buy a new F512. From some of the discussion here it seems that the new ones from New Hartford are likely to be of higher consistent quality than ones built on the west coast. If I buy now will I get a New Hartford guitar or remaining stock from elsewhere? Should I bother worrying about it? Can I tell by the serial number where it was built?
Sure wish I could have been on the factory tour.

 

[Brad Little]

If I buy now will I get a New Hartford guitar or remaining stock from elsewhere? Should I bother worrying about it? Can I tell by the serial number where it was built?
Sure wish I could have been on the factory tour.

I can't speak to the quality of the West Coast made ones, but as to what you'll find, it depends on the store. I'm pretty sure some places would still have some Tacoma made models in stock. As to serial number, I don't know, but the New Hartford models are clearly marked on the label. Mine has no serial number any place BUT the label, so the NH models probably don't have one on the back of the headstock.
Brad

 

[jgwoods]

Right now I wouldn't buy a Guild unless it was a New Hartford built one. I bought a GSR-F40 which was only made there. For models that have continued from plant to plant if I was buying on-line, sight unseen, I would tell the seller it must be a New Hartford guitar or I'm sending it back. And make sure the sales agreement specifies that. (somehow I can just see Musician Friend promising you a New Hartford, and shipping whatever is in the warehouse...)

 

[Scratch]

I had a very nice Tacoma-built F-512. There's never been anything on this forum about inconsistency in the quality of first run Tacoma crafted guitars.

Anything marked 'Used' from any factory should be scrutinized. I had great luck with a 'blem/used' 2003 Corona-built D25 and a horrible experience with a 'blem/used' CV-1C from the Tacoma plant. We understand the NH plant has also started releasing 'used/blem' guitars. If you go in that direction (they are usually very reasonable priced) it would be wise to consider purchasing from someone who offers a money-back guarantee.

If you can find one, a Westerly built F-512 is an option well worth considering.

 

[killdeer43]

Your quest aside, did I notice a first post?
If so, welcome Carpe Guitar. You've certainly come to the right place.
You'll like it here!

Joe

 

[Dadaist]

Right now I wouldn't buy a Guild unless it was a New Hartford built one. I bought a GSR-F40 which was only made there. For models that have continued from plant to plant if I was buying on-line, sight unseen, I would tell the seller it must be a New Hartford guitar or I'm sending it back. And make sure the sales agreement specifies that. (somehow I can just see Musician Friend promising you a New Hartford, and shipping whatever is in the warehouse...)

I tend to disagree. You should evaluate a Guild on a guitar by guitar basis. Bait and Switch antics aside by the likes of some online sellers, you could probably get a nice discount if you could find a Tacoma made '512.

I recently played, back to back, a NH 512, and a Tacoma F50R at a local Guild Dealer, and to be honest, the Tacoma guitar was the better sounding, overall. Yeah, one was a six versus a twelve, but fit and finish seemed about the same. In this case, it didn't seem that they weren't giving much of a discount on what I would consider a NOS instrument.

I've also played Fred's aka valleyguy's Tacoma D50 a number of times and overall I found it to be the equivelent of my Westerly D50, though they're almost twenty years and three thousand miles apart. Nice neck, great sound. All of my Guilds are Westerly, so I don't have a bias or investment in either a Tacoma or a New Hartford instrument.

Just my $.02, and like elbows, most everyone has two, or at least one....

David

 

[devellis]

I'm certainly very happy with my New Hartford 512, although I don't think I've ever played one from Tacoma or Corona. Given that the NH guitars seem to be top rate, the one thing I'd wonder about is if an earlier guitar still hasn't sold, might it not be the best to have come out of the plant that made it? Kind of a Darwinian view, I suppose. On the other hand, if you can try out a west coast 512 and you love it, there's really no reason to pass it over.

 

[killdeer43]

I played Steffan's 70s ('75?) F512 in Vancouver on Tuesday and I'm still a Westerly guy.
That's one fine-sounding, easy-playing 12 string. So smooth.

*Show us your F512, Steffan! :wink:

Joe

 

[Brad Little]

I played Steffan's 70s ('75?) F512 in Vancouver on Tuesday and I'm still a Westerly guy.

I belong to a folk society with a guy who has a Westerly 512, and he keeps threatening to bring it in to compare with my NH one. It will be interesting to see and hear the differences. Those of us who were on the tour know there is a difference in the truss rod configuration.
Brad

 

[killdeer43]

Those of us who were on the tour know there is a difference in the truss rod configuration.
Brad

Don't take up too much of your time, but what's the difference?

Joe

 

[Brad Little]

Those of us who were on the tour know there is a difference in the truss rod configuration.
Brad

Don't take up too much of your time, but what's the difference?

