If anyone has been watching my threads lately you know I purchased {traded a Gibson J50) for a 90s Guild F30 -
a bit of a gamble because I had to take a chance and just do the trade without trying the guitar.
In a bit of a Oh No - I can't play another 1 11/16th nut acoustic when I really feel best on a 1 3/4" nut and purchased an M25E California burst.
I played that far a spell and was starting to connect with it's sweet little voice. Knowing full well I would have to make a decision on which one to keep.
Can't keep them all and I have enough guitars.
The Westerly F30 showed up today with it's well played appearence, finish checking, and small chips and dings here and there.
Yeah a bit of fret wear on the first few frets too. Comparing to the fabulous finish on the M25 Californa Burst if looks would be the determining factor....
Certainly the M25E would win
BUT
the Westerly F30 with it's up close "I've been played..ALOT"..and it's old strings let's tune it up
I hit a C sus chord and WOW.....
Granted the M25E is smaller and has a Hog top and is brand new.
The F30 has a spruce top and has obviously been played alot. SO - apples to apples - this isn't really fair.
I will deal with the slightly narrower nut on the F30. I polished the worn frets out, used Fret doctor on the fret board and rosewood bridge,
tweaked the trussrod, put some nut lube in the slots and retuned up with some John Pearse Phosphor Bronze ....
This does not happen often when you buy a guitar without playing it first but I truly made out.
The M25E is a wonderful sweet sounding guitar. A bit more focused than the F30 for sure and
would be a welcome addition to anyones Guild collection. Hec if the Westerly F30 hadn't have worked out so well I may have kept the M25E.
I've sadly packed up the M25E and I'm keeping the Westerly F30.
I know the M25E will make someone very happy it just isn't filling the sound I was looking for and
just is not nearly the dimensional voice of the older F30.
Have a peek...from this far away - it looks fantastic....
a bit of a gamble because I had to take a chance and just do the trade without trying the guitar.
In a bit of a Oh No - I can't play another 1 11/16th nut acoustic when I really feel best on a 1 3/4" nut and purchased an M25E California burst.
I played that far a spell and was starting to connect with it's sweet little voice. Knowing full well I would have to make a decision on which one to keep.
Can't keep them all and I have enough guitars.
The Westerly F30 showed up today with it's well played appearence, finish checking, and small chips and dings here and there.
Yeah a bit of fret wear on the first few frets too. Comparing to the fabulous finish on the M25 Californa Burst if looks would be the determining factor....
Certainly the M25E would win
BUT
the Westerly F30 with it's up close "I've been played..ALOT"..and it's old strings let's tune it up
I hit a C sus chord and WOW.....
Granted the M25E is smaller and has a Hog top and is brand new.
The F30 has a spruce top and has obviously been played alot. SO - apples to apples - this isn't really fair.
I will deal with the slightly narrower nut on the F30. I polished the worn frets out, used Fret doctor on the fret board and rosewood bridge,
tweaked the trussrod, put some nut lube in the slots and retuned up with some John Pearse Phosphor Bronze ....
This does not happen often when you buy a guitar without playing it first but I truly made out.
The M25E is a wonderful sweet sounding guitar. A bit more focused than the F30 for sure and
would be a welcome addition to anyones Guild collection. Hec if the Westerly F30 hadn't have worked out so well I may have kept the M25E.
I've sadly packed up the M25E and I'm keeping the Westerly F30.
I know the M25E will make someone very happy it just isn't filling the sound I was looking for and
just is not nearly the dimensional voice of the older F30.
Have a peek...from this far away - it looks fantastic....
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