Guild JF-30

Just purchased a Guild JF30 from a little shop in Virginia because I couldn't believe the price. $450 for this thing is a steal. Dated January 23rd 1996 from the Westerly RI factory and hadn't been played for over 3yrs. Has a 3 inch long crack towards the bottom right of the guitar from binding to binding (hence the price)but can be fixed for about 60 bucks so I didn't hesitate. Other than needing a good cleaning and playing the things perfect. Maple looks outstanding, finish is topnotch and the looks are great. The included case had some wear but I like that anyway. Grovers look great and feel great too...it's Grover so, no worries.

I like a tinny sound (I play Ovations and Epi's), but this thing has changed my mind a bit. I love the boom, it's so strong and loud and I think I'm gonna put a LR Baggs M1A in it and see how that goes, should be fine. By far, the best sounding of my guitars

Action is a bit tough, but again, its not in perfect shape, cleaning up the frets and putting some Elixers should help, but still...its not too bad, no Ovation, but what is as far as ease of play?

TANK is the word. Everything is stone-solid. For a 96 that's been abused a bit, it looks unbelievable.

NA

I think it'll be a go-to guitar for my acoustic band which is primarily a rock oriented sound with a bluesy singer. Gotta see how it'll sound with the Baggs in it. For simple solos and strumming I don't see how this thing can be beat...Ovations for the quick stuff.

I bought it as a second on Ebay. Why it was a second I don't know, it had been buffed when I received the guitar. Great, buy for the money. This was one of the last ones made in corona ca. It has 14 frets clear of the body, Jumbo body, Gold Grovers, Solid spruce top, arched maple laminate back in the fine Guild tradition, maple neck, and no electronics when purchased. It has a really nice sunburst finish.

Sound is extremely subjective, but I would say it has a nice middle of the road sound. It still has the Guild sound which I really like, but not too bassy not too much on the treble. I had a Fishman pickup installed and it also sounds great plugged in. The maple is not very feedback prone and the laminate back also really helps plugged in since there is not hardly as much resonance, but the guitar still sounds great unplugged just not as loud as one might expect a jumbo to be. I have nothing to complain about sound wise it isn't a $3,000 guitar. But, I have played much more expensive guitars that don't sound as good. As usual with guilds you get very good sound for a lot less money.

I haven't messed with the action at all. It has a nice medium-low action. It is set up for .12's and works really well. I have considered lowering the action slightly but everything else works so good I have been afraid to tinker with it much. The intonation is good from the factory, but I have tweaked it just a little, I am pretty sensitive to intonation though. Overall the setup is very good. I have looked at new and expensive martin and gibsons not set up nearly this well, but setup is also a matter of preference and everyone has to tweak the setup of a new guitar to their liking just happened this one was set the way i like one.

I use this guitar weekly at church and a couple times a week of practice I have never used a backup. If anyone is familiar with guilds they know the legendary reliability, and this guitar is no different. It is probably a little lighter built than the RI JF-30's i have owned but it is still very solid and actually with the lighter build sounds better. The finish is good as much as I use this guitar it is only expected that the finish is going to get roughed up.

Never contacted them. I don't know how it would be with Fender.

I have been playing for about 17 years. I use this guitar in a bleneded church service so I do a variety of styles and it works well for all of them. I currently have a 50's Gibson Southern Jumbo that I use at home and to record with. I have some cheap-o beater acoustics. I have owned Huss and Dalton, several Guilds and Gibsons and a taylor or two, and also currently about to have a G&L Comanche and a few other elec. things. This is not the best guitar I have ever had but it is one of my favorites. It was cheap for the quality, sounds good with a pickup. Just can't really go wrong with any of the American JF-30's old or new. If it were lost or stolen I would definitely get another.

I bought used on E-Bay and now the battery pack for the pickup covers the date stamp. I don't know where it was made (the owner's manual says AZ) and I think the date was 2003. Other than that, pretty much like the other blond maple models described here.

I play folk, rock, pop, praise and worship and a little bit of country, and this guitar can do all the above. I do home recording using the aftermarket B-band UST pickup and preamp (a nice invisible package, btw) or a condenser mic (which I have to point well away from the soundhole or Boooooom!!). Great sound, wonderful range of tones. Sparkling trebles, warm mids, full bass.

Like the look, feel of the neck, and the sound. Dislike the size (although it's nice to hide behind) and weight! But part of why I bought it was the reputation for sturdiness. It also holds up great in varying weather conditions, even when I forget to humidify in winter.

