What $500 and under 12-string acoustic/electric to save my old Guilds the stresses of bus living?

[josh brokaw]

I'm lucky to have two old Guild 12-strings, a '65 F212 Hoboken-built and a '78 G312. Upon getting an old neck break re-repaired on the G312, the luthier was supposed to put a K&K in there. I've thought of that as my performance guitar. Thinking about my itinerant lifestyle - just bought a short bus- and the fact I'd like to keep these guitars a long, long time, I'm now thinking that an imported acoustic/electric of the sub-$500 variety would be ideal to keep with me when traveling. Maybe even get fancy and pick up a guitar with a cutaway.

What's your favorites? Of the Guilds they make over there and anything else? Is a '90s model with factory electronics of any maker going to hold up to modern standards? All opinions/experience with guitars in this range - standouts and dogs - is appreciated.

 

[dreadnut]

I'm thinking G312 for your travel guitar because it's already been broken and repaired a couple times, and keep the F212 for your nice one. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[davismanLV]

Although it lists for $699, our fearless leader Gary picked one up for considerably less. Antique Burst, Trans Black Burst, and Dark Blue Burst!! What a deal!! Guild F-2512ce!!



Pretty cool, huh?

 

[chazmo]

Josh, hard to advise without knowing what climates you face. It's not so much the living in a short-bus thing, but the truth is that any solid wood guitar, such as both your G-312 and F-212, will have trouble with radically changing climates and prolonged exposure to either too-dry or (less so) too-wet climates.

Plus, if you're doing a lot of backpacking, neither of these is a good choice from a portability point of view.

I'd suggest looking for an all-laminate guitar, such as an Ibanez or something, or even a non-wood guitar (not likely to find one under $500 though)... or look closely at a Martin BackPacker (for hiking, etc.) which are < $300 new!


Good luck, whatever you choose.

 

[geoguy]

A carbon fiber guitar might be best for that lifestyle, but it would likely cost closer to $2K.

 

[fronobulax]

A carbon fiber guitar might be best for that lifestyle, but it would likely cost closer to $2K.

I wondered if there were such a thing as a carbon fiber 12 string so I asked Google. I was too distracted to actually see if there was an answer because this Ovation popped up at $650 street, new. Seems like it might be durable enough to handle the various environmental conditions.

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Ovation/Elite-2058-TX-12-String-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar-Black-1273887991847.gc?cntry=us

 

[chazmo]

Rainsong used to make one, Fro.

 

[davismanLV]

Rainsong guitars are EXPENSIVE!!

 

[geoguy]

Yeah, Rainsong was what I had in mind, but they are indeed pricey. The GC description for that Ovation says it has a AA spruce top & rosewood fretboard, so not really a carbon-fiber guitar.

Odd, it doesn't look like a wood top.

 

[chazmo]

Well, an Ovation's not a bad idea for a 12er given the composite bowl. But a solid top is gonna be a problem.

It's true, the Backpacker I mentioned is only a 6-string.

 

[Stuball48]

The 240E that Richard P. sent Johnny G. sounds great and Johnny G. says it plays easy.

 

[josh brokaw]

Although it lists for $699, our fearless leader Gary picked one up for considerably less. Antique Burst, Trans Black Burst, and Dark Blue Burst!! What a deal!! Guild F-2512ce!!



Pretty cool, huh?

I do like the look of the 2512 and I admit the cutaway is tempting. Not seeing many of the cutaways pop up used yet. Maybe one will come around soon. Or Gary can lend me that one out for a roadworthiness test, seems like he's got some others to keep him busy, right?

 

[josh brokaw]

Yeah, Rainsong was what I had in mind, but they are indeed pricey. The GC description for that Ovation says it has a AA spruce top & rosewood fretboard, so not really a carbon-fiber guitar.

Odd, it doesn't look like a wood top.

Those sunburst jumbo RainSongs look real nice. Definitely not backpack guitars. And costing new more than I paid for the bus.
The last backpacking overnight I did, took as an opportunity to work on harmonica. That's the best ultralight solution I've found so far.

 

[josh brokaw]

The Guilds both when I've traveled with them have been impressively solid in the tuning department. I'm hoping that any solid/laminate import could come close, accepting that I'm not going to play it in direct rainstorms. Aiming for a winner in the "if it's lost/stolen/beat up not going to cry but still giggable" category.

 

[josh brokaw]

Has anyone played the 2612? It's hard to find 12 strings on the wall in the wild ...

 

[crank]

I kept a decent parlor guitar on my boat for around 3 years and it did not effect it at all. Well the case actually did get a little bit of mold in it.

I recently got one of those Backpacker by Martin guitars for $40 off Craigslist. Thing sounds like crap but it has a nice wide neck and is super light. Doesn't take up much space either. Were I to actually back pack with it I would strap it to the outside of my pack. Not that I am ever going backpacking.

 

[Guildedagain]

Older Washburn D25-12, no contest.

 

[GAD]

Rainsong is once again making CF 12-strings according to the original design after a MASSIVE influx of people begging them to do so. They are a lot more than $500, though.

I think at some point I may buy one because having a 12-string you can play at concert pitch and never worry about a neck reset is a beautiful thing. I also happen to think that they sound great.

 

[GAD]

Although it lists for $699, our fearless leader Gary picked one up for considerably less. Antique Burst, Trans Black Burst, and Dark Blue Burst!! What a deal!! Guild F-2512ce!!



Pretty cool, huh?

Great guitar, but remember that it doesn't come with a case so you'll need to add that to the price.

My only complaint with it is the saddle which is ridiculously high, but that's an easy fix.

 

[Cougar]

I do like the look of the 2512....

For a $500 Guild 12-string, that pretty much zeroes you in on the Guild F-2512E Maple. There are several brand new on ebay for exactly that, or for 20-something bucks more, you can get one through Sweetwater with free shipping. You could likely get a 10-15% discount from them, too, if you ask for it. That's a laminate braceless archback maple 17.25" lower bout JUMBO and is going to be a heck of a 12-string for 500 bucks! Forget the cutaway! Who plays up there on a 12-string anyway?