Help or Info on a Guild 12 string please

WI_Newbie · #1 March 27th, 2006

So a family friend just came by and dropped off an old guitar from his dad's estate and he was hoping I could help, so here I am looking for any info anyone here can provide.

The guitar is an older, no idea how old, Guild 12 String acoustic. The guitar is in pretty good shape overall. With some minor finish cracks and a small crack in the neck around the 12th to 14th fret. The bridge also has a litlle lift but seems stable. I was able to tune it, but out of concern for the age and the bridge seperation I tuned it down a full step D/G/C/F/A/D and put my capo on the second fret for standard pitch. Maybe a wierd idea but seemed to work.

Anyway, the Model # on the label is "Guild G312SB, Serial #209351" So basically I am just looking for any info regarding the age or approximate value of a guitar such as this. My friend took it to a local music store and was told the value was around $100. I however am very skeptical of the reputation of this particular shop and don't go there myself. My friend does not play at all so he is at a huge disadvantage and doesn't want to just let it go for nothing.

I have enjoyed playing it tonight and would consider buying it from him but don't want him to get taken, not even at an advantage to myself, ya know?

Any info that I can get from you guys would be greatly appreciated. I typed in the Model # in Google and only found two references to people owning one as part of their collection but not info relevant to what I'm looking for.

Thanx

slejhamer · #2 March 28th, 2006

Based on the serial #, I'd say it was made in 1979.

http://www.guildguitars.com/support/dating.php

If the guitar were in good condition, I'd say it would be worth much more. There are a couple of G312s on harmony central for which the buyers paid US$685 and US$900 used.

For reference, a new Guild G212 goes for a little over $700 - prices have come down over the years. The 212 is probably a comparable model to your friend's 312, and the 212 is their least expensive all-solid 12 stringer.

However, a crack in the neck and bridge lift can be the start of serious problems on a 12-string, with all the extra string tension. Take it to a good luthier and get a repair estimate. That's the only way you'll know.

WI_Newbie · #3 March 28th, 2006

That is the plan right now. I have a call into a local guy who has done work for me before and is very knowledgeable.

Just looking for any add'l info. Thanx for the response.

allthumbs · #4 March 28th, 2006

Here are two reviews for it.
http://www.harmony-central.com/Guita...d/G_312-1.html

Lcjones · #5 March 28th, 2006

I didn't check the Serial as slej already has, but that is a "Pre-Fender" Guild. Not to be confused with a "Fender Guild". A pre-fender Guild will have and retain quite a bit more value than a later Fender made Guild.

I have a 78 F212 SB which I dearly love.

As for a crack in the bridge, take a good close look at the top between the pick guard and the bridge. Look for hair-line cracks. Those old pick guards were seriously glued down. As the p/guard ages it shinks. You may even see pick guard curl around the edges of the pick guard. The shrinkage could possibly cause a hair-line crack from beneath the pick guard to the bridge.

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luth...lueguard1.html

Les

WI_Newbie · #6 March 28th, 2006

Thanx for that advice. I'll look some more. Will have a little more time to noodle with it tonight. The bridge isn't cracked as far as I can see, just lifting slightly on the back side, as could be expected. The crack is in the middle of the neck, about two frets long from 12-14 or so.

Hopefully my local guy here can give me some good feedback on this thing.

Appreciate it.