1960 F-40

[JohnPaulD]

Hi everyone,

Hope all is well, I’m hoping to gain a little knowledge from you all. I’m looking at a 1960 F-40, well only looking at pics for now, but I might be interested in it and I had a question about the bracing. I know the back is arched and has no bracing but I’m unsure of the top. Would this year have fan bracing or x-bracing? Also, if anyone has any experience with this era of F-40’s I’d love to hear your feedback on tone, playability etc. If I buy it, it’s going to be shipped so I won’t get to play first. Thanks in advance!!

John

 

[West R Lee]

Hans or Gardman are your bracing guys.

West

 

[JohnPaulD]

Calling @Hans and @GardMan

 

[JohnPaulD]

Hans or Gardman are your bracing guys.

West

Thank you!

 

[West R Lee]

Thank you!

You're welcome. I'm not sure if Gardman's records will go back that far, but if not, Hans will know. You could PM Hans, but he's in the Netherlands, so it may be close to his bedtime. "Hansmoust".

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?members/hansmoust.23172/

West

 

[JohnPaulD]

Thank you again!

 

[Sal]

I bought my 1960 F40 through eBay and I've never regretted it. It's a gem. Of my two main acoustics it gets more play than my '59 Martin 000-18. The Martin is more light and delicate while the Guild is the thunderer. They both have their places.

 

[GardMan]

All of my experience is with dreads... so I cannot answer the question directly. However, I expect that the F-40 in question has X-bracing. To my knowledge, Guild's experiments with fan bracing were restricted to the mid-60s (see post #22 in this thread; the examples I know of are D-40s).

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Hi everyone,

Hope all is well, I’m hoping to gain a little knowledge from you all. I’m looking at a 1960 F-40, well only looking at pics for now, but I might be interested in it and I had a question about the bracing. I know the back is arched and has no bracing but I’m unsure of the top. Would this year have fan bracing or x-bracing? Also, if anyone has any experience with this era of F-40’s I’d love to hear your feedback on tone, playability etc. If I buy it, it’s going to be shipped so I won’t get to play first. Thanks in advance!!

John

Pics would help us

 

[JohnPaulD]

Sorry for the late response. Been drowning at work. Here’s the guitar in question. It’s from Henkes and Blazer’s shop. It’s had a neck set and looks to be in fantastic shape but I’ve decided to pass on it. With shipping, insurance and taxes it’s going to take me way above what I think to be market value. Any input is much appreciated. Thanks to everyone who responded so far.

Antique Acoustics - Finest Handmade Guitars - Vintage and New

 

[GardMan]

That's a pretty one, for sure! Guild prices (and guitars in general, I think) tend to be considerably higher in Europe...

 

[SFIV1967]

Oh! That's a beautiful F-40! Truss Rod Cover is mounted upside down...
Didn't know that shop in Tübingen yet. Interesting!
Ralf

 

[Sal]

A ghost label and one of the cleanest from that period I've seen. The clean and original case is a rarity. That price might not be out of line.

 

[richardp69]

DROOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GGJaguar]

Wow, what a cool guitar! Original F-body shape and archback!

 

[JohnPaulD]

Yeah it’s a pretty sweet looking one. It’s just going to be too much for me with the dollar exchange and everything. Someone should see if they can snatch this one up.

 

[JohnPaulD]

So luckily I didn't buy it..... I got the model mixed up with an F-47. That's the one I'm looking for. I need the Mahogany back and sides. That would have been a pricey mistake.....or not, it's a beauty..... It needs a good home.

 

[JohnPaulD]

Forgot to mention for anyone interested, without much haggling, he did come down on the price to $2800 euro.

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I remember playing your F40 Sal. I really want this one!
Thanks John