Differences Between the 70's F512's and Modern Days F512?

[chazmo]

Easy, Rich. We veer all the time. Get used to it.

The pyramid brace that we're talking about could have an effect on tone so it's not even a veer. It's important and relevant.

Discussion of the bracing change(s) in Oxnard has been moved into this new thread:

New bracing techniques in Oxnard

From what I understand, when Ren Ferguson took charge in 2016 over Oxnard (VP of manufacturing and R&D), they've redesigned all USA Guild bracing (from D-20 and up to F-512). There are those distinguished "peak" bracings seen near soundhole in F-512 (pics attached). Here is his quote : "THE...

letstalkguild.com

 

[Rob Reilly]

I can make one comment about my 2019 Oxnard built F512E. The ends of the frets were sharp, not well finished, catching on the fingers and annoying. I had to file them down with a tiny jeweler's file.

 

[SFIV1967]

I can make one comment about my 2019 Oxnard built F512E. The ends of the frets were sharp, not well finished, catching on the fingers and annoying. I had to file them down with a tiny jeweler's file.

That is also an effect when a guitar moves from a more humid area to a dry area. I have a Hawaiian built ukulele which had this effect after the first winter in Germany. So depending how long she was in a store (maybe with air condition) such things happen. It's natural wood any sometimes is not a sign of a bad built quality.
Ralf

 

[Christopher Cozad]

...I have a Hawaiian built...

Speaking of Hawaii...

 

[Br1ck]

To me it would be, far and away, old wood. Take extra care to check the guitar out by a pro.

 

[Rob Reilly]

I was describing the brass frets that were at fault, not the wood.

 

[Butch]

John Denver actually played an F612, not an F512. The 612 is larger, in fact while it‘s dimensions on paper don‘t make it seem that much larger, it is huge. I have several F512’s and an F612, and the F612 is enormous. If you look at the F512, and F612 together, the neck on the F612 is a little longer, and there are two inlays on each side of the bridge on the F612. Some of the F512’s have the same neck inlays as the F612 but not many. I believe that both the F512, and the F612 were both special order guitars at that time. I know for a fact that the F612 was. An interesting side note. If you notice, on the cover of the Poems and Prayers and Promises album he is playing a 12 string that has the 612 inlays in the neck but just the name Guild on the peg head. I was discussing this with a friend of mine and apparently, this may have been a prototype with a mahogany body that was built for him.

 

[rich johnson]

I'm 6'3" so size doesn't matter...in this case lol

 

[RGSmith265]

I think the 512 with 612 inlay has been discussed here before and, IIRC, the consensus was that it was either a special order or an aftermarket addition. Could be wrong, I have been before!

You remember correctly. I was part of that discussion right after I picked up my ‘72 F-512 with the fancy inlays.

 

[Rob Reilly]

Here is John with the F612 playing Leaving on a Jet Plane. Click forward to 1:45

This is the reason I switched to Guilds.

 

[rich johnson]

yep that's the guitar I want

 

[Greg1233]

The F512 model with the fancy fingerboard and bridge inlays lasted until 1972, the 1973 models have the typical 3-piece blocks and the smaller ebony bridge with no inlays (I have one from each year). I think the guitar that JD has on both the 'Rhymes and Reasons' and 'Poems Prayers and Promises' cover is an F-412 Special as shown on page 109 of Hans' book - rosewood, bound fingerboard with fancy inlays and an unbound peghead.

 

[rich johnson]

who has one for sale folks?

 

[mavuser]

@rich johnson I guess you didn't buy the older one posted on FB from that shop in Texas (I am one of the Erics' that you tagged). And you also missed out on a NH F-512 here at LTG, that sold very, very fast. Not sure where you are located, but there is one for sale on Delaware CL: https://delaware.craigslist.org/msg/d/dover-guild-f512/7729179007.html

 

[rich johnson]

This one in DE I think I spoke with that guy...someone gave me the email of a guy that sold one a while back and had another for sale...after 2 days of missed communication from this guy in NJ...something felt wrong and told him to take a hike.

 

[mavuser]

This one in DE I think I spoke with that guy...someone gave me the email of a guy that sold one a while back and had another for sale...after 2 days of missed communication from this guy in NJ...something felt wrong and told him to take a hike.

gotta watch out for them NJ characters!!

inside joke of course...as the NJer's here are *all top shelf LTG members, they own this forum, and have mulitple Guild guitar museums. If you want to see 43 different Guild amplifiers in the same room...yes u are headed to the garden state.