Questions on my newly aquired 76 f-50-r

[2Tone]

Howdy all!!
I am new to the forum and just acquired my 2nd Guild acoustic (my first was a D-25 purchased in the 80's which I no longer own). I happened to be at a local shop, picked this guitar up, started playing it and almost fell off the stool! I have never heard an acoustic guitar sound this good. She has definitely been played, but is still in fine condition. It looks like the neck was reset since there are some 'C' clamp marks on the neck block inside the body, and some creative neck binding work where the fret board sits on the body. All of the frets have been filed, the saddle is as low as it can go and there appears to be very little if any relief in the neck (I Haven't checked it with a ruler yet). So there isn't much if any adjustment left but she plays like "Butta". I polished up the frets with some steel wool, put on some Martin SP Lights, and now I just can't put it down

Okay - enough "gushing" now for a couple of questions if you don't mind.

1) Humidity - I live in Colorado which is very dry. The guitar lives in my finished basement which normally has all heating and air conditioning vents turned off. I am actually more concerned about the summer than the winter since I run a humidifier in the basement during the heating season. I have a "Dampit" sound hole humidifier that I can use for the summer months but it seems to raise the strings a bit and I am wondering if the added tension on the strings will adversely affect the guitar over time?

2) Pickup's and modifications - The guitar appears to be original down to the beat up plastic bridge pins. I was wondering how people felt about things like putting strap buttons on the heel of the neck and\or modifying the guitar for a pickup system. Right now I am leaning against the strap button and researching "clamp on" microphones that don't require any modifications. In other words keeping it all original.

I will probably start another thread on ways to amplify the guitar without modifying it.

Thanks much!

Tom

 

[taabru45]

Congrats......I have a 77, and sounds pretty good too :roll: ......: Probably the 'higher action is the slight bellying of the top to where It maybe ought to be...no big deal I think.....I had a pickup in it, then had some work done, and threw the undersaddle pickup away, some one had apparently put tinfoil under it for some reason, it still has the jack/pin in the end which will be convenient for another pickup if that day comes....eliminates the danger of a plastic pin popping out and dropping the guitar which I have heard of...Shouldn't afffect the value of the instrument in my mind....

 

[West R Lee]

Howdy all!!
I am new to the forum and just acquired my 2nd Guild acoustic (my first was a D-25 purchased in the 80's which I no longer own). I happened to be at a local shop, picked this guitar up, started playing it and almost fell off the stool! I have never heard an acoustic guitar sound this good. She has definitely been played, but is still in fine condition. It looks like the neck was reset since there are some 'C' clamp marks on the neck block inside the body, and some creative neck binding work where the fret board sits on the body. All of the frets have been filed, the saddle is as low as it can go and there appears to be very little if any relief in the neck (I Haven't checked it with a ruler yet). So there isn't much if any adjustment left but she plays like "Butta". I polished up the frets with some steel wool, put on some Martin SP Lights, and now I just can't put it down

Okay - enough "gushing" now for a couple of questions if you don't mind.

1) Humidity - I live in Colorado which is very dry. The guitar lives in my finished basement which normally has all heating and air conditioning vents turned off. I am actually more concerned about the summer than the winter since I run a humidifier in the basement during the heating season. I have a "Dampit" sound hole humidifier that I can use for the summer months but it seems to raise the strings a bit and I am wondering if the added tension on the strings will adversely affect the guitar over time?

2) Pickup's and modifications - The guitar appears to be original down to the beat up plastic bridge pins. I was wondering how people felt about things like putting strap buttons on the heel of the neck and\or modifying the guitar for a pickup system. Right now I am leaning against the strap button and researching "clamp on" microphones that don't require any modifications. In other words keeping it all original.

I will probably start another thread on ways to amplify the guitar without modifying it.

Thanks much!

Tom

Hey Tom, it sounds as if you've got a great guitar there. An F50R has always been on my short list, but never run across the deal I wanted I guess.

It sounds as if you've got the right idea on the humidity issues, my biggest concern, given the circumstances you've stated would be temperature swings. Is there a reason she can't stay in the house? .

