1977 Takamine F-395MS Jumbo 12-string. 'Lawsuit' copy of the Guild F412.

Up for your consideration is a seldom seen and rarely sold 1977 Takamine F-395MS Jumbo 12-string.

Supposedly there were only around 200 of these made, but I think that's just internet lore. Regardless, it is an excellent Japanese copy of the Guild F412. She is in Very Good to Excellent condition. Bridge re-glued. No other repairs, or current cracks or loose braces.

I am listing without a case, but I will include a true Guild Jumbo arched top 5-latch case and free shipping with full buy-it-now purchase.

This guitar is a jumbo-size body (17"+) with a solid spruce top and laminate flamed maple back and sides. Fancy binding and multi-purflings as well as superb pearl fretboard inlays. The neck is 3-ply (maple-ebony-maple), and both the bound fretboard with fancy pearl markers, and the bridge are ebony. The "jumbo" frets have almost zero fret wear; just some light markings in the 1st position chords. No fingernail divots or cracks in the Ebony fretboard. The gold-finished tuners show a little wear and the nickel-plating underneath can be discerned, but still mostly gold.

It's quite obviously a fancy Guild F-412 clone (right down to the Takamine and capital 'T' logo styling), and unlike some of the other brands that made various clones, the Takamines really do compare to the original instruments they're intended to copy.  Just like the Guild it emulates, this model also has fancy binding and multi-purflings as well as superb pearl fretboard inlays. The 12 individual mini-Rotomatic tuners work great. Unlike the original Guild, this Takamine's truss rod cover is just for show. The actual truss-rod (a single one) is accessed through the soundhole. A true Guild from this period would need the extra-large truss cover at the headstock for the twin truss rods installed in them.

The only issues that prevent me from listing as mint are the following:

• the bridge was lifting, and rather than simply glue poorly mated pieces together and hope for the best, it was removed completely, the surface of the top scraped clean and leveled, and re-glued. It has been several years with no re-occurrence of the bridge lift.
• 2 small areas of finish wear on the neck; a very narrow strip on the bass side from the 1st to 3rd frets right where the thumb rubs in 1st position playing, and another right in the center of the neck in the 2nd - 5th fret area. This looks to be a finish crack above the ebony lamination, presumedly from the different woods expanding/contracting at different rates. There is no crack or lamination separation.
• a small gouge or divot in the side, at the lower bass side right at the heel. It is a shallow detent in the outer lamination of the wood, and does not extend all the way through.
• the action is 'on the high side' of low, measuring just over 7/64th at the low E, and 6/64th at the high e, with .008" relief at the 6th fret with the string fretted at the 1st and 14th frets. There is enough saddle left to be adjusted slightly lower, but the break angle of the strings over the saddle would be in danger of being too shallow. Your luthier would be the best to advise on any further adjustment.

Despite the medium-low action, she plays beautifully and frets/chords easily. I keep my 12-strings down-tuned D to d, and capo at the 2nd fret to reach standard tuning. On this guitar in particular, doing so helps to offsets the action somewhat. Aside from the open position chords, 2nd position are easily done, and even 3rd position are doable if you have the dexterity and hand strength. How many of us really 'work the neck' of a 12-string, anyways?

Tone wise, I would describe it as 'lush'; beautiful distinct highs, with deep strong bass, and clear mids. With the 1 13/16" at the nut wide (but not TOO wide) fretboard, there's lots of room to finger-pick, and it responds well to medium to aggressive strumming without getting 'muddy'.  

A note on 'action and playability':  every guitar's action (the string height at the 12th fret), relief (the amount of forward curve of the fretboard), and playability (the ease with which notes and chords are fretted) will be different depending on the guitar's setup. What is ideal for one person might not suit another, and any adjustment is understood to be the responsibility of the owner. The measurements and description I have provided are accurate and setup references are to my tastes, and may not be yours.  

I have repaired and sold many guitars, and pride myself on my thorough description and customer service. The guitar will be packed securely, and shipped with insurance in a sturdy guitar shipping carton.   I am pricing this as what I believe to be fair, based on comparable sales I have been able to find in similar condition. I will entertain reasonable Best Offer. I will offer FREE shipping and Guild hardshell case with full purchase price; otherwise shipping and handling will be a flat $75 to the CONUS.

Please view all pics and ask any and all questions before buying/making an offer. I have described the condition accurately and completely; while I am certain you will be satisfied with the guitar,this is an as-is sale with no returns unless I have mis-represented something.