The Guild F-512 is a legendary 12-string acoustic guitar, renowned for its lush, shimmering tone and exceptional craftsmanship. This 1978 Custom F-512 exemplifies Guild's dedication to high-quality acoustic instruments, particularly in the realm of 12-strings. Built in Westerly, Rhode Island – where Guild produced some of its most iconic models – the F-512 quickly became a go-to for singer-songwriters, session players, and performers looking for a full, rich sound with excellent projection.
Guild introduced the F-512 as part of their jumbo-bodied 12-string lineup, cementing their reputation for building some of the best 12-string guitars on the market. The large jumbo body and premium materials gave the F-512 its signature sound: bold, resonant, and harmonically rich. This 1978 model is from the golden era of Guild’s Westerly production, known for meticulous craftsmanship and tonal excellence.
The sound of the 1978 Guild Custom F-512 is unmistakably grand. The jumbo body, paired with the solid spruce top and rosewood back and sides, produces a deep, piano-like bass response, balanced midrange, and crystalline trebles. The natural 12-string shimmer is perfect for lush chordal textures, fingerpicking, or open tunings. The neck is comfortable for a 12-string, with Guild’s classic soft "U" profile providing a secure and playable feel despite the wider nut width.
This guitar is in player-grade condition, functioning perfectly. It shows signs of regular use consistent with its age, with minor cosmetic wear that adds to its vintage appeal. The frets have life left, and the action is comfortable for a 12-string, thanks to Guild's robust build and well-executed neck set.
Features:
Action at 1st fret: 0.5mm
Action at 12th fret: 3.0mm
Neck depth at 1st fret: 22.18mm
Nut Width: 46.25mm
12 fret width: 60.07mm
Weight: 3.28kg / 7.23lb
Body Shape: Jumbo
Top: Solid Sitka spruce
Back & Sides: Solid Indian rosewood
Bracing: Scalloped X-bracing
Finish: Natural gloss
Neck Wood: Mahogany with walnut centre strip
Profile: Soft "U" shape
Fingerboard: Ebony
Frets: 20 (with mother-of-pearl block inlays)
Bridge: Ebony with bone saddle
Tuners: Original Guild-branded Schaller tuners (gold)
Pickguard: Tortoiseshell-style
Binding: Multi-ply body binding with abalone purfling
Headstock: Guild's iconic inlay with mother-of-pearl logo
Rosette: Abalone with multi-ring design
