eljayski
Junior Member
If you have insights on the sonic and ergonomic characteristics of either or both, please share. Thanks much!
Jonesing for a 40 Traditional, D or F?
- Thread starter eljayski
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Shakeylee
Member
i would give the fingerstyle edge to the F ,and the flatpick edge to the D
adorshki
Reverential Member
Eljay, we need more clarification on why you're saying "Traditional" as this has meant different things in different factories, although in general it denoted guitars with upgrade build specs or details compared to "economy"models (like the Standard series in New Hartford) that used the same build formula for body wood/top/size.
My primary concern is that the current Oxnard "F40 Traditional" is a different animal than a true F40 which has been known as a "Traditional" model in the past.
The original F40 was a 16" Grand Orchestra ("folk"as opposed to dreadnought) body with an arched maple back and sides.
Current Oxnard formula is a 17" jumbo body with a flat mahogany back and sides.
I suspect you're thinking of Oxnard builds and I can only think of one member, @richardp69 who's had experience with both.
That oughta alert him.
My primary concern is that the current Oxnard "F40 Traditional" is a different animal than a true F40 which has been known as a "Traditional" model in the past.
The original F40 was a 16" Grand Orchestra ("folk"as opposed to dreadnought) body with an arched maple back and sides.
Current Oxnard formula is a 17" jumbo body with a flat mahogany back and sides.
I suspect you're thinking of Oxnard builds and I can only think of one member, @richardp69 who's had experience with both.
That oughta alert him.
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eljayski
Junior Member
Thanks, adorshki and Shakeylee.
I'm thinking of Oxnards only.
I play a lot of fingerstyle so the F might be the one to focus on.
Wish I could A/B them easily . . .
I'm thinking of Oxnards only.
I play a lot of fingerstyle so the F might be the one to focus on.
Wish I could A/B them easily . . .
I'll tell you this but it's my opinion only. The Oxnard F 40 is a superb guitar with a huge voice. I've owned both vintage F 48's and several of the much adored Orpheum Jumbos and I can honestly say I'd take the Oxnard F 40 over both of the,. Plus it's really reasonably priced.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
But don't dismiss New Hartford built models like the F-40 and F-47!
They are 16" lower bout, but more comfortable than the dreadnought shape. The F-47 body was a bit deeper compared to the F-40 body.
This below model list was from the 2013 price list, obviously you get them much lower on the used market today.
M was maple, R was Rosewood, C was cutaway.
One more thing important, they all had a 1 11/16” nut.
Pictures in order of pricelist:
Ralf
They are 16" lower bout, but more comfortable than the dreadnought shape. The F-47 body was a bit deeper compared to the F-40 body.
This below model list was from the 2013 price list, obviously you get them much lower on the used market today.
M was maple, R was Rosewood, C was cutaway.
One more thing important, they all had a 1 11/16” nut.
Pictures in order of pricelist:
Ralf
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fronobulax
Bassist, GAD and the Hot Mess Mods
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My favorite typo of the day, so far. Is demoting an upgrade like not having an upgrade at all?
adorshki
Reverential Member
I get more human every day.
Maybe it's like making a D4 out of a D25?Is demoting an upgrade like not having an upgrade at all?
It would be helpful to know why you've narrowed it down to those two and what you want out of the guitar, but here's how I look at it.
I have a regular F-40 and a D-40T, both Oxford. I agree with Richard - the F-40 just sounds huge. It (literally) makes people say "wow". The D40 is great as well, but I'm not sure I like it better than my D25s or even my Martin D17sm. (Sort of depends on the day.)
Long term strategy - IME, nobody makes jumbos like Guild; therefore, if I could only have one Guild it would be a jumbo. There are lots of great mahogany dreadnaughts out there - including Guilds - often at great used prices. You'll get one eventually. It's inevitable if you spend any time here. Start off with the jumbo.
I have a regular F-40 and a D-40T, both Oxford. I agree with Richard - the F-40 just sounds huge. It (literally) makes people say "wow". The D40 is great as well, but I'm not sure I like it better than my D25s or even my Martin D17sm. (Sort of depends on the day.)
Long term strategy - IME, nobody makes jumbos like Guild; therefore, if I could only have one Guild it would be a jumbo. There are lots of great mahogany dreadnaughts out there - including Guilds - often at great used prices. You'll get one eventually. It's inevitable if you spend any time here. Start off with the jumbo.
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Well, not so much "insights." I just love and prefer Guild jumbos. Nothin' like 'em!
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
fronobulax
Bassist, GAD and the Hot Mess Mods
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Candidate for the BGUF thread or do feet in shoes not count as ugly?
eljayski
Junior Member
I want mahogany, gloss finish, and dovetail neck joint. Generally, I play for my own enjoyment, sitting in an easy chair. Comfort is therefore important. I had a Gibson J-185 that was super comfortable. The Guild F I think is bigger, though.
Oh! Those Oxfords!
Ralf
@#$%^& - I've been doing that since they moved there. Yeah, I guess the Oxford Guilds would be quite rare. And comfort would be a key consideration...
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
I can relate. I'm constantly typing (and having to correct) "New Haven" instead of "New Hartford".
adorshki
Reverential Member
Yeah, IIRC the J185 is a 16" lower bout, the current F40 is 17" lower bout like the F55.
Personally my 16" F65ce is more comfortable for me than my dreads, but I don't think the 17" bout would be.
I just don't understand how Guild could delete that classic Guild shape from its line-up, but there aren't any 16" lower bout F body Guilds right now. There's not even a slot for 'em in their model decoder matrix.
eljayski
Junior Member
Got some good info from my asking . . . thank you folks! No Oxfords for me, though. Pretty sure I'll go with the F-40T, made in Oxnard, btw. Sweetwater won't have natural, no pickup, examples until next spring. That's okay, gives me time to pay down my SW card. The D-55 that was supposed to arrive end of year or so showed up in July, good thing musically, not so good financially.
RBSinTo
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Despite being a Guild "newbie", I'd consider offering an opinion if I had the slightest idea what "Jonesing" meant.
RBSinTo
RBSinTo
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Bill Ashton
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A New Hartford-built F40 is nothing to sneeze at, especially if its the first of the GSR series. Ergonomically, much
more so than a jumbo...that is of course, unless you are Dave Van Ronk
more so than a jumbo...that is of course, unless you are Dave Van Ronk