purchase of a 1974 F50 (but I already own a JF30 ...)

[Badger]

I ask for your opinion. I am looking at a 1974 F50 for sale. I'm afraid it's too similar to my 2000 JF30 Westerly (apart from the Blink). Do you have experience of the differences in quality and sound between the two instruments? Thanks to those who answer
Franco

 

[Badger]

i insert a photo to attrac attention

 

[Stuball48]

Seven beautiful guitars. If you got the funds, buy the F50 - then, you can side by side test them for a month or so. I have no idea which one will be your favorite but ONE will work it's way to first - no such thing as a tie. Be aware first could go back and forth so the F50 could be guitar #8.

 

[davismanLV]

The JF30 is an arched back guitar, is it not? Either maple or mahogany. The F50 is a rosewood flat-backed guitar with more BLING and I think you're gonna find some sonic differences between them. I kinda like Stuball's idea. Buy the F50 and then let your ears tell you which one you like the best, or better yet you may like them differently, so then you need them both!! See how we do here? We enable you to spend more money, and have more guitars!!

You're welcome!!

 

[Badger]

I hardly sell one of my girls. beautiful or ugly they remain with me. However my fear is that the F50 maple is pretty damn similar to the JF30. If only I discovered the differences in construction!

 

[Cougar]

The JF30 is an arched back guitar, is it not? Either maple or mahogany.

Just arched maple AFAIK. But I'm no expert.

The F50 is a rosewood flat-backed guitar with more BLING

As Ed McMahon used to say to Johnny Carson "Wrong, Alpo breath." The F50 standard is also arched back maple without the F50R bling. I guess the F50 "nonstandard" has the bling, but I don't know if it's got any special designation. Of course the F50R is flat rosewood backed, like this one (emerald-topped bridge pins optional )

What I'd like to hear about is what Badger thinks about his Gibson SJ100. Is that maple or mahogany backed? How does it stack up against the Guilds? Nice harem you got there in any case!

 

[Badger]

Gibson SJ100 is a very beautiful guitar. Light and resonant. It has very present middle notes. It is very different from Guild like oranges and apples. It has a very comfortable handle and I love it when I play delicate. Loses focus in stronger strumming. Guild is more fundamental, has more powerful bass and never gets upset. My sound is more like Guild. Guild Is more powerfull than Gibson
This Is Gibson bracing

 

[davismanLV]

Well, yeah, I totally goofed that one up!! Why did I think it was an F50R? My bad. So both maple...... so take everything I said and never mind. So of those two similar guitars you're wondering if they're too similar to be worth your while then? But then a good 26 years difference in age could make for very different sounding guitars. I'll hush up while I'm behind.....

I shouldn't post at 4 a.m.

 

[Cougar]

I shouldn't post at 4 a.m.

Whatdymean? That's when you're at your best!

 

[adorshki]

The JF30 is an arched back guitar, is it not? Either maple or mahogany.

Only ever maple, never 'hog.
That was the F48's job.

 

[davismanLV]

Only ever maple, never 'hog.
That was the F48's job.

But the F48 was a jumbo shape? I thought it was a bit smaller. Or did it change over time?? And the F47's were a bit smaller or??? What's the diff between the F48 and the F47?

 

[adorshki]

Just arched maple AFAIK. But I'm no expert.



As Ed McMahon used to say to Johnny Carson "Wrong, Alpo breath." The F50 standard is also arched back maple without the F50R bling. I guess the F50 "nonstandard" has the bling, but I don't know if it's got any special designation.

In NH the "Standards" were formally named and labeled as such, and the F50/F50R would have been the "Traditionals" which included the "bling" by definition:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Guild-2013-Catalog.pdf
Otherwise there was never the need to make the distinction since the "Standards" were a New Hartford-only series,

 

[adorshki]

But the F48 was a jumbo shape? I thought it was a bit smaller. Or did it change over time?? And the F47's were a bit smaller or??? What's the diff between the F48 and the F47?

F48 was always (for the very short time(s) it was produced) a full 17" jumbo.
It's why I have such an issue with Oxnard calling their current F40 an F40 when they even cite the F48 as its source.

 

[bobouz]

And one more correction: The JF-30 equivalent in mahogany (during it’s era) was the JF-4, with an arched mahogany back & very similar construction.

The ‘70s F-48 was a braced mahogany flat-back.

 

[adorshki]

And one more correction: The JF-30 equivalent in mahogany (during it’s era) was the JF-4, with an arched mahogany back & very similar construction.

The ‘70s F-48 was a braced mahogany flat-back.

True but I was primarily addressing that Tom's comment could be misinterpreted as meaning the JF30 came in both woods.
Don't think that's what he meant but I try to think about the new folks that may not know such stuff yet.
I just didn't want to open the flat/arched back can of worms, but it's actually a good point and I had forgotten about it even when I tried to remember if they ever actually did an arched back 18" 'hog body.
NOW all that's missing is a flat-backed maple 17" body.
Until somebody remembers that one, too.
(Discounting the one-off they probably built because there's always at least one.)

 

[Rayk]

Gibson SJ100 is a very beautiful guitar. Light and resonant. It has very present middle notes. It is very different from Guild like oranges and apples. It has a very comfortable handle and I love it when I play delicate. Loses focus in stronger strumming. Guild is more fundamental, has more powerful bass and never gets upset. My sound is more like Guild. Guild Is more powerfull than Gibson
This Is Gibson bracing

This is an excellent photo for the other thread on slotted vrs non slotted bridges . Of to link it . Lol