Any Experience With Guild f-1512 vs Eastman AC330E-12

[67goat]

I'm thinking about a jumbo 12 string. I' not really interested in paying big money for a 12 string, but these two fall in line with the budget in my head. I don't have a Guild or Eastman dealer near me, and they probably wouldn't have these anyway (not a lot of 12 strings around here).

I already have two dread 12 strings, so not really looking at other options.

They are very similar guitars, and they sound pretty close in videos, but I don't see any with a direct comparison, so different playing and mic techniques render that essentially useless.

The Eastman comes with a pickup, but I would rarely have the need for one. The Guild is RW vs the Mahogany of the Eastman. The price is virtually the same.

I am kind of leaning towards the Guild, but only because I have 15 or 16 Eastman acoustics but only one Guild (D55E).

Does anybody have experience with both models that can provide feedback?

[donlyn]

Any Experience With Guild f-1512 vs Eastman AC330E-12

Nothing on the Eastman. Sorry.

I have the Guild F-1512 and I love it.
Spruce over rosewood and all-solid-wood.
Smooth sounding and easy to play.
I got the one without the pickup and it cost about 1K. Pickup will cost more.
As always, play test before putting your money down.
Comes with a really nice and well padded gig bag too.
1+7/8" nut/neck width and a 17" width lower bout Jumbo.

I also have Taylor 12 strings with the same nut width and similar dimensions.
I tune all my 12 string guitars down a semi-tone to 'D#', and
I fingerpick all my guitars using my nails as picks.

Been playing 12 string guitars since the 60s.
Hope this is of use. Be well and play well,

Don
.

[67goat]

Originally Posted by donlyn

Any Experience With Guild f-1512 vs Eastman AC330E-12

Nothing on the Eastman. Sorry.

I have the Guild F-1512 and I love it.
Spruce over rosewood and all-solid-wood.
Smooth sounding and easy to play.
I got the one without the pickup and it cost about 1K. Pickup will cost more.
As always, play test before putting your money down.
Comes with a really nice and well padded gig bag too.
1+7/8" nut/neck width and a 17" width lower bout Jumbo.

I also have Taylor 12 strings with the same nut width and similar dimensions.
I tune all my 12 string guitars down a semi-tone to 'D#', and
I fingerpick all my guitars using my nails as picks.

Been playing 12 string guitars since the 60s.
Hope this is of use. Be well and play well,

Don
.

Would love to try first, but as stated, none to be found around here. But my experience with both manufacturers has been all positive so far.

[Railroad Bum]

I have played that Guild model several times and other Guild 12-strings, and I always loved them. I have also liked all the Eastmans I have come across, but I also don't have an Eastman dealer within 200 miles of me, and I have never tried their 12-strings.

[lowrider]

I've played that Guild and I remember thinking that Moses could have parted the Red Sea with that thing!!!!!

[seaveez]

When I was looking for a 12-string, I did play a Guild F-1512. The shop where I played also had an F-512 (the $4k model). Of course, I liked how that played better ... I mean, the neck felt better in my hand. After some more research, learned the radius on the F-512 is 12" whereas the radius on the F-1512 is 16". (Surprised myself on actually feeling the difference.)

In the end, stars aligned and a friend had an Eastman, and he was willing to sell it to me at a good price. It too has a 12" radius, and I do enjoy playing that guitar.

[67goat]

Originally Posted by seaveez

When I was looking for a 12-string, I did play a Guild F-1512. The shop where I played also had an F-512 (the $4k model). Of course, I liked how that played better ... I mean, the neck felt better in my hand. After some more research, learned the radius on the F-512 is 12" whereas the radius on the F-1512 is 16". (Surprised myself on actually feeling the difference.)

In the end, stars aligned and a friend had an Eastman, and he was willing to sell it to me at a good price. It too has a 12" radius, and I do enjoy playing that guitar.

the 512 definitely looks nice, but while I have spent 4K on a six string before, I just can't bring myself to do the same for a 12-string. I play classical guitars too, so the flatter board probably won't bug me, but something to consider. I didn't even catch that when going over specs.

[BoneDigger]

I don't have that exact Guild and haven't tried one. I do own an F2512 and a D1212, one is a mahogany dread and the other is a jumbo maple. I like them both quite a lot. The Eastman is probably very nice. I owned an E6D 12 string for a while, and while it was a nice guitar, I like the Guilds better. I never got along with the Eastman 12 string I had.

[Rockysdad]

My .02 cents,

Guild, Guild, Guild all day anyday.