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.

n/a

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

N/A

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.

Mine is a '94 JF-30. Solid spuce top. Solid curly maple sides and laminate curly maple back. Has gold Grover tuning machines, and the Guild Chesterfield headstock. Nice bound body and unbound 3 piece maple neck with rosewood fretboard. It has a very nice clean look about it I'm not a big fan of the real fancy to the point of tacky guitars, but some nice fretboard inlays would have been nice on this guitar.

This guitar has a nice clean sound to it. I usually prefer gibson acoustics but every now and then a change is good. And the guild fits that very well for me. The midrange is very good on this gutair. The highs aren't bad, but the bass isn't the best. I don't think you can get a guitar that all ranges sound good so that's why i keep three acoustics so I can get the sound I want.

I bought this guitar used so not for sure about factory set up. The set up that is on it now is just perfect. Nice low action without buzz, and plays almost effortless. The finish is pretty good does have a couple of checks below the sound hole but thats no real problem I've seen a few of these that have done that but the guitar looks great.

As with all Guild guitars this one is built like a tank. I've not used it for live playing yet but I'm sure when the mood strikes and I do it well be fine. I've never had a guild that I would take a back up for they are great guitars even though they aren't my favorite sound they are the best put together guitar out there especially for the money.

Never dealt with guild.

I've been playin for around 10 years or a little longer. I own a Gibson Southern Jumbo, Gibson Gospel, Fender Telecaster, and some other cheaper instruments. If this guitar were lost I know I would replace it with another jumbo I love the way they feel. I might try some of the Gibson jumbos out but when price is considered I might still go with the Guild. Guilds always have been a great buy for the money.

Jumbo acoustic flat top, available in sunburst and blonde. No hardware installed(Which i don't prefer on a jumbo acoustic anyway). Golder hardware tuners, 20 frets with no cutaway.

I like the sounds of jumbo acoustics. The JF30 equiped with a well-balanced and dark tone which I love it much. It doesn't have a big volume as expected, but the sound comes from the soundhole is very solid. I do mostly flatpicking, but also do some fingerpicks. I do recommend this guitar for finger pickers; however, it works very fine with flat pickers as well.

Very good and fast action. The craftmanship of this guitar is very nice. There are several minor dings on the soundboard; who cares, it ain't a new instrument when i bought it.

It guitar can last forever. The guitar is quite heavy, but the construction is very strong. The tuners stay in tune and the strings wouldn't out of tune. Reliable and durable.

Haven't tried the customer service by Guild. However, I did send an e-mail to Fender for requesting the production year of the model. It took about 1 week time for responding my e-mail. Thorough details were received.

I've been playing guitar for 30+ years and owned many acoustics guitars. For the jumbo acoustics, currently I have got a Gibson JF200, Guild JF4-NT and the JF30. For the dreadnought, I have got several nice instruments by Martin, Taylor, Guild and Adamas. The JF30 is one of my favourite instrument ever and it sounds better than many of the Jumbo I've owned in these years. The quality of Guild guitars is well controlled. Most importantly, the price is very reasonable. Highly recommended.

I bought one of these but took it back after a couple days. Not for any sonic reason it sounded great. I love the look of maple on a guitar. The reason for the return was that as the wood in the neck contracted expanded as wood does over time, the frets pushed out on the (very thick I might add) gloss finish on the neck, causing it to chip away at the end of each fret. I got a full refund from Mars. I don't think they stored this guy right and that lead to the problem. I try to stick to guitars with a bound neck, but to get a guild like that I'd have to pay more than twice as much for the jf60 or 65 whichever it is called. If you plan on buying one check for this and other cracks because their is a lot of gloss on these guys.