Nice setup, but the previous owner may have tweaked it. I adjust action on all my guitars to my taste, and this holds its position. I'm not crazy about the tuners, but until I actually have trouble I'm not going to replace them. The maple sides just shimmer and shine. I only gave it an "8" because IMO the finish could have had closer attention to fine details, like around the edges of things (bridge, fretboard, inlay).

I've played many hours live and at home and noooo complaints, just joy. Seems sturdy as you could want. I've never had any problems to warrant a backup, but if I were fulltime pro... well, you never know.

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Been playing 30 years, if it were stolen or lost I would probably go for a dreadnought or orchestral model, or another jf30 if I found a good deal; Love the sound and action and looks much more than I object to its weight; this is a guitar you don't want to part with and I don't think I'll ever need another. It's a player's guitar.

This is one of the last JF 30s made in Corona. Jet Black with white binding and rosette. Can't comment on the quality of the wood because of the color, but looking at the inside the wood appears to be of good quality. Solid Spruce top; solid Maple sides and laminated Maple (arched) Back. Others have described the dimensions of the neck and other features

I play mainly finger picked country blues. At first, the guitar was pretty subdued, but now after a year and having put different strings on it, it just sounds great. Each note is clear and it isn't as bass heavy as I thought it would be. Way different from my other guitars due to size and tone wood, but I love the sound of it.

This was a factory second, I purchased on e bay. The only reason I can see for it being a second are some small indentations (3) on the back of the neck that aren't noticeable while playing. I wonder, how things like this get through quality control?? Action and otherwise this guitar is just fine. None of the quality problems others have commented about on guitars from Corona. Rating based on my knowing it was a 2nd when purchased

This thing is a tank-enough said

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I've been playing for 8 years. I also own a Larrivee OM 05, Norman B20 Folk, and a Taylor Baby M. I had previously owned a Guild D4 and wanted to get another Guild. The price attracted me to this guitar and while leery of an all Black guitar, bought it and have really liked it ever since. It is comparable to the Larrivee (although different); both are great guitars. If something happened to this guitar I would not hesitate to replace it with exactly the same thing.

Basic Jumbo J-30 model with Grover tuners, I had retailer ship direct from factory to me because I told him I am very picky about quality. Not just sound but looks also.
I had to wait 4 months for it but I am glad I did. The Maple wood is durable and projects well. Came in a superior hardshell case and packed well for shipping.

Sound is tops for any acoustic that I have ever played.
You can change sound with different strings.
i.e. phos-broze give it a deep rich mellow sound, whereas
80/20 gives it more highs and lows.
I use a Dean Markley sound hole pick-up and run through a Mackie mixer and PA System. For smaller settings I just Mike it, it projects extremely well.

Set up was perfect out of the box. This is the first guitar I have ever bought that I did not have to set up.
I own 10 various acoustics, and have bought around 25 over the years. This is the only one I that I have not had to set up.
wood and finish are flawless. Nut and saddle perfect.
interior / exterior construction is tops.

I have had this guitar for two years now, and I play it every single day. three times a week at coffee houses, without a single problem.
It is solid. I always take back-up guitars but have never needed them.

Never needed

Been playing ten years.
For acoustics I own, two Guilds, two Fenders, two Peaveys,
an Alverez 12 String, one custom made ash, and two Gibsons.
Electrics I own are a Gibson SG and an Ibenez ArtCore.
If this Guild was lost I would replace it ASAP.
It is well balanced weight wise, and the action is so smooth that I just never tire of playing it.
I compared this to a Gibson J-200 before buying, the Guild just sang out better. The hardshell case it came with is the best I have ever had also.

Serial #AJ302030 with the date Oct.14,1997 stamped inside on the Heel Block.
Westerly,Rhode Island
Solid Spruce Top
Maple Back and Sides
Gold Hardware
Grover Tuners
Blonde Finish with Flames as thick as hair on a Dawgs back from one end to the other.
Nice Hardshell Case included

I play Acoustic Blues.If you've ever heard Buddy Guy/Junior Wells
"Alone and Acoustic"or"Last Time Around/Live at Legends" cds,you've heard the style of music I play.
I wanted"THAT"sound that Buddy Guy gets and the only way to do it is with a Guild Jumbo Acoustic guitar.

This guitar has a Big,Well-Balanced Tone that is very "Alive" and Punchy.The action is stiff enough for String "Snapping and Popping",which is a BIG part of my playing style.

It has a very full sound that records extremely well.

I WILL NOT BE PUTTING A PICKUP IN THIS GUITAR!!!!!!

Those days are over,I use this guitar for Solo Acoustic Blues and a good mic like AKG C1000s or Marshall MXL603 will be all I'll ever need.Might go with a Shure PG-81.

