Guild F44, Huh?

steveomatic · Dec 25, 2013

Hi,
I have an opportunity to purchase a 1984 Guild F44. I am looking for info on this model but am finding hardly anything. Does anyone have info they can share with me? Is this a rare model?
Thanks,
Steve

FNG · Dec 25, 2013

Do a forum search for Gruhn Guild. It's a mini-jumbo model designed by George Gruhn during his stint at Guild. They were only made as F-44s for three or four years, I believe. Don't quote me on that!

Overall these guitars are from an interesting era in Guild production, with direct involvement by George Gruhn and Kim Walker, who is one of the best guitar builders in the world. That doesn't mean Kim Walker built that F-44, but I believe he oversaw production. Don't quote me on that either!

If you can get your hands on it, and play it, then to me, they are worth a long hard look!

IMHO YMMV Standard Due Diligence applies!

steveomatic · Dec 25, 2013

Thanks for the info!

dapmdave · Dec 25, 2013

There's not many of them around. The F-44 was one of the models of the Gruhn era of Guild design. In fact, some of the earliest ones have "Co/designed by G. Gruhn" typed across the Westerly label. This was one of those attempts to reverse the trend of heavily-built guitars from Guild.

They are very pretty. Smaller F-style body with a vintage-toned finish that, by now, will have turned a dark amber color on most of them. Back and sides are solid maple with major flame going on. The headstock is double-bound, with the G and "Guild" inlaid in MOP. Nice inlays in the fretboard, too.

Mine was pretty beat up when I got it. I had a lot of work done to "fixit" up and make it pretty again, but the tone was lacking and it was not able to scratch my maple Guild itch. ('88 D-30 now filling that role nicely) It's since moved on to a new home, where it is deservedly cherished.

Here's a photo of the back of my (used to be) F-44:

I'd say you have to play one and decide for yourself. Some folks love 'em, but some not so much.

tommym · Dec 25, 2013

dapmdave said:
......but the tone was lacking and it was not able to scratch my maple Guild itch.....

Yep, the same issue with my F-44.

Tommy

FNG · Dec 25, 2013

tommym said:
Yep, the same issue with my F-44.

Tommy

How much do you want for that dud? LOL

tommym · Dec 25, 2013

FNG said:
How much do you want for that dud? LOL

I'm not ready to give up on the F-44 just yet. Though it has had a professional set-up, I'm still thinking something has to be amiss with this guitar. Oddly enough, it's the only one of my Guild that has had a professional set-up. It actually sounded and played better after the professional set-up. Still, my recently acquired / re-acquired 70's F-30's steal the show. Both of the F-30's will be getting some overdue repairs / maintenance in 2014, so the F-44 may have to wait until 2015. I typically use Light Gauge GHS Bright Bronze stings on all of my guitars, so I'm thinking its not the strings.

Tommy

FNG · Dec 25, 2013

I'd slap a bone nut and saddle in it. What type of bridge plate does it have? If it's rosewood, then I'd consider a maple replacement, but that is a little bit more expensive of a fix. I'd get an inspection mirror and see if all the braces are tight. Try tuning it down a half step...I have a jumbo Larrivee in maple that doesn't seem as robust at standard pitch but really comes alive a half step down.

Hope you bring it around!

tommym · Dec 25, 2013

FNG said:
I'd slap a bone nut and saddle in it. What type of bridge plate does it have? If it's rosewood, then I'd consider a maple replacement, but that is a little bit more expensive of a fix. I'd get an inspection mirror and see if all the braces are tight. Try tuning it down a half step...I have a jumbo Larrivee in maple that doesn't seem as robust at standard pitch but really comes alive a half step down.

Hope you bring it around!

It already has a bone nut and saddle; I don't remember off hand what type bridge plate it has. But yeah, I'll go through it all when the time comes.

Tommy

keith7940236 · Dec 25, 2013

There is a used F44 at the Guitar Center in San Francisco for $1400.00. I live in Portland so I can't see it in person.

Here's some photos that I had them send me. To me it appears that it has some sinking above the sound hole. I'd guess that it may be due for a neck reset. really nice looking guitar.

davismanLV · Dec 25, 2013

Keith, there's plenty of saddle on that guitar, so I'd guess it would depend on how high the action is. Can't really tell that from any of those photos. Straightedge test would settle that question once and for all. These guitars just seem seriously beautiful and have a lot of wood and features that I really like. Does anyone have anything GOOD to say about them? Two owners (one former) seem kinda "Ho-hum" about their individual guitars. Anyone else?

keith7940236 · Dec 25, 2013

I would imagine that it is a great sounding guitar. They each seem to have their own personality. There aren't a lot of them around!

dapmdave · Dec 25, 2013

keith7940236 said:
There aren't a lot of them around!

Which raises the question: Why?

FNG · Dec 25, 2013

dapmdave said:
Which raises the question: Why?

They didn't make that many..the serial number charts show only 266 made?

dapmdave · Dec 25, 2013

FNG said:
They didn't make that many..the serial number charts show only 266 made?

I guess my question is, why did they cease production of the F-44 after making just a few hundred? Edsels are rare, too.:lemo:

FNG · Dec 25, 2013

dapmdave said:
I guess my question is, why did they cease production of the F-44 after making just a few hundred? Edsels are rare, too.:lemo:

If you base it on guitars Guild stopped building, they must have built a lot of Edsels. They don't make the D-30 anymore either.

I would imagine it had something to do with Gruhn leaving.

steveomatic · Dec 25, 2013

I noticed that one on the GC website yesterday. I am interested in it. Only problem is I live in SC so I would have to take my chances. I heard that the GF60 is basically the same model but improved. Anyone know anything about the GF60?

dapmdave · Dec 25, 2013

FNG said:
If you base it on guitars Guild stopped building, they must have built a lot of Edsels. They don't make the D-30 anymore either.

I would imagine it had something to do with Gruhn leaving.

Yeah, I wonder what factors contribute to the longevity of a particular model.

And, sorry for the major veer, steveomatic. It's been a long day.

keith7940236 · Dec 25, 2013

steveomatic said:
I noticed that one on the GC website yesterday. I am interested in it. Only problem is I live in SC so I would have to take my chances. I heard that the GF60 is basically the same model but improved. Anyone know anything about the GF60?

The GF60 is the F46 renamed with a few cosmetic changes; they have rosewood back and sides. The GF30 has maple back and sides like the F44.

Derr5151 · Dec 25, 2013

I have been eyeballing that guitar for a couple months and mentioned it a while back probably 3 months ago. It sold and was off the Guitar Center website and came back on it after about 2 weeks or so. So someone bought it and returned it for some reason. I have the D64, the dread model and love it, which is why I had considered pulling the trigger on it but i live in hawaii so no store to return it to. Crazy that its still up.....

Guild F44, Huh?

Junior Member

Enlightened Member

Junior Member

Enlightened Member

Member

Enlightened Member

Member

Enlightened Member

Member

Member

Venerated Member

Member

Enlightened Member

Enlightened Member

Enlightened Member

Enlightened Member

Junior Member

Enlightened Member

Member

Member