Early 80s F-45CE in Minnesota

[Thunderface]

I hadn't been to My Music Store in Golden Valley, Minn. in awhile, so after I got my haircut, I stopped in to take a look. Hanging on the wall was this early 1980s F-45CE (the serial number GB-1002?) puts it from 1982-1984 range. Looked to be in decent shape.

 

[wileypickett]

These guitars don't get talked about much here -- not sure why. They're meant to be plugged in, but I love the way mine sounds acoustically. (And two full octaves worth of frets!)

One thing about that super-thick saddle -- thickest I've ever seen on a Guild -- you can really fine-tune the intonation.

 

[hansmoust]

Early 80s F-45CE in Minnesota

Only wondering why it's in the 'Archtop' section!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[adorshki]

These guitars don't get talked about much here -- not sure why.

I always figured there just weren't that many made compared to the ones that "get all the press" ?

They're meant to be plugged in, but I love the way mine sounds acoustically. (And two full octaves worth of frets!)
One thing about that super-thick saddle -- thickest I've ever seen on a Guild -- you can really fine-tune the intonation.

I used to kind of assumed that all the "Fce's" were pretty similar but now I know better.
So your comments about 2 full octaves and "thick saddle" caught my attention
So that's a 24-3/4" scale guitar like early F65ce's?
And looking at the saddle in the listing, it actually looks compensated, do you think it's original?

 

[wileypickett]

The saddle is exactly like the one that came on my guitar -- I'm sure it's original.

I yanked out the under-saddle pickup and electronics on mine, then had my luthier replace the plastic saddle with one of bone. He commented on how having such a thick saddle made it possible to REALLY fine-tune the intonation, like with an electric guitar. The intonation is perfect right up to the 24th fret!

In terms of intonation, one's options are limited to how thick or thin the bridge is, and on most acoustics, they're pretty darn thin.

Not sure what the scale length is.

 

[adorshki]

The saddle is exactly like the one that came on my guitar -- I'm sure it's original.

I'll be darned, and it was compensated? That would be the earliest use of a compensated saddle by them that I can recall.

In terms of intonation, one's options are limited to how thick or thin the bridge is, and on most acoustics, they're pretty darn thin.

Interesting. My F65ce has a 3/32" thick saddle just like the D25 but the D40 with its UST has a 5/32" thick saddle.
I always wondered why, that may finally explain it.

Not sure what the scale length is.

Westerly Guild Guitars shows 'em as 24-3/4" but as we know specs could change over time.
Thanks!

 

[davismanLV]

According to Westerly Guild Guild Guitars, its 24 3/4 just like Al says. By the way, it's great to have that website back up and running! Thanks, Tim!

I've seen a couple of these before, but never paid any attention to the saddle. It definitely is quite a bit wider than the average acoustic!

 

[adorshki]

According to Westerly Guild Guild Guitars, its 24 3/4 just like Al says. By the way, it's great to have that website back up and running! Thanks, Tim!

You should also be forewarned it's only got a single 1-5/8" nut, a combination I've only ever seen on electrics before.