F 30 Personal History

[richardp69]

It's interesting to me how my tastes tend to change a bit as I age. I got heavily into Guild about 20 years ago and my goal was to try every model Guild ever made. I haven't succeeded but I ve gotten pretty close to that I think.

However, one of the 1st Guilds I got back in the day was a F 30. I didn't like it at all. I tried others thinking maybe I just had a bad one but nope, didn't like them either.

Fast forward 15 years or so and I now love the F 30. I have several now including a 1959 currently with Tom Jacobs, a 1973 player grade, a 2011 GSR Cocobolo and a 2012 60th Anniv. I also had an early Maple F 30 that needed some work and I foolishly sold.

I want that Maple F 30 again. If any of you comes across one in your travels, I'd sure like you to contact me.

Richard

 

[WaltW]

Well Richard you've got me feeling pretty good about buying a F30 three weeks ago; not having it shipped until April. I like the F20 that I got from you that it made me want a F30 which is bigger than the F20 but smaller than the dreads that I have. I am really appreciating smaller guitars as I grow older. I've attached 2 pics of the 1996 that I bought.

 

[richardp69]

Friggin' gorgeous!!!

 

[bobouz]

Well Richard you've got me feeling pretty good about buying a F30 three weeks ago; not having it shipped until April. I like the F20 that I got from you that it made me want a F30 which is bigger than the F20 but smaller than the dreads that I have. I am really appreciating smaller guitars as I grow older. I've attached 2 pics of the 1996 that I bought.

That’s a real beauty Walt, and it’s even got the shield-outlined TRC that appeared for a limited time during the late ‘90s - very cool!

 

[bobouz]

It's interesting to me how my tastes tend to change a bit as I age. I got heavily into Guild about 20 years ago and my goal was to try every model Guild ever made. I haven't succeeded but I ve gotten pretty close to that I think.

However, one of the 1st Guilds I got back in the day was a F 30. I didn't like it at all. I tried others thinking maybe I just had a bad one but nope, didn't like them either.

Fast forward 15 years or so and I now love the F 30. I have several now including a 1959 currently with Tom Jacobs, a 1973 player grade, a 2011 GSR Cocobolo and a 2012 60th Anniv. I also had an early Maple F 30 that needed some work and I foolishly sold.

I want that Maple F 30 again. If any of you comes across one in your travels, I'd sure like you to contact me.

Richard

In a somewhat similar vein, I purchased a mini-jumbo F-30 new in the ‘70s, really liked it, but traded it away in order to chase my dream of a perfect F-40, new from the factory. When it finally came, I couldn’t bond with it for a number of reasons. It took decades to rectify both of those wrongs, but the hunt finally paid off, and likewise, I’m sure you’ll eventually score a sweet maple F-30 to add to your collection. Gotta love ‘em!

 

[hansmoust]

In a somewhat similar vein, I purchased a mini-jumbo F-30 new in the ‘70s, really liked it, but traded it away in order to chase my dream of a perfect F-40, new from the factory. When it finally came, I couldn’t bond with it for a number of reasons. It took decades to rectify both of those wrongs, but the hunt finally paid off, and likewise, I’m sure you’ll eventually score a sweet maple F-30 to add to your collection. Gotta love ‘em!

Keep in mind that bobouz is talking about an F-30R, which is not what everybody, including myself, would think of when they're talking about an F-30.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[bobouz]

Keep in mind that bobouz is talking about an F-30R, which is not what everybody, including myself, would think of when they're talking about an F-30.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Actually Hans, the guitar I was referencing that I purchased new in the ‘70s was indeed the more common mahogany mini-jumbo F-30. My mistake in letting it go never felt fully rectified until I was fortunate enough to find the mini-jumbo F-30R pictured above. Richard’s maple F-30 dilemma brought it back to mind, as guitars from the past can most definitely get stuck in your brain!

 

[hansmoust]

Yes, you told me that you had a regular F-30 at the time. However, since you regretted letting it go and eventually bought an F-30R, I was wondering if you would feel the same way about the F-30 (if you could ever get it back) after having played the F-30R for all these years?
I guess you may never know!

