NGD 1957 F 30

[richardp69]

I bought this a while back and it needed a fair amount of work. I sent it to Tom Jacobs and it just got back. It is a 1957 Ghost Label Hoboken F 30. (although the writing on the label has faded over time and is no longer visible) There's just something about old wood you just can't replicate in a newer guitar. This guitar sounds superb to my ear. I've become a F 30 fan over the last year or so and have too many of them but this is right near the top in terms of sound, tone and playability. The saddle is as low as it will go but Tom and I agreed the action is about perfect. Maybe at some point I'll get the reset done but not anytime soon. It came in an old, well-worn and non-original HSC.

I also have a player grade 1973 F 30 I'll be letting go soon at a pretty attractive price. I just like this '57 better.

Here's what Tom did to the guitar:
-Reglued the body binding in multiple spots
-Re-enforced the bridge plate
-Removed and reglued the bridge
-New bone saddle
-Removed bass side clear PG installed by a prior owner for some reason
-Installed new heel cap
-New bone nut
-Set up and restring

I likely have more invested in the guitar than I could get out of it but that's fine. I really like this guitar and plan to hold onto it for a long time.

Here's a few pics:

 

[Rich Cohen]

Another rescue job. Well done! You and Tom J. are quite a team.

 

[jedzep]

Nice! The only Guild I ever kept…

 

[HeyMikey]

Richard, congrats on another great rescue. All these F30’s, F112’s? Welcome to the small body fan club. Who’d a thunk? You continually inspire me to try new things.

 

[richardp69]

Sorry, I think this is actually a 1959 build. I'll need to check my Hans notes to be sure.

 

[chazmo]

Very nice, Richard!

 

[Norrissey]

Beautiful Richard. And now that Tom has worked on it I'm sure it sounds better than ever. I have sent Tom a few guitars and he always takes them to a new level. Based on the online chart it's a '59 but only Hans can say for sure : )

 

[GGJaguar]

Vintage Guild goodness! Congrats!

 

[twocorgis]

Sorry, I think this is actually a 1959 build. I'll need to check my Hans notes to be sure.

Beautiful guitar Rich! Yours is close in serial to my X175, which Hans confirmed as a '59.

 

[Walter Broes]

Nice!

 

[walrus]

Love it! Nice rescue!

 

[jedzep]

I think you can still find something close to the original tuners for that.

 

[jeffcoop]

Congratulations, Richard! This is a wonderful rescue job. There's definitely something about the older wood.

My '64's neck is in a similar situation to yours: it's heading toward needing a neck reset, but right now the action is about perfect. These F30s are so much fun to play.

 

[wileypickett]

Wow! (And you put on moccasins for the photo shoot this time!)

 

[richardp69]

Wow! (And you put on moccasins for the photo shoot this time!)

Yeah. I do try and class it up once in a while.

 

[bobouz]

The 15 & 16 inch mini-jumbos are my major favorites - What a wonderful roll you are on!

 

[Boneman]

HNGD again! I like the vintage headstock, and now I understand why you were apologizing about all the NGDs, lol. All good, we like ‘em, so how many more did you recently nab?

 

[The Hawk]

Very nice guitar, and it looks wonderful. Someone cared for it. I'm glad you now have a guitar you love. I really like how the back of the neck looks! Enjoy playing.