History of F47

[concretecowboy71]

Tomorrow I am traveling to see a mysterious F47 that the owner does not really know much about.

My research has turned up a lot of newer ones and a few that were on the Elderly site. My 1975 catalog does not have this model in it and I was wondering what wood combos this came in and how anybody here who might own one feels about the guitar.

It would seem the dimensions are slightly smaller than an F50. Grand Auditorium, is that how this would be classified.

Any info would be helpful, but in the end it will boil down to condition and how it sounds. I am excited to see this one however.

Thanks!

 

[Dadaist]

F-47 Bluegrass, smaller than a Jumbo, F-50 at 16" across the lower bout compared to 17" with less depth. Mahogany back and sides. One in a long line of Grand Auditorium/Folk Body Styles that go back to the beginning of Guild with the F-40 in 1954 to the present. A nice compromise to an F-50 if you're of smaller stature or live in a tiny apartment. Prices are all over the board depending on year and condition. Good luck

David

 

[Geo]

The older ones must be well loved because you almost never see them up for sale.

George

 

[idealassets]

The older ones must be well loved because you almost never see them up for sale.

True dat! I never really noticed it before, but yes.

Craig

 

[Scratch]

That's one guitar I wish I had back, but it is wonderfully taken care of now by fellow LTGer Graham: That F-47c was extremely comfortable (about like my GF-25), tastefully blinged, and a great sounding Guild:

As mentioned, they don't come around often. Especially the Mahogany F-47...

 

[concretecowboy71]

Thanks for the information!

If I buy it, I will post some photos.

 

[acujoe]

Howdy, I'm new here, because I just last week got a F47m off the Bay. This forum was actually a great help in making the decision to get her. You just don't hear bad things about these guitars. Mine is a 2007 Tacoma one with maple back and sides and the DTar wavelength system. It is literally like new-- not a mark on her. And ice tea burst, which I'm embarrassed to say had a lot to do with my final decision. It's like picking your wife by her makeup.

I just can't tell you how happy I am with it. A much different sound than my rosewood dread, but full, rich, and plenty loud. Also way more comfortable to play sitting on my couch than my dread. I haven't had a chance to play amplified with the whole band yet, but looking forward to that as well.

The most puzzling thing to me is why these guitars don't hold their resale value. I paid less than a third of the MSRP, and less than half of the new retail price, even on ebay, for a truly brand new condition guitar. It works out for those of us in the know, but it just don't make good sense. The workmanship on this guitar is absolutely top notch all the way.

Anyhow, I am loving this guitar, that's the bottom line

 

[Scratch]

That's an absolute beaut, acujoe and welcome!

 

[davismanLV]

Golly, way to make an entrance, Joe!! Beautiful guitar. Thanks for posting those pictures. Welcome to the forum. Ken, that's just a BEAUTIFUL guitar!! Glad it's in a good home now... lucky Graham!!

CC, good luck on this pending purchase..... can't wait to see the pics if you get it!!

 

[Geo]

That's an absolute beaut, acujoe and welcome!

Ditto! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

George

 

[acujoe]

I couldn't believe no one else bid on this. Every day it grows on me. And did I mention the neck? I swear the action is like my Les Paul. Granted I have the LP set up so I can bang on it without buzzing too much, but you know what I mean.

 

[Aecon13]

Does anybody know the measurements of the hog F47ce's that were built in the 90's, in Westerly?

I can't find them anywhere online. The main thing I want to know is if the depth is 4.5" or 5" and if the nut is 1 11/16 or 1 3/4.

If anybody could help here, I would appreciate it.

 

[fronobulax]

Specs

from

the Spec link at http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/specs/f47mce.html

4.8" depth

1 11/16" nut width

 

[Aecon13]

Specs

from

the Spec link at http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/specs/f47mce.html

4.8" depth

1 11/16" nut width

Fantastic! Thanks so much! Looks like this is a Maple version, and not the Hog version, but if it's from the same time period, I imagine it's the same

 

[fronobulax]

Fantastic! Thanks so much! Looks like this is a Maple version, and not the Hog version, but if it's from the same time period, I imagine it's the same

Oh. I saw the M and was thinking I had found the mahogany version. That said, I am hard pressed to identify a case where Guild changed the specs on a model just because they changed the tonewood.

See http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/f47cehg.html

 

[Westerly Wood]

wow, a 9 year old thread, resurrected...

 

[gjmalcyon]

wow, a 9 year old thread, resurrected...

Yeah, and ain't it cool? Shows the value of the info contained in LTG.

 

[Aecon13]

Yeah, and ain't it cool? Shows the value of the info contained in LTG.

Thought it would make more sense to comment on a relevant one rather than to start a new one

 

[adorshki]

Fantastic! Thanks so much! Looks like this is a Maple version, and not the Hog version, but if it's from the same time period, I imagine it's the same

"Yes".

F47's were 'hog body by definition when introduced, replacing the maple bodied F40 in '64, then when the F40 was reinstated went on hiatus from about '74 'til '98 when it was brought back as a cutaway electric along with a rosewood bodied version, F47RCE, followed shortly by the maple-body F47MCE version.

 

[fronobulax]

wow, a 9 year old thread, resurrected...

I didn't notice.

Thought it would make more sense to comment on a relevant one rather than to start a new one

Not a problem although sometimes I don't always get the connection between the old and new material and would have preferred a new thread.