1984 FS46CE a Keeper?

[KevinFS46CE]

I am the original owner of a 1984 FS46CE, and it's a beautiful looking instrument, and it's a great guitar to play, with a wonderful neck and nice low action for playability all the way up the frets. I know it's not very well known, if not actually rare, but it's essentially a solid body acoustic, made to be played plugged in. If you've not seen one, it looks exactly like the guitar at Guilds of Grot: http://www.guildsofgrot.com/images/full_size/Guitars/1983aFS-46CE.JPG

The guitar isn't perfect, it's got some minor dents at the headstock from a wall hanger, which were sadly there when I bought it new, and a small spot near the bridge where the finish seems worn off. Other than that in great shape and never been modified. I still have it in the original Guild HSC.

This guitar just doesn't serve a need for me any more, since I have a nice acoustic with good electronics. It has sentimental value to me, since it was a present from my wife in 1985, but she's told me several times over the years she'd rather see me sell it and buy a guitar I am going to play more often. A solid body, semi-hollow body, or a Guild 12 string would be a better fit. I'd love an American made Strat, or Gibson Midtown Standard, or almost any Guild 12 or Breedlove 12.

Does anybody know if this guitar has any market value? I could bring it to a Guitar Center, but I'm concerned they're not going to offer me much since it doesn't seem like a guitar with much demand. It's honestly a beautiful instrument and made in the USA, and that certainly doesn't come cheap today.

I'm not even sure I want to sell it, since I obviously still have it after all these years. Feel free to try to convince me to keep it, particularly if somebody can tell me a reasonable way to improve the plugged in sound without major surgery and large expense.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

I've got the 12 string version. It has both the UST and a mag PUP, original factory install, custom order from a previous owner. That said, your guitar and mine both have 30 plus year old antique electronics...the only cure for which is to replace...since the old wiring is there it can be used to pull thru any new wiring from a preamp without the need for major surgery...cost would depend on what you choose...yours less than mine as you don't need a dual preamp setup...there's a lot of new stuff out there...talk with your local luthier, tech, electronics whiz and get an estimate...as far as value, while I wouldn't sell mine, it, or yours, won't sell for the price of anything you are thinking of replacing it with...since your wife gave it to you and you like how it plays, just not the sound, check out the electronic upgrade cost before making your decision...and welcome to the forum.

 

[KevinFS46CE]

Thanks, and you're absolutely right, of course. I've decided to keep it and see what can be done to improve the sound. No doubt the right amp would make a difference too. I'm currently amp-less (unless you count a Fender battery powered micro amp).

I love 12 strings, I'm a bit jealous of yours! What kind of amp do you use with it? I know it's a bit different from mine as you have a magnetic pup too.

 

[JohnW63]

What amp you get sort of depends on what sound you want out of it.

For an easy to afford ( get a used one of these ) great with accoustic guitars little amp. look at the UltraSound line. I got an AG-15 that really plays bigger than it is. Cost me 40 or 50 bucks at a GC near me. I have been told and would recommend you get one that still says UltraSound on the front and Not Dean Markley. UltraSound was bought by DM and over time as they changed the name they changed the guts. I see GC as a BIGGER one , the AG-30 for about 100 bucks.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

With the need for the electronics upgrade, mine isn't being played much...when it was, it was thru whatever I had...you can run a PUP thru an acoustic amp. Would recommend upgrading your electronics first and then taking the guitar with you to try out different amps until you find what you like...off board preamps and pedals can also change the sound...but nothing will help if the original signal is antiquated...UST's are greatly improved now.

If you like the sound of a mag PUP on an acoustic...sustain...you can always get a soundhole PUP voiced for acoustic strings provided the dimensions will fit the 'soundhole' on the FS46CE and the polepiece spacing will match the string spacing on your guitar. Most of those are passive and can be used with your offboard preamp of choice...you will need a preamp with a passive PUP.