The Last NH F-30 Std Sunburst

[GuildInAtlanta]

LOL! It just goes to show you can't take anything for granted. I'll update the post to Reno's Music.

Thank you for the insight!

Robert

 

[tommym]

I should have known better too! If it was truly intended for Reno, Nevada, it would have had slot machine inlays in lieu of stars, and dice tuner buttons!:encouragement:

Tommy

 

[SFIV1967]

From what I remember which was discussed on this board in the past, those guitars where a special run of guitars ordered and made for a Guild dealer called Reno's Music. They were not listed in the official catalog, but have many of the Standard features with the addition of stars used for the fretboard inlay. For very long time I saw several of these guitars for sale by Tundra Music through their Reverb store. I spoke to Tundra Music in the past, and they told me they bought the Reno guitars directly from Guild, as well as many other models, when the New Hartford factory was being closed. Definitely unique guitars, and no one knows exactly how many of those were ever made.

Interesting things...What I remember from back at the time was that Ren Ferguson did a total of 20 such Custom Shop guitars "Built to Order" for Reno's Music in Fishers, IN. There were 5 such "Custom Star" models: F-20, F-30R, F-30RCE, F-47MC, F-47R. And as far as I counted from the adds of Reno's 2 each were made in both NT and ATB to get to 20 pcs. Now why New Hartford made more and liquidated them through Tundra in Canada is beyond my imagination, as those "Built to Order" runs should have not had more.

Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Interesting things...What I remember from back at the time was that Ren Ferguson did a total of 20 such Custom Shop guitars "Built to Order" for Reno's Music in Fishers, IN. There were 5 such "Custom Star" models: F-20, F-30R, F-30RCE, F-47MC, F-47R. And as far as I counted from the adds of Reno's 2 each were made in both NT and ATB to get to 20 pcs. Now why New Hartford made more and liquidated them through Tundra in Canada is beyond my imagination, as those "Built to Order" runs should have not had more.Ralf

Even on a special order edition like that, don't they typically start more bodies than the order calls for to allow for any production "fall out", as in unforeseeable issues which reduce the final yield ?
So even if they actually weren't unsellable or "B" Stock they may have simply had some "over-production"?
If Tundra only got a few pieces to liquidate then that might tend to further confirm the possibility.
And would tie in with what GuildinAtlanta said down in post 17:

I spoke to Tundra Music in the past, and they told me they bought the Reno guitars directly from Guild, as well as many other models, when the New Hartford factory was being closed.

 

[tommym]

I am thinking that the star inlays were historically more of a Gibson / Ren deal than a Reno's Music deal. Had Ren stayed with Guild, I would think we would have seen more of these star inlayed guitars in one form or another. Maybe even exactly as produced for Reno's Music.

Tommy

 

[chazmo]

That may be true, Tommy. However, I think there was a Guild from Westerly days which had star inlays in the fretboard. I think it was an F-30 model, but I'm not sure. In any case, if I'm right (a big "if") then this was not unprecedented (precedented??) Guild ornamentation.

 

[davismanLV]

chazmo is correct. Reno's Music ordered a series of Guild guitars (see the models listed above in another post) which had the star inlays!!

There were plainer ones but here's an F47R from the Custom Shop that was ordered by Reno's with the star inlays. The plainer guitars had single stars I believe......

 

[adorshki]

That may be true, Tommy. However, I think there was a Guild from Westerly days which had star inlays in the fretboard.
I think it was an F-30 model, but I'm not sure. In any case, if I'm right (a big "if") then this was not unprecedented (precedented??) Guild ornamentation.

Don't remember a Westerly F30 like that but as far as precedent one can trace it all the way back to Hoboken, courtesy of Carlo Greco:

Like Tom says the Reno F30's got the single star, and I think that's the first time I've seen the F47's multiple star layout but it would befit that model which always got block inlays in "normal" form .
Speaking of block inlays is it possible you were thinking of those mid-'70's F30's that got the F50 necks?
(Courtesy of Hans):

And here's a copy of the Nashville Custom Shop's "Dream Sheet" with info about their F30RLS but that's the only other "special" F30 I recall from Westerly era:

 

[F312]

Why does the Reno model warrant a Custom Shop designation? Other than the stars, anything else to mention?

Ralph

 

[adorshki]

Why does the Reno model warrant a Custom Shop designation? Other than the stars, anything else to mention?

Ralph

Think more than anything else it's because it's where they built "non-standard" and limited edition models in New Hartford, and actually "IIRC" it wasn't even really an actual separate shop but more of a "dedicated production area" for models that got even more hand-building than the regular production stuff.
Seem to recall it was kind of an evolution of the factory repair capability which was non-existent in New Hartford at first (or maybe it was the other way 'round?).
Maybe they saw a viable opportunity with the success of the GSR's that came out before there was a New Hartford Custom Shop.
Think they considered it the correct name for anything that wasn't regular production, like the Orpheums and the Doyle Dykes models.

 

[F312]

One thing I do notice about my F30R Reno is how light it is, 4lb 4oz.

Ralph

 

[davismanLV]

Golly Ralph, so LIGHT!! I'll bet it sounds amazing!! Yes??

 

[F312]

Golly Ralph, so LIGHT!! I'll bet it sounds amazing!! Yes??

Yes!

 

[chazmo]

Al, the Merle is a perfect example, so thanks. As for what I was remembering about an acoustic from Westerly days (I guess I was right): https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?199220-Black-F30R-e-on-Reverb

 

[F312]

Al, the Merle is a perfect example, so thanks. As for what I was remembering about an acoustic from Westerly days (I guess I was right): https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?199220-Black-F30R-e-on-Reverb

Wow, your link to that F30 weighs in at 6 and a half pounds.