There is nothing that I don't like about this guitar.
I wish it had a Black pickguard instead of Tortoise Shell.

Action was great at the store.
No flaws that I can find,other than it set in a very dry store for
about 6 years before I bought it,so I am trying to Humidify it as well as I can for the Guitar is dried out.

This guitar is built like a Tank,and I've no doubt that it will serve me well for a lifetime.
Its a very heavy guitar,thats the way I like'em.

I don't know how Fender's customer support is,if its anything like the crap they're building nowadays,then its probably very lousy.

Believe it or not,this guitar has the Full Lifetime Warranty with it.

It sit in a little store in the middle of West Virginia for 6 years and looks like its never been touched.
I called every dealer on the East Coast trying to find a Westerly,Rhode Island Guild and hit the Jackpot.

I do not want anything other than my Vintage SF Fender amps that says Fender on it.
I do not care for the company or their products.

Been playing Professionally for 18 years.I've owned a lot of gear,and I have to say this is one of the best purchases I've made.
Even if I did have to drive for hours thru the nastiest squallor and most horrible roads I've seen in my life.
I even got caught in one of those little Shit-town speedtraps in Matoaka,WV.

I tried a ton of Taylors,Gibson Jumbos and Martins before buying this guitar.

I tried some used JF-30's before making the trip to get this one.

After playing the Guilds,it made me realize how the Acoustic market has really gone down the tubes.You can have your machine-made guitars,I'll take a Westerly Guild over anything going.

BTW,I went to one store to try out a new Corona,Ca Guild.
Guitars Plus in Beckley,WV
The salesman got it down off the shelf,looked at it and said,"Man,I can't let you play this one.It needs work."

Yep,Typical Fender product.

This Westerly Guild is a great guitar.

If you can find one,grab it.

Mine is the same as the others built 1997 in Rhode Island

Excellent sound acousticly and mine has an under the saddle fishman pickup that I use with an SWR strawberry blonde....Super,SUPER combination of amp and guitar...

Built like a tank...My only complaint is that whoever had it before me didnt humidify the guitar and it has some surface crazing and a seam crack that I have seen on many other guilds from this era...especially JF30's....All it takes is a cheap humidifier and the problem never would have happened....Everyone do yourself a favor and get a humidifier for your acoustic....

I use my beautiful blonde 3 times a month in church for a praise team and rehearse weekly...at home I play about 2 hours daily....This thing gets played and the more I use it the better it sounds..I dont have another acoustic as a back up, dont really need one but Im saving my pennies for a Guild F47Rce then Ill have all I need....

I love this guitar and will have it forever....Been playing for 30 years always bass then 3 years ago decided to quit the bass and picked up a cheap acoustic...been playing it since....got the JF30 and have had it now for almost 2years...Would definitly get another if something should happen to this one...I also have a 64 Guild t100 which I got about 2months ago and will wait a while before I review it....Have a LesPaul recorder bass from the 70's which I got new...I play the acoustic through a Swr strawberry blonde, and I use a musicman 2x10 75watt combo with the t100....I dont own a bass amp anymore but when I did it was originally an ampeg b15 potorflex then an ampeg V4B then I switched to two ampeg svts....I love the JF30 and since Im just a rythum player in a praise band it works out perfectly...

2002 - Corona, California
Solid AA grade Sitka Spruce
Solid Curly Maple side, Laminated curly arched maple back
This particular JF30 has a one piece Mahogany neck with the Large style Guild Headstock/ very nice rosewood fretboard and bridge.
Vintage Sunburst finish - very well done, you can see through the brown/black.
Fishman under saddle pickup with no onboard controls.
Gold Grover sealed Rotomatic tuners.
Nitrocellulose lacquer gloss finish - the Coronas seem to have a slightly tackier gloss to their necks. I have to polish it extra well to clean it compared to my 1996 JF30 made in Westerly.Still very nice though - top quality Mahogany selection.
Very nice TKL Deluxe Archtop hardshell case w/ Green plush interior was included - Was shipped to my house in a very neat Guild box with retro green Guild writing all over it and the famous Guild G Shield symbol!

Very nice jumbo - compares easily to my wonderful 1996 Guild JF30 from Westerly.
This one has a very full and deep sound , still a little stiff as the top has not opened up yet. A combination of a deep/full/bright sound.
This guitar can cover a wide variety of styles depending on the type of strings I use at a given time.