Year: 1999
Place of manufacture: Westerly, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
Number of frets: 20
Top: solid spruce
Sides: solid maple
Back: arched laminated maple
Neck: 3 ply maple with rosewood fingerboard
Finish: natural high gloss
Body style: jumbo
Bridge: rosewood
Tuners: gold Grovers
Hardshell case and soundhole humidifier included

I play mostly country and roots-rock type music (Dylan, Neil Young, Merle Haggard, Gram Parsons, etc...). I generally play in standard tuning (tuned down a half step), but also tune to open D and open G occasionally. I mostly flat pick but also fingerpick. This guitar is perfectly suited to my tastes. I really like warm, full sounding acoustic guitars and the JF30 nails that tone. It sounds like a nice mellow vintage acoustic as opposed to some of the modern ,overly bright and thin sounding acoustics that I have encountered (especially dreadnaughts). Its a loud guitar with an excellent string- to- string tonal balance. Open chords ring out evenly and have a rich,chunky sound. Single string leads are nice and full and don't have that anemic "plinky" tone that I hear on alot of acoustics. Unlike some jumbos I've tried, the JF30 isn't overly boomy or muddy sounding. It projects superbly. This is probably due in part to the arched back. Guild doesn't use a laminated arched back to save money (the pricier JF55's and '65's also have the same backs). They use this design to eliminate back bracing and improve tonal balance and projection, like an acoustic arch top. Jumbos are traditionally for strummers as opposed to fingerpickers but because this guitar has a well balanced tone, I get a decent tone when I fingerpick. I use 013's on this guitar and keep the action high enough to eliminate string buzz. I highly recommend using heavier gauged strings and a fairly high action to get the most tone out of this guitar. I've recently switched from Martin phosper bronze SP's to Fender phosper bronze strings. I think the Fender's sound better despite costing a little less. I use Fender medium picks.

This guitar came from the factory well set up. At first, the action felt a little higher than I was used to. I was tempted to lower it just a tad but decided to leave it the way it came from the factory. I have found that acoustics sound significantly better when they don't have super low electric-like setups. I lower the tuning a half step to decrease a bit of the string tension exerted by the 013's. I also prefer the slightly darker tone of E flat. Overall, this guitar is extremely well built. The nut is cut properly and the saddle matches the neck's radius perfectly. The finish is well applied. The frets are installed well but aren't highly polished. The ends of the frets are adequately dressed with no sharp edges, although I've seen better work. The neck has required no truss rod adjustments and the intonation is pretty much right on. Any complaints I have about the materials and workmanship are very minor. There were a few glue drips in the guitar's interior, but I was able to remove them easily. Also, there are a few very minor sanding scratches near the neck heel (no big deal). The binding work is excellent overall but there are a few rough spots on the soundhole rosette. The maple used for the sides isn't as attractive as I would have hoped for. However, I'm being very picky here and in all fairness to Guild, the wood quality for a guitar of this price is excellent. If you're looking for a light weight acoustic, this might not be the guitar for you, its built like a tank (definately a plus in my book, though).

Without a doubt, this guitar will last forever if you take care of it.
The Mack Truck of acoustics!

Haven't had to deal with customer support. I've had it for a year and have had no problems.

I've been playing guitar for about 14 years. I own, and have owned a number of electrics but this is my first quality acoustic. When I went shopping for an acoustic I knew that I wanted a jumbo. I narrowed down my choice to either a Gibson J100 or the Guild. To my ears, both guitars sounded equally good. The Gibson had a slightly sweeter top end (perhaps due to its mahogany neck), but I felt that the Guild had a slightly fuller and more balanced tone overall. Tonally, I would have been just as happy with either guitar. I decided to go with the Guild though because I prefer its looks to the J100(looks like a poor cousin to the J200), I think that Guild's overall quality control is slightly higher, and most importantly, the J100 cost about $300 more (since then, its price has further increased). I don't even want to think about this guitar being stolen, but I would definately buy another one.

This is a 1995 or 1996,Jumbo . It's the maple back/sided model with spruce top. A wood-working hobbiest that I work with said he thought the sides were laminated maple but wouldn't swear on it. The piecing of the wood near the headstock is extremely attractive with a couple shades of maple. The maple neck is a darker color than the body. Very tasty. It's all acoustic and most of the specs have been covered by other reviewers here. I'll say this though: mine came with a second stap button offset on the neck - very cool. I noticed another reviewer said his only came with one on the butt of the guitar. It stays in tune.

It's a BIG guitar. I have to hang my picking arm around it and I'm average height (5'10")



The finish is impeccable.

I play and compose mostly Americana/Rock styles. I don't finger pick too much. I play it as an acoustic and haven't yet miked it for recording.
This guitar sounds fine. I prefer individual string clarity. Here's a tip. I usually use Herco nylon 50s when I play. I was getting a bit of a harsh blending sound (phosper Bronze strings - I'll take the previous reviewer's advice and switch to real brass). I switched to the standard Fender style medium picks and WHA-LA! just the sound I wanted.

