New F50R

[killdeer43]

Stopped in at my local guitar "pusher" this afternoon and saw something on the back wall that caught my eye. Recently arrived from New Hartford was a brand-spanking new F50R!! I was excited enough to forget why I stopped by, so I played it and fondled it for a while and came away, how shall I say, unimpressed.

It didn't knock my socks off but the number that was on the hanging tag did. $2,899. Yowzah!! Maybe next lifetime!

More to report when I get my wits together. :?

Joe

 

[taabru45]

Nice to see them on the wall all the same. The first thing I look for on a guitar display wall if the Guild, in the crowd, way too often....it just ain't there.... :? Steffan

 

[killdeer43]

Now, I'm admittedly Guilded but I would have some serious reservations about shelling out $3K for this guitar. For starters, I don't think I can come up with the necessary shekels.

And then there's the first impression, which you only have one opportunity to make. It just didn't have the feel of the Guilds I've grown to know and love over the past 40 years. For one thing, the binding on the fingerboard/neck looks like plastic, which I'm sure it isn't. And there's that new-style pickguard, about which I've already expressed my opinion a while back.

The sound was good enough, but if I did have that elusive $3K, I'd buy something else, like an older F50R, maybe!

I'll probably go back tomorrow and fondle it some more, :wink:
Joe

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, the prices are definitely up, Joe. I don't really understand how this was the time, economically speaking, for the prices to get so high. I just hope it's a blip and Fender comes to their senses. This threatens Guild's value position in the market. OTOH, other vendors have raised their prices too.

Too bad it didn't knock your socks off. That's disappointing to hear. I wonder if they're putting strings on sloppily at the factory or whether the dealer switched 'em out.

Anyway, best wishes, Joe. Definitely go back and try it again sometime. Maybe bring one of your axes to compare with it, just to see if it's the acoustics of the room or maybe someting else.

 

[adorshki]

...I don't think I can come up with the necessary shekels.
And there's that new-style pickguard, on which I've already expressed my opinion a while back.
The sound was good enough, but if I did have that elusive $3K, I'd buy something else, like an older F50R, maybe!
I'll probably go back tomorrow and fondle it some more, :wink:
Joe

I'm with you on the pickguard Joe, it's like poor styling on a car...maybe they'll let you rent it?

 

[spiderman]

Maybe they are being influenced by Gibson pricing, they both begin with "G" :wink:
We have enjoyed the undervalued brand for a long time perhaps the company is wising up, although with all the competition out there and a recession on, hardly seems the opportune time to jack up the price.
As for the binding, ivoroid is plastic, maybe newer it looks rawer.

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)
JF55 1997

 

[Frosty]

Based on my limited experience with CT Guilds, I think a few new changes need to be un-made.

 

[killdeer43]

Based on my limited experience with CT Guilds, I think a few new changes need to be un-made.

Do you think a few letters would do any good at all? The 'power of the pen' and all that?

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

Sorry guys, she's real pretty and all, but I'll take an old Westerly for about $1500.

West

 

[JimbowF212]

Hey guys;
I am going to try and take a look at one of these Monday. I talked to the Store manager and he says he can give me a price below 2000.00
If it sounds to suit me I may put it on Lay away for later.

 

[killdeer43]

Sorry guys, she's real pretty and all, but I'll take an old Westerly for about $1500.
West

Couldn't have said it better myself, West. It just didn't 'feel' that good in my hands, and I do believe that's a big part of the good old Westerly Guilds. And they were "real pretty," too!

Nuff said,
Joe

 

[West R Lee]

Sorry guys, she's real pretty and all, but I'll take an old Westerly for about $1500.
West

Couldn't have said it better myself, West. It just didn't 'feel' that good in my hands, and I do believe that's a big part of the good old Westerly Guilds. And they were "real pretty," too!

Nuff said,
Joe

They are pretty guitars and I'm sure they sound great. A bit under $2000 sounds fairly reasonable, but there are so many nice Westerlys out there. And well, I'll admit, I'm biased. I would like to play a new F50R sometime.

I did play a new D55 at the guitar show last weekend. She handled nicely and seemed to sound good, it's just so hard to hear in those shows.

West

 

[killdeer43]

I think I'll celebrate tomorrow and play it again....after my prostate exam!!! :roll: A man has to do what a man has to do. A slight veer, perhaps, but I recommend it for all of us! Once a year! Keeps you playin' those Guilds longer and later!
Joe

 

[Walter Broes]

And there's that new-style pickguard, about which I've already expressed my opinion a while back.

Old-style pickguard!! :mrgreen:

 

[chazmo]

I'll have to bring mine to the music store soon to do some comparisons when they get one of the new ones.

 

[killdeer43]

BIG DROOL.....I'll bet the new one won't stack up against yours.

Joe

 

[Spectrum13]

2Ks not that out of line for a made in USA F50R. Mine was $550 34 years ago. A 1971 Ford Maverick was $1999. Sorry guys can't judge new production line from one sample and compair it to a well broken in Westerly.

 

[killdeer43]

2Ks not that out of line for a made in USA F50R. Mine was $550 34 years ago. A 1971 Ford Maverick was $1999. Sorry guys can't judge new production line from one sample and compair it to a well broken in Westerly.

Good point, Spec. Guess I'll have to volunteer to sit at the end of the 'production line' in my favorite chair and test 'em all.

I have the time!
Joe

 

[JimbowF212]

2Ks not that out of line for a made in USA F50R. Mine was $550 34 years ago. A 1971 Ford Maverick was $1999. Sorry guys can't judge new production line from one sample and compair it to a well broken in Westerly.

Good point, Spec. Guess I'll have to volunteer to sit at the end of the 'production line' in my favorite chair and test 'em all.

I have the time!
Joe

Joe now that is a DREAM JOB and if the pay is good thats a BONUS!!! See if they need two testers PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! And put in a good word for ME!!!

 

[chazmo]

BIG DROOL.....I'll bet the new one won't stack up against yours.

Joe

Hey, Joe. Just havin' fun there wtih the headstock pictures of my twins. In all honesty, those old F-50Rs are pretty different beasties than the new ones. It'd be fun to do a comparo. I might try it if/when one arrives at my local music store.