1974 Guild® F-212 Very Good, Hard, $995.00

This wonderful Guild 12-string F-212 guitar was made in the fabled Westerly, Rhode Island, plant in 1974, judging from its serial number (110004) and the Guild website. It features a full jumbo (not a 17-inch “super-jumbo”) body based on the F-47 design and was probably the most popular 12-string in America until it was discontinued in 1985. As such, this particular guitar has dominated lesser instruments for over 43 years, and the resonance of its aged woods will only improve with its new generation of players. Its classic good looks make it stand out in any crowd, but it’s the huge sound that will make other players turn around to check it out.

This Guild F-212 has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany back, sides, and neck. The body is fully bound, top and back, with multi-stripe binding on top, and it has a large black pick guard, a rosewood bridge, and a multi-stripe inlaid rosette. The three-piece mahogany/maple neck supports a 14/20 fret rosewood fingerboard with no inlays which ends in a blackface headstock with six-on-a-plate open tuners and the pearl inlaid Guild name and Chesterfield logo. It is a full-sized jumbo, with an overall length of 43”, a body length of 19 7/8”, an upper bout of 11 ½”, a waist of 9 ½”, a 16” lower bout width, a 4 7/8” body depth at the end pin, and a 25.5” scale.

There are a few structural issues to report: there are two professionally repaired cracks above and below the pick guard—typical of older 12-strings whose pick guards tend to shrink, and a hairline humidity crack in the top lower bout from the bridge to the binding has also been professionally glued (a cleat wasn’t necessary). The bridge has not been shaved (but has probably been re-set) and the action is a hair under 4/32” at the 12th fret low E. The dual truss rods work well for personal adjustments. The tuners have been “up-graded” to pearl-button Schallers, which also work very well (but left some barely visible extra holes).

Cosmetically, there is some slight finish “crazing” which one would expect in a hard-playing 43-year-old guitar’s finish (that’s “to let the sound out” according to my ol’ luthier), some slight buckle rash, and small dings and bruises. There is some finish chipping on the back and the neck, but the frets show relatively little wear. After a little R & R, this tone monster is now ready to rule the world again—or at least your local jam.

Thus, this is a truly classic instrument, a real Guild, “Made to be Played”, and it has worked hard making music and beating up on banjo and fiddle players for over forty years. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, it will pass into the hands of a player able to make music and turn heads for a generation or two to come.

The included non-original hard shell case is in near mint condition, with nice shiny latches and even keys. The plush padded lining is soft and intact, and structurally it is solid as a rock. It fits like a glove and is the perfect complement for this vintage guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this vintage guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.

Thank you for your interest in this fine guitar.