NGD

[richardp69]

So, I'm not typically a lover of small bodies guitars. But, I will say the F 20/Troubador is an exception. These little guitars to me sound really sweet and articulate and unlike many such guitars I've played, have a surprising amount of volume and depth to them

This one is a 1994 (I think-Hans will let me know for sure) Westerly build and it's in really nice shape. The neck angle appears excellent and the Low E string height at the 12th fret is just under 3/32", maybe a bit lower than I usually like but it will work fine for me.

All my other F 20's have either been pretty old or the newer ones out of Oxnard. I hadn't had a Westerly F 20 this new. The cases on the others were either the not so great (my opinion only) chipboard cases or the newer ones out of Oxnard. This one is a really solid case with a nice handle and five gold latches, all of which work fine.

I picked this up for a very fair price and will likely hold onto it, at least for a while. There are a lot of really fine fingerpickers in my neck of the woods always on the lookout for a reasonable priced small bodied guitar. At some point one of them may be willing to offer up a nice Dread or Jumbo in trade. We'll see. Here's a couple pics.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Wowser, Richard! That's in great shape. She should sit in your lap quite nicely. What's the nut width?

 

[richardp69]

Hi Rich. 1 11/16"

 

[davismanLV]

I love small bodied guitars and that one's a classic. In looking at the photos I guess I mistakenly thought the F-20's all had the smaller pickguard but obviously I was wrong. Maybe that came later in Westerly's history. Either way, congratulations, Richard. Maybe this will be the guitar to change your mind about small-bodied guitars?

 

[richardp69]

I love small bodied guitars and that one's a classic. In looking at the photos I guess I mistakenly thought the F-20's all had the smaller pickguard but obviously I was wrong. Maybe that came later in Westerly's history. Either way, congratulations, Richard. Maybe this will be the guitar to change your mind about small-bodied guitars?

Well, maybe, ya never know Tom. To be clear, it's not that I detest small bodies guitars, I've just always preferred Dreads and Jumbos. But, as I get older and get more aches and pains I'll need to be honest with myself and say these are much easier for me to play and handle.

 

[HeyMikey]

Nice score Richard. That would be a great one to sit on the couch and just noodle around. Sometimes I like to do that as a more relaxed unstructured way of getting playing time in. The F20 would be perfect for that.

 

[Stuball48]

Looks awesome and another Guild has found you. Enjoy!!!!

 

[GGJaguar]

A very pretty guitar and, as usual for Guild, plenty of silking in that top! Congrats and have fun with it!

 

[chazmo]

'grats, Richard!

 

[Westerly Wood]

very nice get Richard. I always wondered about the F20 when my right shoulder eventually gives out. I am such a dread man, and skiddish about losing my sound by going smaller, but glad you have confirmed it is sweet sounding on its own.

 

[walrus]

A beauty, Richard! Congrats!

walrus

 

[F312]

Yeah, I play a little guitar. I like it.

Ralph

 

[F312]

Dibs, if you ditch.

Ralph

 

[Br1ck]

I've found with small bodied guitars, to play them before you pick up that dread. Your ears play tricks going from huge to small.

 

[davismanLV]

I've found with small bodied guitars, to play them before you pick up that dread. Your ears play tricks going from huge to small.

Good advice. Start small.

 

[bobouz]

Nice! I bought one new in the late ‘70s, and it had a flat back with a similarly larger pickguard & paddle headstock. I like small bodied guitars a lot, but this one needed a little more low end to provide adequate balance for fingerpicking, so it later got traded in on a F-30. Didn’t even realize Guild was still making an F-20 in the ‘90s - Thanks for sharing!