Little Help Please

richardp69 · Apr 8, 2018

I've owned several guitars with the prefix GF. I'm pretty sure this was discussed here at one point but I can't find the thread. I'm going to be listing a GF 55 and would like to be as straight forward as I can in the description.

I think I remember somebody saying the GF stood for Grand Folk but I'm not sure. I've always called that body style a Mini Jumbo and I think that's accurate but I'd like to be sure.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

geoguy · Apr 8, 2018

Hans Moust's response re: the "G" prefix is in the middle of this thread.

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?147748-What-s-the-quot-G-quot-body-style

chazmo · Apr 8, 2018

Wow, wayback machine, geo!

Grassdog · Apr 8, 2018

I think the GF-55 is mentioned somewhere in this thread

http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/sh...lker-Designed-Developed-Guild-Acoustics/page2

mavuser · Apr 8, 2018

during this era:

F=Folk (F-20, F-30)

GF=Grand Folk (GF-25, GF-30, GF-50R/GF-60, GF-55)

JF=Jumbo Folk (JF-4, JF-30, JF-50/JF-65 JF-50R/JF-55)

***Nightbird "GG" (electric)= Nightbird "George Gruhn"

davismanLV · Apr 8, 2018

And don't forget the FUCIAGAB prefix = Folk You Cause It Ain't Getting Any Bigger category. These are fairly rare and if you find one, BUY IT!!! :smiley_simmons:

p.s. - So F = Folk. And that's a size? So shouldn't a F20 be the same size as an F30? So if F isn't a size, what the hell is it??? LMAO!!

GAD · Apr 9, 2018

I thought F was Flattop. Or is that just a certain time period?

mavuser · Apr 9, 2018

Tom, logic is not part of this conversation. in a different era for Guild all "F" were different sizes, and sometimes different woods, by number (112, 212, 312, 412, 512....). To kind of answer your question "F"olk is a shape, not a size.

Gary, I don't think so bro, that's the first time i've heard that one

chazmo · Apr 9, 2018

Yeah, in the early days, guys, F was "flattop". You guys are looking for meaning where there may not be any [spoken in nihilistic tones]

mavuser · Apr 9, 2018

did not realize, wow. this must be very early days, like, pre-dread!

chazmo · Apr 9, 2018

Richard, I looked in "Gruhn's Guide to Vintage Guitars" and his description of the GF-55 is

"F-shape, 16" wide, 1987 - 1989"

I think he used "F-shape" here as shorthand for thin-waisted, compared to thick-waisted like a dread. (that's the way he seems to talk about these in the book, but his terms are not crystal clear to me). More detail from the book:

notched-diamond inlay
non-dreadnought body, rounded lower bout thin waist
non-cutaway
rosewood back and sides. (F-46/GF-60R/GF-55)

Antney · Apr 9, 2018

I asked my wife what size guitar should be next logical addition to my small herd. She said FU. Haven't been able to find one yet.

richardp69 · Apr 9, 2018

Antney said:
I asked my wife what size guitar should be next logical addition to my small herd. She said FU. Haven't been able to find one yet.

Yup, my wife (well ex wife actually) muttered the same words to me. As far as I could tell she was saying I should get Far Uway. So I did and here I am and no longer have to try and figure out all of her acronyms. Things always tend to work themselves out.

Also, thanks to everybody who chimed in. Still confusing but I think that's just the way it is.

Rich Cohen · Apr 9, 2018

Antney said:
I asked my wife what size guitar should be next logical addition to my small herd. She said FU. Haven't been able to find one yet.

As I've said on another occasion....I limit myself to five guitars. 'Nuf said.
RC

mavuser · Apr 9, 2018

chazmo said:
notched-diamond inlay
non-dreadnought body, rounded lower bout thin waist
non-cutaway
rosewood back and sides. (F-46/GF-60R/GF-55)

the GF-55 does not have the notched diamond inlays, it has D-55/F-50 inlays (it also has a paddle headstock)

chazmo · Apr 9, 2018

Well, I was quoting Gruhn's book, mav.

I don't often use it for reference, but since Hans keeps holding out on us for volume 2 (

) I have no choice but to make do with it.

adorshki · Apr 9, 2018

davismanLV said:
p.s. - So F = Folk. And that's a size? So shouldn't a F20 be the same size as an F30? So if F isn't a size, what the hell is it???

People's University of Amsterdam
Also known as Folk U.
Seems somehow appropriate.
At this point I feel it incumbent to point out that all these "GF" models are based on the classic F40 16" lower bout F-body design.
One of my favorite Guild shapes, running about equal to dreadnoughts, now.
And maybe even more important over the history of the brand.
Not sure if "Flattop 40" might not be a contradiction in terms though.
Maybe shoulda called it the "Mae West" instead of the "Valencia".
:eek-new:

bobouz · Apr 12, 2018

Antney said:
I asked my wife what size guitar should be next logical addition to my small herd. She said FU. Haven't been able to find one yet.

Sure glad I checked back in on this thread.

Otherwise, might have missed out on a potential hall-of-fame quote!

amnicon · Apr 13, 2018

Am I the only one who can't hear or say "Grand Folk" without immediately thinking of Grand Funk Railroad?

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