Paul Simon's Guild

[theactor19]

Hey Everyone,

New here! Well I am on a mission to get the same acoustic guitar/tone that Paul Simon had back in the '60s when he was with Simon and Garfunkel.

So after some research, it looks like it is the Guild F-30... but there are variations like the F-30R, and the F-30 Aragon for example. But which is it?

Here is THE sound:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPTOY8FrvNw

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWyPhQkZNLw

Thanks!

 

[hansmoust]

.... it looks like it is the Guild F-30... but there are variations like the F-30R, and the F-30 Aragon for example. But which is it?

Hello theactor19,

Welcome! During that particular period Paul switched between two Guild F-30 Special guitars, which were special ordered F-30s with rosewood back & sides and an ebony fingerboard, instead of the usual mahogany back & sides with a rosewood fingerboard. That guitar would be marketed as the F-30R ( R for rosewood) some time after that.
The Aragon name was used for every F-30 from the '50s and '60s, but only in Guild literature. The labels would usually have just the F-30 model designation.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[southernGuild]

Welcome to LTG!
And Thanks for those two beautiful clips. Great performances both. Very impressive.

 

[Putmonk]

Welcome from a newbie too!
Hope you'll find what you're looking for.

Great clips!

 

[killdeer43]

WELCOME TO LTG!
You've already heard from our guru, so all I can add is to wish you good luck in your search for the Paul Simon sound. I've been searching for it for 43 years+. :wink:

Joe

 

[theactor19]

.... it looks like it is the Guild F-30... but there are variations like the F-30R, and the F-30 Aragon for example. But which is it?

Hello theactor19,

Welcome! During that particular period Paul switched between two Guild F-30 Special guitars, which were special ordered F-30s with rosewood back & sides and an ebony fingerboard, instead of the usual mahogany back & sides with a rosewood fingerboard. That guitar would be marketed as the F-30R ( R for rosewood) some time after that.
The Aragon name was used for every F-30 from the '50s and '60s, but only in Guild literature. The labels would usually have just the F-30 model designation.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Thanks for the info! So would this be the guitar:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/ ... tic-guitar

Looks like it has a rosewood fretboard instead of ebony.

 

[Metalman]

Theactor,

What Paul Simon is using in these clips is a special custom built for him Guild F-30R. At that time, only a F-30, with a mahogany back and sides was available to the public.
here is a good place to begin your search, fortunately, the F-30R is being built at the new New Haven factory in Conneticut.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=Gu ... +&_sacat=0

I have a Guild F-30R from 1999, and it sounds not quite as midrange as the new ones, or like the one in the clip. It has more high end, and more bottom. but it is a keeper, nonetheless.

Good luck.

dennisM

 

[DCannon]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, the sound of his F-30Rs were (are) amazing, particularly the second one. In fact, I was listening to Mrs. Robinson and The Boxer yesterday just to hear that incredible acoustic sound. The hard attack, slapping string sound on Mrs. Robinson still puts a big smile on my face. But then, he's an incredible, inventive player, as is his brother Eddie. I loved the sound of Paul's F-30R so much, I bought one in 1972 and still have it. But it's a bit different than his, with a deeper body and doesn't sound quite the same, although sounds great.

Currently, between the F-30 Aragon and F-30R, you'd be looking at the F-30R Standard made in New Hartford. But it'll be difficult to find that same sound from yesteryear.

Good luck!

DC

 

[theactor19]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, the sound of his F-30Rs were (are) amazing, particularly the second one. In fact, I was listening to Mrs. Robinson and The Boxer yesterday just to hear that incredible acoustic sound. The hard attack, slapping string sound on Mrs. Robinson still puts a big smile on my face. But then, he's an incredible, inventive player, as is his brother Eddie. I loved the sound of Paul's F-30R so much, I bought one in 1972 and still have it. But it's a bit different than his, with a deeper body and doesn't sound quite the same, although sounds great.

Currently, between the F-30 Aragon and F-30R, you'd be looking at the F-30R Standard made in New Hartford. But it'll be difficult to find that same sound from yesteryear.

Good luck!

DC

Thanks for the info!

I noticed in your sig that you aren't using your F-30R anymore.. how come? are ya selling it?

 

[DCannon]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, the sound of his F-30Rs were (are) amazing, particularly the second one. In fact, I was listening to Mrs. Robinson and The Boxer yesterday just to hear that incredible acoustic sound. The hard attack, slapping string sound on Mrs. Robinson still puts a big smile on my face. But then, he's an incredible, inventive player, as is his brother Eddie. I loved the sound of Paul's F-30R so much, I bought one in 1972 and still have it. But it's a bit different than his, with a deeper body and doesn't sound quite the same, although sounds great.

Currently, between the F-30 Aragon and F-30R, you'd be looking at the F-30R Standard made in New Hartford. But it'll be difficult to find that same sound from yesteryear.

Good luck!

DC

Thanks for the info!

I noticed in your sig that you aren't using your F-30R anymore.. how come? are ya selling it?

