1998 JF-65BL... Oh My!

[6L6]

Went into Gryphon Stringed Instruments Today (Palo Alto, CA) and played a WONDERFUL '98 JF-65BL. I want that guitar so bad I can taste it! Perfect condition, beautifully set up, and tone/sustain out the ying yang!

Alas, my bank account says "no" to any more purchases at this time. SO... I'm letting the LTG Forum know about this one because it is very special indeed.

Price is $1550. I have no idea if that's a fair price or not (anyone know???). But I'd say this one is worth whatever you have to pay for it!

6

 

[Guildmark]

Stay strong, 6! So you can still play it when the bank account gets better!
Any chance they'll do Lay-away for you? Gryphon is a great shop!

 

[6L6]

Does anyone in the LTG Forum own an F-65BL? Any thoughts?

Also wondering what a pristine one like this is worth...

6

 

[fungusyoung]

Oh man, 6... sounds like you've been bitten.

Can't say for sure given the crazy state of the market, but that seems like a reasonable price for a killer guitar. I say go for it if you can possibly figure out a way to swing it... I know how nuts it can make you when you know you've found a great one.

 

[6L6]

OK, Gryphon now has some pics up. Here she is:


http://www.gryphonstrings.com/instpix/33116/33116.php

Can anyone see anything wrong with this guitar?

6

'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'74 D-40

 

[FNG]

The only thing I see wrong with it is...you don't own it. 8)

 

[tjmangum]

Very nice. Gryphon is one of my favorite shops anywhere. After seeing this I got a line on one up in Oregon.... good luck!
tj

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Sure is purrrdy! :wink:

 

[Janpeter]

Hi, Lago, 6-6;

just ride on, ride on! I bought my JF 65 BLD a bit more than a year ago and imported it directly from Florida into Germany; Jon Garon, a great Martin-seller and a fine man! I think our guitars must be similar in age / dating. It's real great in tone and volume!!!


Yours truly
Jan-Peter

 

[taabru45]

Its a little large. :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[cjd-player]

Beautiful guitar.

I like the maple neck.
Looks much better that the mahogany they put on most of the other maple guitars.

 

[adorshki]

Given your playing report, the apparent condition, and the reputation of the merchant, it sounds like a very fair price. In fact it could tempt me but I don't really want to put anything on a card right now. For comparison: I bought the F65ce in my sig in 2002 new on closeout at $1595, list was I think $2295.00. All the same bling: 3 pc neck w/ abalone & runners, gold plated hardware, maple, just the difference in body style and comes with Fishman. It only has a couple hundred hours on it at most.

 

[adorshki]

Beautiful guitar.

I like the maple neck.
Looks much better that the mahogany they put on most of the other maple guitars.

On Westerlys?! I've only ever seen maple necks with maple bodies? Not that I'm the expert, just lookin' for historical background...

 

[cjd-player]

Beautiful guitar.

I like the maple neck.
Looks much better that the mahogany they put on most of the other maple guitars.

On Westerlys?! I've only ever seen maple necks with maple bodies? Not that I'm the expert, just lookin' for historical background...

I don't know. Maybe the Westerlys did all have maple necks. It just seems that almost every maple Guild that comes up for sale on the 'bay has a mahogany neck.
But I'm not known for paying attention well. :mrgreen:

 

[chazmo]

As a good friend of mine once remarked... the carpet should match the drapes.

I've had four maple acoustics in the last few years, and I have to say that I prefer the maple neck with the maple body. That said, this old Taylor 12 string may have a mahogany neck, but it has many redeeming qualities, not the least of which is the most insane quilt figured body/sides. Look at this incredible 3D stuff on the tailpin end of the sides... People don't even see this:

 

[tjmangum]

Chazmo, Great looking maple!
Never thought about neck and body being maple, since this one was my first Guild

tj

 

[adorshki]

Chazmo, Great looking maple!
Never thought about neck and body being maple, since this one was my first Guild

tj

Actually I think that looks pretty good, but where was it made?

 

[plaidseason]

I'm (mostly) sure I've only seen maple necks on Westerly maple bodies. One thing to note about a maple neck is that it's notably heavier than mahogany. My F44 is pretty darn heavy and the maple neck is a big part of that.

-Chris

p.s. someone please buy that guitar. It looks to be top notch and it will obviously be set up by one of the better shops anywhere.

 

[adorshki]

I'm (mostly) sure I've only seen maple necks on Westerly maple bodies. One thing to note about a maple neck is that it's notably heavier than mahogany. My F44 is pretty darn heavy and the maple neck is a big part of that.

Yeah my F65 is heavier than my D25 even though it's smaller.

 

[chazmo]

Chazmo, Great looking maple!
Never thought about neck and body being maple, since this one was my first Guild

tj

TJ, beautiful guitar! The maple center strip on those necks does "help" with the aesthetics of the dark mahogany against the light maple... it's all a minor nit anyway. However, that tiger stripe neck is to die for.

I do think/wonder whether maple necks are heavier than their mahogany counterparts.