F30 NT 1981

[drobinson9]

My only other query would be - if I had sold all my dreadnoughts (well, my Hummingbird and D55) because I want to scale down to an OM sized guitar purely for comfort (sat on the sofa playing guitar and I always sit down at gigs when I play) would I be better off with a flat backed F30 or would the arch back be okay.

 

[Westerly Wood]

My only other query would be - if I had sold all my dreadnoughts (well, my Hummingbird and D55) because I want to scale down to an OM sized guitar purely for comfort (sat on the sofa playing guitar and I always sit down at gigs when I play) would I be better off with a flat backed F30 or would the arch back be okay.

I think the back difference is nominal in terms of ergonomics. The Guild arched back is not like the Ovation bowl, which does slide off the body pretty easily.

It's a slight arch, and I think you be ok on couch or in a chair.

 

[mavuser]

My only other query would be - if I had sold all my dreadnoughts (well, my Hummingbird and D55) because I want to scale down to an OM sized guitar purely for comfort (sat on the sofa playing guitar and I always sit down at gigs when I play) would I be better off with a flat backed F30 or would the arch back be okay.

I would get the short scale flat back F-30, in that case.

The arch back in of itself may not be a deal breaker, but that era F-30 has long scale, deeper and wider body, and will not feel or sound so different that a dread. sitting down, a short scale flat back F-30 will feel like a world of difference

 

[Westerly Wood]

I would get the short scale flat back F-30, in that case.

The arch back in of itself may not be a deal breaker, but that era F-30 has long scale, deeper and wider body, and will not feel or sound so different that a dread. sitting down, a short scale flat back F-30 will feel like a world of difference

However, owning a short scale F30r flatback, the body depth is 4 inches, not 4.5 or 5. That does lessen the volume, projection and tonal output vs a regular F30. An arched back F30 should sound notedly larger vs mine.

 

[adorshki]

If a guitar has an arched back does that mean it's laminate?

With Guild, yes, by definition.

However a laminated back is an entirely different animal than a laminated top. Tops are designed to vibrate/resonate, backs are designed to reflect. So the fact that a back and sides are laminated has very little and probably "un-hear-able" sonic impact.

Also it's lighter and much more resistant to cracking and impact damage. Guild does archback flattops better than anybody else, it's almost a trademark.

 

[adorshki]

this model basically morphed into the GF-25. those are also hard to find (and have a different headstock)

All the GF's were based on 16" lower bout F40/F47/F44 size body, not the F30 body. Arched back F30 is in a niche all its own.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Guild does archback flattops better than anybody else, it's almost a trademark.

Except we don't currently know where their arch press is. We know it made the trip from CT to CA, but with Yamaha purchase, do we know where it is today? Probably still in Oxnard under a big blanket or tarp. lol

 

[chazmo]

Woody, it's probably still in Oxnard. I've been tuned out for a few days, but there wasn't any discussion about serious production changes (yet) in Oxnard due to the purchase by Yamaha, was there?

 

[Westerly Wood]

Woody, it's probably still in Oxnard. I've been tuned out for a few days, but there wasn't any discussion about serious production changes (yet) in Oxnard due to the purchase by Yamaha, was there?

I figured as much. I doubt anything major will happen for a while. I just hope they start using that thing again. Or are they now with the F55 and F512? they must be using it.

 

[adorshki]

Except we don't currently know where their arch press is. We know it made the trip from CT to CA, but with Yamaha purchase, do we know where it is today? Probably still in Oxnard under a big blanket or tarp. lol

It's still in Oxnard, and they have to use it to make F55E Maples's and F512E Maples's, but I think they sold the rest of the archback dies to some satellite dish outfit.

 

[mavuser]

All the GF's were based on 16" lower bout F40/F47/F44 size body, not the F30 body. Arched back F30 is in a niche all its own.

the arched back F-30 is 15.5" lower bout long scale, and the GF-25 is listed at 16" lower bout long scale. I posted that the arched back F-30 morphed into the GF-25 a few years later...not that they were identical. i'd say that's pretty accurate if u have ever held one of each in your hands

 

[mavuser]

However, owning a short scale F30r flatback, the body depth is 4 inches, not 4.5 or 5. That does lessen the volume, projection and tonal output vs a regular F30. An arched back F30 should sound notedly larger vs mine.

yes it would sound like a dread and feel nothing like a short scale flat back F-30, just like I said the first time

 

[adorshki]

the arched back F-30 is 15.5" lower bout long scale, and the GF-25 is listed at 16" lower bout long scale. I posted that the arched back F-30 morphed into the GF-25 a few years later...not that they were identical. i'd say that's pretty accurate if u have ever held one of each in your hands

Yes but the GF series did not "morph" from the F30, it derived from the Gruhn F-bodies, F30 was actually discontinued when the GF's arrived and there wasn't even a "slot" for the body size anymore, much like Cordoba has abandoned the 16" F-body.

 

[E-Type]

Interesting to see the nut width listed at 1-5/8”.