Guild GAD jf-30 finishes

[RBSinTo]

I have an early GAD jf-30 purchased used a few years ago, because I wanted a maple, jumbo-bodied guitar.
I've seen them for sale at various sites, and see that they sell for less than their
American-made Guild counterparts.
This leads me to wonder whether there were more cost-cutting measures applied to them besides less expensive labour when they were first built in China?
Specifically, I wanted to know if the decorative elements such as the rosette surrounding the sound hole, and the decorative stripe running up the back of the soundbox were actual inlays, or merely decals applied under the finished clearcoat?
Additionally, mine has a clear transparent and quite thin pickguard, (rather than a coloured thicker plastic or faux-tortoise shell one) that gives the top of the soundbox the appearance of a Classical guitar.
My questions are not complaints, because I'm very happy with the instrument, but are asked merely out of curiosity.
I have searched for specs on these instruments, but the catalogue excerpts I've found don't answer my questions.
RBSinTo

 

[chazmo]

GAD guitars have very little in common with the US-built product line; they should be judged on their own merits.

Your GADJF-30, if I recall, is not a real Guild "jumbo." I.e., the lower bout is 16", if I recall correctly. Also, they used flat back, rather than arched. I doubt that the rosette is a decal, but I don't know. As for the pickguard, you are lucky (IMO) that you don't have the original GAD version on there.

But, anyway, if it matters to you, the original GAD series (of which your guitar is part) is more highly regarded in terms of appointments and decoration than any that followed (including today's Westerly series).

 

[Cougar]

I expect the finish is poly instead of nitro.

 

[beecee]

I can't speak conclusively about the back stripe or rosette but based on their use of wood binding, solid woods, bone nut and saddle I would think it likely. It's not difficult to rout a channel for both.

Fun guitars....but like Chazmo says.... the pickguard.....meh.

Oh and very disappointed with the Chesterfield.

 

[RBSinTo]

It surprises me that so little solid information about these details exists, especially since there are Guildsters who revel in knowing and discussing such minutae.
As for the pickguard, I agree it rates a "meh", but I have no idea what the Chesterfield is.
RBSinTo

 

[beecee]

there are Guildsters who revel in knowing and discussing such minutia but I have no idea what the Chesterfield is.
RBSinTo

Made in US Chesterfield:



GAD Chesterfield:




I think most people here "like" them, but they are more akin to the Sigma to Martin fans or Epiphones to a Gibson fan.

Or Carlo Rossi Pisano to a fine DOC Riserva Chianti. It'll get the job done but you won't brood over every sip.