New here intro and looking for...

[retiredff]

Thanks for the info cuthbert. I read an article on tone woods that said Paduak was in between HOG and Maple. That article almost turned me against the GAD F40P.

Thanks again

Tony

 

[cuthbert]

Thanks for the info cuthbert. I read an article on tone woods that said Paduak was in between HOG and Maple. That article almost turned me against the GAD F40P.

Thanks again

Tony

Well, opinions on woods are always subjective, they have yours, I have mine: as far as I remember, the choice of paduk instead of mahogany was purely cosmetic because paduk does have that beautiful red blood shade, by the way, we also made a certain amount of instruments with paduk fingerboards because this wood unlike mahogany doesn't need to be finished and the grain is tighter: it worked well, but after a while it oxidises and it formed a whitish patina, that some people liked.

For the "maple" problem, take into account that many fingerpicking musicians, Willy Porter first, do use maple guitars. I don't know about the traditional models, but my two CV-2Cs have a darker sounds than my D-25, although for the sake of the argument this might be influenced by the fact that the CVs are new guitars while the D-25 is 28 years old and drier wood sound more bright.

 

[retiredff]

Will the finish make a difference in the sound? I do remember reading that Paduak will darken after some years. I really don't care about the color of a guitar, I care about playability and sound.

A good looking guitar with alot of bling that is hard to play is a waist of $$$$$ to me.

Tony

 

[cuthbert]

Will the finish make a difference in the sound? I do remember reading that Paduak will darken after some years. I really don't care about the color of a guitar, I care about playability and sound.

A good looking guitar with alot of bling that is hard to play is a waist of $$$$$ to me.

Tony

Well, there are many theories about the finish and its influence on the sound, it is a very discussed topic in bowed instruments. In guitars many people claim that hand rubbed should "free" the wood more than nitrocellulouse or poly, personally I disagree and I think that todays' trend for this finish depends by the fact that it's cheaper.

About the GADs, for what I see they're finished high gloss, so the paduk will remain that colour:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-GAD-F40P-Acou ... 286.c0.m14

Teh only importnat thing about GADs is that they are finsihed in polyurethane, not in nitro, and they look very shiny...so I suspect that the finsih is pretty thick, but on the other side, at this price they offer a lot,including wood binding.

Fro sound and playability, I really don't know, my suggestion is to try one of these guitars in some shop and make up your mind, although as West recalled, maybe you can get a vintage american guild for that price, like a F-47. Another option, although I know that some people disapporve here, are the discontinued contemporary guitars, the CV-1, 2 and Willy Porter are excellent insturmetns IMO and they're sold at very competitive prices, even less than GADs, but usually they're printed "USED" and sold without warranty, this may if you're unlucky you may have to spend some bucks to solve minor issues.

In my experience, I purchased two CV-2C for less than 900 dollars, and they didn't have any problem. They are also top notch instruments.

 

[retiredff]

cuthbert, I did find a GAD F40P that had "used" stamped on the head for less than new, but I'm concerned about the lack of a warranty. Maybe I should offer that guy a less amount and see if he takes my offer.

Until I came to this site, I knew nothing about the older guilds. I have read alot here and will look for the older models also.


Tony

 

[cuthbert]

cuthbert, I did find a GAD F40P that had "used" stamped on the head for less than new, but I'm concerned about the lack of a warranty. Maybe I should offer that guy a less amount and see if he takes my offer.

Until I came to this site, I knew nothing about the older guilds. I have read alot here and will look for the older models also.


Tony

Tony, take into account that if you purchase a fully warranted guitar from an unofficial Guild seller (like most of the sellers on ebay, for instance) Fender won't cover the instrument.

If you buy by a official dealer, on the other side, be ready to pay around the list price. As I said, I purchased two "USED" CVs and everythign went right, I got them for half the price of a guitar of that class. For the older models, this board is full of valuable information, and if I were you I'll consider a vintage Guild.

