Questions about F50R NT

[micklevanon]

Hi all,

I'm currently looking at a 1977 F50R NT for $2300 at a local shop. It's a sweet guitar, and I'm trying to find any info on it that I can, but I'm having a hard time. Seems info on D50s is easy to find, but not so much on F50s. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
mick

 

[West R Lee]

To me, $2300 sounds a bit steep, unless the guitar is exactly what you want. But in my opinion, unless that sucker is absolutey dead mint, and by that I mean, not a scratch, tons of saddle, case looks fabulous, and includes the origional paper work, and sounds like a band of angels, I'd talk them down a bit. I think $1500-$1800 might be more in line.....but what do I know. By the way, in your search for an F50R, I thought I'd let you know that the JF55 is the same guitar.....just incase you happen to find one of those in your search.

West

 

[micklevanon]

Thanks West R Lee. It is a bit dinged up, with the edging on the neck near the headstock having been repaired. HAven't seen the case. The frets are well worn, but not in need of work yet. It does however, sound like a band of angels, and it plays like butter. I had a friend play it yesterday (he plays nothing but Gibson Acoustics and can't stand anything else) and he agrees, plays like butter and sounds great. I did think it was a bit overpriced. Thanks again.

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks West R Lee. It is a bit dinged up, with the edging on the neck near the headstock having been repaired. HAven't seen the case. The frets are well worn, but not in need of work yet. It does however, sound like a band of angels, and it plays like butter. I had a friend play it yesterday (he plays nothing but Gibson Acoustics and can't stand anything else) and he agrees, plays like butter and sounds great. I did think it was a bit overpriced. Thanks again.

Mick,

My suggestion would be to go to the seller and tell him what you think....explain your concerns. You never know, he may come of his asking price substantially. Good luck.

West

 

[chazmo]

Mick, welcome aboard!!

 

[micklevanon]

Thanks Chazmo, been lurking for a while, ever since I got my D15. Glad to be onboard. Also thanks WRL, I've already tried to talk him down but he won't budge. Mainly because he's almost giving me list for my Gibson.

 

[Brad Little]

I agree that $2300 is a bit steep, especially as it is apparently not dead mint. Offer the dealer $1500 and see if you can get it for $1800. Unless it's on consignment and the dealer can't really negotiate, I'm willing to bet he'll take it rather than sit on it.
Brad

 

[pjheff]

I'm currently looking at a 1977 F50R NT for $2300 at a local shop.

Mick--

I recently bought a 1977 D55 NT for $1000 in similar condition.

A Craigslist search offers a wide variance of pricepoints, with your figure at the outer limits: http://www.craiglook.com/all.html?q=guild+f50

Good luck!

Pat

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

......Also thanks WRL, I've already tried to talk him down but he won't budge. Mainly because he's almost giving me list for my Gibson.

Herein lies the rub. If you're trading something in, you don't have the same bargaining power that you do with cash transaction. Just like buying a car. They can put *any* number you want to see on your trade-in. It just gets tacked on to the top of the new car you're trying to purchase.


~nw

 

[micklevanon]

Thanks again all. And yes, trying to trade one in does limit my bargaining power. If thats the case, and I was looking for a good Spruce/Rosewood guitar, either a dread or Jumbo, what would my options be? I love my all hog D15, but I left that with family so I'd have something to play when I visit. Need something on hand though. Thanks again.

 

[Frosty]

I've played a few... well, maybe four, F-50R guitars. The best one of the lot was a '71 which belongs to Chazmo here on LTG. I only mention it because I *think* he is foolish enough to sell it and I *know* I don't have the funds to buy it. No financial interest in the sale myself, just FYI.

 

[micklevanon]

Thanks Frosty, he actually told me about that and directed me to a video of you playing what I believe is the same guitar on youtube. Nice playing there. Would take me another 40 years to learn to play like that.

thanks again

 

[Frosty]

Yeah, I think it's been about 40 years now... :wink:

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Mick,

I purchased my F50R NT new in 1976, and it has been my 'go to' 6-string ever since. Tight-grain spruce top and stunning straight-grained rosewood sides and back make this guitar a head turner. And then you hear the sound which is like no other... resonant, crystal clear and loud. (of course, I am COMPLETELY biased). :wink: If something ever happened to this guitar, would I pay $2300 to try to replace it? Probably. Would I be even happier if I could get it for less? Of course.