It has a very boomy 6th string. In a G tuning, it's almost too low and lacks a little definition. However it does add real definition to the overall sound when strumming as opposed to individual flat picking.

I like that the treble on the 1st & 2nd strings aren't over the top and tinny. Instead they are very distinct and clear. With the medium pick, the 3rd & 4th strings are easy to distinguish in a chord as is the 5th. A 5th is a 5th on most guitars IMHO.

Like a previous review, my main acoustic has been an Ovation. Recording on the Ovation, I need to both go direct and put a mic on it. that's the only way to rid the recording of the tinny percussive plinks common to the Ovation sound. I suspect the Guild will only need a mic and have with a fuller pallet of tone. The Ovation is more flat sounding than the Guild acoustically. The Guild is lush. The Ovation would be a black and white photo and the Guild would be colored.

There may be a slight intonation problem. But the action is fast, much faster than I expected. There are a couple slight flaws in the Spruce top that appeared to be dents but could be my imagination.
It might just be the character of the wood grain. But the bookmatching is sensational.
My only real non-nitpicking gripe is that the 1st string is very close to the edge of the fretboard. Pulling down on it is a problem. I've noticed that on other Guilds. The edge of the fretboard always seems to be a bit close and rounded off. The string doesn't disconect but mutes out if you aren't careful. It forces you to do a bit of adapting in your style.
On the other hand, I believe this guitar sat in the case in someone's closet for 5 years and there is no noticeable effect on the finish or set up. the inside of the sound hole still smells fresh. It's a well made machine and very easy to play. It's LOUD.

I don't think I would gig with this guitar. It's just too darn beautiful! It does not appear to be built as rugged as the Guilds of the 1970s and there is a lot of exposed wood to be dinged. As I said, it's a HUGE guitar - I guess that's why they call it a Jumbo. It would withstand a fall very well, especially the neck. I would pick my Ovation over it for ruggedness.

I wouldn't worry about the finish or string breakage. The strap buttons were well thought out, especially the one offset on the neck for extra comfort.

If I did use it as a gigging guitar, I wouldn't be overly concerned except for cosmetic damage.

No experience

I've been playing since 1964. Besides the standard Friday night jams, I mostly write and record at home. I own a bunch of guitars and I am constantly upgrading and changing my collection. My Ovation 1651 is my only other acoustic. My fav electric guitars include a 1991 Ric 620 fireglow, a PRS 1993 EG III series II, Fender Nashville Power Tele, and a signed Reverend Avenger #139. I recently lost my '63 Fender Esquire in a bad refinish experience (sad).

I love Guild acoustics. They have the sound I love. Gimme a Guild over a Martin or Gibson. However, I bought this particular Guild via e-mail as it seemed a pretty good deal and I don't have a Guild acoustic in my collection. If it were gone, I would get another Guild but I wouldn't swear it would be this model. I'm still a freak for the 70's D25Ms in the Mahogany finish, lesser guitar though it is.

However, this is definitely the best sounding acoustic guitar I have ever owned. I guess the highlights to me are the action. Compared to a D-30 Guild I would say that the sound is bit more delicate but at twice the volume. I think it's a keeper.

This is a Guild JF-30 jumbo blonde guitar. It was produced March 30, 2000 at the Westerly Rhode Island plant. It has 20 finely finished frets on its rosewood fretboard. The top is solid spruce with solid curly maple sides and a curved curly maple back ( I believe the back is a laminate, not entirely sure). The neck is a beautiful 3 piece maple. All of this is finished in high gloss that is very smooth to the touch. The headstock sports non-locking gold colored Grover tuners and is finished off with the Guild Chesterfield logo in MOP, very classy. The fret board has MOP dot inlays at frets 5, 7, 9, double at 12, and 15. The neck has a 25 5/8 scale length. The guitar comes with a standard case. My rating has to do with this fact...it's an acoutic, how many features do you want.

