1968 Guild F 30 Sunburst

[Lmrie3]

Just got this. I asked seller about spacing, sounded good, when it got here, not close. He offered a refund ( should have done that ) or reduce price, which I took. I REALLY like what I hear, but I have been playing a wider spacing for decades and that is what I do best with. My op[nion is it needs a neckset, my buddy plays it says its good, but I always play with a very low action. My question is what is it worth, what is it worth after neckset ? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks, Imrie.

 

[HeyMikey]

Ok, I’ll play.
Yes it’s worth a neck reset…

but only if you paid less than it would cost to have a neck reset done and still be not significantly more than fair maker value… which is all dependent upon the condition, both cosmetically and structurally… as in what other work does it need and what visual flaws does it have that would decrease its value. So since we don't have information about those things… yes, it is worth a neck reset on the surface because it is a rare guitar and if in good shape very desirable. If you can provide pictures and more info that would be helpful.

 

[fronobulax]

By spacing I assume you mean nut width and you are probably used to 1 3/4" and this is 1 11/16"?

Price depends a lot on condition and the presence/absence of a case but Reverb sold listings seem to range from $750 to $1500. Pictures always help.

Someone else can find the straight edge test for a neck reset but your buddy could be right. Multiple opinions cannot hurt.

Lets say there is a Fair Market Value, FMV. If I have someone who will do a reset for, say, $500, my best offer is going to be FMV - $500 and I will hope for less. If your person does the reset and I believe they are as good as my person I'll offer FMV. But if I have any concerns about what your person did, or did not do, I will offer less than FMV by a couple hundred bucks. If it clearly doesn't need a reset or the reset was not recent then I'd offer FMV.

Note that FMV could be anywhere from $750 to $1500. so if you are trying to get out what you paid and it needs a reset you might not have any room to do that.

 

[Mikep]

Take it to a luthier, get the neck relief and action where you want it, if there's too little break angle/ saddle height, then you know you need the neck set.

 

[E-Type]

When you say "spacing" do you man action or neck width? I can read it both ways the way you said it.

Ruler test, height of saddle, nut, relief, current action, all must be considered before you determine it needs a neck reset. But if you like 4/64" for the low E, then you are probably looking at both a reset and maybe fret work. Only someone with real skills can tell you, and it is hard to diagnose on a discussion board, esp without lots of pics.

 

[Lmrie3]

By spacing I mean nut width and string spacing at the saddle. My ideal is 1 3/4 by 2 5/116. This is between 1 5/8 and 1 11/16 at the nut and 2 1/16 at the saddle. I have had no less than 10 necksets done over the years, all on Martins and if it were mine to keep I would have it done. What I am asking is what is a reasonable price as is, what is a reasonable price with the work done. Normal wear and tear, no structural issuea I can see or am aware of, thanks, Imrie.

 

[HeyMikey]

If it has a narrow 1-5/8ish nut width that will be a turn off to a number of people.

This may help find something comparable if you haven’t already checked past Reverb sales.

F30 Guild | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[Lmrie3]

There are very few Hoboken F30's for sale or sold to compare to.
I am aware the spacing is a turn off for some, like me for instance, but some play these and not an issue, or all Hoboken F 30's would be $200 or in the trash can. I bought this for the sound I was hearing on youtube from those old players, and the sound on this is NO DISSAPOINTMENT at all to my ears. I wish my Huss and Dalton 0 size 12 fret solid headstock sinker mahogany sounded close to this, but it sounds fat, full, complex, a modern fingerpickers dream, which I am not. ( Working on country blues ) In the end , I am just looking for a current value for this, Imrie.

 

[Mikep]

Sounds like it's worth more than a huss and dalton to you. It'll likely only sound better with improved neck angle. You could look into binding and refretting the fingerboard which might give you more width if you're keeping it and not worried about originality/ resale value

 

[jedzep]

In the world of post Covid vintage price insanity, a nice looking, geometrically usable Hoboken F30 just under 2K seems reasonable.

I was fortunate in fitting an inch and 3/4 Martin nut to my '63 without nudging the E strings off the side, though I understand many fretboards are narrower than mine. Otherwise, I would pass it on or play it capo'd, which I do often anyway, since I use heavier strings detuned a whole step on all my acoustics.

 

[fronobulax]

There are very few Hoboken F30's for sale or sold to compare to.

I am 100% certain your label says Hoboken. However Guild used Hoboken labels in instruments that were made in Westerly so you would be advised to use care when using Hoboken as a filter.

 

[Lmrie3]

The seriel number dates it as 1968, were these made in Hoboken or ?

 

[SFIV1967]

The seriel number dates it as 1968, were these made in Hoboken or ?

Could have been already made in the Westerly, RI factory. If you really want to know send your serial number to Hans Moust, he can most probably tell you where she was made.

Use the e-mail address given, not the contact formular:

Guitars Galore - Contact

Ralf

 

[fronobulax]

The seriel number dates it as 1968, were these made in Hoboken or ?

Sorry. Hoboken or Westerly. Rounding to years divisible by 5 so I don't have to look up anything, anything dated between 1965 and 1970 is potentially Westerly, regardless of the label. Production was moved form Hoboken to Westerly. There was a time when both factories were operating and Hans has an idea of when production for specific models shifted.

 

[jfilm]

Someone on this forum had an F-30 listed for $2100 that was very clean (hardly a mark on it) with just a small back crack, and this included the original case and some original hang tags. I believe it was a '65 in natural, with a 1 11/16" nut, and it didn't need any work done (good neck angle, action, etc.) I saw one on Reverb a year or so ago for $1000 which had a badly refinished top and some other repairs- that one lasted a couple of months before someone finally bought it in that condition. It had a 1 5/8" nut and looked like hell, but was structurally sound with good action. So this might give an idea of the range of value.

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

Am I missing the photos of the guitar in the OP? PLEASE post photos! I love F-30's from that era!! I have an F-112 from that era and am jonesing for it's 6 string cousin.

 

[fronobulax]

Am I missing the photos of the guitar in the OP? PLEASE post photos! I love F-30's from that era!! I have an F-112 from that era and am jonesing for it's 6 string cousin.

We've been asking but no response yet.

 

[Lmrie3]

Thank you SFIV1967, I just now emailed him, Imrie.

 

[Lmrie3]

 

[Lmrie3]

No one has ever accused me of being a photographer.