The very first Oxnard GSR model - GSR F-512 (Madagascar Rosewood!)

[SFIV1967]

Since I did some research into Oxnards GSR models recently I found it interesting that this special guitar was never discussed yet at LTG despite that it is already from early 2019!

Now one can argue if the previous 2018 made “D-40 Traditional Deluxe GSR Sweetwater Exclusive” already counted as GSR models, from Sweetwaters point of view obviously yes, but there was no GSR marking on the guitars at all.

And anyway, Chicago Music Exchange called the below as first ever Oxnard GSR.

Guild celebrated its Oxnard facility’s 4000th production guitar back in 2019 with the very first Guild Special Run:
The GSR F-512 #4000 with S/N C194000.

"The GSR F-512 #4000 pairs Guild’s superb luthiery with some of the highest grade materials available, including a AAAAA-grade Adirondack spruce top and matching solid Madagascar Rosewood sides, back, and peg head, scalloped Adirondack spruce bracing, ebony fretboard, EIR bridge, railroad track fingerboard purfling, fully bound headstock, MOP V-block inlays, and a MOP and abalone “Flying G” inlay at the 12th fret."

A "5-A" Adi top!!! And Madi instead of EIR! Can't remember any other Guild using Madagascar Rosewood.

She was sold by Chicago Music Exchange for a whopping $ 5,999.

First time for the black/gold GSR label, even before the two black "GSR D-55 Noir" were made for Music Villa in Bozeman/MT in early 2019.
The label reads "F-512 #4000": (well it should be a F-512E with the LR Baggs...)










But who selected that wood? A fair amount of runout in the otherwise nice tight grain "AAAAA" Adirondack top:



Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

Dang Ralf!

 

[GGJaguar]

I think it's only AAA spruce with that much runout.

 

[twocorgis]

Sure doesn't look like a "5-A" Adi top to me. I went down a similar rabbit hole with my Orpheum OM Mahogany, which has runout that's so bad you'd swear it's two different pieces of wood.

After sending this one back, foolishly thinking I could get another, it made a long and circuitous route back to me, and only through the good graces of fellow LTGer @jeffcoop. It's a wonderful guitar indeed, and a top like that might be acceptable on a $1000 Eastman, but not on one that had a MAP of $3800.

 

[SFIV1967]

Slightly later Chicago Music Exchange got a second GSR F-512E ATB as well.
She was made in 2020 already. It definitely looks like the laminated arched back maple version.

Counting the correct serial number order this was the third model with the black/gold GSR label.

I don't have the exact price or specs of that one however, so I can't say what the GSR features are compared to a normal F-512E Maple. Maybe because she has a lighter burst? I have no idea, I see nothing special....maybe one of you sees something unique.





Ralf

 

[Cougar]

Somebody's got a holy grail there! Wow!

 

[chazmo]

Very interesting guitar, Ralf. I like the appointments, and the use of Madagascar r/w. Seeing an F-512 without a PG is, I think, a first for me. Good catch!

 

[SFIV1967]

Seeing an F-512 without a PG is, I think, a first for me.

Ha, I didn't even notice! Hence that top looked extra strange with the runout due to the missing pickguard! I found a few more Oxnard GSRs compared to the data we recently exchanged.

Not only the Madagascar r/w but also an F-512 with Adirondack top was a first for Guild, or?

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Yeah, you're right, Ralf. An Adirondack top would probably be a first for a Guild F-512. Boy, I'd love to try that one!!! And maybe it's just me, but a G-shield inlayed in the headstock overlay just makes me weep (tears of joy, that is). My Tacoma F-412 has cocobolo veneer and boy I love that!