JF65e

[Pete48]

Hi everyone,

I've had this guitar for many years, but never really figured out exactly what it was. I've never seen one like it before. The model # is JF65e, NT.

Any ideas what the significance of 'e' or 'NT' are?

The serial is FE1005XX (on the label on the inside as well as stamped on the back of the neck. Also, stamped on the back of the neck is 2-87?

Thanks!

 

[twocorgis]

Welcome to LTG! Are you sure that isn't a JF55? A JF65 would have maples sides and back. Also "E" stands for electronics, does it have a factory pickup? And "NT" stands for natural top, which this one is.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Hi Pete, and welcome to the forum!

"NT" referred to "Natural Top" - Sitka Spruce with clear lacquer.

"e" referred to "Electric", meaning a pickup was present in one form or another.

Are you certain you are reading "JF65" and not "JF55"?

To my knowledge, the 65 designated a Maple jumbo available as both a 6 string (JF65) and a 12 string (JF65-12), whereas the JF 55 was a Rosewood jumbo, also available as both a 6 string (JF55) and a 12 string (JF55-12).

Guild had renamed their venerable Maple and Rosewood jumbos (and it can be confusing):

6 strings
F50R NT --> JF55 NT (or JF55R - Rosewood)
F50 NT --> JF65 NT (or Bld - Blonde, or JF65M - Maple))

12 strings
F512 (NT) --> JF55-12 NT
F412 (NT) --> JF65-12 NT (or Bld - Blonde)

These have all been renamed yet again, but I will leave that to another thread.

Regarding the year, I assumed the "FE" serial numbers didn't begin until 1989, but I could be mistaken.

 

[Pete48]

Wow. Thanks for the info guys. It definitely has a J65 in the sound hole. See pic. But it is clearly rosewood.

I wonder if this was re-done at one point? Is there anything else I should be looking for? Where is this pickup? Inside?

Thanks!

 

[twocorgis]

Wow. Thanks for the info guys. It definitely has a J65 in the sound hole. See pic. But it is clearly rosewood.

I wonder if this was re-done at one point? Is there anything else I should be looking for? Where is this pickup? Inside?

Thanks!

Well, it wouldn't be the first time a guitar left the Westerly factory with an incorrect label.

Does the serial on the label match the one on the back of the headstock, and are there any electronics in the guitar?

 

[awagner]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that some of the rosewood versions were referred to as JF65R for a time.

But the guitar is the same as a JF55.

 

[Cougar]

12 strings
F512 (NT) --> JF55-12 NT
F412 (NT) --> JF65-12 NT (or Bld - Blonde)

That always bugged me... well, just a little. The JF55-12, the "lower numbered" JF, compares to the F512, the higher numbered F 12-string. And the JF65-12, the "higher numbered" JF, compares to the F412, the lower numbered F 12-string. IOW, it's backwards!

 

[Christopher Cozad]

That always bugged me...it's backwards!

That's what I said, too!

 

[Pete48]

Well, the plot thickens. Yes, the serial # matches the back of the headstock. Found two more dates and identifications. There is a Feb 1987 date both where the neck mounts AND under the deck (used a mirror!). Also "JF-65". Lol.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

I believe identifying more details regarding the provenance of this guitar may require consulting Hans Intelligence (aka, H.I.)

 

[twocorgis]

I believe identifying more details regarding the provenance of this guitar may require consulting Hans Intelligence (aka, H.I.)

I think this is a guitar that @hansmoust will want in his database, if it's not there already.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that some of the rosewood versions were referred to as JF65R for a time.

But the guitar is the same as a JF55.

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/data/attachments/63/63326-cbf757ea375ff82389dff7871e96d3e2.jpg

My poor eyes, which have had a lot of practice translating what they are not seeing clearly, read that label as
JF65 R, NT...not e...likely no electronics...you can stop looking for a pickup.

I think the 'mystery' is solved.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Thanks, Jane.

Pete, you are the proud owner of a fine Westerly Guild Rosewood jumbo built back in the late '80s. But that spider web has got to go!

 

[Pete48]

Ha! I was wondering if anyone would notice the spider web.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, Pete.

That's definitely a mislabeled and mis-stamped JF-55 -- or, as awagner said, you could call it a JF-65R. The Gruhn-era guitars are so often confusing (and confused). You could also call it an F-50R.

I won't talk about what Cordóba decided to call it. Yeesh! (OK... F-55)