Recommendations on what Guild to buy?

[Mhcapa55]

Hey, hope all's well.

I'm in the market for a Guild and thought you all could give some expert advice.

I have a 2000 Tacoma dreadnought with solid rosewood back and sides. It sounds good.
I also have a Martin DX1AE with hp laminate mahogony b&s (dreadnought)
and a Epiphone EJ-200 Artist with laminated maple b&s (super jumbo).

I was partial to the sound of rosewood for some reason the first time I walked into a guitar store and tried all kinds of guitars 10 years ago.
The mahogony I have seems a little muted but sounds reasonable.
The maple I have seems brighter than the mahogony, but it could just be because I'm comparing a "super jumbo" to a dreadnought.
Both the mahogony and maple are laminate also, so I'm sure I'm not getting the full sound like with the solid rosewood Tacoma.

I primarily play "cowboy chords"
I'm looking for something with 1 11/16" nut width
I think lower action would be easier to play

I'm thinking something more along the lines of a jumbo instead of a dreadnought, but not as wide and deep (thick) as a j200. Maybe a concert body? Or a 60s-70s era f40?

New, used or vintage - whatever works.
I'd just rather keep it under $1,500 if possible.

Any thoughts on what might be a good fit?

Or any other factors I should consider?

And - It was this photo that got me researching and led me to this site, and it was remembering seeing/hearing a few other artists actually playing a Guild that made me really start to commit to getting a Guild.

Thanks in advance!

- Matt

 

[gjmalcyon]

Welcome. Stick around - nice folks around here. The good news for you is Guilds from all factory eras are good. There are some generalized differences about build weight, but they're all good. I'm sure the LTG crew will be piling in shortly.

 

[Uke]

Welcome to LTG. I'll refrain from suggesting which guitar to pursue -- you'll probably gets heaps of suggestions. Let me say that the pic you attached took my mind off guitars completely -- at least for a couple of seconds!

 

[D30Man]

Welcome! I merely echo the sentiments above mainly. Great group. Super friendly and knowledgeable.

I will say based on Jumbo, Rosewood, and $1500 an F-50 that has some Whiskey bumps might be a place to start. Might need to kick it up a few hundy. However the experts will likely have more questions and therefore more options to look at. Stick around!!

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome and I second the above sentiments.
Two suggestions and both used. By being patient, you will find a nice nice D30 - Dread maple $1000--$1200 or a JF30 jumbo maple for $1400--$1600. Excellent guitars!

 

[D30Man]

Guild USA F-50 | Reverb

Built to maximize projection with a selection of appointments that will catch more than a few eyes, the Guild F50 Jumbo Acoustic Guitar is a big option in style and tone. Combining a solid Sitka spruce top with flamed maple sides and back in a jumbo body design, the F50's natural volume is bolste...

reverb.com

 

[D30Man]

This one is maple but has a really good price.

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG! I suggest starting with a Tacoma or New Hartford F-40 (small jumbo that can compete with dreadnaughts). I think they are magical. But, also try a full-size 17" jumbo F-40 from Oxnard to see if you prefer the larger or smaller jumbo. Both can easily be had for less than your price point. Good luck!!

 

[cupric]

The TRC is upside down.

 

[Uke]

The TRC is upside down.

Since I'm prone to this malady, I think I'm going to start an upside-down-truss-rod-cover support group.

 

[cupric]

Since I'm prone to this malady, I think I'm going to start an upside-down-truss-rod-cover support group.

USDA.......Upside Down Anonymous.

 

[geoguy]

Welcome to LTG . . . nice picture of Linda.

Maybe consider an F-47? A bit smaller than a full-size jumbo, but very nice sounding instruments (in my opinion) and available in mahogany, rosewood, & maple.

I would suggest one from the Tacoma or New Hartford factories, to minimize the risk of having to spend money on repairs. Simply due to age, a guitar from Hoboken or Westerly is more likely to need attention from a repair person.

Low action is achievable on most guitars with a proper setup that should cost only about $75 or so.

 

[Mhcapa55]

Welcome to LTG! I suggest starting with a Tacoma or New Hartford F-40 (small jumbo that can compete with dreadnaughts). I think they are magical. But, also try a full-size 17" jumbo F-40 from Oxnard to see if you prefer the larger or smaller jumbo. Both can easily be had for less than your price point. Good luck!!

Awesome.
On my radar now.
Thanks!

 

[Mhcapa55]

Welcome to LTG. I'll refrain from suggesting which guitar to pursue -- you'll probably gets heaps of suggestions. Let me say that the pic you attached took my mind off guitars completely -- at least for a couple of seconds!

 

[Mhcapa55]

Welcome! I merely echo the sentiments above mainly. Great group. Super friendly and knowledgeable.

I will say based on Jumbo, Rosewood, and $1500 an F-50 that has some Whiskey bumps might be a place to start. Might need to kick it up a few hundy. However the experts will likely have more questions and therefore more options to look at. Stick around!!

Ok.
On the list now.
And yeah, doesn't have to be pristine at all imo if its structurally good and the sounds there.
Thanks!

 

[Mhcapa55]

Welcome and I second the above sentiments.
Two suggestions and both used. By being patient, you will find a nice nice D30 - Dread maple $1000--$1200 or a JF30 jumbo maple for $1400--$1600. Excellent guitars!

Got it.
On the list now.
Thanks!

 

[Mhcapa55]

Guild USA F-50 | Reverb

Built to maximize projection with a selection of appointments that will catch more than a few eyes, the Guild F50 Jumbo Acoustic Guitar is a big option in style and tone. Combining a solid Sitka spruce top with flamed maple sides and back in a jumbo body design, the F50's natural volume is bolste...

reverb.com

Thats a pretty guitar.
I did some digging and I think its 17" at lower bout
Same size as my ej200
My buck owens is 15"
...Led me to the f40 and f47 which is 16"
I'm starting to think those two might be the ones unless I can find a mid sized concert body. Still learning all of the models from ~1960s forward.
Thanks for this. Added it to my reverb watch list.
...but the price on this f50 is in the ballpark

 

[Mhcapa55]

Welcome to LTG . . . nice picture of Linda.

Maybe consider an F-47? A bit smaller than a full-size jumbo, but very nice sounding instruments (in my opinion) and available in mahogany, rosewood, & maple.

I would suggest one from the Tacoma or New Hartford factories, to minimize the risk of having to spend money on repairs. Simply due to age, a guitar from Hoboken or Westerly is more likely to need attention from a repair person.

Low action is achievable on most guitars with a proper setup that should cost only about $75 or so.

I think I'm on the same page as you with the f47 at this point.
My ej200 is 17" and its big.. my buck owens is 15" and it feels small..
I think the f40 and f47 are 16" ...would be nice I think.

I'll try to find what years were Tacoma and New Hartford. Good to know and look out for.
And you're right about the action - Might as well tailor it at a shop if necessary.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Westerly Wood]

I wound out for an old beat up F50.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Toward the top of the first page of this thread is a nice summary from LTG'er Ralf (aka SFIV1967) of the when and where of Guild guitars:

How do I tell where a guild was made?

Hi there. I am looking at guild Starfire IVs and Vs, and I see Starfire IVs and Vs from the mid to late 90s for around $2600 Canadian, and there is a Starfire IV westerly that I am looking at that is selling for $3200 Canadian. I know the westerly guitars are of an awesome quality; what I...

letstalkguild.com

I have a Tacoma F-47R and it is wonderful.