F-30

[millrat]

If your great garage sale find is comfortable to play you will find that any guitar you buy on a budget will disappoint. Most of us started with cheap and dreamed of the guitar you have

 

[donnylang]

IMO you are not likely to find a guitar sounding as good as almost any '60s Guild for under $1000, and it would not be likely unless it's also vintage.

 

[chazmo]

I'm a big fan of having a great instrument to motivate you to practice and improve. In my own case, all of my instruments are better than I am as a player. Well, except maybe my crappy piano... But, without any doubt, my personal opinion is to enjoy the F-30 and it will inspire you to play.

 

[BananaCat]

Thank you all!

Well, I was asking my mom about the double labels. Then she mentions she has a boy guitar and a girl guitar and she's ready for grandchildren.

Hopefully, I can get the mystery of the labels sorted out without having to give birth first...

 

[bluesypicky]

Hopefully, I can get the mystery of the labels sorted out without having to give birth first...

Whatever it takes.... we need an answer!

 

[Cougar]

...I'd recommend you haul it into a good music shop to have it assessed for any issues, and to have a pro set up the comfort level to your liking....

Welcome to the forum!

Yes, take it to a good music shop (not Guitar Center) or local luthier or guitar repair tech. At a minimum, the guitar will likely need a "setup," which is basically adjusting the string height above the fretboard so it plays easily. This will cost in the range of $50-70. If that's all the guitar needs, that's a MUCH better alternative than buying some cheap-o "beginner's" guitar. You've got a gem. If the tech says it needs a "neck reset," well, that's a much bigger deal and a much more expensive fix -- maybe $500-700. If that's the case, maybe come back here to discuss the matter further.

 

[Bernie]

The F-30 was one of the first 3 acoustic guitars that Guild made their very first year back in 1953 (it says a lot)...Starting to play with a valuable guitar may not be the best idea, but if you are careful enough, would surely be very stimulating, if the guitar is comfortable enough...
As your mum stopped playing because of the pain, the guitar is likely to need a good set-up. If that's all it needs, I agree that you couldn't find nearly as good for the money it would cost you (and far from it too)...
Although this guitar would have lost a (rather) fair amount of its value, because of the holes under the pickguard, it's a Guild and a vintage one too, and is likely to be a very good instrument, possibly a great instrument. So finding a good reliable luthier would be the thing to do in my opinion too. I own an F-30 and they are serious instruments ; and one from 1965 could be outstanding, easily I bet (mine is quite new)...
So have a great time with it.

 

[BananaCat]

Hi everyone, it's been a year and a half. I've been taking lessons for the same amount of time and started on a Sterling Cutlass electric and now moving on to fingerpicking on an acoustic. I got a Martin X series (am I allowed to talk about them here.)

I got the vintage Guild F30 checked out by a luthier. The luthier said it would need a neck reset and other fixes that'd take more time than it is worth due to the nature of the neck design. I think the neck is warped and the action is quite painfully high.

As for the double sticker, I'd have to cut the strings to pull them off. I reached in and the sticker paper is a bit dry. Not sure what to look for with the stickers though.

My mom wants to keep it in her collection though.

Wendy

 

[SFIV1967]

As for the double sticker, I'd have to cut the strings to pull them off. I reached in and the sticker paper is a bit dry. Not sure what to look for with the stickers though.

I'd say leave them alone. Hans already told you when the guitar was made.

Ralf

 

[Norrissey]

I got the vintage Guild F30 checked out by a luthier. The luthier said it would need a neck reset and other fixes that'd take more time than it is worth due to the nature of the neck design. I think the neck is warped and the action is quite painfully high.

Obviously we are Guild nuts here and I am no exception but FWIW if I owned your F30 and needed to spend $600-700 to fully refurbish it I would. That is assuming it can be successfully refurbished-as the luthier said it needs a neck reset, might need a refret and new bridge and saddle too. In good working order it would be a beautiful sounding guitar and a pleasure to play. (oh, don't remove the stickers! Stickers are cool : )

 

[BradHK]

While I am not surprised that a neck reset might be in order, I would take it to another luthier to get a second opinion. Not sure what “nature of the neck design” means (unless he is talking about the dovetail joint?) and I respectfully disagree with his comment that it would take more time that it is worth. Even with the holes in the top, a 1965 F30 is definitely worth the time and expense of a neck reset. Especially given the price your mom paid! I agree with your mom to keep it in her collection but don’t give up on it being made playable in the future with the proper work and setup. Enjoy your Martin in the meantime!

