Guild F-512E 12-string - Antique Sunburst Review

Less than one star - Avoid like the Plague!

Do not buy from Guild. I received my guitar before the Pandemic. It only worked for a couple of weeks. Then I thought it just needed a truss rod adjustment. It comes in a humified case and I added two more humifiers to it. I kept it humidified. Then I took it to a luthier who also kept it humidified and finally determined that it needed a neck reset. I sent it to Sweetwater,… read more who then forwarded it to Guild for the neck reset. Then Guild writes that it is a humidification issue and the top has descended. I have several other guitars and mandos for many years - with no issues whatsoever. Not only are their humidifiers in the cases, but also in the room! No other luthier told me there was a humidification problem. Guild did not offer to fix it, even for a fee. There is terrible customer service by Guild. Still by from Sweetwater, but avoid Guild products. I am out thousands of dollars. (By the way, I finally replaced it with a Breedlove 12 string which appears to be built better and cost less.)

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Guild 512E in Rosewood

I now understand why so many people consider the Guild 512 the gold standard for 12 sting guitars. Unlike guitars I've purchase before where I open the case and immediately reach for the instrument; This time I opened the case and gazed at the impeccable workmanship. The build on the Guild is phenomenal due to the attention to detail. The mother of pearl inlays with the abalone,… read more ebony fingerboard, Indian Rosewood bridge, bone nut and saddle, Gotoh tuning machines are just some of the things that leaped out at me when I opened the case Tonal qualities are hard to describe other than just saying they are amazing. The bass tones due to the Rosewood back and sides create a synergy with the mid-range and highs. The mid-range is warm and the highs are not overly sharp and do not create a tonal contrast that's unpleasant; rather, they penetrate the bass and mid-range revealing a tonal sound like none I've heard before. The non-arched back still allows for superior projection in contrast to a standard dreadnought shape instrument. Lastly, the sustain is amazing. The action/playability far exceeded my expectations. The LRBaggs is a very nice fit with the 512e.

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Worth the Wait

Waited so many years to buy a 12 string of this quality, yet I must say it was well worth the wait! I own a Yamaha Red Label that is almost 50 years old...played so much I had it refretted in first two positions. Then, about 4 years ago, bought a Taylor 150e...very nice for the price but left me wanting more bass and a bit more flash, and I recently learned even on their higher… read more end 12 strings, Taylor is no longer making a dreadnought shape which I truly wanted. This guitar chimes like a bell, and adds the bass I had been looking for all along. The inlay, frets, and feel on the neck are wonderful. Despite being a very hefty instrument with a jumbo body, it is easy to play and Greg Baum was so helpful getting the action set for me even during the very busy GearFest 2019 sales activity. I have been playing it almost daily since purchase and it does keep me up very late some nights. The color and build quality are second to none, and it truly is the Cadillac of 12 string guitars. Once again, many thanks to Greg Baum who helped me as I considered this amazing guitar. Even the case it over the top beautiful, and fits the instrument like a glove. Only reason I did not rate this a 5 was I prefer the Gotoh tuners over the ones Guild uses - that 1:21 gear ratio is tough to beat, but that is really minor on a guitar of this quality. Sweetwater is truly second to none when buying any gear, and Greg Baum gives the best assistance.

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Guild F-512E 12-String - Antique Sunburst

The MOTHER of 12-strings for sure! I have owned several 12-string acoustic guitars over the years, always knowing that someday I was going to acquire the dream 12-string, and this is it. The construction is over-the-top, perfect intonation, low action, and extremely well balanced sound, with the low-end vibrating right through your body. Excellent electronics when needed, in which… read more the natural sound remains true. The only negative is that it might interfere with your sleep… it has a way of beckoning you to play it all the time!

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