I love F-30s, but I prefer the earlier '60s style with the somewhat smaller body

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[HeyMikey]

I love the F30 size. It is so comfortable and versatile. From finger style to strumming, I’ve yet to find a type of music I play that it can’t handle well. Then again I’m not in a bluegrass band… For the solo performer it is very nice as it provides a very even tone, and complements vocals rather than overwhelming them.

 

[davismanLV]

Like Hans, I like the slightly smaller bodied ones from earlier. What a great size!!

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Richard!!

 

[plaidseason]

Yes, you told me that you had a regular F-30 at the time. However, since you regretted letting it go and eventually bought an F-30R, I was wondering if you would feel the same way about the F-30 (if you could ever get it back) after having played the F-30R for all these years?
I guess you may never know!

I love F-30s, but I prefer the earlier '60s style with the somewhat smaller body

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

I'm onboard with the any F30 that's 000-ish and short scale.

 

[walrus]

I love the F30 size. It is so comfortable and versatile. From finger style to strumming, I’ve yet to find a type of music I play that it can’t handle well. Then again I’m not in a bluegrass band… For the solo performer it is very nice as it provides a very even tone, and complements vocals rather than overwhelming them.

Yes. Mine saved me from the aching right shoulder I developed playing a dread size for decades while also getting older.

 

[Rayk]

GSR 2011 coco drool

 

[chazmo]

GSR 2011 coco drool

One of the neatest guitars I ever saw was the F-30R GSR that was at one of our LMG events in New Hartford (2010, I think). That one had the most amazing bear claw soundboard that I've ever seen, before or since. I played it, but I don't remember how I felt about it. It's visual appearance was absolutely stunning.

 

[Rayk]

One of the neatest guitars I ever saw was the F-30R GSR that was at one of our LMG events in New Hartford (2010, I think). That one had the most amazing bear claw soundboard that I've ever seen, before or since. I played it, but I don't remember how I felt about it. Its visual appearance was absolutely stunning.

I can’t remember if I got 1 or 2 of them but returned them because of defects . Tonally one was very good they were Rosewoods . I do remember having a F30r GAD cut away which was nice I returned it because some bass notes sounded dull but I was able to record a song with it but only using the pickup up .

I was looking for another but never could find one I liked with a cut away and looks . There was one on reverb for a while that had a beautiful top no cutaway but it was priced high and was there for a while before sold or taken down ?

I love OM’s / OOO’s and the CV-1 is very good . I’d love to get my hands on a Coco model though . lol

I should of kept that F47 KOA GSR but you all know me and my relationship with F47’s

 

[Sal]

I love F-30s, but I prefer the earlier '60s style with the somewhat smaller body

Here, hear! For me that early shape just looks and feels so right. I've got a Martin 000-18 (hog) that pairs well with my F40 (maple) and I think I'm set. As a side note; I've always been curious why Gibson never built a guitar in this category / size and shape, when practically every other guitar maker does.

 

[chazmo]

I can’t remember if I got 1 or 2 of them but returned them because of defects

Ray, are you talking about the 2010 R-30R GSRs? Can you please elaborate?

 

[Rayk]

Ray, are you talking about the 2010 R-30R GSRs? Can you please elaborate?

Those were the F30R’s NH ( these were used not new models to clarify) not GSR’s only GSR I had was the F47 koa .

 

[chazmo]

Those were the F30R’s NH ( these were used not new models to clarify) not GSR’s only GSR I had was the F47 koa .

Got it. Those F-30Rs that you're talking about were Standard series, right, Ray? Satin necks; rosewood, tented Guild faceplate...? That's what I seem to recall.

 

[Rayk]

Got it. Those F-30Rs that you're talking about were Standard series, right, Ray? Satin necks; rosewood, tented Guild faceplate...? That's what I seem to recall.

Yes I believe so , my brain doesn’t store everyday info it goes into buffer overload and dumps excess into a lot . lol

One did sound impressive and I should have keep it if I’ve could have known that they’d go the way of the dinosaurs but who knew ?

Satin necks rule .lol