NGD First Guild GAD F-130

[codercodi]

Hi Y’all,

How is it going? This is my first Guild a “new-to-me” GAD F-130. I am a casual beginner self-taught, but am going to take classes soon. So wanted a nice guitar. I played a D-150 at a used music store and absolutely loved the sound. So started hunting for one as that dread was a bit out of my budget. I also have a dred a Takamine G-10. Then I came across this a couple of nights ago.

Mfg. Date: Oct 2011
Top: Solid Spruce
Sides & back: Mahogany

Bought this off someone in my neighborhood for $360 (not sure if that’s good, but seen very few listed around $700). Didn’t come with solid case. No blemishes or even scratches what to ever.

This morning I noticed some belly bulge. I immediately took of the old strings and it went away. I have ordered Elixer lights. I am hoping the strings were wrong. I have looked for any issues with bridge plate and bracing by “feeling with my nails” and there doesn’t seem to be an issue (to my uneducated probing). Any guidance will be appreciated! I didn’t take a pick before but will post again after new strings.

Buuut!!!!! NEW GUITAR DAY!!!

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG and congrats on your new Guild! The GAD line offers a lot of bang-for-buck. Enjoy!

 

[portsider]

Those GADs are really nice. I had one, gigged it and it sounded great. We didn't bond so I let it go.
That said I'd happily gig with it anytime if that was the available option.

 

[HeyMikey]

Welcome and congrats codercodi! Those are terrific guitars and that is a great price. I almost bought one years ago and regret not doing so. I would buy it in an instant now at that price. Very nice wood, appointments, construction, sound… Great score!

 

[codercodi]

Thanks, all. Yeah I am super excited. I am hoping the bulge isn’t going to be an issue. Will run a boroscope down and check the woodwork. Going to string it tonight.

Btw, it sounds sweet! It projects almost as much as my dread. I was pleasantly surprised . Perfect balance.

 

[Cougar]

This is my first Guild a “new-to-me” GAD F-130.

Well done and major congrats! The back and sides of your new guitar are gorgeous! Even though I've got two top-o-line Guild jumbo 12-strings, I couldn't resist picking up an all solid mahogany GAD D125-12 for, like, 400 bucks (so yeah, $360 -- good deal!). Guild's GAD production was pretty amazing, and I'm repeatedly surprised at the sound from this dread.

 

[jedzep]

When you restring it, be extra cautious to seat the ball ends of the strings firmly against the bridge plate. Invest in an inspection mirror. It's a cheap tool to keep in touch with the guts of your guitar.

I would also say it would be wise to have a pro set up to make sure you're at square one, and the playability is maximized.

 

[Treem]

It's better now that you are here. Welcome aboard codercodi!

 

[jedzep]

Boroscope?! Better than a mirror? Now I'm shopping. Live and learn.

 

[codercodi]

Super cheap on Amazon!!

 

[Boneman]

Welcome to LTG! And HNGD! That is a looker, congrats on the GAD, those early MIC Guilds are nothing to sneeze at.

How is the relative humidity where you are?, if the seller didn’t have a case, and it is more on the moist side where you are, it might have taken on excess moisture and started to bulge. Did you run a straightedge across the top? That ought to take .12 or even .13s no problem. I would get a case, check the rH and take appropriate actions, and betting that will cure a lot.

 

[codercodi]

Welcome to LTG! And HNGD! That is a looker, congrats on the GAD, those early MIC Guilds are nothing to sneeze at.

How is the relative humidity where you are?, if the seller didn’t have a case, and it is more on the moist side where you are, it might have taken on excess moisture and started to bulge. Did you run a straightedge across the top? That ought to take .12 or even .13s no problem. I would get a case, check the rH and take appropriate actions, and betting that will cure a lot.

Thanks! I am in New England. So it’s pretty dry most of the year except a few months in the summer. I unfortunately didn’t take a straight edge or take pics before unstringing the guitar. As soon as I did tho, the bulge went away in a few hours. I already have a case but will get those two way humidifier packs soon. I am currently waiting to have it setup on the advice of folks here.

