Thoughts on a 90's D4-12?

[acmedrygoods]

A D4 12 string went up on CL locally for $600 w/case. I've never owned a 12 string acoustic and am keen to try one. I had a 90's D4 NT for a bit and it was perfectly ok but I ended up selling it and keeping a 74 D-35 instead that sounds much better.

Does anyone have any opinions on the D4-12 before I pursue this?
-About what you'd expect?
-Avoid like the plague?
-Same issues with the black binding loosening?
-Punches above it's weight and sounds better than its 6 string counter part?

$600 doesn't seem unreasonable and about what I'd expect to be for a D4 6 string.

Thanks

 

[beecee]

They can be really really good. And that is a good price assuming condition is acceptable.

I've played two that were shipped by Guitar Center that were unacceptable to me cosmetically. If you could see my F212 or F30 you'd know I don't necessarily need a case queen....but these were beat.

Sad too as they really did punch well above their weight....but they were a lot more than $600. I would have kept either if the price was right. That arched hog back really gives it something extra.

I prefer a hog 12 over a rosewood 12 but have yet to find a hog dred 12 that hit the price/condition sweet spot.

I don't think the D4 series suffers from binding issues as a rule.

Good luck

 

[acmedrygoods]

They can be really really good. And that is a good price assuming condition is acceptable.

I've played two that were shipped by Guitar Center that were unacceptable to me cosmetically. If you could see my F212 or F30 you'd know I don't necessarily need a case queen....but these were beat.

Sad too as they really did punch well above their weight....but they were a lot more than $600. I would have kept either if the price was right. That arched hog back really gives it something extra.

I prefer a hog 12 over a rosewood 12 but have yet to find a hog dred 12 that hit the price/condition sweet spot.

I don't think the D4 series suffers from binding issues as a rule.

Good luck

Thanks. Good to hear. I'll check it out this week.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I ended up putting a new soundboard on a '94 D4-12 (owned by a friend) that came in for a mere bridge repair (You can read the whole sordid tale here, if interested). Long story short, I removed a lifting bridge which already had torn a section of the soundboard off. I repaired the entire area beneath the bridge, reglued it, strung it up the next day and it sounded just fine, just like a Guild 12 string should. Unfortunately, a poor grade of Spruce had been selected for this particular guitar when it was built, one containing rather severe runout. The newly glued bridge actually then sheared off the soundboard - so I decided to completely overhaul the guitar (which included new, wood binding). As you might expect, the "new" D4-12 sounded incredible!

I share my adventure hoping not to scare anyone away from this model. In fact, my unique experience with that original soundboard would not prevent me from purchasing a D4-12, not at all! I think these guitars are a great value - an archback Mahogany GUILD 12 string, that sells today for the same price it did 30 years ago.

 

[mavuser]

generally speaking, the D-212 and D-25-12 are very highly regarded. Tom Petty played both on many of his top hits, and in live shows. currently I own a D-212 (1981) and it is holy grail tone for sure. for 600 the D-4-12 could be quite a score, but I don't really know. good luck

 

[acmedrygoods]

Sadly this got snagged ononday before I could see it. Next time.