Joe

The original Guild 12-string design had a double truss rod. The new ones have only a single truss rod with two carbon fiber rods along side it for reinforcement. There are some who say that the double rod is the reason Guild 12-string necks have been so stable. My '64 F-212, for example, has been kept at concert pitch at all times, and until the last few years, as I've aged less gracefully than it has, I also kept relatively heavy strings on it (12s with a wound octave 'A' string). I had one small tweak on the neck at the Hoboken factory around 1967-68, mainly to set the action to what I liked, and it's been rock solid ever since. Time will tell on the newer version, but at 62 YO, I don't think I'll be around to see how it's held up after another 45 years
Brad

 

[taabru45]

I played Steffan's 70s ('75?) F512 in Vancouver on Tuesday and I'm still a Westerly guy.
That's one fine-sounding, easy-playing 12 string. So smooth.

*Show us your F512, Steffan! :wink:

Joe

Hi Joe....as you said...what action..? These strings feel almost........not there :lol: :lol:

 

[Bing k]

Our experience indicates that both shops, Tacoma and NH built or are building very high quality instruments. I believe there are some real buys to be made on some stellar Tacoma built guitars out there. The wait for NH guitars is still rather long as they are not completing more than a few a day.

 

[6L6]

Well, I've been LOVIN' my '06 F-412 for four years now. Fabulous guitar!!!!

6

'06 F-412
'06 D-55
'77 D-50
'74 D-40

 

[chazmo]

Our experience indicates that both shops, Tacoma and NH built or are building very high quality instruments. I believe there are some real buys to be made on some stellar Tacoma built guitars out there. The wait for NH guitars is still rather long as they are not completing more than a few a day.

I love my 2006 (Tacoma) F-512 to death. For sure, the new ones are fabulous and have certain changes that have lightened the guitar and improved playability a bit; I've played a couple and they feel and sound like my Tacoma; I'd buy one in a heartbeat if I needed one. I bought my Tacoma in late 2007 and it had been at the store languishing for about a year. It finally went on the "discount rack" and I couldn't resist anymore. As Bing said, though, the volumes on the new ones are not going to give you much opportunity to wait for a sale at the store.

I'm not sure how much remaining stock you're going to find of (NOS) Tacoma F-512s. There are probably some (and maybe Bing can hook you up), but I haven't seen one in over a year.

 

[adorshki]

If I buy now will I get a New Hartford guitar or remaining stock from elsewhere? Should I bother worrying about it? Can I tell by the serial number where it was built?

HI Carpe: Welcome to the Nuthouse!! :lol: Nobody's given this specific answer yet, but the inside labels ALL say where they're made, in case you decide you want to stick with a particular place of maufacture..

 

[taabru45]

Whos' nuthouse...what nuthouse......isn't this LTG...?? :lol: :lol: I was trying to find out how to get some good Chinese food............or Vietnamese food...man I saw a good looking dish the other day......oh where was I? right...Chinese.....nuthouse....with almonds.....hmmm I think that was it..... :? Steffan

 

[onewilyfool]

I like those double truss rods of the old R.I. guitars.....you can tweak the neck just like you like it...

 

[adorshki]

Whos' nuthouse...what nuthouse......isn't this LTG...?? :lol: :lol: I was trying to find out how to get some good Chinese food............or Vietnamese food...man I saw a good looking dish the other day......oh where was I? right...Chinese.....nuthouse....with almonds.....hmmm I think that was it..... :? Steffan

VEER ALERT: U-U-u-r-p. 'Scuse me. Sliced lychi and cucumber salad. Sesame oil/rice wine vinegar dressing with lemon zest and a hint of hunan chile. Chopped lemon grass, peanuts and and cilantro to taste. Toss with rice noodles and shredded BBQ chicken if desired. Nice on a hot day. With significant other if available. Also handy for ATTRACTING significant others if needed. Will answer the demands of both Chinese AND Vietnamese palates.
Here's an easy one: RAW peanuts boiled in soy sauce (diluted).
And don't forget you can lure ducks into a trap with a trail of breadcrumbs. END OF VEER

 

[Carpe Guitar]

@killdeer43 and adorshki: Thank you for welcoming me to the forum....I spent a lot time in the last week reading all the threads on 12 strings and appreciate everyone's helpful responses.....even the food choices!

I'm already a Guild 12 owner...got a G312 over 20 years ago, but I've always wanted the big jumbo F512 and finally decided to go for it.

I'll probably end up with a New Hartford current production model...the new single truss rod+2 carbon rods system doesn't have a lot of history but I'm willing to trust the engineering folks at Guild....and it will have a warranty. I've bought several used 6 string guitars sight unseen from online places and always been satisfied. But I'm a little nervous buying a used 12 string without actually seeing and playing it...seems like the higher tension is less forgiving. I've been looking quite a while locally and have given up waiting to find a used one...and every time I see another positive comment on the F512 I get more impatient to get one.

I'm surprised to read that there is NO SERIAL number imprinted anywhere on the guitar except on the paper label....can anyone confirm that there's no number hiding inside, perhaps on the endblock?

The Tacoma serial numbers start with T...does that mean the New Hartford ones start with N? I checked the "Dating your Guild" webpage but it stops at 2005.