Here are the spec's from my 1976 catalog (others can weigh in on if there were any differences with the '77 model):

Details: Natural spruce top. Rosewood sides and back. Guild slim, fast-action, 3-piece maple and padouk neck with fully adjustable truss rod. Bound ebony fingerboard with inlaid mother-of-pearl rectangular position blocks. Bound headplate with inlaid mother-of-pearl Guild motif. Gold plated Grover Rotomatic machines. Ebony bridge. Black pickguard. Handsome multi-ply body binding. Delicate wood mosaic stripe inlaid into back and side. 20 frets. Neck joins the body at the 14th fret. Guild M-450 Strings.

Dimensions: Body 17" (43.1 cm.) wide. 20 3/4" (52.7 cm.) long, 5" (12.7 cm.) deep. Overall length 42 5/8" (108.2 cm.). Scale length 25 5/8" (65 cm.). Neck width at nut 1 11/16" (4.2.cm.).

Happy negotiating,

Christopher

 

[micklevanon]

Thanks Christopher,

I guess my only decision is do I want it badly enough to spend the $2300 plus tax. It is a bit beat up, and the rosewood is very light, almost faded. But the sound... The sound of this thing, I can only describe it as the best sounding acoustic I've ever heard. And the action is better than my buddy's Gibson Songwriter, which he had set up to play like his Les Paul. I've never felt an acoustic play like this one either. So sound and feel are amazing, and the price is high. Do I get it because I want it, or do I come up with a million justifications for not getting it, like I can't afford it, I really should learn how to play first, and I did just buy my Gibson Songmaker last week. Decisions, decisions, decisions.

thanks again

 

[gilded]

mick,

how much cash difference? what is the Gibson worth? what did you pay for the Gibbie? did you buy the gibbie from the same store? What part of the world are you in? Are you in school or in the service?

there are a lot of nice f50r guitars out there. if you like a low action, well, Guilds and Gibsons are braced differently than Martins- you can get away with a lower action, if that's what you want.

another poster made a good point about the store having an advantage over you in a trade situation, but still, $2300 is too much. The vintage market is going to be depressed for years, mick, so if you buy for too much now, you're gonna lose a whole lot later, unless you are absolutely sure that you'll keep the guitar for the next 7 or 8 years.

see if they'll let you leave your Gibson there and take the guitar to a good luthier for an evaluation. find out if you need a neck re-set on top of every thing else.

good luck, gilded

ps welcome.

 

[taabru45]

The 77 might have a Mahogany neck, which the one I bought has...the finish stays on better, and it weighs less...although still a heavy guitar...The question is...5 years from now when the difference in price will be a non issue....will you regret not having it?....or will you be more than glad that you have it....the price of a dream coming true is in doing what you need to do to create the experience...gee...that sounded smart....did I say that? :lol: :lol: good luck....they are great guitars I've owned one since 77 till now, and it'll continue to breath life into her new owner across the world... and I move on with a 'new' D50....Steffan

 

[Ian]

It's new owner still has life left in him thanks very much !!!

 

[taabru45]

Hi Ian....I'm sure you'll both be breathing life into each other for a long time...Steffan :lol:

 

[micklevanon]

Hi Gilded, in order:
Cash difference is $1500, that plus my Gibson

I bought the Gibson last week for $995, he's giving me $800. I would just return the Gibson but there was another guitar that was traded for that and another one sold so in essence I only paid $200 for the Gibson. I know, there was the original cost for the other two guitars, but that's money that's long gone.

I bought the Gibson at a different store

I'm currently in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. though I don't know where I'll be in the next 6 months. Maybe Israel, maybe Vietnam. Maybe Philadelphia.

I am in neither school, nor the service, though if I go back to Israel would be in the reserves. Though I'm almost old enough that they won't take me either. I just move around a great deal.

As for the vintage market, not really concerned. Electrics come and go, but Acoustics stay with me a while. My first serious Yamaha for 10 years, my Yairi for 18 years. I have been without a 6 string acoustic (other than a L'il Martin) for the last 7 years. I had an Alvarez 12 string that I traded in 2 months ago for a 91 D15. Beautiful gloss red hog. Sounds fantastic. I took it to Israel with me a couple of weeks ago and left it with my parents so I'd have something to play when I visited. I had my heart set on a new Alvarez MD90, but ended up with the Gibson instead, but miss the sound of a Guild. Hence the F50R.

And Steffan, you're right, in 5 years I won't even remember what I paid for it, I'll just be enjoying playing it. I have also been looking for a local D50, but can't find any here, only a Corona D35 for about half the price of my Gibby. I would consider a nice Westerly D25, but I already have an all hog in the D15. I'd prefer spruce/rosewood.

Thanks for the welcome guys, and thanks for all the advice. I never played them before, but the D15 and the F50 have made me a Guild convert. Next time Van Morrison asks I can honestly say, I have been healed!

m