Jumbo questions

[spiderman]

Have a few questions:
1. Is the nut width of a JF55 1 3/4", and of an F50R 1 11/16"?
2. What preferences do you have for the above models based on factory location Hoboken, Westerly, Corona etc., and year of manufacture.
3. What is a reasonable price to pay for a player of the above models, usual minor usage flaws (dents, dings, minor finish cracks etc.) but no wood cracks.
I realize the price is what the market will bear, but I suspect there is a convergence of opinion here.
Thanks

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... rid-Cutawa[/url]y
GAD-JF30E(blonde)

 

[chazmo]

Welcome, spiderman.

Nut width on my Westerly F-50R and Hoboken F-50R is 1-11/16".

Both are magnificent.

Price is hard to say, but if the older guitars haven't already been through neck work you should expect that and factor that in. In any case, I don't think you'd be able to go far south of 2 grand for this era.

 

[spiderman]

Chazmo
Thanks. The reason I asked about the nut width is I have seen a JF-55 advertised as 1 3/4" and I definitely prefer the narrower neck. Will have to keep my eyes open for an F-50R. Am very pleased with my GAD so am not looking for another maple body.
Spiderman

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde)

 

[gilded]

Chazmo
Thanks. The reason I asked about the nut width is I have seen a JF-55 advertised as 1 3/4" and I definitely prefer the narrower neck.....

Spider, you might ask them to measure that neck again. I would be thinkin' they thought it was 1 3/4" but it's not.
Just food for thought.

gilded

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

The JF55 that I had and sold to a forum member, had an interesting nut.
It measured closer to 1 3/4" but the string spacing was more like 1 11/16".
It was easy to fret but when I tried to play a D chord with my thumb holding the bass E string down, it was a bit of a stretch.

 

[chazmo]

Hmm... Maybe Hans knows the specifics regarding the '90s era JFs, spiderman... I can only tell you what I measure on my oldies-but-goodies.

These necks, even at 1-11/16", feel too narrow to me with my chunky fingers. But that's because I'm primarily a 12-string hacker.

 

[spiderman]

Thanks TaylorMartinGuild. It means I will have to be careful about what I am looking for, and be specific about the neck width for anything I am looking at online.
Although I have chunky short fingers, because of tendinitis issues I need the narrow neck. I believe Gibson made some acoustics with a 1 9/16" neck but that is probably too much of a good thing.
Two weeks ago I tried out a Taylor 355 at a local dealer, first 12string I had played in over 40 years. It had one of the best actions I have ever encountered for any guitar. I was not pleased with the tone however, it sounded like a Taylor not a Guild. This was on a Saturday, I believe it came in on a Thursday. Figured I would try it again the following Wednesday. Checked on Monday it was gone, believe someone on this forum once wished he had a Taylor neck on a Guild body for a 12string.

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde)

 

[chazmo]

Spidey, be sure to try a Taylor 655 (maple body) too someday. I've played quite a few of them, and they are wonderful (IMO).

 

[BluesDan]

My 2000 JF55 nut is 1 11/16. I thought all JF55's were but I guess ya never know. Best bet would be to check the guitar out in person.

Dan

 

[onewilyfool]

I just played a JF55 (waverly) that had an 1 3/4" nut and also needed a neck reset....local craigslist listing

 

[spiderman]

Thanks to all for replying.
Based on a pretty small sampling, looks like JF-55s are all over the map regarding nut size, but F50Rs are 1 11'16". I am pretty sure all GAD jumbos are 1 11/16". mine definitely is.

Chazmo - If I see a 655 I'll check it out, thanks. Based on the year yours is a real vintage. Mass Street Music is one of the top Taylor (and Martin) dealers in the country and those brands are always coming and going so one may show up. Both of those companies seem to account for the vast majority of the quality acoustics sold here, although that is probably true everywhere.
They also have 5 McPhersons hanging on the wall! They certainly sound different when you are playing and when someone else plays. Don't know what they use for bracing, maybe gold to account for the price and the weight, but they are a really pleasure to play. The redwood top/rosewood body are really nice.


Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired)
Alvarez AC60S
Eastman AC320ce BOOKMATCHING BOOKMATCHING WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING BOOKMATCHING!
http://www.massstreetmusic.com/store/sh ... id-Cutaway
GAD-JF30E(blonde)

 

[capnjuan]

I just played a JF55 (waverly) that had an 1 3/4" nut and also needed a neck reset....local craigslist listing

Hi OWF: Although there are towns named Waverly in many states, Guild didn't make guitars in any of them. They did make them in Westerly RI. It's an oddly common mistake.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

One thing that I know for sure is that I love my Westerly Tuners!