On the amplification question......without modifying the instrument, and in my opinion, the very best way to amplify an acoustic is with a good condenser microphone. I just use a little Shure mike.

West

 

[chazmo]

Tom, welcome to LTG.

F-50Rs are wonderful, aren't they? Congrats on your acquisition of one. Pictures are required, by the way!

In your question about the dampit, are you talking about the clear plastic soundhole cover (string tension holds it down)? Because, otherwise I don't understand what you mean about dampits raising the strings... That thing shouldn't actually fit so tightly that you would be concerned, Tom, so if that's the case you probably should just hang the dampits on the strings and not use the cover. The only time I use the cover is if I'm trying to remediate and humidify a guitar that's severely dried out. Otherwise, I just hang the dampits on strings and put the guitar in the case.

Make sure you wring those suckers dry to the touch before you put them in the guitar -- otherwise they'll drip into the body of the guitar which is not what you want. I.e., "damp" not "wet".

If you're planning to keep the guitar for a long time, you might wish to consult a luthier about the neck angle and the bridge/saddle. It sounds like you may have inherited a little bit of trouble here (for the long haul, that is), but it'll be well worth it to get her into perfect playing shape. If you think she sounds great now, wait until you've got a proper break angle over the saddle. And, along those lines, it might not be worth installing a pickup system until / unless you get a little more saddle to transmit vibration... just thinking out loud.

Best wishes.

 

[2Tone]

Thanks for the welcome and responses. Even with the low saddle this guitar is LOUD and the tone is “to die for”. It also plays just right so I think I will hold off on any work until it no longer is such a joy to play. At some point I can see a fret job which should actually allow me to raise the saddle, but other than that, if she stays stable, I will be a happy camper! As for the Dampit, it is the type with the plastic cover. I think the fact that the strings are fairly close to the body is adding more tension than is normally required for the Dampit to stay in place. Again, I am just concerned about doing any long term damage to the guitar by leaving the strings under additional tension. I may just do a little modification on the Dampit, because there is no way that thing is going to stay in the case. That would be like putting a Monet in the closet


And yes, for the most part she will stay in the house. If she does go out in the winter, she will only be in the car as long as I am, and you can be dang sure the heat will be on.

I will also get some pictures posted ASAP. I will make sure I get a good shot of the saddle.

Thanks again!!

Tom

 

[twocorgis]

2tone; welcome aboard from another F50R owner. My '75 is as sweet as they come, and is a definite keeper! Here on Long Island I don't worry much about humidity this time of year, but come the winter the whole fleet will be humidified. I like the Planet Waves units the best, but that's just personal preference. As for pickups, I like the K&K Pure Western Mini. I have a couple of them along with the belt-mounted preamp. I've been very happy with them, and I like the fact that there's no a hole cut into the side of the guitar of the preamp.

Good luck with the new addition, and pictures, please!

 

[bluesypicky]

Welcome 2tone! As you, the D25 was my starter...

 

[West R Lee]

Oh, and by the way....this is what I use in winter.

http://www.kysermusical.com/product.php ... 254&page=1

West

 

[twocorgis]

Oh, and by the way....this is what I use in winter.

http://www.kysermusical.com/product.php ... 254&page=1

West

Looks interesting West. I have to buy a few more, so I might try some of these.

 

[West R Lee]

Oh, and by the way....this is what I use in winter.

http://www.kysermusical.com/product.php ... 254&page=1

West

Looks interesting West. I have to buy a few more, so I might try some of these.

Made right here in Canton, Texas Sandy.......you don't even have to buy them from China!!!! They work great for me. I check them every 3-4 days and never had a problem with water spots or finish problems......just ring them out well.

West

 

[twocorgis]

Looks interesting West. I have to buy a few more, so I might try some of these.

Made right here in Canton, Texas Sandy.......you don't even have to buy them from China!!!! They work great for me. I check them every 3-4 days and never had a problem with water spots or finish problems......just ring them out well.

West

That's reason enough right there to buy them. My Martin has a large sound hole. I'd better measure first!

Wringing out well is the trick behind the Planet Waves models, too.