Takamine Guild "Lawsuit" copy

[cavecc6578]

Hi Everyone,

I just recently purchased a 1975 Takamine F-365 MS which is what they call a "lawsuit" (even though there was no lawsuit) guitar. The body and headstock, as you can see, resembles that of a Guild. It has a solid sitka spruce top and laminated maple back and sides. I was wondering if anyone would know what model Guild they were trying to copy...a JF-30 maybe?? Did Guild make JF-30's in 1975. I know they didn't start making the JF-30-12 until '87 or so....not sure when the JF-30 came to be. Secondly, I would like to install a transducer type pickup in the guitar but the plastic strap button on the heel block is secured pretty tightly and won't budge. I know on some acoustics they sometimes fall out on their own, but that's not the case with this one. Anyone have any ideas on how to remove the strap button hopefully without doing damage to the guitar? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

In case anyone is wondering, the guitar is easy to play and sounds great, but it's no Guild! I bought it because it was made the same month, day and year of my birth! I knew I had to have it as I don't think I'll ever run across a guitar that was born the same day as me! Anyways, I'll post some pics of the guitar and if anyone could help me out on the strap button situation i would be very grateful.

Thanks,
Carmela

http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... 020657.jpg
http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... 020663.jpg
http://s1010.photobucket.com/albums/af2 ... 020659.jpg

 

[chazmo]

That's a really neat one, Carmela... The lawsuit Taks I've seen were real F-50/F-412/F-512 clones... Yours doesn't look like an F-50; the headstock and the neck are not right.

Very cool.

There wasn't any JF-30 back then, but you're right on... that's what it looks like to me.

 

[killdeer43]

Carmela,

IMHO, that's a good looking Takamine and it looks to be a perfect complement to that Guild 12-string hanging next to it. Is that your 12, as well? Nice.

As far as the strap button goes, I've had stubborn buttons before and I used a little TLC. I placed a bit of flat rubber padding (1/2 inch) between the button and my channel-lock pliers. Exerting just the right amount of pressure, but not too much, I twisted and turned and slowly removed the button. Just use consistent pressure and don't get in a hurry. That's also my life philosophy. Take your time.

Let me know how it works out (pun intended). :wink:

Joe

**Oh yeah, welcome!

 

[cavecc6578]

Thanks Killdeer...I will try the foam and pliers and take my time. Yes, that is my 12-string that I absolutely LOVE. It's a '92 and plays like buttah! And the sounds that come from it...well I'm sure you know. It's funny because I always thought the sound of it was fantastic while I was playing and then my brother played it for me and well, I couldn't believe the difference in the sound of it when you're the listener. Unbelievable! I wish there was a way to play and sit in front of the guitar at the same time.

Carmela

 

[killdeer43]

I wish there was a way to play and sit in front of the guitar at the same time.

Carmela

Let me know when you figure out that little trick. Of course, you'll probably be in traction for a while! :lol:

Joe

 

[GardMan]

Before you try the pliers, try wrapping the strap button (you're talking a screw in button on the neck heel, right?) with a piece of rubber hose (surgical tubing), a rubber glove, or even a rubber band (elastic band, wrap it around the waist of the button until it is flush or even wider than the widest part). Sometimes, that will give you sufficient grip on the pin to turn it out by hand. Same thing can work on recalcitrant end pins. I must admit, I had to pull the end pin out of my D-55 with a well padded claw hammer (using a well padded block of wood as a fulcrum).

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

I wish there was a way to play and sit in front of the guitar at the same time.

Carmela

Let me know when you figure out that little trick. Of course, you'll probably be in traction for a while! :lol:

Joe

Mirrors. :mrgreen: Reflects the sound back at you too. :wink:

 

[jcwu]

I bought it because it was made the same month, day and year of my birth! I knew I had to have it as I don't think I'll ever run across a guitar that was born the same day as me!

That is pretty cool!!

 

[killdeer43]

I bought it because it was made the same month, day and year of my birth! I knew I had to have it as I don't think I'll ever run across a guitar that was born the same day as me!

I've given up finding a 1943 Guild (duh!), and I'd settle for a '43 Martin 00/000 18/28, but I'd need to mortgage something to pay for it! :lol:

Joe

 

[evenkeel]

Very nice old Tak. I found one much like yours in a local pawn shop a few years ago. Needed some work but once spiffed up was a very nice playing jumbo.

If the strap button proves to be totally stuck another option is to drill it out. You are going to need to widen the hole to fit the endpin jack anyway. Simply (and carefully) cut the strap button off parrallel to the sides. A bonus is, it gives you a flat, solid surface to start the drill for the endpin jack. I have had to do this a few times. I use the cutting disks on a Dremel tool to make the cut.

 

[CelticJam]

What a coincidence...last night I played a friend's Takamine F395S; first time I saw it. We were laughing at what a nice copy of a Guild it is (I was playing my D50). He mentioned he would like to sell it after the New Year sometime. It has a cleated crack from the soundhole up towards the neck. It sounded very nice, couldn't compare it to a real Guild because I've never played a 12-string Guild before.

Any guess as to what the value of the F395S may be? I'm not in the market for his guitar but someone here might and I'll suggest he posts it here when the time comes.

Thanks,
Kevin

 

[killdeer43]

My Blue Book only goes up to the F385 and it lists at 375-450 in excellent condition and 200-250 in average condition. :?
Helpful?

Joe

 

[adorshki]

I bought it because it was made the same month, day and year of my birth! I knew I had to have it as I don't think I'll ever run across a guitar that was born the same day as me!

That is pretty cool!!

Speaking of "Born on" dates it took a few months for me to discover my D25 bears a Halloween date stamp....

 

[killdeer43]

Speaking of "Born on" dates it took a few months for me to discover my D25 bears a Halloween date stamp....

Does it say "trick or treat?" :lol:

Joe

 

[NEONMOONY]

Exerting just the right amount of pressure, but not too much,

That much?? :roll: :lol:

 

[killdeer43]

Exerting just the right amount of pressure, but not too much,

That much?? :roll: :lol:

Yes, and not a bit more, lest you go beyond "just the right amount."

Joe

 

[NEONMOONY]

Thanks, I wrote that down.

Mike

 

[killdeer43]

Thanks, I wrote that down.

Mike

Good man, Mike. You'll go far here! :wink:

Joe

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

If it's an end pin, you can take the strings off and push the pin out from the indise of the guitar.
Use something like a coin to push with though. Don't push the pin with your finger. That could hurt.

 

[killdeer43]

Don't push the pin with your finger. That could hurt.

I hate it when that happens! :lol:

Joe