F50R New Hartford slightly superior to Westerly JF55 tonewise?

Butch

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It’s completely impossible to answer that question. No two guitars sound the same. I would never even consider purchasing a guitar until I heard it. Out of every ten guitars, five may sound ok, four may sound better, and one will have “it”. I bought a Guild D-140CE when they first came out. Granted, it’s a Chinese guitar, there were five of them in the store. I played all five of them. Four of them sounded so-so, but one of them had “it”. I have two mid ‘70’s F50R’s. One of them is unquestionably the finest sounding guitar that I have ever heard. The other is just ok.
 

Rayk

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It’s completely impossible to answer that question. No two guitars sound the same. I would never even consider purchasing a guitar until I heard it. Out of every ten guitars, five may sound ok, four may sound better, and one will have “it”. I bought a Guild D-140CE when they first came out. Granted, it’s a Chinese guitar, there were five of them in the store. I played all five of them. Four of them sounded so-so, but one of them had “it”. I have two mid ‘70’s F50R’s. One of them is unquestionably the finest sounding guitar that I have ever heard. The other is just ok.

My thoughts as well . I did try to get that point across but Al alerted the Borg to my presence.
 

Butch

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I have 31 guitars and I am very selective. A few months ago I purchased a very inexpensive Takamine with a solid top and mahogany sides and back. I was looking for a cheap guitar that I could just keep at my cabin in North Carolina and not have to worry about it. I played everything imaginable. Guilds, Taylor’s, Yamaha’s, you name it. I stumbled a cross this Takamine and it had “it”. I picked it up for $200.00. It absolutely put some guitars costing thousands more to shame. So you just really never know. My collection consists of some very rare and amazing guitars, including a prewar Martin D28, and a Guild F612, so I am definitely very selective. I have never understood anyone who could just buy a guitar online without ever having played it.
 

Grassdog

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I have never understood anyone who could just buy a guitar online without ever having played it.

I'm probably guiltier than most on this online guitar thing and admittedly I've swung and missed on a few. I've had some that exceeded my expectations too. I just never seem to have any luck finding the models that I'm interested in the guitar shops or on Craigslist within 100 miles. I'd probably be waiting forever for a NH F-50 or Westerly JF-55 to show up for sale locally within a 200 mile radius. Of course I would much rather play them all before I decide to buy them. I think in my case I just try to do the best I can researching things and go from there. There's also the chance I have no self control and I'm addicted to guitar porn.
 

Rayk

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I'm probably guiltier than most on this online guitar thing and admittedly I've swung and missed on a few. I've had some that exceeded my expectations too. I just never seem to have any luck finding the models that I'm interested in the guitar shops or on Craigslist within 100 miles. I'd probably be waiting forever for a NH F-50 or Westerly JF-55 to show up for sale locally within a 200 mile radius. Of course I would much rather play them all before I decide to buy them. I think in my case I just try to do the best I can researching things and go from there. There's also the chance I have no self control and I'm addicted to guitar porn.

Yeah man I'm with ya on that , if guilds we're around like Taylor's we'd have it made. lol
We're even more hard pressed to find higher upper end guitars around as well .we could always get lucky but chances are low and serveilance would have to be constant .
Heck I had to drive to Neal's in VA just to play a Guild lol
 

Cougar

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....My collection consists of some very rare and amazing guitars, including a prewar Martin D28, and a Guild F612, so I am definitely very selective. I have never understood anyone who could just buy a guitar online without ever having played it.

So did all of your rare guitars just happen to appear for sale in your hometown? Or did you travel 100s or 1,000s of miles to go try them out? The old aphorism of "play before you pay" is not really feasible when the guitar you're lusting about is in Chicago and you're in the Wild West. Adhering strictly to the old aphorism would seem to ensure that you're missing out on a world full of guitars!

Not sure how you've done it, but you've clearly not missed out on a bunch of fine guitars, and I'm happy for you. On the other hand, most of my guitars were bought online, and after doing the research and selecting carefully, I guess I've been pretty lucky in acquiring some fantastic guitars - without even playing them first!