This guitar is great for the stuff I play, mostly strumming type of tunes. It does a fair job of handling finger stuff but you need small fingers to get between the strings seeing how the neck isn't real wide, although it feels like a boat compared to my Ovation. Once again I will compare to my Ovation and a few other jumbos I played while shopping for this baby. The sound is full and rich compared to my round back, but hey what can you say...solid maple vs plastic :) I played several Gibson jumbos, J-150's, 100's, and the J-200. I played Taylors which sounded wonderful but felt flimsy to me, and several other brands. The Guild was a match for them all. A warm tome that didn't boom to much with base...I bought it so the tone fit my ears. You must play several different brands to find what fits yours.

The guitar was purchased on E-bay froma guitar store in California. It was supposedly set up by their luthier. If my opening sounds negative, it's not, just sceptical. The guitar's action is nice, not to low or high, no buzzing or wierd sounds it plays wonderfully. I can play barre-chords faily easily on it without lots of pressure and I'm not great at playing up the neck. The finish is wonderful, everyone who sees this guitar comments on how pretty the wood is. The only down I can find is some discoloration around the edge of the bridge on the sides. Its like the finish wasn't done well enough on the ends. The neck to body is great and the overall appearance is spectacular. The binding, top and bottom, is perfect.

This guitar is big and heavy, it feels like a rock, very solid. I do not gig so i wouldn't know how well it stands up but i could see it doing fine. It comes with one strap button at the butt of the guitar and you would want to change that and add a second to the heal of the neck.

Haven't had to deal with.

I have been playing for almost two years and this is what I call my REAL acoustic guitar. As I mentioned earlier, I have an Ovation Std. Balladier, which is a very easy playing guitar (almost electric except for the heavy strings), but the sound lacks the fullness of an all wood guitar when playing purely acoustic. The Guild is so lush and full. It is just beautiful to look at also. I find myself playing acoustic more now than electric, I have a Les Paul and a tele that is plugged through a small tube amp. My wife is much happier now that I play unplugged :) If my children smashed my Guild I would most deffinately pay more than I did to get another. You can check this guitar out at www.guildguitars.com

I have this sunburst Gulid Jumbo for a year now,so I guess I am over the "honeymoon" syndrome we sometimes get when buying a new axe.I think I can evaluate the instrument much better now that I have spent some time with it.
The guitar specs are as flg:
-solid spruce top
-laminated figured arched back with no support bracing
-rosewood fb
-gold grover tuners
-nitro sb finish
the guitar is beautifully crafted with amazing detail and no rough spots anywhere.
The finish is gorgeous and I really like it's proletarian look compared to the higher and ebony/mother of pearl loaded axes.
Soundwise I couldn't be happier.I always liked jumbos because I am a very hard strummer and I don't like the looks/sound of the dreadnoughts.This design (laminated arched back with no bracing) gives this guitar a unique sound given that it has all the volume and punch of a good jumbo without the muddy sound that sometimes comes with this body shape.The sound is very tight without the pronounced middles that cover the notes,of course the bass and treble are killer.This axe has a real love affair with a good tube recording mike I have used it repeatedly on many recordings and most sound engineers ask me to loan them the guitar (yes they prefer it to costlier Gibson and Martins).
Of course you need a manly set up to move this huge top so higher action and heavy strings (I use 012 or 013) are required,for some reason I have discovered that this guitar sounds better with vintage style brass strings than with phosphor bronze strings. I have read somewhere that many country rhythm players use this guitar when recording,I can see why now.Last but not least :the price,very sensible.
If you like jumbos give this meat & potatoes axe a try,you will love it.

American made. Jumbo flat top. Available in sunburst and natural. Similar to Gibson J-200, I guess. Solid spruce AAA top and maplesides, lam back with arch.

Sounds great--a lot more color than most upper-end newer Martin's.

Nice finish. Set-up from factory was not really great. I had to shave the bridge down, fiddle with the truss rod

Heavy guitar-like the old Martins

Nothing to go on

Great all-around acoustic. Sound gets better with age. May want to have braces shaved, cause top is really high AAA quality.

This is a 1995 model, made in Rhode Island. Solid spruce top (Antique Burst). The rest is maple. The guitar came with a Fishman pickup pre-installed.

I use the guitar mostly for rhythm work with a pick, but it holds up reasonably well with finger picking. Great sound for what I normally do, not well suited overall for more detailed work. I love its balance and eveness of tone, however, and could hardly pick a better instrument for recording. Darker tone that requires string changes often for open sound, but again, I love the tone and balance. Great rhythm guitar!

