txbumper57
Enlightened Member
As some of you know around 3 months ago I got the chance of a lifetime to purchase a 1971 F612. After the month long wait to get her into the shop for repairs and the 2 month wait for her to actually have the work done she is officially home. I figured she needed a proper NGD!
The history of this F612 is definitely colorful. From what the previous owner has told me as well as some of the evidence in the original case such as hang tags and Paperwork, It's Original Owner was Jonathan Edwards who had the 1971 Hit Song "Sunshine". The previous owner contacted Edwards and He did verify that this was his guitar. He also verified that it was ordered from Guild on the advice of John Denver at the same time that John Denver placed an order for 2 of his. Edwards did not want to sign anything officially for the guitar due to legality issues. Whether it is true or not makes no difference to me as it is an Amazing Instrument.
Somewhere between 1971 and 1980 this old girl had a rough life. There were several repairs that were performed in 1980 including a Neck Reset, Small piece of spruce spliced into the top under the bridge, and a few crack repairs. All of the work is documented on the inside of the top and is signed and dated by the Luthier that performed those repairs.
When it arrived it was in rough shape. On top of the original repairs which needed attention she took a nasty deflection hit during shipping to the top. Not only did it knock a brace loose but it also separated the top along the binding from the lower treble side bout upwards about 12 inches. Thank god it was on the seam edge and did not crack the wood. There was also an issue of the fret board starting to come loose from the neck by the first 2 frets not to mention that the finish looked like it had been in a fight with a Scotch Brite pad and lost.
My Luthier and myself discussed a plan of attack on this guitar and both agreed to keep it as original as possible. We put together a plan to fix everything that needed it and Buff leave the original finish on the guitar. This would allow it to retain it's Originality and MOJO while turning it into an Amazing player. Somewhere down the line someone installed a compensated bone saddle that works great. All of the repairs were performed wonderfully and you would never know there was a seam separation on the lower bout. She buffed up well and still retains some finish checking which only adds to the character she already has. The action is perfect as well as intonation and there is at least 1/4" of saddle for future adjustments.
As far as the tone is concerned, the best way to describe it is like listening to 2 F512's in Stereo. The lows are the deepest and clearest I have ever heard on a 12 string and the balance across the board is AMAZING! I would also liken it to sounding like a Grand Piano in a large Hall. When strummed it truly sounds like a symphony of instruments playing together. It sounds like 10,000 angels all trying to get out if the sound hole at the same time. The response while finger picking and flat picking is wonderful as well. I had always heard that the F612 was the pinnacle of 12 string sound and I could only imagine how wonderful they were. After playing this one it has wonderfully surpassed any expectations I previously had of how great they actually were.
I tried to get a soundclip this morning for everyone but my shoulder is not cooperating at this time. I will try to have one up in a week as well as clips of some of my other recent Acquisitions. Until then Pictures will have to do to hold everyone over. I am so glad that she is finally home!
Here is the Sound clip I promised everyone. If you hear some zinging in the strings it's not the guitar it is my arm being swollen. Just some strumming with some single note flat picking at the end. Enjoy!
https://soundcloud.com/txbumper57/1971-guild-f-612
Here ya go!!
The history of this F612 is definitely colorful. From what the previous owner has told me as well as some of the evidence in the original case such as hang tags and Paperwork, It's Original Owner was Jonathan Edwards who had the 1971 Hit Song "Sunshine". The previous owner contacted Edwards and He did verify that this was his guitar. He also verified that it was ordered from Guild on the advice of John Denver at the same time that John Denver placed an order for 2 of his. Edwards did not want to sign anything officially for the guitar due to legality issues. Whether it is true or not makes no difference to me as it is an Amazing Instrument.
Somewhere between 1971 and 1980 this old girl had a rough life. There were several repairs that were performed in 1980 including a Neck Reset, Small piece of spruce spliced into the top under the bridge, and a few crack repairs. All of the work is documented on the inside of the top and is signed and dated by the Luthier that performed those repairs.
When it arrived it was in rough shape. On top of the original repairs which needed attention she took a nasty deflection hit during shipping to the top. Not only did it knock a brace loose but it also separated the top along the binding from the lower treble side bout upwards about 12 inches. Thank god it was on the seam edge and did not crack the wood. There was also an issue of the fret board starting to come loose from the neck by the first 2 frets not to mention that the finish looked like it had been in a fight with a Scotch Brite pad and lost.
My Luthier and myself discussed a plan of attack on this guitar and both agreed to keep it as original as possible. We put together a plan to fix everything that needed it and Buff leave the original finish on the guitar. This would allow it to retain it's Originality and MOJO while turning it into an Amazing player. Somewhere down the line someone installed a compensated bone saddle that works great. All of the repairs were performed wonderfully and you would never know there was a seam separation on the lower bout. She buffed up well and still retains some finish checking which only adds to the character she already has. The action is perfect as well as intonation and there is at least 1/4" of saddle for future adjustments.
As far as the tone is concerned, the best way to describe it is like listening to 2 F512's in Stereo. The lows are the deepest and clearest I have ever heard on a 12 string and the balance across the board is AMAZING! I would also liken it to sounding like a Grand Piano in a large Hall. When strummed it truly sounds like a symphony of instruments playing together. It sounds like 10,000 angels all trying to get out if the sound hole at the same time. The response while finger picking and flat picking is wonderful as well. I had always heard that the F612 was the pinnacle of 12 string sound and I could only imagine how wonderful they were. After playing this one it has wonderfully surpassed any expectations I previously had of how great they actually were.
I tried to get a soundclip this morning for everyone but my shoulder is not cooperating at this time. I will try to have one up in a week as well as clips of some of my other recent Acquisitions. Until then Pictures will have to do to hold everyone over. I am so glad that she is finally home!
Here is the Sound clip I promised everyone. If you hear some zinging in the strings it's not the guitar it is my arm being swollen. Just some strumming with some single note flat picking at the end. Enjoy!
https://soundcloud.com/txbumper57/1971-guild-f-612
Here ya go!!
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