Fingerstyle Guild recommendations?

[mbaker824]

I'm looking for a guitar specifically for fingerstyle playing, and I prefer relatively wide string spacing for that. Of the new American-made Guilds, it appears that only the F-30 and F-30R have nuts wider than 1 11/16" (they're 1 3/4), and the web site doesn't specify string spacing at the saddle. Does anyone know what the specs are on new Guilds? I'm looking for at least 1 3/4" nut and 2 1/4" string spacing at the saddle, but slightly wider would be even better; say 1 7/8 and 2 5/16.

As near as I can tell there aren't any new Guild models that would qualify; am I wrong about that? Does Guild offer custom builds? Are there any used models I could look for?

My D25 actually sounds awesome fingerpicked, and it's loud enough to ring out well without picks or nails, but the strings are just too close together for my fingers.

Thanks,
Mark

 

[fronobulax]

I am amused that the metric value of the nut width on the F-30 is the integer value.

To partially answer a question, Guild is not offering custom instruments yet. When they do, it is likely to be custom in the sense of offering choices of woods and "bling" on shapes and sizes that they are already producing. I'm not sure the factory could support, say, a change in neck dimensions.

 

[mbaker824]

I am amused that the metric value of the nut width on the F-30 is the integer value.

To partially answer a question, Guild is not offering custom instruments yet. When they do, it is likely to be custom in the sense of offering choices of woods and "bling" on shapes and sizes that they are already producing. I'm not sure the factory could support, say, a change in neck dimensions.

Thanks for the info. I should have specified that I was talking about the F-30 Standard, which has a slightly wider nut. I'm not surprised Guild isn't offering customs yet, but wasn't sure; Martin and Taylor both offer several nut width options, from 1 11/16 to 1 7/8, and Martin lets you specify the saddle string spacing as well, so I thought I'd ask the Guild experts here.

Mark

 

[fronobulax]

I am amused that the metric value of the nut width on the F-30 is the integer value.

To partially answer a question, Guild is not offering custom instruments yet. When they do, it is likely to be custom in the sense of offering choices of woods and "bling" on shapes and sizes that they are already producing. I'm not sure the factory could support, say, a change in neck dimensions.

Thanks for the info. I should have specified that I was talking about the F-30 Standard, which has a slightly wider nut. I'm not surprised Guild isn't offering customs yet, but wasn't sure; Martin and Taylor both offer several nut width options, from 1 11/16 to 1 7/8, and Martin lets you specify the saddle string spacing as well, so I thought I'd ask the Guild experts here.

Mark

Dontcha just love the way Guild does things? A F-30 Traditional does not have the same size as a F-30 Standard. I had just presumed the differences were in wood choices and finishes, not dimensions.

As for custom, it is pretty clear that the folks at New Hartford view their first priority as ramping up overall production. Having to reconfigure machinery to make a custom instrument does not support that goal. Five years from now I'd expect a different answer.

 

[Frosty]

I play fingerstyle and have a few thoughts.

All things being equal, which they never are, I agree that a 1 3/4" nut is preferable over a 1 11/16" nut. However, in my experience the neck profile is also a significant factor. My opinion is that a full profile 1 11/16" guitar is preferable to a low/thin profile 1 3/4" guitar. I had a Froggy Bottom 1 3/4" guitar that looked good on paper, but caused me much left hand grief. I've also navigated quite comfortably on a '72 F-50 which had a nut that barely met 1 11/16". The F-50 had a great neck profile, which enabled a better curve of my left hand fingers. I recall also that I replaced the nut on that guitar so the strings were 5/16" on center.

Another thought - you could remove every other string from a Guild 12 string. Seriously. I've thought about that. I love the sound of my '67 F-112, but seldom find the need to play a 12.

Final thought - FMIC should get it's act together and meet customer demands.

 

[fronobulax]

Final thought - FMIC should get it's act together and meet customer demands.

Which demands? I suspect the pent up demand is greater for the electrics and maybe even a bass or two than for a good finger style guitar. :wink:

 

[West R Lee]

I think that all Guild acoustic that I've played have been "good" fingerstyle guitars. Oh some are easier to manipulate than others I suppose, but some swear off a dreadnaught for fingerpicking and I've always loved them for the purpose. And as Frosty says, he's found his way around an F50 (a jumbo) neck just fine.......I'll have to agree that he has.

And on Frosty's stringing up a 12 with 6 strings.......Killdeer has done just that.......I think he likes it.

West

 

[Brad Little]

If, as I think it is, the 1 11/16" is actually string spacing and not the nut width, it should be possible for a good luthier to fashion a replacement nut that is 1 3/4"- after all it would amount to only 1/32" on each side. 1 7/8" might not be doable, but 1 13/16" might. Changing the spacing at the saddle would be more of a problem.
Of course, I've been wrong before.
FWIW, Dave Van Ronk, as good a finger picker as anybody, played an F-50R for the last 30 or more years of his life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVTiDhOR ... re=related
Brad

 

[Frosty]

if, as I think it is, the 1 11/16" is actually string spacing and not the nut width,...

I don't think so, Brad. At least, whenever I have verified specs with a ruler in hand, it has been the width of the fingerboard at the nut. But, it is 100% true that a nut can be replaced and the strings re-spaced. One way or the other.

