Just bought a Guild..

[Ramblin]

Just picked up a used Guild locally. And yes, I got it pretty cheap.. At first I thought it might be some chinese guitar, because the seller did'nt know anything about it.. (she inherited it from her father)

Maybe you guys know something more about it.

The peghead is narrower than a standard guild, and it's made in Westerly. Modelnr inside says F040ALL I think, and serial number is GF400062, on the back of the headstock it also says Made in the USA and 6-27.

I've cleaned it up and put on some new strings today, and it's by far my best acoustic. Really really nice tones coming out of it.

I'm happy! :lol:

 

[Graham]

Hey Ramblin, welcome to LTG.

Printing on the labels is oft times deceiving. Can you put up some pics of the guitar and the label? Sure isn't a GAD with the Westerly label.

I don't think they made a GF-40 but would be kewl to see regardless.

 

[Ramblin]

 

[Ramblin]

 

[Ramblin]

The finish has got alot of hairline cracks.. I dig it! 8)

 

[chazmo]

I think this is a GF40 from the '80s.

It looks great. Terrific find!!

 

[Graham]

Very nice!

I'm at a loss for the model????????? Someone should know. Hans might be in transit or could be in the States by now, he would know.

Dot inlays, braced back, chesterfield logo, looks like mahogany back to me.

Anyone, anyone?

I didn't think there was a GF-40????

Certainly would fit the bill though.

 

[chazmo]

Graham,

There is a GF40 in the dreaded, inaccurate dating form from Guild... Seems likely to me that this is the model. Not sure of the year.

 

[Graham]

Graham,

There is a GF40 in the dreaded, inaccurate dating form from Guild... Seems likely to me that this is the model. Not sure of the year.

Could be. I was referencing Tim's site and there is nothing listed.

 

[Graham]

Graham,

There is a GF40 in the dreaded, inaccurate dating form from Guild... Seems likely to me that this is the model. Not sure of the year.

You're right Chaz, looks like only 2 years in production and the serial is close. Hans will know for sure. 1987 - 1988.

 

[Graham]

Just picked up a used Guild locally. And yes, I got it pretty cheap..

So....

how cheap?

 

[GardMan]

Welcome to LTG!

That period of time should be covered in Beesley's "Guitar History #5: Guild guitars," of which I have a copy at home. I can only see part of the text on-line (don't know if this link will work; scroll down to p5, right column, 1/2 way down), but what I can see suggests the GF-40 was introduced in '87: spruce top, mahogany back, scalloped bracing. I'll see if there's any more info on the GF-40 when I get home.

Haven't a clue what the "ALL" suffix relates to... often the suffix gives the finish (NT= natural top, SB=sunburst, Bld = blonde, Ch= cherry, M=mahogany, etc) or some other feature (E=electric, C=cutaway or carved heel, LH=left hand), but ALL isn't one I am familiar with (AM might be "amber?") .

Most of my Guilds have dates stamped various places inside... on the neck block, on the popsicle braces aside the soundhole, or other braces. If you look with a mirror, you might find a date indicating when the top was made or the neck attached... From what Hans tells us, the SN date is the final finishing date, which might be months later than various parts are assembled.

Great find... Hope you got it for a good price!
Dave

Added:
Specs from Beesley:
Introduced 87, discontinued 88.
Mahogany sides and back.
Spruce top, scalloped braces.
Top and back bound, white with black stripe.
Mahogany neck.
Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays.
Tapered headstock with Guild and Chesterfield.
Available in natural top.
$845 US in 1987.

 

[marcellis]

The screen shot shows only 4 were made?
Is that right?

That's a rare guitar.

 

[12stringer]

Nice score there Ramblin! :mrgreen:
Welcome!

 

[West R Lee]

Just picked up a used Guild locally. And yes, I got it pretty cheap..

So....

how cheap?

Yeah.....how cheap???

West

 

[Ramblin]

At least I thought it was cheap. Rememeber I'm over in Scandinavia, and guitar prices are a lot higher here. I paid 550 us dollars..

 

[Jeff]

At least I thought it was cheap. Rememeber I'm over in Scandinavia, and guitar prices are a lot higher here. I paid 550 us dollars..

You did quite well, congratulatons.

 

[Ramblin]

Thanks for the info guys.. Now I know the model and year, probably a 1987. If it only was made for two years, and the serial number GF400086 is the last one, I guess not many were made at all... 4 in 1988, and the rest in -87. It would be fun to know how many were made.

I love the sustain and tone, the only thing I'm not too fond of is the small headstock..

 

[dayuhan]

At least I thought it was cheap.

I think it was cheap too. If anyone made that guitar available at that price anywhere near where I live, I'd have it in a heartbeat.