I have two burst F 50's but have been jones'n' for a natural, older one in nice shape. I found this one just listed today on Reverb and bought it. Hans pointed out it has a replacement PG, Bridge and TRC. I didn't realize that when I bought it but would have anyway even had I known. This one appears to have some pretty sweet grain. It can join my other '71 F 50 Burst model that will be heading to Tom Jacobs soon for a much needed neck reset. Here's what it looks like: hmmm. Tried to copy and paste a couple pics from the listing but couldn't get it to work. here's the complete listing. Maybe the pics will show there.
NGD 1971 F 50
- Thread starter richardp69
- Start date
wileypickett
Senior Member
Nice!
Interesting that the replaced bridge is in the same "saddle-through" style as would have been on the original, which suggests that the luthier who did the repair was coscienctious.
(Check your messages Richard -- I sent you a PM a week or two back.)
Glenn
Interesting that the replaced bridge is in the same "saddle-through" style as would have been on the original, which suggests that the luthier who did the repair was coscienctious.
(Check your messages Richard -- I sent you a PM a week or two back.)
Glenn
Last edited:
bobouz
Senior Member
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Beautiful flame maple on that one, especially for an early ‘70s where it seems like they often used plainer pieces. Regarding replaced items, it also appears to me that the G & U have been replaced in the headstock logo.
Hey Glenn. I checked my messages but don't see a message from you.
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Not really! By the time that guitar was made the 'through-saddle' bridge was long gone. Also should be a rosewood bridge, but the photos are not clear enough to see if it is, but the replacement looks like ebony.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Another nice snag, Richard!
Very nice!
walrus
walrus
wileypickett
Senior Member
Hey Hans,
So the luthier replaced a drop-in saddle bridge with a through-saddle bridge?
Glenn
hansmoust
Enlightened Member
Yes, and if it's an original Guild bridge he made it into a 'through-saddle' design and at the same time widened the existing slot.
Or he/she built the bridge from scratch, but I should be able to tell when I see better photos.
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
Sweet Maple. A guitar like that needs a little more bling on the truss rod cover. An outline, some gold, something.
Richard - if you played baseball, you would be an all-star middle infielder or catcher -NOTHING GETS PAST YOU!!!
The guitar arrived today. The seller was a newbie but he did a lot of things right. His communications were first rate and a really nice treat was that he shipped from California using 2 day shipping which must have cost him a bit but was much appreciated by me.
Starting at the beginning, it may have been the worst packaging job I'd ever seen. He had 2 boxes taped together (and not done all that well) and not much packing material to cushion the guitar. In addition it shipped in a huge Boulder Creek HSC that was immense and way too big for the guitar. Maybe it was for a really long acoustic bass or something like that. The case functionally is fine and all latches and the handle work as should. Some of the tolex is pulling up along one of the edges. This would be a simple glue job I am sure. I'll be buying a new Guild Jumbo case for it though. So even with the less than stellar pack job the guitar arrived undamaged.
Now, on to the guitar itself. 1st the bad/questionable:
-He called the condition very good. I think if he were just describing the back and sides that would be accurate. But, there was a fair amount of wear on the soundboard. It is all normal/typical/what you'd expect playwear and I think some of it will rub/buff out but we'll see. The bridge/saddle are funky to me and I'm not sure I can deal with that but if it works and there is no issue I likely will live with it. My local guy will check it out for me sometime soon.
Now for the good:
-Old wood truly does matter. This thing has an absolutely huge voice. I just adore the sound/tone.
-For a 1971 instrument I would have expected some neck angle deterioration but it looks near perfect to me. Again, my local guy will check it out. Low E string height is about 3/32" at the 12th fret and it looks like enough saddle height for 2 saddles. I may think about doing something about that down the road but I also believe in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. So, we shall see.
These old, vintage buys are typically a crap shoot but I think I came out on the good end of this one. It may not have been the best financial deal I've ever done but I am more than satisfied with the guitar and in the end that's all that really matters at this point in my life.
By the way, if anyone is in need of a large case I'd sell it for $50 which would cover the shipping I believe. If interested or want measurements hit me back.
Starting at the beginning, it may have been the worst packaging job I'd ever seen. He had 2 boxes taped together (and not done all that well) and not much packing material to cushion the guitar. In addition it shipped in a huge Boulder Creek HSC that was immense and way too big for the guitar. Maybe it was for a really long acoustic bass or something like that. The case functionally is fine and all latches and the handle work as should. Some of the tolex is pulling up along one of the edges. This would be a simple glue job I am sure. I'll be buying a new Guild Jumbo case for it though. So even with the less than stellar pack job the guitar arrived undamaged.
Now, on to the guitar itself. 1st the bad/questionable:
-He called the condition very good. I think if he were just describing the back and sides that would be accurate. But, there was a fair amount of wear on the soundboard. It is all normal/typical/what you'd expect playwear and I think some of it will rub/buff out but we'll see. The bridge/saddle are funky to me and I'm not sure I can deal with that but if it works and there is no issue I likely will live with it. My local guy will check it out for me sometime soon.
Now for the good:
-Old wood truly does matter. This thing has an absolutely huge voice. I just adore the sound/tone.
-For a 1971 instrument I would have expected some neck angle deterioration but it looks near perfect to me. Again, my local guy will check it out. Low E string height is about 3/32" at the 12th fret and it looks like enough saddle height for 2 saddles. I may think about doing something about that down the road but I also believe in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. So, we shall see.
These old, vintage buys are typically a crap shoot but I think I came out on the good end of this one. It may not have been the best financial deal I've ever done but I am more than satisfied with the guitar and in the end that's all that really matters at this point in my life.
By the way, if anyone is in need of a large case I'd sell it for $50 which would cover the shipping I believe. If interested or want measurements hit me back.
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
Nothing better then a "Little Black Dress" on a blonde!
HeyMikey
Enlightened Member
Congratulations Richard. Great review. It is scary how poorly some things are shipped. Glad that it arrived undamaged. The maple on that guitar is stellar - all around. I love the look of good maple, especially with ebony. Hopefully it all checks out structurally and it’s a keeper.
chazmo
Super Moderator
Wonderful, Richard!!! Congrats.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on its arrival. Gonna be a good day?