Hello all. I'm not exactly a new member, having joined some years ago when I bought a GAD 30R (since sold). It's been a while though since I posted here, and since I've recently acquired a vintage M-20, I think it's time. Actually, I feel a bit at home since I see a number of names I recognize from the AGF. So, a few questions on my new/old git.
Label says Hoboken, and the serial number is 4xxx5. Is there a registry someplace, or a list, that will help me accurately date this guitar? I know what the seller said, but having some experience with vintage guitars, it's always best to check yourself.
The tuners look brand new, and there's no sign that they've been replaced. Still, I wonder. There are no marks on them to indicate the manufacturer. Anyone know, or have a pic of what the originals ate supposed to look like? They're three on a strip, if that helps.
In any case, they're not good tuners (crappy, actually), and I'm thinking of replacing them. Anybody know if there are modern, good quality replacements that will just drop in? I'll keep the originals of course, for the next person down the line, but I'd really like to replace these while it's in my care (which I expect to be for quite some time). IF they can't be replaced without drilling, I'll just keep the originals (or what I take to be originals) on it.
I'm curious about the finish. It's matt of course, with absolutely no finish checking whatsoever. I had assumed that given it's age it would be nitro, which does have a tendency to check. So did Guild use something else?
The finish goes right over the rosette. Was that a common practice for this guitar, or am I looking at a possible refinish?
I will likely be replacing the bridge, which has been split along the front of the saddle slot and a poor job done of re-gluing it. I also suspect that it may have been shaved. Since the git needs a neck reset, that would be the obvious time to replace the bridge. The bridge material to me looks like rosewood painted black to make it look like ebony. Is that correct? And, does anyone know what the original dimensions of the bridge were (height especially, I can take the footprint from the original, just not sure how tall it should be)?
What material did Guild use for the saddle and nut? The saddle is a replacement, and I suspect the nut may be as well.
Frets are in good condition with little sign of wear, although very short (almost on the fretboard). They're the lowest frets I've ever seen on any acoustic. Is that common for this model? If not, I would guess that they were replaced by an electric player :lol: (or more likely, ground to a nub). Anyone know what the original wire size was on these?
On the up-coming neck-reset, I'm assuming a dovetail neck joint, but really, that's only an assumption on my part, so if anyone knows for sure, it would be appreciated. And if anyone has done a neck reset on one of these and would like to share some information (i.e, things to look out for), that would be great too.
All in all, this little guy needs some TLC, and when done I'll probably have more into it than it's worth on the open market, but I think it's worth it. This is a great sounding guitar with a surprising amount of volume and lots of tonal character and I just love it. The string spacing is not the friendliest for fingerpicking (which I do mostly), but it's a great little rhythm guitar, very percussive. And, I seem to be adjusting to the narrower neck with some work. So, looks like a keeper.
Thanks for any feedback ya'll. It's nice to have a Guild at last.
Dennis
Label says Hoboken, and the serial number is 4xxx5. Is there a registry someplace, or a list, that will help me accurately date this guitar? I know what the seller said, but having some experience with vintage guitars, it's always best to check yourself.
The tuners look brand new, and there's no sign that they've been replaced. Still, I wonder. There are no marks on them to indicate the manufacturer. Anyone know, or have a pic of what the originals ate supposed to look like? They're three on a strip, if that helps.
In any case, they're not good tuners (crappy, actually), and I'm thinking of replacing them. Anybody know if there are modern, good quality replacements that will just drop in? I'll keep the originals of course, for the next person down the line, but I'd really like to replace these while it's in my care (which I expect to be for quite some time). IF they can't be replaced without drilling, I'll just keep the originals (or what I take to be originals) on it.
I'm curious about the finish. It's matt of course, with absolutely no finish checking whatsoever. I had assumed that given it's age it would be nitro, which does have a tendency to check. So did Guild use something else?
The finish goes right over the rosette. Was that a common practice for this guitar, or am I looking at a possible refinish?
I will likely be replacing the bridge, which has been split along the front of the saddle slot and a poor job done of re-gluing it. I also suspect that it may have been shaved. Since the git needs a neck reset, that would be the obvious time to replace the bridge. The bridge material to me looks like rosewood painted black to make it look like ebony. Is that correct? And, does anyone know what the original dimensions of the bridge were (height especially, I can take the footprint from the original, just not sure how tall it should be)?
What material did Guild use for the saddle and nut? The saddle is a replacement, and I suspect the nut may be as well.
Frets are in good condition with little sign of wear, although very short (almost on the fretboard). They're the lowest frets I've ever seen on any acoustic. Is that common for this model? If not, I would guess that they were replaced by an electric player :lol: (or more likely, ground to a nub). Anyone know what the original wire size was on these?
On the up-coming neck-reset, I'm assuming a dovetail neck joint, but really, that's only an assumption on my part, so if anyone knows for sure, it would be appreciated. And if anyone has done a neck reset on one of these and would like to share some information (i.e, things to look out for), that would be great too.
All in all, this little guy needs some TLC, and when done I'll probably have more into it than it's worth on the open market, but I think it's worth it. This is a great sounding guitar with a surprising amount of volume and lots of tonal character and I just love it. The string spacing is not the friendliest for fingerpicking (which I do mostly), but it's a great little rhythm guitar, very percussive. And, I seem to be adjusting to the narrower neck with some work. So, looks like a keeper.
Thanks for any feedback ya'll. It's nice to have a Guild at last.
Dennis