 

[fronobulax]

Not sure what “nature of the neck design” means (unless he is talking about the dovetail joint?) and I respectfully disagree with his comment that it would take more time that it is worth.

There are (at least) two kinds of luthiers in the world - those who will reset a vintage Guild and those who won't. Folks in the latter group have their reasons but they tend to boil down to:

• I don't have the time.
• I don't have the knowledge/skill.
• I don't need the business.

In this case your luthier sounds like someone who does not want the job and I would look for a second or third opinion. More time than it is worth may mean they can't make their desired profit on the job rather than saying that money put into the instrument would be wasted.

 

[geoguy]

@BananaCat, if you can tell us the general area where you and the guitar are located, an LTG member may be able to suggest a skilled guitar repair shop that is nearby.

 

[Sal]

Do not remove the labels. There's no reason to and it will devalue the guitar. Also, find another luthier. This one is giving you bum advice.

 

[Heath]

I would absolutely get it fixed. The longer it goes, the more costly these repairs could become. And a neck reset can be done for a very reasonable price. I've had 6 or 7 done (not all on guilds, but some were) and have never paid more than $450, and that even included some fret work.

 

[meadowguild]

Banana, given your luthier's comment that the repairs aren't worth it, he/she likely does not know much about vintage Guild guitars. The F30 model is a special prize, and has become very high price. If someone comes along with a lowball price based on the need for repairs, I would not accept it. If you're unable to afford the cost of overhaul at this time, just protect it for now. When you're ready to acquire a high-end acoustic guitar, the cost of the F30 overhaul will likely be lower than purchasing a new or good condition Guild, Martin, Gibson, Taylor, etc. Just my opinion.

 

[BananaCat]

Wow, I did not expect these kind of replies! Thank you all. I was about to give up. Clearly, I don't have enough Guild loving friends. These replies are also giving me some perspectives about how I think\take action vs you guys.\gals.

I think the luthier I went to doesn't have the time and doesn't need the business because I live in the eastern Bible belt of 'murica. There are lots of guitar players here!

 

[Norrissey]

I think one reason we all have a certain reverence for your guitar is it's the exact model that Mississippi John Hurt played. It's in the pantheon of great American acoustic folk guitars. And it's an awesome guitar!

 

[kostask]

There are luthiers out there who won't work on Guilds, due to the finish being applied after the neck and body are joined/glued together, which means that the finish needs to be cut through before the neck reset operation can begin. Their fear is that the finish when cut through will result in a lot of finish work needing to be done after the neck reset is done, which they don't want to do. Mostly, it is ignorance and laziness on their part. I say this because it isn't just Guilds that are finished after the neck and body are joined; there are Gibsons that are made that way as well.

Find a good luthier, one who knows what he is doing with Guilds, and get a proper, accurate evaluation done. I am way too far from you to be able to help, and on the other side of the Canada/US border, but many here have had great results from Tom Jacobs in Florida, and I am sure that the board members here can point out others. The guitar is worth the effort to get working again, and pay no attention to those who say different.

High action is due to the guitar needing a neck reset, not due to the neck being warped. They are two separate issues, and as I said above, you need to get the guitar to an experienced luthier who know his way around Guilds.
He can give you a better assessment than we can here, mostly because he will have the guitar in person and not trying to work from pictures, so can make some basic measurements and evaluate things better. Do NOT assume that you need a new bridge, unless you know for a fact that there is something wrong with the old bridge. You may need a new saddle, and possibly a new nut, but those are fairly minor expenses.

 

[jedzep]

Many good suggestions here regarding professional assessment, but referencing that original bridge, it's important to preserve that as they are difficult to copy and impossible to find replacements for.