NGD! f-30

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

After briefly owning a NH Traditional F-30, and finding the long scale just a little too uncomfortable for my hands, I've been on the lookout for a good 60's F-30 that works with my current budget. The only other option was the rare M-30 Del Rio (which went beyond my price range in the last auction), or the brief foray into short scale that happened during the last Westerly years. As luck would have it, a '99 showed up on Reverb that looked in fairly good nick, and, after a little haggling, was making its way to me.
It had had a refret, and just has a few bumps and the ubiquitous high gloss finish checks on the top (not too many). (Why always just on the top, why never on the back or sides?!?) I tweaked the truss rod a little, dialing in a decent action, although I may take the bass side of the saddle down a smidge, it has room without hurting the break angle. Plays great and, more importantly, fits my hands a lot better. The nut width is 1-11/16" instead of the Hoboken 1-5/8" that I usually prefer, but that may be a good thing for finger pickin'!
Of course I took a couple of pics, what am I, new here?!?

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

Having trouble putting the second pic in the same post on the iPad, so here's no. 2. I think Xiao Hu is more interested in the birds.

Default · Dec 11, 2016

Very nice, Chris! You had no problem with shipping in the cold?

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

Default said:
Very nice, Chris! You had no problem with shipping in the cold?

Unless the lacquer cracking was caused by me, then no.
It was around 40° when it was delivered; and only spent a few minutes outside. I brought it in and let it sit boxed for 3 hours; at which time the shipping carton felt nice and room temperature. I got the case out (with copious thick foam boards all around it) (the case didn't feel cold) and let it sit for another 2 hours. Then I opened the case. The finish cracks were already there and didn't grow or multiply.

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

One of my favorite little details is the TRC, which is the typical Westerly headstock shape, but it has the Hoboken shield engraved in it!

My least favorite detail, which happened after it left the factory, is the position of the heel strap pin.

I don't know if the Guild branded tuners are Gotoh, Grover, or something else, but they are rock solid; I haven't had to retune since the first tuning.

bobouz · Dec 11, 2016

Very nice - F-30s are so comfortable!

A thought on that heel pin: Sans felt, maybe a black chrome one would be less obtrusive with the dark back.

Congrats & enjoy!

txbumper57 · Dec 11, 2016

Good Looking F30 Chris, May you enjoy it for years to come!

TX

rampside · Dec 11, 2016

Looks real nice, Chris.

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

rampside said:
Looks real nice, Chris.

When was your '99 F-30 built? Mine has a Jan. 16 date stamp.

rampside · Dec 11, 2016

AcornHouse said:
When was your '99 F-30 built? Mine has a Jan. 16 date stamp.

Because of battery holder mounted on the neck block and date stamp is very light, I'm not able to get a good read on it, but it begins with DEC and I can't really make out the day. Here's the weird part though, the year appears to end in '88, but I would think it must be '98?

AcornHouse · Dec 11, 2016

rampside said:
Because of battery holder mounted on the neck block and date stamp is very light, I'm not able to get a good read on it, but it begins with DEC and I can't really make out the day. Here's the weird part though, the year appears to end in '88, but I would think it must be '98?

If the serial number is for '99, then it would have to. Have you checked with The Great Guild Wiazrd?

rampside · Dec 11, 2016

AcornHouse said:
If the serial number is for '99, then it would have to. Have you checked with The Great Guild Wiazrd?

Looks like I need to now.

davismanLV · Dec 11, 2016

Congrats, Chris. I like a short scale guitar as well. One of the reasons my Taylor gets so much playing time. That and the size. Sounds like you got a good one.

My GUESS about the finish checking on the tops only, is because it's the FAST temperature change that does it. And I'm thinking it happens immediately when the case lid is opened. The sides and back get a little reprieve from the harsh temp change? Maybe? I'm just guessing but that might have something to do with it. I'm sure yours came that way with your acclimation process.;

JohnW63 · Dec 11, 2016

I suspect the top gets more temp changes due to it being right on the line with the opening of the case. That's where the air gets in, and so is the source of temp changes getting in the case. Unless it is laying in the snow or something. If there was a case with some rubber gasket all the way around, it might prove that theory. I think the top is also DESIGNED to move so it will with temp changes, where as the sides really don't move and the back is well braced AND is in the bottom of the case.

Or Tom has it right.

adorshki · Dec 12, 2016

JohnW63 said:
I think the top is also DESIGNED to move so it will with temp changes, where as the sides really don't move and the back is well braced AND is in the bottom of the case.

BAcks and sides can crack too, we just don't see it as often.
It's been blamed on the different rates of expansion between the lacquer and the wood but bottom line is that the finish itself is basically like a form of glass, and if you take a glass out of the freezer and plunge it hot water, or vice versa, it's gonna crack, period.
That's the mechanism of the "cold open in a warm room", the shock of the temperature differential cracks it before the wood even starts expanding.
But it can happen more slowly as well.

rwmct · Dec 13, 2016

Love my F-30 standard. They really are wonderful guitars.

killdeer43 · Dec 13, 2016

Looks like a sweet guitar from here, Chris, even though the first pic is missing the cat. :rugby:

Congrats and then some. :encouragement:

Joe

Neal · Dec 13, 2016

I had no idea that there were Westerly F-30's that were short scale.

Wonderful!

AcornHouse · Dec 13, 2016

Neal said:
I had no idea that there were Westerly F-30's that were short scale.

Wonderful!

It was only the brief period when they were reissued from 1998-2001. I don't know what the Corona ones were; by the time they were in Tacoma, I think they were back to long scale. Volume 2 material, I'm sure.

AcornHouse · Dec 13, 2016

killdeer43 said:
Looks like a sweet guitar from here, Chris, even though the first pic is missing the cat. :rugby:

Congrats and then some. :encouragement:

Joe

I did have one with her, but thought was a little better in focus. (Working without a stand.)

NGD! f-30

Venerated Member

Venerated Member

Super Moderator

Venerated Member

Venerated Member

Senior Member

Enlightened Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Enlightened Member

Reverential Member

Member

Reverential Member

Senior Member

Venerated Member

Venerated Member