 

[retiredff]

OK. Give me the models # of the guitars that fit my needs. A 12 fret is not necessary, a short scale might work, although with my Seagull, I notice my fingers are cramped after the 5th fret. I can tune down and capo at 2 if needed.

I didn't realize if I bought a new guitar from a non dealer, the warranty was void. Is this true with all manufactures?

I play slow easy blues, old Dylan, Neil Young etc, mostly finger style. I have begun to dabble with a pick but I'm not a hard strummer. Electrics are not needed, a cutaway might be nice in the future.


Tony

 

[Bill Ashton]

Tony, I would guess from your screen name that you and I had the same profession...I retired last September after 33 years on the job.

But to the matter at hand...so many guitars, so little time! I will speak up for the GAD series, as I bought a GAD30PCE several weeks ago. I was looking for something else, it was hanging there, the price was right, and it literally spoke to me...shouted at me really. Had to have her. IMHO the spruce/padauk does not sound at all like mahogany, and if any thing I would characterize it as having the volume of a cedar top but not necessarily that tone. Not as mellow as 'hog (speaking of my Gibson J-30) and not as bright as rosewood (speaking of my D55), but louder than both, without much effort on the player's part.

While on my search, and thinking about the 'PCE, I went into our local's second store in a neighboring city. There were two small bodies there, and I picked up the natural top one...sounded just like the 'PCE and looking at the tag it was the GADF40P. Like the 'PCE it has a 1 3/4" wide neck which is very nice for fingerpicking. Then I ran out of frets! :lol: Not that I play high up on the neck much, but the little bit I was trying needed me to and I was stuck. So while the 'PCE's sister was very nice, just not for me I guess.

 

[Bill Ashton]

One more thing. As warned before you must be very careful with "new" Guilds on the internet. There seem to be a bunch of "used" or non-factory-warranty pieces out there. I almost, almost made a trip to New York to see a D55 then saw it had this issue...and this was at a Guild dealer.

I believe cuthbert made out very well in this regard, but I think there was another member here that was getting involved with a neck reset and other work that probably you (and I) would want to stay away from.

At least in my area, the legit Guild dealers are beating the internet prices for new instruments anyway.

 

[retiredff]

Bill,
I'm always glad to hear from a fellow brother (local 416). I retired from Speedway Fire (Indy, Brickyard) in 2000 after 27 yrs.

Thanks for the info on the 12 fret F40P. I don't play that far up the neck (yet) so I have no idea how a 12 fret will affect my playing. Maybe I will do as I have been and buy a F20, F30, F47 or ??? and tune down a step then capo @2. This has helped me in the past.

I have emailed 2 sellers on ebay asking about the "used" stamp and why they wanted almost the same price as with warranty. Most large dealers want 749 for a F40P ITB, 799 for Natural. The ebayers want 700 w/no HSC and no warranty. That does not sound good to me. I probably will take my time and play as many as I can and wait for the one that speaks to me.

If I buy an older Guild, I still will need to take that leap of faith.

I want a smaller bodied guitar like a Taylor GC. If all fails I might order a 414C from Taylor w/o electric. I like Taylors GC series, but I like Guilds Martin like bass.

Tony
--------------------------------
Seagull S6
2004 HD Fatboy

 

[taabru45]

If you have a chance to play or look at an older model, the F112, you might be surprised as what a sweet, and playable guitar this smaller bodied mahogany one is. I was very pleased when I first found mine, not too heavy, hardly any bling, just the strings and the tuners :lol: but a simply great guitar, that some how is a little different, and their owners love them. and welcome abroad, I mean aboard......Steffan

 

[Bill Ashton]

Yeah, the prices are all over the place, kinda hard to cull through them all...probably best to pay a small bit more from someone who will look after you afterwards, and its always good to help the local store.

