Corona serial numbers
- Thread starter bwarren
- Start date
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Hello bwarren,
Welcome! That particular F-50R was completed during the year 2002.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Welcome to LTG!
From the 2002 Fender Frontline Catalog:
Ralf
From the 2002 Fender Frontline Catalog:
Ralf
Thank you Hans, I picked it up in Covina Ca in 2003. The best 6 string I’ve owned. I like playing in lower tunings. I’ve got her in
C Hejira. Enough said. Was this build from pieces cut at the old factory? Other than some hairline cracks in parts of the neck binding and a couple whisky bumps from on and off stage, it’s a beauty, both sonically and optically!
adorshki
Reverential Member
I didn't think the (early) Corona F50 used Westerly parts, as it was a "re-issue", replacing the Westerly JF65, and I don't think the JF65 was a simple re-name of the F50, and I suspect the Corona F50 had some subtle spec differences from a JF65. But it's "possible".
I do think they used some Westerly-built necks on the early Corona JF30, D40, D40ce, D50ce, and F47Rce, because those models started in Corona with Westerly-style "snake-head" headstocks and gained the wider traditional "paddle" style headstocks later on in the case of the D40 and JF30. The cutaway electrics used the same Fishmans used in Westerly.
This is just guesswork on my part. Hans Moust has confirmed some "kits" were sent to Corona so that their novice (to flattops) luthiers could practice on 'em. Never saw anything stating those pieces actually got put into retail sale and I'd doubt it very much.
But the issue of possibly using perfectly good sub-assemblies like finished necks from Westerly in Corona builds strikes me as a different issue, more akin to the transfer of the woodstocks and other raw materials that were perfectly usable.
I got a Corona D40 in early '04. Surprised me at first because it wasn't a "cannon" the way I was expecting. Patience was rewarded though and now it might be my favorite voiced guitar. For sure it's made the best sounds I've ever recorded.
PreacherBob
Member
Ok so my eyes went right for the bridge which sticks out to me. Im in awe of that 50’s stile long narrow bridge, minus the long slide in saddle. I love that shape. According to the Fender catalog, only the F50 and F50R during the Corona run had the vintage spec rosewood bridge in leu of ebony. Though I’m sort of glad they didn’t bring back the glued slide in long saddle. This was a nice touch I think For Fender.
This instrument was my second Guild - I purchased a used D-40 from the Westerly factory. That one went to a neighbor in appreciation for his two tours in Iraq as an airborne medic.
The F-50R came from a music store that catered to mostly student musicians, so it was no wonder it was still on the wall when I found it. The store was going out of business and I bought it for $1050, including the Guild case, which the owner had to find.
This guitar’s true voice is really just starting to flourish.
I also have a Starfire II bass, a reissue, but fine build quality.
The F-50R came from a music store that catered to mostly student musicians, so it was no wonder it was still on the wall when I found it. The store was going out of business and I bought it for $1050, including the Guild case, which the owner had to find.
This guitar’s true voice is really just starting to flourish.
I also have a Starfire II bass, a reissue, but fine build quality.
Very nice, bwarren. Thanks for sharing the pictures!
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Welcome to the forums! I lived in and around South Pasadena for, like, 50 years. Pedrini's in Alhambra was the music store I occasionally frequented. I'd moved to Salt Lake by 2003 (then more recently, North Idaho).
Beautiful F50R you've got there! There's nothing like a Guild jumbo! Here's mine, a New Hartford build....
Beautiful! I grew up in Bell and always loved visiting the Folk Music Center in Claremont. In San Antonio now. With the folk and Americana scene, I’ve seen some nice axes here but the Guilds always turn heads.
I’d wager playing yours is like a glass of fine wine. Thanks for the pic
I’d wager playing yours is like a glass of fine wine. Thanks for the pic