New old stock GAD-30

[wooglins]

I got a new old stock GAD. I tried to have it dated by sending an email to the fender/guild customer service address but alas no response. It is in ITB no electronics, and has no upper bout strap button. Here are a few pics. Any ideas when they started putting the strap button on the top?

 

[jgmaute]

Nice looking guitar. I knew I got lucky when I got a response the same day with the date of my GAD, but I sure couldn't figure out any pattern to the #s and the date. Maybe you'll get a response, that, obviously will be your best answer. I've no idea when they started putting the strap buttons on, as a matter of fact, I don't even know when they started making GADs. But I'm sure someone will come along who knows a lot more than I do. Meanwhile, enjoy your new guitar. joan

 

[wooglins]

From looking at the price lists, the GAD30 was introduced in the Winter 2006 catalog, but was not available in ITB untill the Summer 2006 catalog. So I know it is late 2006. They discontinued the ITB after 2008. So it is after late 2006 or 2007, depending on when they started putting those odd strap pins on them.

 

[wooglins]

Got the reply from Guild, I am excited by the response. My GAD30-ITB was made April, 2006 which was the first year they were made, and the first month the Ice Tea Burst was an available option. It was not on the price list at that time, but could be special ordered.

 

[cjd-player]

That's a nice looking guitar.
Congratulations.

I'm a sucker for flamed maple binding.

 

[jgmaute]

Great news about getting the date. That ITB is really a fine finish, much nicer than the ASB on mine...I'm also a sucker for the binding, it's on my GAD 30R too. How are the frets? Mine were a bit rough on the edges so when I had the crack fixed I had Randy smooth them out. I pulled my 30R out of the case a week or so ago (it had been hibernating for the winter) and have been playing it daily. I really like the size, it's so comfortable and easy to just sit and play and sing. Have fun playing yours. joan

 

[wooglins]

How are the frets? Mine were a bit rough on the edges so when I had the crack fixed I had Randy smooth them out.

My frets are smooth. They do have a very steep angle angle on the edge, probably a flat 45* or so angle, but they are not sharp. Sounds like yours is a player. I need to lower the action on mine by about 1/64th of an inch at the 12th fret. I will probably sand the bottom of the saddle this weekend by 1/32nd to get the action at the 12th to 7/64th's of an inch. Its about 8 right now.

 

[jgmaute]

what strings are you using? I've got D'Addario pb extra lights on mine (.010-.047). Sounds like you're getting to know yours well..play on; play on. joan

 

[wooglins]

what strings are you using? I've got D'Addario pb extra lights on mine (.010-.047). Sounds like you're getting to know yours well..play on; play on. joan

Same here but light instead of extra light. Perhaps I will try some extra lights before I lower the action. The lights feel like the mediums on my Martin. The action measures exactly the same between my Martin Dread and the GAD30, but the GAD30 feels like the action is too high. It still playes well, just takes a little bit more movement it seems like.

 

[valleyguy]

Before you mess with that saddle try to adjust the action with the truss rod, luckily they provide the tool. Ive had to tweak my GAD30 a couple of times to get what i think is a perfect action on it now. Never touched the saddle. Although my one complaint on this guitar is how the saddle and nut easily fall out when i take off ALL the strings, something I don't normally do unless I want to clean it.

I've gravitated to D'Addario EXP PB lights. They last forever, which I must say the GAD 30 seems to sound good with old strings. Don't know if the rosewood model will be the same though. My rosewood Martin sounds terrible with old strings.