NGD 1972 F-40

[Rich Cohen]

Here are pics of my just received 1972 G-40 from Richard Peterson. Rich had Tom Jacobs restore this beauty to her almost original condition. Everything on her is basically restored. Only the burst on the top is not original. Interestingly, the sides and back are still in their resplendent blonde natural color. Besides the pristine condtion, this F-40 reflects Guild's descision to reintroduce the F-40 in 1972/73 after a short hiatius. Since then, the F-40 has gone through several changes. Nowadays, unfortunately, in my opinion, the current iteration of the F-40 sports an F-48 shape and size and tone woods. I like the F-48, but to call it a F-40 is, well, in line with the penchant for Guild to mess around with nomenclature of models. This itseration of the F-40 is perfect for me. With 16" x 5" at the lower bout, she sits in my lap like, well, a well-formed guitar should for the player's needs. I'm 76, thus a full jumbo at 17" would be a bit too much for my shoulder I imagine. Anything smaller, then 16" I find too small and thin sounding. So, there is a sweet spot in the history of Guild models for me, after all. Here's some pics. I'll record on Sound Cloud a clip in a few days to give you an idea of just how wonderfully sounding Tom Jacobs has made this oldy. Tom J. created a new rosewood bridge, installed bone nut and saddle, and refretted the guitar. It's like brand new from the Westerly shop. And, true to form Richard P. delivered it in a Guild case. I can't say enough about Richard's ethics and his sense of what is right in the way to treat a guitar, and how to pass it on to someone who will love it. I know Rich is slimming down his collection. If you're looking for a new acquisition, I recommend him without reservation!

 

[Westerly Wood]

wow! such a great model. might be Guild's best acoustic model, or most versatile...

 

[Stuball48]

Love the burst and is that a 1930s color burst. If it plays as well as it looks, you have a beauty queen. Congratulations!!

 

[GGJaguar]

A wonderful guitar, congrats!

 

[Cougar]

Wow, Niiiiiiice! Major congrats!

 

[Rich Cohen]

Love the burst and is that a 1930s color burst. If it plays as well as it looks, you have a beauty queen. Congratulations!!

I'm not an expert on '30's color bursts, but this one certainly takes the cake as far as combination of colors is concerned. Regarding the sound of the guitar...well, it'll give an F-50 a run for its money, let's but it that way. The guitar responds really well to light and hard strumming, and it's no slouch when it comes to fingerpicking style. One of the important factors is the tone wood. Maple, from what I understand about sonics, is one of the quicker tone woods to respond to your strumming, single picked notes and fingerpicked notes. I can't thank Richard P. for getting this vintage guitar back in fighting condition, and of course to Tom Jacobs for his artistry. Also, as usual, Richard had new medium strings installed, so she sings like a bird. Oh, I forgot to mention the Fishman electronics (volume only), now probably itself somewhat vintage in age, is absolutely spot on through my Rivera amp. And, finally, the neck. What a neck! Neither too fat nor too thin. Fits in my hand like a glove. The nut is 1 11/16". Tom J. reset the neck, fashioned a new rosewood bridge, and installed bone nut and saddle.

 

[Norrissey]

Another jewel from the Richard Peterson treasure chest! Congrats!

 

[Rich Cohen]

Another jewel from the Richard Peterson treasure chest! Congrats!

Yes! I've lost count the number of guitars I have bought from Richard P. Each one of them was a jewel.

 

[HeyMikey]

That is a delicious looking F-40 Rich. I swear that burst is good enough to eat. I had a later 70’s NT for a short time. I loved the sound and projection of it immensely. Quintessential Guild. No doubt you will enjoy this one. Congrats!

BTW, Richard and RICH are straight up role models for how to conduct forum purchases.

 

[walrus]

Beautiful! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[plaidseason]

This looks magnificent.

I played my F44 last night and I stand by the belief that a maple-mini jumbo is as good an all-around guitar as anything.

 

[PreacherBob]

Great looking F40 Rich. i know exactly what you mean. I’ve got one at my office and one at home I play pretty much daily. Sound as big as my maple jumbos just a bit compressed with a nice growl. I’m guessing it’s why the Gibson J185 was always so popular. The strong midrange is a great backdrop for vocals. Love that older burst.

 

[jeffcoop]

Congratulations, Rich!

 

[West R Lee]

Just beautiful!

West

 

[twocorgis]

Well done gents (and Tom Jacobs). My 2013 F512 is rehabbing down there right now, and has been there for quite some time. can't wait to play the finished result!

 

[Rich Cohen]

Well done gents (and Tom Jacobs). My 2013 F512 is rehabbing down there right now, and has been there for quite some time. can't wait to play the finished result!

What does it need, Sandy? Only ten years and it needs a Tom Jacobs treatment?

 

[twocorgis]

What does it need, Sandy? Only ten years and it needs a Tom Jacobs treatment?

It's had a hard life, I'm afraid. He's cleaning up a not so great top crack repair (made harder by it being a sunburst), and I was concerned that the neck block might have shifted, but he said no. Finish touch-ups take a loooooong time.

 

[Rich Cohen]

How many of you folks have a 1972 Guild the neck angle on it checks out as if it was new? This F-40 is spot on! Thanks to Tom Jacob.

It's had a hard life, I'm afraid. He's cleaning up a not so great top crack repair (made harder by it being a sunburst), and I was concerned that the neck block might have shifted, but he said no. Finish touch-ups take a loooooong time.

Hang with Tom, Sandy. You'll be mighty pleased when she returns to Kings Park.

 

[Rich Cohen]

I sent an F-512 ca. 1973 (don't remember exactly) that had a bad neck reset and a neck block problem and wouldn't play up the neck without extreme buzzing. Tom J. fixed the problem, as well as the bridge correction. That was a challenging fix. But, there have been many instances of trashed Guilds that Tom J. has fixed up for us LTGers. He is the go to luthier of choice. As many of us can attest.

 

[banjomike]

I always like the 16" Gibson Jumbos better than the 17" guitars, especially when they have a mahogany neck.uil
The tone is warmer and sweeter in those guitars.
While I've never played a Guild 16", I'm sure I would really like it, especially because of the deeper body. Maple gives a jumbo definition, but as often as not,maple doesn't deliver a rich, complex bass.

Guild knew how to get the best from maple- their guitars have the bass tone all the others lack.