NGD-1973???? F 30-R

[richardp69]

I bought this a while back from Gruhn's. They were up front and said it needed a neck reset and possibly a refret. I had it sent directly to Tom Jacobs and it needed both. So, I'm likely into it for more than I can reasonably expect to get for it if/when I sell. But, that's ok. I get a real kick out of bringing a worthy guitar back to life so if I end up losing a couple hundred, my feeling is, so what!! At this stage of my life I consider that ok.

This one has the wear you'd expect to see on a 50 year old guitar but it's got that vintage look, feel and sound for sure.The sustain on this one is pretty incredible and after Tom's work and set up it plays easily and sounds great. The paper label is long gone but the SN is clearly stamped into the back of the headstock. The case may, or may not be original but it's a nice case and fits the guitar really well.I know the F 30 is quite popular on this forum. Truthfully, I've never been a big fan but I do seem to really like and appreciate the RW versions of this model.

Now though I've got to take a hard look at what I've got. I have 3 F 30's and certainly don't need that. I've got this Westerly 1973 F 30R, now with no issues. I also have a Nashville Custom Shop 1995 F 30R LS (Long Scale) in superb cosmetic condition and the 2013 60th Anniv. F 30 from the New Hartford plant.

I'll be letting at least one, and quite possibly two go but I need to figure out which one(s).

Here's a few pics of my new addition.

 

[GGJaguar]

Nice! I think rosewood works well on smaller body guitars.

 

[jedzep]

Hey, Richard. I'm thinking of shopping neck set on my F30. If you don't mind, please let me know what the reset estimate is for yours so I can make a plan.

Thank you. Dave

 

[Rambozo96]

The way vintage Guild prices are going you may break even if you sit on it for a few years but I agree these deserve a second lease on life.

 

[Guildedagain]

The good years, the best years.

 

[chazmo]

Hey, Richard,

The bible agrees with 85680 being a '73 guitar.

That's a sweetheart. Good luck with your decisions. That'll be a tough choice if you're only going to keep one.

 

[bobouz]

Richard, if you decide to sell, you may want to contact Ray (of “Rayspeak” fame). When I’ve posted about my ‘73 F-30R, he’s had questions of interest & since this model is rather rare, he might like to have a shot at it.

And just because pics are fun, here’s mine again. The odd pattern on the lower bout is a reflection from the closet door!

 

[HeyMikey]

Beautiful guitar Richard. Those are pretty hard to find. Another great rescue! Hope you enjoy it.

 

[walrus]

A beauty! Love it!

walrus

 

[Neal]

Nice! I think rosewood works well on smaller body guitars.

The early ‘70’s F-30’s are not as small as one might think. They are as deep at the end pin as a dread.

 

[richardp69]

My decision(s) just got a lot easier. I was up into well into the early morning hours playing this one and nursing a couple nice Pinot Noirs. It is really a great sounding F 30R so it stays with me. There's a whole lot of great sound for a smaller bodied guitar.

 

[HeyMikey]

That’s awesome Richard. I know you prefer the richness and volume of a large body guitar vs. the smaller bodies. This one must be pretty nice to get that kind of praise.

 

[richardp69]

Yeah, it really is special. It's not pristine and not collector grade but I really love this guitar. And yes, I've always preferred Jumbos and Dreads but as I've gotten older these smaller guitars have earned a special place in my heart and they are so eay to play. I just picked up a Westerly F 50 (which I love and it may be my most favorite Guild model) but it's gotta be 3x the weight. That's not a show stopper for me, not at all, just an observation.

 

[GGJaguar]

Excellent! Better to keep it a while longer. You can always decide otherwise in the future.

 

[jedzep]

You've never been an F30 fan...but you have 3?

 

[richardp69]

Yeah, well I never said I was intelligent or had an excess of common sense, so there is that.

 

[Rayk]

Congrats ! OM’s and OOO’s can be very enjoyable especially on the finger picking side. For me I find them better suited to high light the fundamentals/ intricacies.

The overtones , sustain clarity etc just bring joy to the ear .

 

[Guildedagain]

You've never been an F30 fan...but you have 3?

This is Rosewood, unlike most, like mine, everyday Mahogany, more bark less sustain.

The lowly F30 not R, they're sweet guitars but the Rosewood sounds like a good idea to me because you're not expecting a big dread (Bluegrass) bark out of a guitar like this anyway, this is a Folk guitar.

The guitar case lid has beautiful silking, almost like a quilt top, very musical ;[]

 

[GGJaguar]

The guitar case lid has beautiful silking

That means it's perfectly quarter sawn velvet plush.

 

[Guildedagain]

Yeah, I hate it when they rift saw the plush.