Set up extremely well - the action is a slight bit high but very smooth and precise.
very nice top with tight grain and no run out.
no buzzing even under hard strumming!!

just as heavy as my Westerly of the same model - so it can easily take on live venues.
grover tuners are very reliable.
The nitro finish is very touchy to temp changes - can develop checking/cracks easily if not slowly brought to room temp before opening case! I said it could take on live venues but its finish would be the only thing to suffer. I would almost rather have a poly finish except it takes from the sound.

20 years playing.
own a blonde 1996 Guild JF30 that I bought NOS in 2002!! It was from a warehouse at the Westerly plant and Buffalo Brothers got some at a auction. A true flamed maple gem it is. not a scratch.
also have a 2002 Washburn J12S small rosewood jumbo that is very nice for a Chinese made guitar!! I have written a review for it here at Harmony Central
I really love this new Corona Made JF30 Sunburst guitar!!! I stumbled onto it on Musicians Friend website one night. It was on sale for $899.00 New/ No Blems!!!! I just saw it for $1,500.00 at a place that starts with E!! I saved 600 dollars and got a wonderful Guild Jumbo!
I really like the unusual one piece Mahogany neck with the large Guild headstock. Very different on the JF30 which has always had a three piece curly maple neck and the small Guild headstock.

New 2003, Good ol' USA Fender Corona plant built, Jumbo acoustic... An absolutely massive guitar! Solid AAA grade spruce top, solid maple sides, archback laminated back. Vintage Sunburst. Great TKL hardshell case.

This guitar is fairly bright sounding, and not overly booming for a big guitar. It's not super loud, but it's new and the top is still very stiff. It really almost sounds like a 12 string when strummed- it's so jangly-sounding. It has a smooth, clean, full sound with warm overtones. Single note lines and fingerstyle playing creates a warm, round, and punchy sound. I can't wait till it breaks in!! It's great for strumming freaks like me.

The action, fit, and finish on this guitar are superb. Great woods, beautiful vintage sunburst finish, gold grover tuners, and the lowest, smoothest action you can find... A+
It appears that Fender is respecting the heritage of Guild guitars, especially with this one!

This guitar is a tank with strings... a railroad tie with strings... an anvil with strings...you get the picture!

I dunno... hopefully won't have to find out.

I've been playing 15 years... If you like your acoustics big, you should check this one out.

Mine is stamped inside April, 1987. It's serial number 53 and I bought it new for about $600 as I recall. I haven't looked seriously for another acoustic since buying it. The flames on the back and sides are incredible; I've never seen better except maybe on a Les Paul or PRS electric. All blond, maple back and sides, the basic configuration detailed in many other emails here; no electronics. I added a strap pin at the base of the neck and put in a thinline pickup along the way, and I'm considering a better pickup system. Hard shell case which has taken a beating over the years. As far as "fancy" features, look elsewhere - it's a solid player and a good looker, but no Mother of Pearl here.

I have done everything from solo fingerpicking to rock and roll and blues, recorded and gigged in the hot sun and packed rooms, and she's never let me down. The fingerboard is starting to wear a little but that's to be expected, I guess. Sounds great strumming or picking, I like the big sound, sometimes it gives a soundman fits if they're set up for wimpy little guitars.

I'm not a real stickler about drops of glue, etc. The wood is gorgeous, perfectly bookmatched and flames on the back and sides to burn your belly, setup was perfectly adequate for what I do, if perhaps a little low. I like the suggestions made here by others regarding going with a higher action and bigger strings, but electric players may not have the hands for that. I play with more power than delicacy, so that should tell you something.

I have played and gigged for years and any dings, scratches or other flaws are my own darned fault. The finish is aging nicely and the neck is true. I'm starting to see just a tiny bit of pull on the top. A bit of wear on the frets since I tend to stay down in the first five, and the fingerboard is showing some grooves as well. But for playability we've got plenty of years left. Those who have been guessing this guitar will last are right, because mine is just fine.

Have never had an occasion to call - no problems.

Have been playing 20 years+ and had a variety of used random guitars before buying the Guild. Kays, Harmonys, etc. Also now have a Martin but use the Guild. Main electric is a Telecaster through a no-name amp. 12-string is a big old Terada which sounds great, I usually leave it in an open D.
If the Guild were stolen or lost, I would hunt down the culprit and get it back. There's no other one like this one. I've looked at other JF-30s and haven't seen a better one. Though I may be biased. Love the way it plays, feels and sounds. I'm still looking for a decent onboard pickup system and perhaps that could have been included though I think anything that would have been put on in 1987 would be way obsolete by now anyway. I wouldn't mind a little more in terms of binding or inlays since I go for that glitzy country stuff, and she's heavy as a box of Cadillacs but that's just the territory I guess. Extremely heavy in the case, can barely carry it up the driveway without switching hands. A monster guitar.