My luck has not been 100% though. I got real excited and jumped on an underpriced F-412 before really checking out everything about it. Turns out the saddle was pretty low, had no electronics, and it just didn't sound nearly as good as my JF30-12. Wasn't a total loss, though. I had the bridge pin slots ramped and sold it for more than I bought it for.

Anyway, online guitar acquisition opens up a world of guitar possibilities that otherwise would not be there. However, instead of "play before you pay," it's a real good idea to make sure there's a reasonable return policy.
 

twocorgis

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So did all of your rare guitars just happen to appear for sale in your hometown? Or did you travel 100s or 1,000s of miles to go try them out? The old aphorism of "play before you pay" is not really feasible when the guitar you're lusting about is in Chicago and you're in the Wild West. Adhering strictly to the old aphorism would seem to ensure that you're missing out on a world full of guitars!

Not sure how you've done it, but you've clearly not missed out on a bunch of fine guitars, and I'm happy for you. On the other hand, most of my guitars were bought online, and after doing the research and selecting carefully, I guess I've been pretty lucky in acquiring some fantastic guitars - without even playing them first!

My luck has not been 100% though. I got real excited and jumped on an underpriced F-412 before really checking out everything about it. Turns out the saddle was pretty low, had no electronics, and it just didn't sound nearly as good as my JF30-12. Wasn't a total loss, though. I had the bridge pin slots ramped and sold it for more than I bought it for.

Anyway, online guitar acquisition opens up a world of guitar possibilities that otherwise would not be there. However, instead of "play before you pay," it's a real good idea to make sure there's a reasonable return policy.

I agree. I have bought almost all of my guitars online without playing them, and while I've probably been through a few more than I would have been had I played them first, I never would have owned any of the best ones that I own now. That includes guitars like my Martin D18 David Crosby, probably my best one, that you almost never see for sale, even online. They only made 250 of them, and they're so good that obviously people just don't sell them. Same goes for both my Orpheums. I've never seen one for sale locally. Ditto with my Bourgeois Slope D, Gibson WM45, F50ce Standard, and F512. And then there's Greenie...
 

txbumper57

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I still have over 50 Guitars in my Collection including my Guilds, Gretsch Falcons, Fenders, Takamine, and a few others. Almost every one of them was purchased online. Over the years I have developed a system for what to look for and what to be aware of when shopping through online photos and it has worked out pretty great for me. I also have several rare ones including a F612, a 1978 Hand made and signed Carlo Greco 18" RW Super jumbo 6 string, one off Brazilian rosewood Masterbuilt Guild F47 by Chris Fleming in the Custom Shop. Custom Shop Guild JF65CE cutaway from Nashville, 50th anni D55 Brazilian, A couple of GSR 1 of 20 guitars, a couple of 1 of 8 Gretsch Falcons, etc....... Buying online has been one of the best things I have ever done. I always make sure there is an Iron Clad 100% return policy on the guitars I buy online to protect myself from any sub par guitars.

One of the reasons why I fell in love with New Hartford Guilds is not only that they are Amazing sounding instruments but their consistency of High Quality Craftsmanship and Amazing tone was pretty dependable across the board. I could order a brand new one or a slightly used one and have extremely High Expectations for what was being delivered. Haven't been let down yet.

Just an opinion of course.

TX
 
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bobouz

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Going back to the '70s, everything I bought was played first & purchased locally - until around 2002. At that point, big-box/online retailing was starting to dominate, and the selection of quality instruments available in my area began to decline. Within short order, if it wasn't in stock at Guitar Center, you were pretty much out of luck.

At that point, I began to experiment with shopping online. I'm extremely pleased with the results overall, as it has become an easy way to get a quality/rare/unique guitar in-hand for consideration. Do the research, ask the dealer very precise questions re the piece being considered, and then assure that rule #1 is in place: A straightforward & reasonable return/refund process.