No, too many memories to consider selling it. Did all my touring with that guitar and was even stolen and returned while on tour, which is a story unto itself. I don't use it because of the small nut/fretboard width, which didn't bother me in my younger days. But as I've grown older, I just can't comfortably play guitars with less than a 1-3/4" nut width. The nut/fretboard width at the nut on the F-30R is slightly less than 1-11/16" and the resulting string spacing is simply too tight. But it's a great sounding guitar and if I could put a new neck on it with a wider fretboard, I'd certainly be using it. I considered it, but the logistics and cost would be monumental.

I recently got an F-130R that's pretty amazing and has a 1-3/4" nut, so I'm enjoying it immensely.

Appreciate you asking.

DC

 

[DCannon]

...oh and here's another great video with the F-30R #2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AE3kKUEY5WU

 

[killdeer43]

Not to veer away from the Guild but to focus on a true genius of our generation, here he is 36 years later....same American Tune.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Gmp0Xvm1Q

Big fan here, :wink:
Joe

 

[SFIV1967]

...the F-30R is being built at the new New Haven factory in Conneticut.

Just to set this correct. There is no Guild factory in New Haven. The Guild factory is in New Hartford/Connecticut.

Not to veer away from the Guild but to focus on a true genius of our generation, here he is 36 years later....same American Tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Gmp0Xvm1Q

Joe, that was great! Thanks for sharing.

Ralf

 

[DCannon]

Not to veer away from the Guild but to focus on a true genius of our generation, here he is 36 years later....same American Tune. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06Gmp0Xvm1Q

Joe, that was great! Thanks for sharing.

Ralf

Definitely. That's one I hadn't seen. Thanks.

One of my favorite Simon songs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HNmfhCbpbJU

And here's a video playing his F-30R #1 (smaller pick guard than on his F-30R #2).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs_YQ6JuNpA

I could never get the hang of strumming like this with a thumb pick. :shock:

DC

 

[theactor19]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, the sound of his F-30Rs were (are) amazing, particularly the second one. In fact, I was listening to Mrs. Robinson and The Boxer yesterday just to hear that incredible acoustic sound. The hard attack, slapping string sound on Mrs. Robinson still puts a big smile on my face. But then, he's an incredible, inventive player, as is his brother Eddie. I loved the sound of Paul's F-30R so much, I bought one in 1972 and still have it. But it's a bit different than his, with a deeper body and doesn't sound quite the same, although sounds great.

Currently, between the F-30 Aragon and F-30R, you'd be looking at the F-30R Standard made in New Hartford. But it'll be difficult to find that same sound from yesteryear.

Good luck!

DC

Thanks for the info!

I noticed in your sig that you aren't using your F-30R anymore.. how come? are ya selling it?

No, too many memories to consider selling it. Did all my touring with that guitar and was even stolen and returned while on tour, which is a story unto itself. I don't use it because of the small nut/fretboard width, which didn't bother me in my younger days. But as I've grown older, I just can't comfortably play guitars with less than a 1-3/4" nut width. The nut/fretboard width at the nut on the F-30R is slightly less than 1-11/16" and the resulting string spacing is simply too tight. But it's a great sounding guitar and if I could put a new neck on it with a wider fretboard, I'd certainly be using it. I considered it, but the logistics and cost would be monumental.

I recently got an F-130R that's pretty amazing and has a 1-3/4" nut, so I'm enjoying it immensely.

Appreciate you asking.

DC

I'm a fairly young guy (27) and my fingers are pretty skinny I would say... would a new F-30R be okay for me?

I would be basically using this guitar to play paul simon's fingerstyle from the '60s. Much like the clips I posted. That tone and style of playing.

 

[killdeer43]

I'm a fairly young guy (27) and my fingers are pretty skinny I would say... would a new F-30R be okay for me?

Sure, why not? :?

Joe

 

[AcornHouse]

I'm a fairly young guy (27) and my fingers are pretty skinny I would say... would a new F-30R be okay for me?

....

Nope. You need to be at least 31.


(Sorry, couldn't resist.) 8)

 

[killdeer43]

I'm a fairly young guy (27) and my fingers are pretty skinny I would say... would a new F-30R be okay for me?

....

Nope. You need to be at least 31.

Good one, Chris.
*I totally forgot about the age restriction. :lol:

Joe

 

[theactor19]

I could never get the hang of strumming like this with a thumb pick. :shock:

In the 2nd clip I posted (scarborough fair), doesn't look like he is using a thumb pick, or any finger picks.

But yeah, I agree.. I'd rather just use my fingers, or a flatpick to strum.

 

[DCannon]

I'm a fairly young guy (27) and my fingers are pretty skinny I would say... would a new F-30R be okay for me?

....

Nope. You need to be at least 31.

Good one, Chris.
*I totally forgot about the age restriction. :lol:

Joe

That's what the "R" in F-30R stands for.... RESTRICTED. Must be at least 31. :lol:

Seriously, the new F-30R Standard has a 1-3/4" nut, so should be just fine for you.

I wasn't aware of this, but just checked the Guild specs and the F-30 Aragon is the only one of the F-30 and F-130 series with a 1-11/16" nut. The F-30 Standard, F-30R Standard, F-30RCE Standard, F-130, F-130CE, F-130R, and F-130RCE all have 1-3/4" nut width. The new Orpheum Orchestra models have 1.8" nut width. I'm hoping the local dealer will get a couple of the new Orpheum series in. Love to hear how these sound and play.

DC