Original Case for F20 or M20 identification?

jfilm

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Hi all,
I picked up a Guild case on ebay, and it appears to be for either an M20 or F20. Seems pretty old, but by checking other listings, the mid 60's cases seemed to be chipboard. This one is more heavy-duty, and it has a Guild name plate. Does anyone know anything about these old cases? I'm wondering what year my case would be. Seems to be pretty rare as I can't find any online that look quite like it. I've got a GAD M20 in the photos, but I also own a 1956 NYC F20 with maple sides/back and was thinking this would be a good case for that guitar. Also shown side by side with the GAD M20 tweed case for reference. Any info would be appreciated!

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SFIV1967

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I am not sure but my vote is for a late 60ies or even early 70ies Guild case. My 67 Starfire IV has the same metal badge.
It looks to be in excellent condition inside! Not sure how long that specific Guild metal badge was used. Hans would know.
The cases did not sell with the guitars, they were a separate item to order/buy. So people could choose for a cheap chipboard case or a more expensive case.
Ralf
 
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jfilm

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Thanks Ralf, that's interesting! My '56 F-20 came with a simple brown canvas gig bag, which I believe is original (I'm the second owner).
 
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Sal

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Perhaps originally the case was for a Mark series nylon guitar?
 

mavuser

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hi jfilm, nice case. looks like a Hoboken. I see you decided to sell it on Craigslist...why?
 

jp

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I'd also wager it a late 60s - early 70s Hoboken. I've got the same badge and tolex for my '68 CE-100D, except my interior is a dark maroon.
 

adorshki

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Thanks Ralf, that's interesting! My '56 F-20 came with a simple brown canvas gig bag, which I believe is original (I'm the second owner).
I might be all wet but I don't recall ever seeing anything like "gig bags" until like the late '80's.
It was chipboard or hardshell only when I was kid in the late '60's early '70's.
And my understanding is like Ralf's, that Guild traditionally offered 2 levels of cases (both of which were hardshell and one of which was normally included in the price by late Westerly era), and didn't start offering "gig bags" until just last year.
And you're right, original hardshell F20 size cases seem to be very rare, maybe because it was an economy model to start with so buyers more frequently opted for the chipboard?
 
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SFIV1967

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@Al: Guild gig bags were already available in the 60ies called Padded Professional Gig Bag.

1956 catalog options for F-20:
- #9 Economy Chipboard Case $10.50
Other case options in 1956 for other guitars:
Archkraft Hard Top only, Flannel lined
Hard Shell, 3 Ply Veneer, Flannel lined
Hard Shell, 3 Ply Veneer, Plush Lined
Hard Shell, 3 PLy Veneer, De Luxe Finish

1960 catalog options for F-20:
- #9 Economy Chipboard Case $10.50
- No. 13P Economy, DeLuce Covering, Crushed Plush Lined $21.50
- No. 3714 Hardshell case, 3 ply veneer, flannel lined $37.50

1966 catalog options for F-20:
- No. K-9 Economy Kivarboard Case
- No. 3714 Hardshell case, 3 ply veneer, flannel lined
Electric models had a Padded Professional Gig Bag option

1967 (?) catalog options for F-20:
- No. 3714 Hardshell case, 3 ply veneer, flannel lined
- No. C-12P DeLuxe Soft Shell Case, plush lined
Electric models had a Padded Professional Gig Bag option

1968 Oct 1, catalog options for F-20:
- No. 2514 Hardshell case, flannel lined and padded
- No. C-10P Economy Case, deluxe covered, plush lined

1971 catalog options for F-20:
- No. 2514 Hardshell case, flannel lined and padded
- No. C-10P Economy Case, deluxe covered, plush lined

Mark I to Mark VI in the 1966 catalog use:
- No. K-9 Economy Kivarboard Case (same like F-20)
- No. C-12 DeLuxe Soft Shell Case, plush lined
- No. C-15 DeLuxe Hardshell Case, plush lined

And just to show how this looks like I repost a picture Grot posted before of a October 1, 1968 Catalog page:

10-1-1968_zpsb2d7e565.jpg~original



Eric's very early 70ies (?) F-20 came with this cardboard case:

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I found a picture (I think it is from a LTG member) of a 1969 F-512 with a hardshell case and the orange lining, so the case in question might be from 1969.

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Ralf
 

mavuser

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Eric's very early 70ies (?) F-20 came with this cardboard case:

14443649478_65b2a04807_b.jpg




Ralf

yep, she appears to be the second F-20 manufactured in 1970. also, the Westerly Guild factory re-topped this guitar in 1980, which is why it has a pickguard and bridge, that would not have been on a 1970 F-20. Killer little guitar. The case is nothing so special though. The orange lining is cool, but there is really no padding. its clean though, better than nothing I suppose. Still, I bought a Guardian case for it.
 

SFIV1967

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I might be all wet but I don't recall ever seeing anything like "gig bags" until like the late '80's.
Dripping wet! :triumphant:

Came with a 1963 Thunderbird, so it might be that already in 1963 a Padded Professional Gig Bag was available.

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Ralf
 

jfilm

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Thanks for the posts and info!
Here is the gig bag my 1956 F-20 came with. It's brown canvas and the inside is stained. This is the second similar brown canvas bag I've come across in my travels. The other was for an old parlor guitar, and the inside also stained in the same way. I'm actually just the second owner of the F-20, so fairly certain it's original to the guitar, and was its sole protection for 59 years.

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mavuser

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Dripping wet! :triumphant:

Came with a 1963 Thunderbird, so it might be that already in 1963 a Padded Professional Gig Bag was available.

h22cacfjrrbxlx7z36xj.jpg
xbjmzxopjaloajciht5b.jpg


Ralf

they had a similar gig bag for the Jetstar bass and Starfire bass.

Z7Sl05.jpg
 
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