Thanks alot. But wouldnt you say some of the bottom in the JF30 is influenced by the entire maple back and sides? I would've compared the JF30 with F-2512E Maple
I agree and like the JF30-12 better. As a side note, I just picked up a 1972 Guild D44M (maple), and it is my first maple guitar. I have to say that maple sure does have a nice bass and deep richness to it. Nice comparison.
Great video. I had the 1512 - it was a great guitar and I'd say it's the best 12 string you can get for about $1,000. I ended up selling it and getting something different that had more of a tone that I was looking for but it is an excellent instrument. The 1512 definitely had higher overtones.
I have a 1998 JF-30 that is a joy to play! These were made in Westerly, Rhode Island. Great craftsmanship, sound and playability. You didn't mention that the JF-30 has no back bracing; there aren't any braces on the back to break up the air movement and projection.. For me, the Guild 12-string neck action, shape and profile are second to none! In your sound examples the JF-30 has rich highs wiith fuller low-mid and low end resonance. Thanks
Agree with your comments although it feels like what you played also played to the strengths of the JF30-12, where it suited a big sound and bass. The 1512 is more jangly which many might want for a 12 string, nice sound for picking rather than strumming. Like all guitars, depends what you're looking for, although the JF30 did sound more composed overall.
Great comparison! Really helpful. I've been playing Taylor 355ce 12 string for 20 years and love it. I tune down to C and what fun! Am looking at the Guild 2512e for heavy setup in C, 0.070" low string. Would go for the JF30 based on your comparison, but can't afford it now and will try the 2512e, any comments on that guitar? It has the arched back and may compare favorably to the JF30-12. Thanks again, great work, and you play well, loved the mix!
JF 30 sounds fuller. Alone and in the mix. F-1512 sounds alright in the mix. Very thin by itself. Wonder if a string change to a different brand or type of string would remedy that?
I presume that the JF30-12 is older and has been played in for a long time. It's never fair to compare a well played acoustic guitar to a brand new one. The same goes with comparing a well played/vintage guitar speaker to a brand new unbroken in speaker (cone).
The JF30-12 has a much warmer tone and deeper bass. The F-1512 sounds thinner and less projection of sound which I find peculiar being that it's rosewood which has always been my go-to wood for sound projection. For a purchase its the JF30-12 hands down.
Thanks for this comparison! I have an F-212XL made in the late 70's. A magnificent beastie of a guitar! But I've worn out the frets and it needs a neck reset. Is it worth doing? Or should I replace it with something new? US-built Guild 12-strings come with astronomical prices. I had considering the Chinese-made variants, but this one is not ready for prime time.
Where can you find the jf30-12 for 1000 or 1500? Lowest I can find them is 3k and up? If you know where to find one for that cheap, I’ll buy it now, but it feels like we are comparing a corvette to a Corolla
JF30-12 is much more balanced and projects better. The bass is round and tight, the highs are sweet and warm .The F-1512 is pretty impressive for a $1000 guitar however it is brittle and thin sounding compared to it's USA brother. I would love to hear the F-1512 head to head with a comparable Taylor. Gret video thanks!
Lots more tone out of the JF30 and less of the sound of spanky strings being struck as in the F-1512. Yes I have a 2008 GAD JF30 12-string and it sounds even better than the one played here.
Ive had my eye on the 6 string Guild Jumbo made in China as a "solution" to living out my coubtry dreams without ever being able to afford a real Gibson Jumbo. Please don't shoot it out with the American made model because your reviews ruin the cheaper models for me! Lol. Sadly good musical instruments are expensive. However I have an Aria 12 string acoustic that I got for Christmas c. 1995, I hated the thinness if tge tone. Couldn't sing with it. But picked it up recently and probably owing to its all solid woods, 30 years later it soubds amazing, like a high end guitar, so either wait, or better yet I think looking at used models from tge 9os or earlier of less expensive acoustics can yield good results if the wood was good. My friend's father's Yamaha from tge 60s or 70s sounds so warm and amazing and he was never rich. Except that his name is Rich.
I have a 1979 F212XL NT (Mahogany b&s). Mine sounds far better than either of the 2 played here. The playing is excellent... I only refer to the tone. Both guitars here are far less full than my F212XL.
Here here! :D I have one of those as well. It's wonderful and I agree with your assessment. My dilemma is whether I should do a re-fret and neck reset or try to replace it with something new. The 1512 doesn't inspire my confidence :D
@@allanflippin2453 I did a neck reset and put mine through a PLEK machine. VERY happy. That said, the Guild is a tank and not as easy to play as say a Taylor. But the tone cannot be beat.
Great comparison video - thanks! You're making me even happier with my choice to pick up a used Corona jf30-12 a few months ago!
Thanks alot. But wouldnt you say some of the bottom in the JF30 is influenced by the entire maple back and sides? I would've compared the JF30 with F-2512E Maple
I've being looking for this comparison for years thank you
Great comparison. You are right, playing in the mix really displays the difference.
I agree and like the JF30-12 better. As a side note, I just picked up a 1972 Guild D44M (maple), and it is my first maple guitar. I have to say that maple sure does have a nice bass and deep richness to it. Nice comparison.
I have a 1995 JF30-12 with maple back and sides. It’s unbelievable.
