Specs for 1970-75 F-20 please....

katshan

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Can somebody please tell me the specs for the F-20's from 1970-75? I've been told that they were the same as M-20's, but had Spruce tops instead of Mahogany, but apart from that they were identical. True or not??

Of special interest:

Nut width:
Scale length:
Neck profile:

How did these necks hold up in the long run? Would one most certainly need a neck reset today, even if it was in good condition and well cared for??

Any info you have would be appreciated. Thanks again.



Kathy
 
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F-20 specs

Kathy - According to Ted Beesley's "Guitar History Volume 5: Guild Guitars" (which sadly has quite a few errors) - The F-20 was introduced in 1954 and discontinued in 1986, but reissued in 1990 - not currently offered by the Fender Guild Co. Spruce top, mahogany back and sides, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays. The scale was originally 24 3/4 inches, but changed to 25 5/8 in the mid-70s. The body style was originally 13 3/4" wide by 4 1/8" deep. In the late 60s, depth increased to 4 1/4". The size of the 1990s F20 was 13 5/8, 4 1/2 inches deep. Also called the 'Troubador', according to Hans Moust's excellent "The Guild Guitar Book", the mid-70s brought the scale length to 25 1/2" - I'd trust Hans on that fact. The spruce top was offered in natural and sunburst.
Cross-referencing Hans Moust on the M-20 - he notes that the M-20 was the mahogany version of the F-20. My wife's early 90s M-20 has a 1 5/8" nut width with a 24 3/4" scale length. Best I can offer and I hope this helps. Cheers! dbsmith
 

katshan

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SmithfieldFair - thanks for your response. I do now own the F-20 in question. It was built 4/7/73, and does have the 25.5 scale, instead of the 24.75" scale. The nut width is 1 11/16. Actually, I haven't taken body measurements yet. Your info is very interesting and helpful. I didn't even know that the M-20 was offerered in the early 90's with the short scale and 1 5/8" nut. It's amazing to me how Guild was sorta kinda inconsistent with their issues of these guitars. By rights, the long scale should'nt have been present until the mid 70's, but this one I have from April of '73 in fact does have the 25.5" scale. An oddity I guess. The top on this one is natural and has aged nicely. The guitar is in great condition for it's age. Thanks very much for your post. :)


Kathy
OM40RB
000-15
Guild F-20
 
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