‘09 F-47M & NH build quality

[bobouz]

So this one’s been around the LTG block a few times, and landed on my doorstep last week. When it came up for sale previously, I was lustfully tempted. When it popped up again, I could no longer resist. This is my first New Hartford Guild, and having been rather Westerly-centric, I now fully understand all the praise regarding NH instruments.

Along with aesthetically pushing all my favorite Guild hot buttons, the overall build quality both on the exterior & interior is beautifully clean & tight, and the adi/maple wood selection speaks for itself. My one little quibble would be that the fret ends could have been dressed a bit smoother, but that’s something I can easily take care of. Otherwise, the only real surprise was to discover while restringing that the bridgeplate is rosewood - apparently having time traveled from a ‘70s Westerly parts bin!

Once restrung with my favorite set, it’s tonally very balanced & exactly what I had hoped it would be - a fingerpicking joy to play. Additionally, the 1-11/16” nut & 12” fingerboard radius are right up my alley. So the bottom line is that happily, this guitar’s wandering days have come to a close, and many thanks to those fine folks who took such good care of it before me! Here are a few pics:

 

[GGJaguar]

Such a beauty! Congrats!

 

[Walter Broes]

That's a seriously beautiful guitar!!

 

[twocorgis]

I think New Hartford builds are the best Guilds to ever wear the brand.

 

[Larry Mal]

I can say that I have two New Hartford Guilds and think they are incredible.

 

[schoolie]

I love my NH F-47R! I think it's their most versatile model, and I'm very curious about the maple version, Your F-47M is a real beauty!

 

[Cougar]

....This is my first New Hartford Guild....

Well, congratulations -- finally! @txbumper57 has a LOT more experience with all factories than me, so I tend to agree with his assessment that New Hartford builds are just a bit above the rest. And that maple! OMG! Super major HNGD!

 

[chazmo]

At our first Let’s Meet Guild in 2010 there was a lot of guarded skepticism among us. I think, for me, the concern that these Ovation/Hamer builders would view Guild as a “not invented here” situation was tangible. However, after getting to know the New Hartford crew, I think many/most did not carry a grudge at all. They were glad to be working and they understood the impetus to shift to offshore production, which happened in a big way to their beloved Ovation and which hurt.

Anyway, I think they had something to prove, and they did!

 

[louisjames]

The right guitar with the right person! And yes, the NH builds are second to none and fantastic instruments all around!!!

 

[ReevesRd]

I love the Red Spruce Top and the Figured Maple Back and Sides on my NH F-47M AB. Congratulations!

My top is signed by luthier, (final add top/bottom to box) Jason McIntyre. You might check to see if yours was signed too.

 

[louisjames]

Btw, what strings did you go with?

 

[bobouz]

Btw, what strings did you go with?

Jon, I use D’Addario PB extra-lights on almost all my acoustics (Retro XLs on a few), as I don’t need tons of volume & like to play with a light touch. This also adds a little jangle to the typical quick-decay of maple bodies. Thanks so much again for making this all happen!…. Bob

 

[ronbo]

Love my F-47M (in my Avatar) and the flame maple on that one is really beautiful! Hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine

 

[WaltW]

bobouz,
Abosolutely gorgeous F-47M! New Hartford certainly did know how to bookmatch Maple to make it appear 3D. Good luck with it and I hope you have many hours of pleasurable

 

[JohnW63]

It would be nice to hear an R vs M sample of each. I like my F47R just fine.

 

[jeffcoop]

Congratulations, bobouz, and welcome to the New Hartford family. A glance at my sig will tell you what I think of the New Hartford era.