Tacoma/New Hartford F-40 questions

[E-Type]

I’ve been on a quest to add a little variety to my ‘70, ‘74 D-25 pair of dreads. I’ve been mentally all over from F-30, F47, F44, F47, F50, GF30, GF60!

Did all the Tacoma/New Hartford F40 Valencia’s have Adirondack tops? CME has a 2010, but just calls it spruce. It does have tortoise shell binding.

Any reason to prefer one of those production locations over the other? I’ve really been focused on Westerly’s, but I’m just trying to be open minded.

 

[GGJaguar]

The 2010 definitely does. From the 2010 catalog (courtesy of GAD.net):

 

[GGJaguar]

As does the earlier version made in Tacoma (courtesy of GAD.net):

 

[chazmo]

E-type, that's a 2010 at CME. Nice 'burst!

Looks great (except the inverted truss rod cover). Good luck.

Oh, yeah, that's red spruce for sure (Adirondack).

 

[E-Type]

Well I just stumbled upon an ad for a 2005 Tacoma F-50. The ad says it is just over 6 lbs (a good pound over the current F-55s). Yikes! I thought Tacoma's were lighter? So, I am guessing they added lightness over the years.

Edit: Oops, it has an LR Baggs M1 pickup that weighs over 12 oz. So it is 5lb-6oz. without that.

 

[plaidseason]

As does the earlier version made in Tacoma (courtesy of GAD.net):

I'm mostly a Westerly guy, but I really love this version of the F40, including the ice tea burst.

 

[chazmo]

Well I just stumbled upon an ad for a 2005 Tacoma F-50. The ad says it is just over 6 lbs (a good pound over the current F-55s). Yikes! I thought Tacoma's were lighter? So, I am guessing they added lightness over the years.

Edit: Oops, it has an LR Baggs M1 pickup that weighs over 12 oz. So it is 5lb-6oz. without that.

They did a lot to reduce weight from prior models, but the full size Grover Rotomatics were still quite heavy. The Gotoh open-backed tuners that were installed in New Hartford took quite a bit more weight off, and I think there were some other lightening things that were done there as well to bring it to it's lightest form. An F-50 from Tacoma is a wonderful instrument. Arguably (by me, anyway) best of breed.

 

[ReevesRd]

CME has a 2010

I've been watching this guitar for a while. If you decide to purchase it, I would call CME and make an offer. CME has had this guitar listed for about seven months. I would bet you could get it for less than $1,971.

 

[E-Type]

They did a lot to reduce weight from prior models, but the full size Grover Rotomatics were still quite heavy. The Gotoh open-backed tuners that were installed in New Hartford took quite a bit more weight off, and I think there were some other lightening things that were done there as well to bring it to it's lightest form. An F-50 from Tacoma is a wonderful instrument. Arguably (by me, anyway) best of breed.

I had asked them about the action and saddle. Before they could respond, it had sold. Kinda sucks as I do like the arched backs. Although I also like the antique burst, so maybe I should wait a bit longer.

 

[E-Type]

Here are ones I am really liking. Most are about at my budget. One $800 below, and one $800 above. As I mentioned above, the one at the top of the list 2005 F-50 is gone.

The 2005 iced tea burst F-40 Tacoma is just damn pretty and has an Adirondack top.
The 2007 F47m has the full 5” depth, Adirondack top, and I like the fretboard bling.
The 2005 Tacoma burst F-50R is stunning. I think I’d prefer a maple back, but jeez it’s gorgeous. And they’d need to accept a 10% discount (at least).
The 2000 JF-30 has the arched maple back (and maple neck), a 1-11/16” neck (lots of them are wider), it’s $800 cheaper than most of the rest, and it needs a reset.
The 1981 F40 is also right in my wheelhouse, but the super nice guy seller isn’t excited to get me some key measurements. That’s kind of disqualifying.
Then there is a 2010 Valencia. I prefer this burst to the oranger one at CME, but the difference may just be lighting. I hear such great things about New Hartfords.

And I’m just looking for some variety from my two D-25s. I strum, I fingerstyle, I flat pick. So that isn’t an issue. I do prefer 11s or even 10s (easier on my wrist).

Any thought or comments are appreciated!

 

[ReevesRd]

I like the Tacoma Ice Tea Burst F-40. However, the F-47M is an all-around great guitar.
That Ice Tea Burst is pretty.

 

[E-Type]

I like the Tacoma Ice Tea Burst F-40. However, the F-47M is an all-around great guitar.
That Ice Tea Burst is pretty.

This is why I'd love to win the lottery. No boats, no fancy house, but then I could buy them all!

 

[GGJaguar]

Here are ones I am really liking.

All good choices!

 

[midnightright]

Wow! Those all look wonderful, @E-Type . . . I know which one I'd choose, but I'm not you!

 

[E-Type]

I lean towards the Westerly's. As I'll be adding a K&K pickup, I have found with my D-25s that it works really well with the arch back, but not nearly as well with the flat back. That makes me lean towards the westerly arch backs. However, did Tacoma/New Hartford make noticeable improvements (scalloped bracing? thinner top? lighter build?) I really should consider?

 

[plaidseason]

They did a lot to reduce weight from prior models, but the full size Grover Rotomatics were still quite heavy. The Gotoh open-backed tuners that were installed in New Hartford took quite a bit more weight off, and I think there were some other lightening things that were done there as well to bring it to it's lightest form. An F-50 from Tacoma is a wonderful instrument. Arguably (by me, anyway) best of breed.

I'd argue that the weight of tuners cannot be overestimated with respect to tone.. A few years back, I replaced the heavy die-cast "Grover-ish" tuners on my Simon & Patrick folk with open back tuners with ivoroid buttons and suddenly it played like a lighter built guitar. Same story I've told many times: I had wanted a Martin 000-17 as my "gig" guitar, but after the tuners, the $550 new S&P ($180 used) was better than of the 000-17s I played. And better than all the guitars I played in that price range. Guitars (and women) confound me. So mysterious.

 

[chazmo]

I'd argue that the weight of tuners cannot be overestimated with respect to tone.. A few years back, I replaced the heavy die-cast "Grover-ish" tuners on my Simon & Patrick folk with open back tuners with ivoroid buttons and suddenly it played like a lighter built guitar. Same story I've told many times: I had wanted a Martin 000-17 as my "gig" guitar, but after the tuners, the $550 new S&P ($180 used) was better than of the 000-17s I played. And better than all the guitars I played in that price range. Guitars (and women) confound me. So mysterious.

That's interesting, Chris. They must've accommodated that somehow in New Hartford when they made the switch from the honkin' Grovers to the open-back Gotohs... I've never changed tuners wholesale on a guitar, so I'm sure you're right about that!