I never have & never will do an 'As-Is' purchase. So basically, the same thing still applies - I make my final decision after a thorough hands-on assessment.
 

beecee

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Yup...and in spite of some of the barbs thrown at GC I get well over 70% of my guitars there.

if they are real turds I return and "lose" $20.

If they are misrepresented I typically ask nicely and get my shipping refunded as well.

My D-70 and flat back D-25 came from there and I couldn't be happier
 

Butch

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Some I bought locally, some I have traveled significant distances to play them before purchasing them, and yet others I had shipped to me and paid for them on approval. I bought one guitar back in the late ‘70’s sight unseen without playing first. Interestingly enough, it was a Guild D40C. I learned my lesson with that guitar. It was absolutely horrible. I bought it from a mail order company, Musicians Supply or Musicians Friend or something like that. It sounded like a piece of furniture, and had horrendous action. I was young and didn’t realize that I could have sent it back under warranty to have it repaired. I ended up having a neck reset done on it which cured the playability issues, but it never did sound worth a darn. I also purchased a 1938 D28 whose former owner basically found me. So, it’s always an adventure.
 

Rayk

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I still have over 50 Guitars in my Collection including my Guilds, Gretsch Falcons, Fenders, Takamine, and a few others. Almost every one of them was purchased online. Over the years I have developed a system for what to look for and what to be aware of when shopping through online photos and it has worked out pretty great for me. I also have several rare ones including a F612, a 1978 Hand made and signed Carlo Greco 18" RW Super jumbo 6 string, one off Brazilian rosewood Masterbuilt Guild F47 by Chris Fleming in the Custom Shop. Custom Shop Guild JF65CE cutaway from Nashville, 50th anni D55 Brazilian, A couple of GSR 1 of 20 guitars, a couple of 1 of 8 Gretsch Falcons, etc....... Buying online has been one of the best things I have ever done. I always make sure there is an Iron Clad 100% return policy on the guitars I buy online to protect myself from any sub par guitars.

One of the reasons why I fell in love with New Hartford Guilds is not only that they are Amazing sounding instruments but their consistency of High Quality Craftsmanship and Amazing tone was pretty dependable across the board. I could order a brand new one or a slightly used one and have extremely High Expectations for what was being delivered. Haven't been let down yet.

Just an opinion of course.

TX

And God of Guild has spoken !!! Adding in your first post to ....

I'm not trying to offset your comments but I've return a few NH's F30's
I'm not sure on things went wrong or where but these guitars had some issues mostly with the neck which is kind of weird if you ask me .

The main reason I'm mention this is because the first 2 sounded good the third one blew me away but the finger board above the top was all messed up and lefted. These guitars where not marked as seconds so I don't know guess my luck or just my turn lol

The last F30r I played was NH also but again there was a few issues one was the finger board being quite wavy at the neck joint the other was the tone , it was terrible unfortunately even with new strings . I wouldn't mention that normally as already said not every model is gunna be great . Consistency in this case was not there . But that is a point if view from me not having enough hands on with the NH builds .

Lastly I will say if it's a spot on NH like my F212xlce it is most exquisite in all areas .
 

txbumper57

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And God of Guild has spoken !!! Adding in your first post to ....

I'm not trying to offset your comments but I've return a few NH's F30's
I'm not sure on things went wrong or where but these guitars had some issues mostly with the neck which is kind of weird if you ask me .

The main reason I'm mention this is because the first 2 sounded good the third one blew me away but the finger board above the top was all messed up and lefted. These guitars where not marked as seconds so I don't know guess my luck or just my turn lol

The last F30r I played was NH also but again there was a few issues one was the finger board being quite wavy at the neck joint the other was the tone , it was terrible unfortunately even with new strings . I wouldn't mention that normally as already said not every model is gunna be great . Consistency in this case was not there . But that is a point if view from me not having enough hands on with the NH builds .

Lastly I will say if it's a spot on NH like my F212xlce it is most exquisite in all areas .