Ralph

 

[adorshki]

Al, the Merle is a perfect example, so thanks. As for what I was remembering about an acoustic from Westerly days (I guess I was right): https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?199220-Black-F30R-e-on-Reverb

Ah yes, right about an acoustic with stars from Westerly days, and understand why an "F30" was connected to the memory.
But as explained in thread but that was a GF30 not an actual F30.

But I had forgotten about it in any case... and it was only about 10 months ago!
I'm so mortified I might just retire.

Wow, your link to that F30 weighs in at 6 and a half pounds.

Ralph

Well that's 'cause it's not really an F30, it's a "Gruhn F40" derivative, 16" lower bout width.
It's one of those "goofs" where they put the internal number on the label instead of the model number, which was revealed in the s/n.
Still, suspect that's another small error in the listing, it does seem a tad heavy.
Well, I guess I didn't retire.
:glee:

 

[extrakrispy]

Finally here’s a few snaps of the Last of the Mohicans:

My “new” 2014 F-30, “Standard,” 1 ¾ nut, but w/accoutrements not ordinarily found on Standards. Likely the last F-30 Sunburst made in New Hartford (April 17), it received a bit of extra attention in those final days. Besides the wonderful cut of Mahogany on the back (the seam is nearly invisible), these 5 distinctions make it an F-30 Standard disguised as a “Traditional” Aragon.

• Tortoise binding
• Nitro-gloss top & body—and gloss neck
• Scalloped bracing
• Headstock “G” inlaid below “GUILD” NH F-30’s G inlay below “GUILD” usually appeared only on more expensive Traditional (Aragon) models
• I think it has a red Spruce top? It doesn’t look or sound like Sitka

Size? F-30's varied, evolving & morphing continually—and erratically. Mine seems to be somewhat normal. I sold my SKB Larrivee OM case, because the F-30 was too big to fit.

• Lower bout 15”
• Lower depth 4 ¼”
• Upper bout 11 ¾””
• Upper depth 3 ¾ “

I can’t tell if the top is Sitka or Red Spruce?. It rings with that wonderful jangly F-30 sound but with a Rosewood kind of richness at the low end. What you can see of the top, besides being perfectly matched, it has a wonderful grain. My Larrivee Alpine Sitka had finer grain. This is my first sunburst guitar. Amazing instrument. Someone put a lot of care into making it.

The esteemed ‘tommym’ in this forum has said:

<<NH Standard Series was produced only from late 2010 to early 2013.... They generally had simpler ornamentation, Sitka tops, and two-piece necks with a satin finish. Later in their run, the gloss nitro back was replaced with satin (sometime in 2012)>>

Well, mine was made on April 17, 2014. It has a hog neck w/Rosewood fretboard. It’s completely gloss, inclu neck, scallop bracing, tortoise binding, and ‘G’ headstock inlay, usually reserved for Traditionals. So it’s clearly a mutt—but a very fine mutt indeed.


Anyone know how can I tell if a guitar has an Adirondack (red) spruce top? Mine sure sounds like it. I've never heard such a balanced Woody tone.


I wondered who signed-off on my guitar: “CJ” ? So, with a bit of detective work, I reached out to Joe Martocchio, ex-Production Supervisor of Ovation, Guild, Fender Custom & Hamer. For 20yrs, Joe cut & matched all the pieces for each guitar. “CJ” said it was Chris Jarvis.

Joe & Chris were also the builders that Sr Ovation Engineer, Darren Wallace hired back in 2015, after re-opening the New Hartford shop to build Ovation customs. A noble effort, but the bean-counters won yet again. That effort lasted 3yrs. Chris is a master luthier who worked at Westerly their last 2yrs, then at New Hartford, during its entire 15yr run (1999-2014). In addition to building guitars, Chris also did most of the final quality-control inspection at NH. No guitar left the shop unless “CJ” blessed it. So, if you still have your build-card and it says “CJ” light a candle at the altar of your choice and give thanks.

Everyone knows Ren Ferguson—or at least pays homage to him. On spaceship GUILD, he is Yoda. But it’s guys like Joe & Chris who are the true unsung heroes of our guitars.

~Will


https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30k.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30d.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30i.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30e.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30g.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30b.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/home/GUILD F-30 guitar?preview=GUILD+F-30h.JPG

 

[fronobulax]

My “new” 2014 F-30, “Standard,” 1 ¾ nut, but w/accoutrements not ordinarily found on Standards.

Why are you saying you have a "Standard" with non-Standard features instead of a "Traditional" with a 1 3/4" nut? Your pictures might answer that but I can't see them :-( I will note that the 2014 Catalog I have does not list an F-30 "Standard" although the catalog GAD has does. But the F-30 Standard in that catalog lists Natural as the only finish option and electronics are factory installed and not an option.

 

[HeyMikey]

Can’t see the pics. Looks like Dropbox requires an account or registration

 

[extrakrispy]

I'm sorry, I haven't used Dropbox in a while. Here are the links. BTW, the GUILD tag on the guitar + store invoice says it's a "Standard" model. -Will


https://www.dropbox.com/s/172h811oltaoshf/GUILD F-30k.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z4ujlxols0xpkra/GUILD F-30d.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l5id1bw4am3noo3/GUILD F-30i.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgt1d4x31mefcpd/GUILD F-30e.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ab4sbojm3nc9l6g/GUILD F-30g.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ym12508u5gmjy75/GUILD F-30b.JPG?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bwmrglzxjiv34qp/GUILD F-30h.JPG?dl=0