 

[jfilm]

Great guitar and a good deal. Some "belly bulge" is normal. Good idea to take it to a tech to check it out. If the action is low and the bridge isn't lifting at all, it might be within normal parameters. While New England is typically mostly dry as you say, I know it's been rainy the past few weeks and very humid recently. So that might be it, especially if the guitar didn't have a case. I'm in NYC (but from NH), and in the summer my guitars are fine in cases until around Oct/Nov when the heat comes on (then I use humidity packs or sponges, etc. until late April or so). Not sure if those pricey 2-way packs are necessary in the summer for where you live, but that's up to you- a case might be all you need for now.

 

[chazmo]

Thanks! I am in New England. So it’s pretty dry most of the year except a few months in the summer. I unfortunately didn’t take a straight edge or take pics before unstringing the guitar. As soon as I did tho, the bulge went away in a few hours. I already have a case but will get those two way humidifier packs soon. I am currently waiting to have it setup on the advice of folks here.

Yeah, you have have a lot of company here! If you notice any belly again, show us some pictures. It's pretty common, and a little bit is no problem at all. But if it gets bigger you can have issues with your bracing or separation of the bridge from the top, etc....

Enjoy your GAD F-130! Nice axe.

 

[chazmo]

By the way, @codercodi , do you have a picture of the label? I didn't think Guild had released the "100" series GADs as early as 2011. Just want to have a look-see if you don't mind.

 

[codercodi]

Great guitar and a good deal. Some "belly bulge" is normal. Good idea to take it to a tech to check it out. If the action is low and the bridge isn't lifting at all, it might be within normal parameters. While New England is typically mostly dry as you say, I know it's been rainy the past few weeks and very humid recently. So that might be it, especially if the guitar didn't have a case. I'm in NYC (but from NH), and in the summer my guitars are fine in cases until around Oct/Nov when the heat comes on (then I use humidity packs or sponges, etc. until late April or so). Not sure if those pricey 2-way packs are necessary in the summer for where you live, but that's up to you- a case might be all you need for now.

Yes, I got a case and I plan on keeping it in there most of the time. Any recommended packs for the drier months? (Alternate to the 2-way)

Also currently getting it setup at a luthier near my house. That guys workshop had sooo many beauties. Such a nice guy too.

 

[codercodi]

By the way, @codercodi , do you have a picture of the label? I didn't think Guild had released the "100" series GADs as early as 2011. Just want to have a look-see if you don't mind.

Hey chazmo, yeah happy to post as soon as I get it back. I could totally be wrong on that but I used the number stamped on the interior of the guitar and not the label. It was 111027xxx or something along those lines. So I could be totally wrong on that.

 

[jedzep]

For a hundred bucks or so, get a HuPro room humidifier for winter months, if you don't have an unusually large room. Then you can hang the guitar on an interior wall where you can enjoy it's presence, and grab quickly to play. Buy a cheap hygrometer to hang next to it to match with the readout on the HuPro. Then throw in Bryan's cheap soundhole solution for extra security in dry months. My guitars all hang, adding to the joy.

Nothing sadder than a pretty guitar hiding in a dark case.

 

[chazmo]

Check out Ralf's post:

Westerly Collection Serial Number "Decoder"

O.k., it's not really a final decoder yet but I started to wonder what the new Westerly Collection serial numbers mean. To better understand this I first researched Cordoba Guitars serial numbers. The lower end Cordoba instruments do not even have a serial number. According to the Cordoba...

letstalkguild.com

See if you can get a picture of the 10 digit manufacturing number on the neck block as well.

 

[codercodi]

Check out Ralf's post:

Westerly Collection Serial Number "Decoder"

O.k., it's not really a final decoder yet but I started to wonder what the new Westerly Collection serial numbers mean. To better understand this I first researched Cordoba Guitars serial numbers. The lower end Cordoba instruments do not even have a serial number. According to the Cordoba...

letstalkguild.com

See if you can get a picture of the 10 digit manufacturing number on the neck block as well.

It was indeed the neck heel block where I read the 10 digit number. Will post in the next couple of days! Thanks for sharing. Will report back.