60s versus 70s F 20

[GregoryEaton]

Hi!
Can anyone comment on their experience or knowledge of early F-20s. I'm particularly interested in consistent differences in their neck profiles. But also in nuances of their materials and build quality. Thank you! Greg

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. Depending upon how "early" you mean, Guild necks had enough handwork that looking for consistency might be difficult.

 

[GregoryEaton]

Thank y'all. I'd heard that. I see some interesting differences that maybe are consistent. Not in the neck profile, but the headstock for instance. In the 60s there was MOP inlay and sometimes headstock binding. One '73 had the gold decal name. One person commented on the Facebook group that those of the 70s were noticeably lighter in total weight ... I can not confirm.

 

[walrus]

Can't answer your question, but welcome to LTG!

walrus

 

[fronobulax]

Pics would help.

Everything you described has been a feature of some Guild at some time but I would be making an error if I said everything applied to an F-20 at some point. Tangentially, many Guilds had a headstock overlay that shrank and is often mistaken in pictures for headstock binding. On top of all that there are many models where the specs changed over the decades to the point that comparisons based upon model number are not especially useful.

I'm sure we could be more helpful if you gave us context. If you are looking at a specific instrument to determine suitability or authenticity then pics will go a long way towards letting you know what to expect.

If you have gotten the idea that you have heard good things about an F-20 and want to narrow a search then telling us what you think you'd like might advance the discussion.

I'll smugly and cynically note that there is overlap between some of the Facebook Guild groups and LTG but there are a lot more people on Facebook who don't know what they are talking about but will argue with you anyway even when you are just holding an instrument in your hand and describing what you see.

Edit: People make mistakes here too, but are much more accepting of corrections. Especially when The Guild Guitar Book can be cited ;-)

 

[bobouz]

In the mid to late ‘70, I purchased a new F-20, F-30, F-40, and D-40. The F-20 had a 1-11/16 nut, and a rather narrow neck profile. The one thing I clearly recall is that of the group, this particular F-20 lacked enough bass presence to work well with my fingerpicking style. In those days, I was convinced a guitar would open up if played regularly, but it never did while I owned it. If you come across a nice one, the small-jumbo shaped F-30 (mid ‘70 to early ‘80s) is a real sweetheart, imho!

 

[GregoryEaton]

Pics would help.

Everything you described has been a feature of some Guild at some time but I would be making an error if I said everything applied to an F-20 at some point. Tangentially, many Guilds had a headstock overlay that shrank and is often mistaken in pictures for headstock binding. On top of all that there are many models where the specs changed over the decades to the point that comparisons based upon model number are not especially useful.

I'm sure we could be more helpful if you gave us context. If you are looking at a specific instrument to determine suitability or authenticity then pics will go a long way towards letting you know what to expect.

If you have gotten the idea that you have heard good things about an F-20 and want to narrow a search then telling us what you think you'd like might advance the discussion.

I'll smugly and cynically note that there is overlap between some of the Facebook Guild groups and LTG but there are a lot more people on Facebook who don't know what they are talking about but will argue with you anyway even when you are just holding an instrument in your hand and describing what you see.

Edit: People make mistakes here too, but are much more accepting of corrections. Especially when The Guild Guitar Book can be cited ;-)

Thanks Frono. Also coming to you from central VA

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG!
When the F-20 came out around 1956 it had mahogany tinted maple back and sides as far as I understood, that was changed to mahogany around 1959. Until 1973 they had 24 3/4" scale length, that changed to 25 5/8" scale during 1973. The early models had the "Gibson" style headstock shape and during the early 60s this changed to the typical Guild shape.
Things like logos, finish of the headstock, truss rod covers, tuners, pickguards also changed over time. (An F-20 never had binding around the headstock)

Roughly 1959, 1961, 1962,
1965, 1971 (missing TRC), 1972 into the 80s.





1956:


1960:


1969:


1976:


Ralf

 

[bobouz]

There was also an arched mahogany back version around 1981, iirc. Additionally you asked about build quality, and it was top-notch on the ‘70s version I’d purchased new. Very clean construction throughout, with a nicely bookmatched spruce top.

 

[GregoryEaton]

Welcome to LTG!
When the F-20 came out around 1956 it had mahogany tinted maple back and sides as far as I understood, that was changed to mahogany around 1959. Until 1973 they had 24 3/4" scale length, that changed to 25 5/8" scale during 1973. The early models had the "Gibson" style headstock shape and during the early 60s this changed to the typical Guild shape.
Things like logos, finish of the headstock, truss rod covers, tuners, pickguards also changed over time. (An F-20 never had binding around the headstock)

Roughly 1959, 1961, 1962,
1965, 1971 (missing TRC), 1972 into the 80s.





1956:


1960:


1969:


1976:


Ralf

Great stuff!! Thanks!

 

[mavuser]

the mid-70s long scale F-20s have very chunky necks. at least the one I had did.

generally speaking the earlier short scale F-20 has a 1+5/8 inch nut and fairly slim but rounded neck profile. the long scales have 1+11/16 inch nut and chunky baseball bat neck. there are exceptions, but that is the majority. those long scale bigger ones from the 70s almost sound like a dread- not like a small bodied F-20.

 

[GregoryEaton]

the mid-70s long scale F-20s have very chunky necks. at least the one I had did.

generally speaking the earlier short scale F-20 has a 1+5/8 inch nut and fairly slim but rounded neck profile. the long scales have 1+11/16 inch nut and chunky baseball bat neck. there are exceptions, but that is the majority. those long scale bigger ones from the 70s almost sound like a dread- not like a small bodied F-20.

A new wrinkle. Two different neck scales? Absolutely not looking for a baseball bat.

 

[mavuser]

A new wrinkle. Two different neck scales? Absolutely not looking for a baseball bat.

again there are exceptions and even some of the short scale earlier ones do pop up with 1+11/16 inch nut and chunkier neck.

sounds like u want a short scale one w the 1+5/8 inch nut, which most of them are. look for early 60s or early 70s is my advice based on what ive seen

 

[GregoryEaton]

again there are exceptions and even some of the short scale earlier ones do pop up with 1+11/16 inch nut and chunkier neck.

sounds like u want a short scale one w the 1+5/8 inch nut, which most of them are. look for early 60s or early 70s is my advice based on what ive seen

Thanks a bunch!

 

[jfilm]

the mid-70s long scale F-20s have very chunky necks. at least the one I had did.

generally speaking the earlier short scale F-20 has a 1+5/8 inch nut and fairly slim but rounded neck profile. the long scales have 1+11/16 inch nut and chunky baseball bat neck. there are exceptions, but that is the majority. those long scale bigger ones from the 70s almost sound like a dread- not like a small bodied F-20.

I've got a '57, yes, 1 5/8" nut, - my particular guitar has a rounded, not-so-slim profile. I had a '69 for a little while, I believe the nut width was the same, but slimmer profile and for me easier to play. The '57 is a lot louder than that was- it has maple b&s which might have something to do with it.