Trying to Date an Acoustic Guitar-- 1954 maybe?

[marlena0813]

Hi all,

I'm currently using a guitar from a buddy of mine who died. I can't ask anybody about the history of the guitar, but the sound is beautiful.

There is a 2100 (and a smaller 48) printed into the neck stamp. The inside of the hole has a "Guild" etching in the long piece of wood and "F-20" printed in blue ink.

As far as I can tell, that would be a serial number corresponding to 1954, right, but I think the F-20s came out in '55?

I have tried to ask local guitar shops but nobody has known how to figure out more information. Any thoughts on where I could go for research?

Thanks so much!

 

[hansmoust]

Hello Marlena,

Welcome! That particular Guild F-20 was completed during the year 1979.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[jedzep]

Hans is on it. 2 telltale little 'devil' horns protruding from the lower edge of the bridge are something Guild did from around 1970 on.

 

[adorshki]

There is a 2100 (and a smaller 48) printed into the neck stamp. The inside of the hole has a "Guild" etching in the long piece of wood and "F-20" printed in blue ink.

Hi Marlena, welcome!

As far as I can tell, that would be a serial number corresponding to 1954, right, but I think the F-20s came out in '55?

Actually those '50's s/n's are 4 digit numbers, yours is 6 digits which is why Hans placed it in '79.
The first F20's actually came out in '56 and had arched maple backs/sides until '59, so that would have been another "dating" detail.