My local Fender/Squier/Guild dealer is an authorized retailer, though not a service center; my GAD came with a beautiful Guild (olive tweed) hard case, but only the truss rod allen wrench and case key. No paper work. Owner swore thats how it came, it wasn't a second or anything. I believe him as we have history together. My D55 came with a warranty card, black TKL/Guild hard case, little owners manual and case key that looks like a car ignition key! I spoke with this dealer about internet pricing and problems and he commented that his rep. never offered him any used or second guitars...he seemed almost disappointed...but we both agreed that his reputation (which is very solid) didn't need that kind of product sales.

Have fun with the "thrill of the hunt" and take care. Bill (former Local 1841)

 

[retiredff]

Bill,
The thrill of the hunt is fun indeed.

Steffan,
I looked up a F112. I have enough problems with 6 strings, I don't think I need 6 more :shock:

Tony

 

[taabru45]

Well, if you can't find 12 frets, maybe 12 strings fit the bill... Still, if you do come across one of these, spend a little time with it. There aren't too many out there, and it tucks in so nice...so maybe a small body F series in a 6 will work. I haven't tried any but I'm really curious about the 47s that are showing up...Happy hunting.... :wink: Steffan

 

[keembo]

Just purchased a new GAD 30PCE and am quite impressed. I played it several times before pulling the trigger, but I got a great deal, so I can't complain. Sound is quite clear with good volume. I haven't played plugged in yet, but I have heard the Fishman electronics work well with the instrument. I will see how it holds up, but I have found that if they sound good originally, they usually sound better after some time when the spruce top ages and breaks in. Nice to try out this board. I have too many guitars, but hey....this one is nice and having one built by John Fitzgerald of Downey, CA. It will be 13 fretter short scale, figured walnut b/s and sinker redwood topped OO. Best of luck to all.

L. Benito-GA cutaway A/E alerce top
Blueridge BR-163
Babicz acute OM--LR Baggs
Cort maple Jumbo..A/E
Larrivee LV-03E
JF John Fitzgerald OM..koa/adi
Guild GAD30PCE

 

[Graham]

Nice to try out this board. I have too many guitars, but hey....

Nonsense, right Carl? Carl? Anyone heard from Carl?

Anyway welcome to LTG keembo. Jump in, tell us about yourself, your playing style, your listening preferences, yada, yada, yada. We're all looking for new info and talent. Mind you for many of us, every morning brings new info. :shock:

Anyway, ohh I already said that.

 

[killdeer43]

"too many guitars"

One of my favorite T-shirts says on the front "Playin' Guitars," while on the back is a montage of about 20 guitars (one of which is an F-50) and the sentiment, "You can never have too many guitars."
I try to wear it whenever the UPS/FedX guy stops by for a visit.

*My mother-in-law gave it to me so she knows what her daughter has to deal with! :wink:

Welcome,
Joe

 

[keembo]

Actually retired. Enjoy mostly fingerstyle, but it can be a bit fun to pick. I used to play a bit in high school many many moons ago, and then quit playing altogether. When my fingers started to stiffen up about a year ago, I asked doc, and he said to do excercises on fingers or play guitar, so it was back to guitar playing. Enjoy a lot of old Simon/Garfunkle, Dylan, old folk, blues...Mississippi John H., etc. Got to see plenty of groups in the late 60's as I was in college in SF Bay area. The memories are a bit fuzzy, but hey....that goes with the territory. Nice to try out this forum. Have posted on Larrivee forum as well as AGF. Thanks and happy playing.

 

[capnjuan]

Hi Keembo and welcome to LTG; with musical interests like those, you've found a group of people who appreciate many of those same artists. CJ

 

[keembo]

Speaking of the GAD 30PCE, like Bill, I was impressed with the feel, sound and craftsmanship. I have only had it about a month now, but it really is a nice guitar with great volume. I agree with Bill that the sound is unique...not a rosewood or a mahogany sound but the padauk has its own very pleasing sound. The highs are good and loud but not too bright like Taylors or tinny at all, and the bass is nice enough to balance and be heard. I think I will be happy with it even more as it breaks in. It is a lot of guitar for the price I paid for it. Happy playing to all.