All about smaller Guilds

[sospel65]

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum and I need some information regarding smaller Guilds.
I have owned a GAD 50 since 2006 and I was looking for a smaller-size guitar to complement it. I have visited quite a few stores where I tried several brands but, surprisingly enough, my final shortlist boils down to 2 models: Guild GAD F20 and GUILD GAD M20.
Though I could have got very good prices on these 2, I did not act on my impulse because I figured why not go for a US-made model? So here are my questions:

1) When did they stop producing the F20 and the M20 in the US?
2) How much do these instruments usually fetch on eBay or such sites?
3) Is there any hope Guild might start producing them again?
4) Are there any similarly-sized guitars in the current catalogue?

As you might have guessed, I am no collector but just looking for a smaller yet good-sounding guitar which I'll be playing on my couch or carrying around. I mostly fingerpick folk and blues songs hence my taste for smaller guitars.

Hope you'll be able to give me some info.

Regards,

Michel, a.k.a., Sospel65

 

[GardMan]

Michel,
Welcome to LTG! I am into dreads, so can't help alot with the smaller bodies... but I am sure someone will be along to help.
D

 

[sospel65]

Michel,
Welcome to LTG! I am into dreads, so can't help alot with the smaller bodies... but I am sure someone will be along to help.
D

Man! You sure like Guild dreads. Your collection is very impressive!!

Bye,

Michel

 

[Ian]

Hi Michel,

Welcome along. I also really like the small bodied guitars, but the only one's I've played are a Hoboken F20 (courtesy of coastie), a GAD F30R, and my Hoboken/ Westerly F30. The american made small bodied F20/ M20/ F30's do come along every now and again but can get pretty pricey. Have a look at:

http://www.guildguy.com/

Jay is a member here, he usually carries a fair range in stock. Probably a good idea to play it first if you can though as there's apparently quite some variability in the earlier US made guitars. Good luck !!

Cheers, Ian

PS: Where are you ?

 

[sospel65]

Hi Michel,

Welcome along. I also really like the small bodied guitars, but the only one's I've played are a Hoboken F20 (courtesy of coastie), a GAD F30R, and my Hoboken/ Westerly F30. The american made small bodied F20/ M20/ F30's do come along every now and again but can get pretty pricey. Have a look at:

http://www.guildguy.com/

Jay is a member here, he usually carries a fair range in stock. Probably a good idea to play it first if you can though as there's apparently quite some variability in the earlier US made guitars. Good luck !!

Cheers, Ian

PS: Where are you ?

Hi,
thanks for the advice. Location is indeed the main issue here. I live in the south of France (in Nice to be precise) where there are only 2 guitar stores who seem to have agreed:
a) to carry as few Guilds as possible
b) to sell them for their list price
That's why I was elated last week to spend a couple of days in Paris and play as many guitars as I could but even there, choice was limited as Martins seem to be more popular than Guilds.
In a word, for my next purchase, it will either be an internet-based dealer, eBay, or one of my friends in the USA or Canada (where I used to live) if I want an American Guild. Otherwise, it will have to be a GAD series...

THanks again,

Michel

 

[john_kidder]

Michel:

I have sent you a private message. Please check your inbox.

Salut,
John

 

[Ian]

Hi Michel,

I've popped you a PM.

Cheers, Ian

 

[kitniyatran]

.... I live in the south of France (in Nice to be precise) ...,

Michel

That's nice! Welcome aboard.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Michel, if you should have the luck to try a GAD30PCE you will be very pleasantly surprised...but best wishes with your search for an American piece, and I am sure there are many fine people here who will help you.

Best regards!

 

[keembo]

Hi Bill,

Yes, those GAD 30PCE's are quite nice. I am really enjoying mine. It is quite loud with a good sound. I might be looking at an GAD F-20 also, if I can find one at good price. Have you tried any of them?

keembo

 

[Ridgemont]

1) When did they stop producing the F20 and the M20 in the US?
2) How much do these instruments usually fetch on eBay or such sites?
3) Is there any hope Guild might start producing them again?
4) Are there any similarly-sized guitars in the current catalogue?

Hi Michel,

Welcome to the forum. Here is my attempt to help you with your questions:
1) Sorry don't know.
2) I have seen them go for $800+
3) I wish, but maybe this can be a question for the Lets Meet Guild event at the end of the month. I think Chazmo is in charge of that.
4) No, not American. The closest is the F30 which has a 15 1/4 inch lower bout.

One thing you may want to consider is the neck width of the older F20/M20s. Many, but not all, have a narrorw 1 5/8 inch width which will be smaller than your GAD 50. I also dig small guitars for blues and folk stuff and have to say that the GAD F20 is the most impressive mahogany GAD I have played. It came to my surprise when I first played it in the store. While a little expensive brand new, you may be able to find a used one dirt cheap.

 

[sospel65]

Hi Ridgemont,
thanks for your help with this.
I have indeed tried a GAD F20 and loved it. The only thing that made me think twice was its price as well as the fact that they only had the demo model which had been quite damaged (do some people actually drop guitars to test them?)
I have not seen a used one for sale yet but I'll keep my eyes open while hoping that Guild start producing US F20s and M20s again. I understand that they have already presented a new, lighter kind of F30 at the latest NAMM. A new era may be opening...

Bye,

Michel