Going to check out a 59 M30

[donnylang]

I have a line on a ghost label M30 (no, not the one on Reverb, oddly)- I’m going to check this out tonight.

I’m not well versed on this period of Guilds, so any tips or pointers are welcomed.

What I know is that it supposedly plays very well with low action, and has some cracks on the back which are described as minor. I can’t see the back cracks in the photos, but I do see one on the top near the neck that looks minimal.

I may buy it even if it doesn’t speak to me, as I know these are very rare. I plan on heading over with a wad of cash in my pocket and seeing if I can work out a deal. Can’t resist because it’s right down the street in my neighborhood, within walking distance.

 

[jedzep]

Better you than me. I'm tapped out in guitar funds. The M30 is my bucket lister. I keep telling myself the narrow nut would ultimately lead me to have to sell it, like all the old M20s I let go.

Enjoy the golden moment. Feel my jealousy!

 

[Bonneville88]

Looks pretty original - cool!

 

[AcornHouse]

So lucky! Enjoy it and good luck!

 

[Opsimath]

Well, how did it go?

 

[donnylang]

So I played it for a bit, and ended up not buying it. Happy to help facilitate a sale I anyone is interested. Very cool and nice guy selling it.

The guitar seems all original- even the saddle looks original to me. Bridge does not appear to have been shaved. Saddle about as low as you could go, but action was super low, electric guitar low. No buzzing but I’d prefer it tuned up with slightly heavier strings. It was tuned down a bit for some reason, and the strings seemed like monels or something- very slinky. A few battle scars- the worst of which is that crack pictured above. The cracks on the back seemed very very minor.

Ultimately, I wasn’t really vibing with it, though I had a chunk of change ready in my pocket (less than he was asking but I maybe could have taken it for that).

He brought out a 1947 Gibson LG-2 ... I don’t tend to be interested in Gibsons, but I actually liked this guitar better than the M30. It wasn’t explicitly for sale, but it seemed like he would have parted with it if I wanted it.

As for now, I prefer my ‘68 D35 (just played it when I got home). One odd thing worth noting is both the M30 and LG2 were a bit heavier than my D35.

 

[HeyMikey]

Getting a chance to play those two iconic guitars seems like an awesome way to kill some time.

 

[donnylang]

Getting a chance to play those two iconic guitars seems like an awesome way to kill some time.

Yeh it was a front porch situation- I casually mentioned I prefer Guilds to Gibsons, and most Gibsons I’ve played (‘60s-‘70s) were dogs, and he basically insisted I play the ‘47 LG2. I admit I was surprised. It was not boxy like other LGs I’ve played ... X braced I guess. Sounded like a good old dry J45.

Also a nice 20 minute walk around the lake here in Oakland, and into a cool little tucked away neighborhood I forgot existed.

 

[AcornHouse]

What was he asking for the M30?

 

[donnylang]

What was he asking for the M30?

$1500

 

[F312]

What is your magic number for you to snag it?

 

[jedzep]

...adding in the pending neck reset. That low saddle is the tell.

 

[walrus]

Nice way to spend the day! I'm thinking that's a reasonable price for an elusive M-30...

walrus

 

[donnylang]

What is your magic number for you to snag it?

I don’t think I would have. If I didn’t love it, I’d end up selling it.

I don’t think the neck would be in need of reset anytime soon.