Why is an F30 a classic and an A25 an orphan?

CosmicArkie

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Or did the A25 not fill a niche that was already full of F30's?

School me, please.
 

bobouz

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I'd been a bit curious about the A-25, but then discovered that it has the wider 1-3/4" nut width, which is a deal breaker for me.

It seems like it should have the potential to be a nice parlor-ish type of instrument.
 

Kitarkus

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I can't say for sure....but it is certainly an unusual size/shape guitar compared to most traditional instruments. That said, I have an F-30....and its shape is not exactly 'traditional' either.
 

CosmicArkie

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Well, that and the "standard" vs "X" bracing and scale are what I'm seeing in the specs.
 

mavuser

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the Guild F-30 is a legendary instrument. to me, it is not a small bodied guitar. it is a regular acoustic guitar, a touch on the small side.

the F-20 is a small bodied guitar. to me, feels completely different than the F-30. it feels like playing an electric.

The A-25 (and A-50) are closer in build to the F-20, than the F-30. I've never played one but have read they are lacking...something. Guild may have overthought this one and retreated back to the F-20, during the 90s. no real demand (not much supply for that matter), and a reputation for not really having Guild worthy tone, creates orphans. Of course its all about the player and some of us have unexplainable chemistry with oddball guitars. the A-25 is 1 3/4 nut so if that is your thing, maybe with a pickup and some amplification, magic can be made.
 

davismanLV

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They're really pretty guitars and we know a couple of people over the years that have acquired them, but I think they were both sonic runts and didn't deliver on tone. As much as they were pretty, people just couldn't bond. I have no idea why. Steffan had one for a while. Sure was pretty though.
 

beecee

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I just sold my A-50, the R/W slightly bling-ier version of the A-25. Ebony fret/bridge. I equate it to a small DV-52.

Fabulous guitar but I got an offer locally on CL from a well known musician for it that would put it into the "investment" range. Still, I wish I had it back.

Read the Westerly site description. These were made for a smaller audience than the F body stuff.

I played a number of A-25's that did not please but this A-50 was special.
 
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