I hear ya Ray. Not the Guild God by any means, I'm just an old country boy with some nice wood laying around. :laughing: I remember for awhile there you had some really bad luck with all kinds of guitars having them shipped to you with issues including those previously owned F30's. That is why I mentioned the Ironclad return policy, LOL. Most of the New Hartford models I have purchased online were either brand spanking new, NOS from a Mom and Pop shop with a great reputation for selling quality instruments, or privately owned very close to new condition one owner guitars that had been extremely well cared for. Never had an issue with a wavy fretboard or anything but that is probably because I pick up on most of those things in my evaluation process before the purchase is made.

I remember a time when you would just play Guitar Roulette and pick that one then wait for it to show up. Now after a few years of figuring out what to look for and what you want you are just as eagle eyed if not more so than I ever was, LOL!

TX
 

Rayk

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I hear ya Ray. Not the Guild God by any means, I'm just an old country boy with some nice wood laying around. :laughing: I remember for awhile there you had some really bad luck with all kinds of guitars having them shipped to you with issues including those previously owned F30's. That is why I mentioned the Ironclad return policy, LOL. Most of the New Hartford models I have purchased online were either brand spanking new, NOS from a Mom and Pop shop with a great reputation for selling quality instruments, or privately owned very close to new condition one owner guitars that had been extremely well cared for. Never had an issue with a wavy fretboard or anything but that is probably because I pick up on most of those things in my evaluation process before the purchase is made.

I remember a time when you would just play Guitar Roulette and pick that one then wait for it to show up. Now after a few years of figuring out what to look for and what you want you are just as eagle eyed if not more so than I ever was, LOL!

TX

Lol you can still teach me a thing or two if not more and I like the idea of someone having my back when I buy the next one like you and the rest of the gang here .😊when I win the lotto I'll start traveling and come down to the big TX for a visit to see them Guilds you got . Haha 😁
 

geoff2guitar

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Anyway, thanks for all the great responses here, folks!!

Lastly , just wanted to say I´ve heard it said the NH F50R is slightly chimier and brighter(adi spruce bracing?), whereas the JF55 has slightly more depth(did you say it , TX?). on the other hand I´ve also heard it said that there isn´t that much difference in depth or ´chiminess´(?) when they´re strummed side by side (and I´m a strummer really...). Maybe couldn´t really go wrong with either?
 

chazmo

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Anyway, thanks for all the great responses here, folks!!

Lastly , just wanted to say I´ve heard it said the NH F50R is slightly chimier and brighter(adi spruce bracing?), whereas the JF55 has slightly more depth(did you say it , TX?). on the other hand I´ve also heard it said that there isn´t that much difference in depth or ´chiminess´(?) when they´re strummed side by side (and I´m a strummer really...). Maybe couldn´t really go wrong with either?
Geoff, I believe there were also Tacoma-era F-50Rs. I'm not sure if they used Adirondack braces or not, but I don't think so. And, well, you can't go wrong here, Geoff. Trust me.
 

SFIV1967

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Geoff, I believe there were also Tacoma-era F-50Rs.
Yes. (This is not my guitar)

gowsiklofo9lqoupvrpi.jpg


Ralf
 

jcwu

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I still have over 50 Guitars in my Collection.... Almost every one of them was purchased online. Over the years I have developed a system for what to look for and what to be aware of when shopping through online photos and it has worked out pretty great for me.

I always make sure there is an Iron Clad 100% return policy on the guitars I buy online to protect myself from any sub par guitars.

Have you kept all your online purchases? Or have you had to make some returns after receiving a dud?
 

adorshki

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Geoff, I believe there were also Tacoma-era F-50Rs. I'm not sure if they used Adirondack braces or not, but I don't think so. And, well, you can't go wrong here, Geoff. Trust me.
ALL Tacomas except the Contemporary series used Adi braces.
It was the topwood itself that varied.
Tacoma F50's got sitka.
 
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