Gorgeous wood, finish, hardware and action. No flaws.

This guitar is a tank. Gold Grovers tend to wear down to the nickle color below, but have not yet on this instrument.

Haven't had to contact them for any reason.

I love this guitar and can't see ever selling it.

This is a 1999 model (April 27 to be exact), made in the USA. 14 fret neck with a solid spruce top, solid maple sides and a laminated maple back, with rosewood neck with dot inlays and brass Grover tuners. This model is a jumbo acoustic, hence the JF name (jumbo-folk). No electronics here (this is an "acoustic" guitar after all), but I believe it can be ordered with electronics. Came with a Guild case. I would have ratd the features higher if it came with a bound neck and nicer inlays. Pretty basic guitar overall.

Beutiful souding guitar, although not up to the sound quality of a Gibson ot a Martin, but for the price, you can't get a nicer sound. I play a lot of Neil Young, Johnny Cash and generally am American roots rock/country influenced. This guitar can cover any type of acoustic music other than classical really. Full sound, but not a lot of bottom or top. Very even sound. Good volume.

This guitar came with what I belive were light gauge strings and suited the guitar fine, but I swithced to a set of med-lights and find it sounds better with them. The saddle was a little high and the low E intonated a little off, but a quick filing fixed that. The action otherwise isn't too bad, but could stand to be a touch lower. The bookmatched top, and the binding are perfect, and other than a couple of glue beads on the interior, there are no flaws. The tuning heads, however, tend to tarnish, but not a big deal. A little polishing is all they need.

I haven't had this guitar TOO long, but it seems to be very solid. It would easily stand to be played live for hours on end. I would be very confident to be without a backup with it.

Haven't had to deal with them yet (knock on wood)

I've been playing for about 15 years, and this is my far the best acoustic I've ever owned. For the price, you won't find a nicer instrument. Right now I have a Les Paul and a Fender DeVille amp, but am currently shopping for something new. As good as this guitar is, it will be a secondary guitar, as I am looking at Gibsons. I would probably replace it if it were lost or stolen, but not right away.

Mine is probably a 1998 USA made blonde jumbo. It has a solid AA spruce top and curly maple sides, a laminated maple arched back, a three piece maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, and joins at the 14th fret. It has Grover non-locking tuners and a Guild fitted hardshell case. She is gorgeous, nice flame on the back, great flame on the neck. She also has a nice thick neck that may take some getting used to by the less experienced. She didn't come with electronics but I had a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker put in. She is real heavy and well-balanced.

I play with a singer in small bars. We play folk, blues, and soft rock mainly. I put in a Fishman Rare Earth Humbucker and it makes the guitar a little more versatile. Of course, being a jumbo the guitar lends herself to rhythmic strumming but she does fine on flatpicking too. Booming bass, a little weak on the treble side. I think a jumbo with rosewood sides and back would have been a better choice in retrospect. But what she is supposed to do she does great. Great volume naturally.

The action is amazing. I have never played a guitar with better action! I took her to a luthier and he was amazed too. I noticed a lot of reviews in this database note that Guilds tend to have some glue visible at the joints; that is true for mine too. You really have to look though! The top is perfect although I've seen a lot of blonde JF-30's with flaws in the top. Nut, bridge, saddles, etc. no problems

I've gigged with it for a month now and it still looks brand new. I'm sure the lemon oil and guitar polish help too but this guitar is built to last. They don't call it the workhorse for nothing. She can take the jolts in the back of my van.

Never dealt with customer support.

I've had classical training in elementary school for three years then I stopped playing until I picked up acoustics again at the start of my college career (still going strong 7 years later!). I have a Takamine EG330C that was my main guitar before this one. It is now my drop D guitar (and I'll probably replace it with a concert sized guitar). I also have a Lonestar Strat that I play through a Crate GX60C. And my old classical guitar of course.
If she was stolen I'd probably try to find a reasonably priced used JF55 or a Taylor jumbo. I think jumbos with rosewood or mahogany bodies are a little more responsive. Gibson jumbos I don't care for much (it's the mustache). I chose mine for the money and her looks, you can't beat the look of a big blonde!