Guild Review: F-212 XL

History: Stared with a Harmony 12-string, got an EKO Ranger XII E in the Navy. Self-taught, got a Gibson 335 when I got out and have a few others, only sold one, gave one away and demolished one. I'm playing folk-rock, blues, rock n roll and original stuff.

Purchase: I was introduced to my 212 by a friend who saw it and had to get a job to buy it in '74. Had to pay full price ($775 w/ case - Akron Music Center) It's been my baby for 35 years.

What I Like About This Guild F-212 XL: It sounds great, good intonation, does well with a bone saddle or a brass one. Consistent. Double truss rod helps alot.

What I Do NOT Like About The Guild F-212 XL: Guild's finish started checking after two years and they didn't bother with it when I sent it back to them (what a mistake) in the late 80's as the bridge was coming up. They left out the bridge hold-downs that Virgil Lay put in for me when they replaced the bridge, the saddle was way off intonation-wise and the finish wasn't touched out side of asome kind of black stuff across a check scrape on the back of the neck. I sanded it all down a couple of years ago when it was flaking off and did a temp finish until I learn how to do it better or can afford a RAL refinish job. I did put a Highlander pickup system in it and it sounds like a 12-string when it's amped, so I can use it all the time, if I want. I bought a Carvin electric 12-string because the neck was similar, I can reccomend that one.

Guild F-212 XL Quality Rating: Under the beautiful looking finish lies a sweetheart of a 12-string. Plays extremely well. Great action. Very forgiving of me, that's for sure. I think I'm gonna have it put in the crematorium with me (gotta have your sword to get to Valhalla).

Review Summary: All the 212's, 312's 412's and 512's of that vintage have been really good soundingguitars. The Guild 12-strings I've been picking up lately just ain't got it. I wonder what happened. I've been considering asking Taylor to make me one with this neck's measurements. That might be as near as I would get to this one.

Rating of this Guild product: 5

This Guild F-212 XL Acoustic Guitars Review Submitted By: Harry Evan

Review Date: 2007-06-29