FWIW, Dave Van Ronk, as good a finger picker as anybody, played an F-50R for the last 30 or more years of his life:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVTiDhOR ... re=related
Brad

A hero of my impressionable youth. Great clip, I have the DVD from which that came. I love the road-worn look of that guitar - looks like a sizable soundboard crack there too! And, yeah, even though Dave has a capo on the 2nd fret in that video, he is one of the first "folk fingerpicker" guitarist to transcribe classic ragtime to the guitar. An unusual, and unrecommended from my point of view, right hand position but, it certainly worked for Dave!

 

[Pike]

How about one of these Mark...

http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/a50.html

 

[West R Lee]

I like those too Pikely.

West

 

[Ridgemont]

Mark,

1&3/4" is the largest nut width you will get on any Guild and it is currently only on the F30STD. I have played both the TRAD and STD lines and there are differences in the neck. The STD is a low profile neck very similar to a taylor neck, but a little thicker than the GADs. The TRAD has a thick beefy neck to accompany the 1&11/16" nut. Both, in my opinion, are easy to play fingerstyle. Currently, if I had my choice, I would prefer the thick neck with 1&3/4" nut width just like the Martin modified V. The only problem is I would have to buy a Martin. :wink:

To add to the Guild fingerstyle craze, lets not forget John Hurt who was able to play some pretty complex stuff on an old F30 which probably had a 1&11/16" nut.

 

[killdeer43]

If you will all recall, my F112-6 began it's life as a 12 string and I converted it to a 6 string.
It's a wonderful small-bodied 6 string that's 1 13/16 at the nut. And it's a joy for fingerpicking.
I'll post a couple of photos of the sweetheart when I get home.

Joe

 

[mbaker824]

Thanks for the input, everybody. I know a number of players who play fingerstyle very well with narrow string spacing, but it doesn't seem to be ideal for me. The most critical spec for me is string spacing at the saddle; but, unfortunately, Martin is the only major manufacturer that includes it in their spec sheets. My personal ideal would be a small-bodied guitar with a short scale, 1 3/4 nut width, and 2 5/16 string spacing at the saddle - but after much searching it looks like the only way I would get all of that would be to order a custom Martin.

Mark

 

[Bill Ashton]

Ridge, thank you for verifying what I thought I felt last Friday, when I played a D40 Standard and D40 Tradional side by each...

I just found out that my venerable Gibson J-30 has an 1 3/4" nut width, I never knew...I do find that my GAD30PCE is the "easiest" to play, Gibson second and D55 third, though the right hand is not a problem...for me its all about neck profile. D55 is fine if I play that consistantly for a period and don't switch between the other two.

Also played a Taylor (blasphemy!) GA6-12 and found the neck profile very nice for my hand but couldn't get between the strings well with my right...not prob with a 512 though

Another strange thing is that I find the D55 is much easier to play standing up, which I rarely do, as opposed to sitting down...must be my arm position?

 

[Ridgemont]

Mark, I would have to guess that the saddle spacing on the F30STD is 2&1/4". The F30 TRAD is 2&1/8". Yes it makes a huge difference and for the longest time, the saddle spacing was a big factor for me. I have gotten more efficient over time but it still gets a little cramped sometimes. The GADs have quite a bit of space and I wouldn't be surprised if they are larger than 2&1/4. I will check.

 

[Ridgemont]

Ridge, thank you for verifying what I thought I felt last Friday, when I played a D40 Standard and D40 Tradional side by each...

I just found out that my venerable Gibson J-30 has an 1 3/4" nut width, I never knew...I do find that my GAD30PCE is the "easiest" to play, Gibson second and D55 third, though the right hand is not a problem...for me its all about neck profile. D55 is fine if I play that consistantly for a period and don't switch between the other two.

Also played a Taylor (blasphemy!) GA6-12 and found the neck profile very nice for my hand but couldn't get between the strings well with my right...not prob with a 512 though

Another strange thing is that I find the D55 is much easier to play standing up, which I rarely do, as opposed to sitting down...must be my arm position?

Bill, I would suspect that the D55 is harder to play sitting down mainly because the guitar is sitting higher on your lap due to the thick waist. In addition the added depth of the guitar would also require you to reach higher and further. The tighter waisted guitars like OMs and jumbos sit lower on the knee allowing you to reach the strings more easily. When your arm is up too high for tok long, it gets fatigued quicker due to lack of blood. It doesnt happen to everybody but it happens to me.

 

[West R Lee]

Different strokes I guess. It all boils down to what your accustomed to i suppose. I can't get comfortable with a little guitar after having played dreads all my life.

West

 

[killdeer43]

I'm home now so here's a photo of my new favorite fingerpicking guitar. 12 string converted to a 6 string.

1976 F112-6

At the nut, it's 1 13/16 and string spacing at the saddle is 2 5/16. Lots of room for mistakes on both ends.

Joe

 

[tpsf12345]

I know this may seem as blasphemy to this forum.....but I just bought a new Recording King / Eric Schoenberg model. You may want to check it out http://www.recordingking.com/guitars_rp1626.html .

I couldn't be happier with it. I wanted to get (another) Guild, but decided to try something else...and these are great guitars. I bought it directly from Eric, so I got the full run down on "why" things are the way they are on these. Which was a treat.

I think they're a great value, and they sound incredible.

I got the RP2-626-C which is the 00 size. It has a 1 3/4 nut width, and 2 5/16 string spacing. Fingerstyle heaven.
LIke I said....not a Guild....but an awesome execution of a particular point of view.

Good luck in your search.