1975 Guild F-212XL Natural

This wonderful Guild 12-string F-212XL guitar was made in the Westerly, Rhode Island, plant in 1975, judging from its serial number (121176) and the Guild website. It features a super-sized jumbo body based on the F-47 design and is probably the most powerful factory 12-string ever made and widely distributed in America. The F-212 was discontinued in 1985 and the F-212XL was initially discontinued in 1986; however, the XL was re-issued by popular request 1998-2000, and again from 2010 to the present. It’s just too darned strong to die! As such, this particular guitar has dominated lesser instruments for about 40 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-212XL 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, an ebony bridge, and a multi-stripe inlaid rosette. The three-piece mahogany/maple neck supports a 14/20 fret ebony fingerboard with no inlays which ends in a blackface headstock with Guild enclosed chrome tuners and the pearl inlaid Guild name and Chesterfield logo. It is a jumbo plus size, with a full 21” body length, 17” lower bout width, 5” body depth at the end pin, and a 25.5” scale.

This particular guitar is apparently entirely original, although after 45 years it’s not quite perfect. Cosmetically, there is very little of the finish “crazing” which one would expect in a hard-playing 45-year-old guitar’s finish, very little buckle rash, but several dings and bruises all over. There is some finish chipping on the sides at the waist, but the tuners are original and work perfectly, and the frets show little wear. The neck is straight, the top is flat, and the action at the 12th fret is a tad under 3/32”—so spectacular for a vintage 12-string that I think that the neck has been re-set. Like all Guilds, this guy is built like a tank, good for generations to come.

So this tone monster is ready to rule the world—or at least your local jam. It 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-five years. While it doesn’t really show all this experience, it sure does sound like it: all that resonance released from a body which has been specifically designed to create big sound (there is an end pin jack for a pick-up, but it is no longer connected). Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, this powerhouse will pass into the hands of players able to make music and turn heads for generations to come.

The included arched-top hard shell case is obviously not original, but it has protected this classic well. The padded lining is soft and intact, and the pocket is even in great shape. There is even a key for the locking latch, and structurally it is solid as a rock. It also fits like a glove and offers great protection for this wonderful 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; cashiers and personal 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. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy this great guitar, as its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Thank you for your interest.