Great video. I had the 1512 - it was a great guitar and I'd say it's the best 12 string you can get for about $1,000. I ended up selling it and getting something different that had more of a tone that I was looking for but it is an excellent instrument. The 1512 definitely had higher overtones.
Great comparison; definitely steered my toward the jf30-12. Thanks!
I have a 1998 JF-30 that is a joy to play! These were made in Westerly, Rhode Island. Great craftsmanship, sound and playability.
You didn't mention that the JF-30 has no back bracing; there aren't any braces on the back to break up the air movement and projection..
For me, the Guild 12-string neck action, shape and profile are second to none! In your sound examples the JF-30 has rich highs wiith fuller low-mid and low end resonance. Thanks
The F-1512 seems to have a much "thinner" sound . . . less volume overall, and less prominent low end.
My sentiment exactly
Agree with your comments although it feels like what you played also played to the strengths of the JF30-12, where it suited a big sound and bass. The 1512 is more jangly which many might want for a 12 string, nice sound for picking rather than strumming. Like all guitars, depends what you're looking for, although the JF30 did sound more composed overall.
Great comparison! Really helpful. I've been playing Taylor 355ce 12 string for 20 years and love it. I tune down to C and what fun! Am looking at the Guild 2512e for heavy setup in C, 0.070" low string. Would go for the JF30 based on your comparison, but can't afford it now and will try the 2512e, any comments on that guitar? It has the arched back and may compare favorably to the JF30-12. Thanks again, great work, and you play well, loved the mix!
JF 30 sounds fuller. Alone and in the mix. F-1512 sounds alright in the mix. Very thin by itself. Wonder if a string change to a different brand or type of string would remedy that?
That’s a good idea to try!
Elixir Nano webs 10's .
Best sounding, and longer lasting strings!
I presume that the JF30-12 is older and has been played in for a long time.
It's never fair to compare a well played acoustic guitar to a brand new one.
The same goes with comparing a well played/vintage guitar speaker to a brand new unbroken in speaker (cone).
great point, I‘ve experienced the same especially with acoustic guitars that suddenly came to life after some months of playing
Both sound good!
The JF30-12 has a much warmer tone and deeper bass. The F-1512 sounds thinner and less projection of sound which I find peculiar being that it's rosewood which has always been my go-to wood for sound projection. For a purchase its the JF30-12 hands down.
Thanks for this comparison! I have an F-212XL made in the late 70's. A magnificent beastie of a guitar! But I've worn out the frets and it needs a neck reset. Is it worth doing? Or should I replace it with something new? US-built Guild 12-strings come with astronomical prices. I had considering the Chinese-made variants, but this one is not ready for prime time.
You’d have to price a neck reset and a fret job. It might be cheaper to sell it and buy a another used Guild.
Where can you find the jf30-12 for 1000 or 1500? Lowest I can find them is 3k and up? If you know where to find one for that cheap, I’ll buy it now, but it feels like we are comparing a corvette to a Corolla
Reverb.com has them for $845 and $1200 now. If you wait and shop around, you’ll find a good deal.
Enjoyed the comparison. The F-1512 sound really weak and thin when compared to the JF30.
JF30-12 is much more balanced and projects better. The bass is round and tight, the highs are sweet and warm .The F-1512 is pretty impressive for a $1000 guitar however it is brittle and thin sounding compared to it's USA brother. I would love to hear the F-1512 head to head with a comparable Taylor. Gret video thanks!
I expected the F-1512 to sound darker and fuller due to the rosewood, but actually the JF-30 won in this regard.
Lots more tone out of the JF30 and less of the sound of spanky strings being struck as in the F-1512. Yes I have a 2008 GAD JF30 12-string and it sounds even better than the one played here.
Wow, the difference is day and night, the F30 all day.
Ive had my eye on the 6 string Guild Jumbo made in China as a "solution" to living out my coubtry dreams without ever being able to afford a real Gibson Jumbo. Please don't shoot it out with the American made model because your reviews ruin the cheaper models for me! Lol.
Sadly good musical instruments are expensive. However I have an Aria 12 string acoustic that I got for Christmas c. 1995, I hated the thinness if tge tone. Couldn't sing with it. But picked it up recently and probably owing to its all solid woods, 30 years later it soubds amazing, like a high end guitar, so either wait, or better yet I think looking at used models from tge 9os or earlier of less expensive acoustics can yield good results if the wood was good. My friend's father's Yamaha from tge 60s or 70s sounds so warm and amazing and he was never rich. Except that his name is Rich.
Same strings? Because that maple shouldn’t sound warmer!
I have a 1979 F212XL NT (Mahogany b&s). Mine sounds far better than either of the 2 played here. The playing is excellent... I only refer to the tone. Both guitars here are far less full than my F212XL.
Here here! :D I have one of those as well. It's wonderful and I agree with your assessment. My dilemma is whether I should do a re-fret and neck reset or try to replace it with something new. The 1512 doesn't inspire my confidence :D
@@allanflippin2453 I did a neck reset and put mine through a PLEK machine. VERY happy. That said, the Guild is a tank and not as easy to play as say a Taylor. But the tone cannot be beat.
Well… the price difference is huge…
Maple one made in USA is easily better.
good demo thanks