1983 Guild F-512 Very Good, Original Hard, $2,495.00

The Guild F-512 was made in the Westerly, R.I., plant, at first as a special order model to supplement the slightly smaller F-312 and then standardized as a response to Gibson’s super jumbo guitars; it is considered by many to be the greatest factory 12-string acoustic of all time. The serial number of this particular guitar (FL100441) indicates that it was the first of the only 37 F-512s produced in 1983. This particular guitar has dominated lesser instruments for 35 years now, and its resonance will only improve with its new generation of players. Its classic mojo, gorgeous woods, and extravagant inlay make it stand out in any crowd, but it’s the huge sound that will make other players turn around to check it out.

The F-512 features Guild’s revered jumbo body style in 12-string configuration, a solid AAA spruce top, gorgeous solid rosewood back and sides, three-piece mahogany and maple neck, scalloped bracing, multi-stripe inlaid rosette, bound 14/20 fret ebony fretboard with stripes and pearl block/abalone wedge inlays, gold-plated Guild enclosed tuners, and an ebony bridge with ivoroid black-dot pins. It is fully bound, top and back, with multi-stripe binding on top, and it has a large black pick guard and a bound blackface headstock with the pearl inlaid Guild name and G/Shield logo. It is a full-sized jumbo shape, with a 17” lower bout width, 5” body depth, and a 25.5” scale.

There is an obvious cosmetic issue to report. There is considerable finish crazing and checking on the top and neck of the guitar—a guy in my jam group says the top looks like a map of the Mississippi delta; Harry my luthier says it is totally stable and works “to let the sound out;” I think it looks cool, but it’s definitely visible. There is a 6” finish blemish on the back of the neck, relatively little pick wear or fret wear for a hard-playing 35-year-old guitar, and only a few visible dings and bruises. The twelve gold Guild tuners are original and work perfectly, and the action is fast and low—especially for a 12-string—at a bit under 3/32” at the 12th fret low E. All in all, this gorgeous tone monster is ready to rule the world—or at least your local jam.

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 thirty-five years. Its beauty, mojo, and great sound will make anyone else forget whatever they’re playing and envy its owner. 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 hard shell case is clearly original to this guitar, it is in very good condition, and of course it fits the F-512 shape perfectly. The hinges and the latches work well, the plush lining is soft and intact, and it is solid as a rock. With the conspicuous Guild name plate, it is an excellent complement to protect this wonderful 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 tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this instrument, so 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 excellent guitar.