NGD Corona JF-30 Natural

[D30Man]

A well played MIRC Corona JF30 arrived today. It was sent using an AERIS packing system which was nice. Needless to say it showed up in tact and as advertised. Ken was square dealing and was very upfront in his ad.
This is my second Guild jumbo but my first maple one. It sounds pretty spectacular. Hearty. Not light. Not super heavy but far from light. I have to say I had a GF30 for a little while. Killer tone, but this thing being bigger just has more overall horsepower. I like horsepower in an acoustic guitar. I bought this to take to the stage.
It has a passive pickup. Have not plugged it in yet. I will report back on that as well.

I played James McMurtry’s “Rachel’s Song” with my son who was playing a super nice super loud remo djembe drum and man it sounded great. The JF30 held its own volume wise.

though I lean towards ebony for bridge and FB I am digging this milk chocolate rosewood. It is nicely done and feels really good.

Ken told me he has some pretty old mediums on there. I am weighing out whether or not I want to set it up for 12’s or change them out with new mediums. Input is always appreciated.

the case was dusty but in tact.
In one of the pictures there appears to be something that almost looks like a crack on the right lower bout top. However Ken took it to a luthier who said he had nothing to worry about. I will keep an eye on it. No light is coming through it so there doesn’t appear to be any separation. Maybe something to deal with down the road.

I have no idea how to date these MIRC guits so I asked Hans. I believe the MIRC designation is more cosmetic than any structural issue.
Saddle looks pretty good.
First few frets show a little wear.
The maple on this one isn’t the most impressive grain that I have seen but still looks pretty to my eyes.

at the end of the day, I am super impressed with how much guitar I got for the money. We settled on $700 plus $85 shipping and I respect that Ken held firm. I believe this one is worth every penny.

I continue to love the Guild maples I have owned and played and this one is absolutely no exception. Sound clips to follow and will report back on the pickup! So this gets my Guild stable back up to a whopping 4!!

 

[Cougar]

A well played MIRC Corona JF30 arrived today.

Major congrats! Gotta love a Guild jumbo!

...this thing being bigger just has more overall horsepower.

You know it! I only have my JF30-12 for comparison. Yeah it's a cannon, with volume to spare.

...though I lean towards ebony for bridge and FB I am digging this milk chocolate rosewood. It is nicely done and feels really good.

My 12er actually has the ebony fretboard, which I love.

I have no idea how to date these MIRC guits so I asked Hans.

Corona wasn't in production for long. My guess is 2002.

We settled on $700 plus $85 shipping....

Oh man, that's pretty much of a steal in this day and age. Actually I got my near mint burst JF30-12 some years ago for right about that same money. Now, that was a definite steal, a heist, a theft, a five-finger discount!

 

[walrus]

Sweet! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[valleyguy]

Congrats, looks like a steal. Waiting to hear your recording.

 

[Stuball48]

Beautiful wood

 

[D30Man]

Thanks Coug! Hans confirmed as well it is most likely a 2002 possibly an early2003 so good call on that. Yeah I’m pretty jazzed with the deal overall. It certainly has battle scars but that is not something that has ever bothered me
as long as the price reflects condition which in this case it did.
I just love that Guild could put out such a robust instrument - heavy and built to last yet still produce such volume and tone.

It has 13’s on there but I really like 12’s. Trying to decide if I going to have it setup for 12’s. I know a lot folks like to mediums on their jumbo and I get why.
Going to test the pickup today. Not sure if it’s a k&k, JJB, or some other brand. I’ll report back.

 

[davismanLV]

Wow!! What a nice looking guitar!! I'll bet if you humidify the hell out of it that top crack will close up totally and if you slap a couple of cleats on it, it's good as new. Congrats. I'll bet it sounds AMAZING!! Love the maple!!

 

[D30Man]

Thanks Tom! Picking up a planet waves case humidifier today and will do just that! It’s full a room that is for sure!

 

[wileypickett]

Planet Waves humidifcation stuff is currently on sale -- 20% off:

Promo Ended | D'Addario

Sorry, it looks like the promotion, giveaway, or survey you’re trying to access has ended.

www.daddario.com

 

[D30Man]

Planet Waves humidifcation stuff is currently on sale -- 20% off:

Promo Ended | D'Addario

Sorry, it looks like the promotion, giveaway, or survey you’re trying to access has ended.

www.daddario.com

Thanks for the tip, WP!

 

[Cougar]

I just love that Guild could put out such a robust instrument - heavy and built to last yet still produce such volume and tone.

Yeah, Guild's "heavy era," many with dual truss rods, pretty well debunked the conventional wisdom of "the lighter the better."

It has 13’s on there but I really like 12’s. Trying to decide if I going to have it setup for 12’s.

I've never had anything but 12s on my F50R. It's certainly got plenty of projection!

 

[Rich Cohen]

Nothin' like a Guild jumbo I must say. Especially the maple variety. Though the EIR's are no slouches. I have a JF-72 which blows my mind every time I play it.

 

[HeyMikey]

Congrats D30Man! She looks great. Good deal for sure. Enjoy!

 

[Bonneville88]

Great score on a great guitar, and cool pics too - congrats!

 

[bobouz]

Same here, love my JF-30 (1994) with it’s deep but balanced projection.

Wonderful guitars - Congrats!

 

[twocorgis]

Looks to be well played and well loved! Best wishes with the new baby.

And as for James McMurtry, I've been a fan since the first time I heard Too Long in the Wasteland. His latest, The Horses and the Hounds, might be his best yet, and I can't stop listening to it! There's a guy that should be way more famous than he is,

 

[beecee]

And as for James McMurtry, I've been a fan since the first time I heard Too Long in the Wasteland. His latest, The Horses and the Hounds, might be his best yet, and I can't stop listening to it! There's a guy that should be way more famous than he is,

Never heard of the guy until I read about him a while back on these forums.

I think I've been exposed to more music than guitar knowledge here....

Beauty of a JF-30 ......I'd like one to keep the JF-30-12 company....the F-412 is intimidated by the JF and they are now on separate sides of the room

 

[twocorgis]

Never heard of the guy until I read about him a while back on these forums.

I think I've been exposed to more music than guitar knowledge here....

Beauty of a JF-30 ......I'd like one to keep the JF-30-12 company....the F-412 is intimidated by the JF and they are now on separate sides of the room

The best thing about James is how he spins these amazing stories in his songs, and is so literary. Of course, that shouldn't be that surprising, given that he's Larry McMurtry's (Lonesome Dove and The Last Picture Show, amongst others) son. He also plays Guild guitars, mostly a well worn GF30.

On his new album, a favorite is Jackie, and it's quite a story. IMO, very few songwriters these days approach this level.

 

[valleyguy]

Larry McMurtry

Thanks for posting the video of James McMurtry, had not heard him for many years, I do his Hurricane Party, so will dive into this album.

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks for posting the video of James McMurtry, had not heard him for many years, I do his Hurricane Party, so will dive into this album.

Buy the whole album Fred, you won't regret it, as there's not a bad song on it. I bought the vinyl!