GF30 vs. Custom Build

[plaidseason]

I do love the notion of an carved back flat top. My philosophy is that I mostly keep guitars that have their own distinct role. And that would definitely be the case with something like this.

 

[bobouz]

Is that why you filled it with milk?

Gotta love those old Polaroids!

 

[davidbeinct]

Heard back from the seller of the GF30. He has someone who is interested but if that falls through he will let me know. I’m definitely going to visit Brier Road and he said he has other guitars I can play. I can always look at others too if I’m not smitten with his work and the GF30 isn’t available. Birthday is in October so I have time.

NVM, as my girls say. Looks like the other buyer went another direction. I’m trying to work out a day and time to go check it out. If it’s as good as my memory of it I’ll be driving home with it. I’ve only been playing for one pandemic, however long that is in the way we used to measure time, and in that time I have bought and traded away or sold more guitars than is reasonable. The GF30 is definitely the one that got away though.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Huge difference between a carved SOUNDBOARD vs. a back. Soundboard solid vs. laminate is big. Back and sides, not so much, although they all contribute.

Excellent point.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Heard back from the seller of the GF30. He has someone who is interested but if that falls through he will let me know. I’m definitely going to visit Brier Road and he said he has other guitars I can play. I can always look at others too if I’m not smitten with his work and the GF30 isn’t available. Birthday is in October so I have time.

You're doing it right!

 

[Boomstick]

Brier Road Guitars. He seems a little under the radar but gets good reviews. He builds both flattops and archtops which is why I reached out to him about a carved archback flattop guitar.

I know this is an old thread, but I am curious what did you end up doing?

I live in North Adams myself and am familiar with Brier Road Guitars. My dad bought the first guitar Nick ever made and I've played some of his newer ones and one of them in particular I was really impressed with, sounded great and I consider myself very spoiled and particular.

My dad also owns a GF-30 as well, nice guitar. I restrung it for him just the other day.

 

[davidbeinct]

I know this is an old thread, but I am curious what did you end up doing?

I live in North Adams myself and am familiar with Brier Road Guitars. My dad bought the first guitar Nick ever made and I've played some of his newer ones and one of them in particular I was really impressed with, sounded great and I consider myself very spoiled and particular.

My dad also owns a GF-30 as well, nice guitar. I restrung it for him just the other day.

I went with a GF30. I had always had seller’s remorse about a previous one and I found one on here. It has a neck that is much more comfortable for me than the previous one and sounds just as good. I got the okay to spend for the custom build but the much less expensive Guild didn’t hurt on the home front either.

 

[plaidseason]

I went with a GF30. I had always had seller’s remorse about a previous one and I found one on here. It has a neck that is much more comfortable for me than the previous one and sounds just as good. I got the okay to spend for the custom build but the much less expensive Guild didn’t hurt on the home front either.

I've been living similarly. I looking at a custom build, but then also picked up a California built M40, currently on its way.
A GF30 would also temp me, but I'm leaning hard into short scale these days.

 

[Boomstick]

I went with a GF30. I had always had seller’s remorse about a previous one and I found one on here. It has a neck that is much more comfortable for me than the previous one and sounds just as good. I got the okay to spend for the custom build but the much less expensive Guild didn’t hurt on the home front either.

Always a solid choice. I really like my dad's a lot.

 

[chazmo]

GF30 vs. Custom Build

Based on your pros/cons of the GF30, I can't imagine it being a great 60th birthday guitar, unless you will also be getting a 61st, 62nd, etc. birthday guitar too. If so, then I'd definitely go with the GF30 if it's readily available, in good condition, and has an acceptable price.

I've commissioned guitars in the past, and it has been a mixed bag of results. More money does not necessarily correlate to more or better results. It becomes more of an issue when it comes down to personal ergonomic needs. Trying to articulate those needs over the phone or e-mail can be challenging, especially for those of us who lack a guitar builder's vocabulary. Some luthiers are game for anything you can throw at them, others live in a more defined comfort zone of their choosing.

More money doesn't always get you a dovetail neck joint, HHG construction, or a Nitrocellulose finish. None of that matters to me, but it may to you. All of this needs to be ironed out prior to you placing a deposit on a commissioned guitar.

Tommy

Hey, @davidbeinct , I know you made the (good) choice to go with the GF-30, but I wanted to quote/re-post @tommym 's post because I agree with it 100%. The one thing I wanted to add to it was resale.. If you (anyone) orders a custom build -- no knock at all on Brier Road -- if you don't bond with it, it's difficult to sell. Some luthiers draw a huge premium, but most don't have great recognition and will only sell to a (much) smaller market.

 

[jeffcoop]

The one thing that the GF30 will give you that a custom build almost certainly will not is aged wood, and wood that has resonated. I mean, I have a late 19th century mahogany dining table that belonged to my great grandmother, and don't think that I don't eye it from time to time, but even though the wood is old, it hasn't aged as part of an instrument. Old guitar wood is special, especially if you fear that you won't be around long enough to enjoy a new guitar as it matures.