NGD X 3

[richardp69]

I'm kinda like a squirrel. It seems every year before the long Michigan winter sets in I load up on guitars to keep me busy. At least that's how I rationalize it.

The 1st one is a 1974 F 40. This one will need some work but i got it at a very fair price so I think I'll be o.k. even after Tpom works his magic. Bridge is lifting and I'm pretty sure a neck reset is in order. Other than that, it's in pretty nice shape for a 45+ year old guitar. I blame Al. He kept on praising this model so I bought one quite a while ago and love it. This one came up so I bought it as well. It doesn't have quite the flame figuring as my 1st one but still pretty sweet.

The 2nd one is a 1980 G-312 Nt. It's in pretty nice shape overall with a couple scratches and such but absolutely nothing horriblr. I'm still going over it but it seems pretty solid, May need a set up but I don't think much more.

The last one is a gem. It's also a 1978 (I think-yet to be confirmed by Hans). It is a one owner guitar (before me). He was an older guy (even older than me) and he was so crippled up he just couldn't play anymore.. He had tears in his eyes when he had to let it go. There is a couple small finish checks but I sure don't see much other than that. Beautiful EIR RW grain on the back and sides.

The 1st 3 pics are the F 40. The next 4 are the 1st G-312 Nt. The last 5 are the 2nd G-312 NT.

 

[GGJaguar]

Wow, three times the fun! Congrats!

 

[Stuball48]

Richard:
Your logic to make it through the winter is, indeed, sound. Getting through winter with these three will keep a smile on your face and warmth in your heart on the coldest of nights.
Congratulations on three stellar acoustics.

 

[walrus]

Your opening line made me laugh out loud!

Congrats on 3 beauties!

walrus

 

[HeyMikey]

Well congrats x3 Richard! Those are three nice ones for sure

I’ve been enjoying the F40 I recently bought very much. Mine is one of the arch backs so it has a big voice. I’d love to try one of the earlier flat backs one day so am looking forward to hearing more about yours. BTW, I also blame Al, but at the same time thank him.

Since you had a nice F312 I’m curious to hear how you would compare the sound to the G312.

 

[Opsimath]

I like your style! Congratulations on three very nice new additions.

 

[twocorgis]

You have absolutely no quit in you, and my hat is off to you, sir!

 

[bobouz]

Love the F-40 & it’s beautiful top! Quite different from my ‘74 example, which has a black pickguard & reddish tinted sides & back:

 

[SFIV1967]

Mine is one of the arch backs so it has a big voice. I’d love to try one of the earlier flat backs one day so am looking forward to hearing more about yours.

The one Richard bought is an arched back!

Quite different from my ‘74 example, which has a black pickguard & reddish tinted sides & back.

Yes, at that time both versions were offered, the "all blond maple" and the "mahogany shaded maple" versions.



Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Super cool, Rich!!!!

That's really interesting about the F-40 being an archie. Sort of a downsized F-50, I guess. I bet it'll be quite delightful!

 

[HeyMikey]

The one Richard bought is an arched back!
Ralf

When did the F40 switch from flat back to arch back occur? I thought it was later. At that time did other dimensions/ specs change as well?

 

[SFIV1967]

When did the F40 switch from flat back to arch back occur? I thought it was later. At that time did other dimensions/ specs change as well?

There was no F-40 between roughly 1963 and 1972!
So either in later 1972 or January 1973 (not 100% sure when that below flyer was published) the new 16" mini-jumbo shaped F-40 was announced and was already shown in the January 1973 pricelist.
If you look at Richard's picture you clearly see that it is not a one piece flat back and has no internal back bracing.



Ralf

 

[Cougar]

I'm kinda like a squirrel. It seems every year before the long Michigan winter sets in I load up on guitars to keep me busy.

Ha! Now, where did I bury that nut?

 

[HeyMikey]

Interesting that the spec says the neck is 1-5/8. I knew that some were. My 1977 is definitely 1-11/16, which I had double checked before buying. I wonder if the nut width was changed a little later or if mine was just due to hand worked variation? In any case, these are great guitars.

 

[fronobulax]

Ha! Now, where did I bury that nut?

Near the headstock?

 

[Rich Cohen]

Hey, Richard, your pic making skills have much improved.

 

[bobouz]

Interesting that the spec says the neck is 1-5/8. I knew that some were. My 1977 is definitely 1-11/16, which I had double checked before buying. I wonder if the nut width was changed a little later or if mine was just due to hand worked variation? In any case, these are great guitars.

My ‘74 F-40 pictured above most definitely has a 1-11/16” nut. I’d say the profile is a bit more ‘D’ shaped rather than ‘C’.

 

[richardp69]

Hey, Richard, your pic making skills have much improved.

Nah, I still suck Rich.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Nah, I still suck Rich.

I don't agree Richard. Those pics of your recent acquisitions are much improved. The clarity is what I'm talking about.

 

[Boneman]

That’s a nice threesome! Sharing is caring, thanks, heh