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Description

This vintage Guild F-20SB “Troubador” guitar was made in the famous Hoboken, New Jersey, plant in late 1969, judging from the label, its serial number (AG 3235), and the Guild website. This model was introduced in 1956 as a version of the original small body narrow waist F series (orchestra style) guitars, with dimensions similar to and perhaps designed to compete with the smaller-bodied guitars being offered by Gibson and Martin for the folk singers of the era. The series was discontinued in the late 1980s to re-appear as the GF series, distinguishing it from the popular jumbo JF series.

But as we all know, newer isn't necessarily better in guitars. This particular guitar has been dominating lesser and larger instruments for 47 years, and the resonance of its aged woods will continue to improve with each new generation of players. Its bright sunburst finish, classic design, and well-aged looks make it stand out in a crowd, but it’s the surprisingly full sound that will make other musicians turn around to check it out.

The Guild F-20 has a "folk" or mini-jumbo body style, with a 13 ¾” lower bout and a rather narrow pinched waist (8 1/8”) compared to a dreadnought. This modest size makes it easier to handle for many players while sacrificing surprisingly little of its powerful bass. It has a solid spruce X-braced top and solid mahogany back, neck, and sides. The body has multi-ply tortoise binding, top and back, and it has a tortoiseshell pick guard, a rosewood bridge, and a multi-stripe inlaid rosette. The bound 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay position markers ends in a mahogany headstock with three-on-a-plate vintage-style open tuners and the Guild logo.

Considering its 47 years of seasoning and enthusiastic play, it’s not surprising that there are a few cosmetic and structural items to report: there is of course some finish “crazing,” especially on the top of the lower bout (“to let the sound out,” as my luthier says), as well as some dings and considerable chipping in the finish along the edges and the back of the neck. Structurally, there is an ancient professionally repaired crack in the back, which my luthier has certified as solid as a rock; in addition, the bridge has been replaced and equipped with a bone saddle. The neck is fine, the truss rod works, and there is minimal wear in the fretboard and frets, with no buzzing and no problems. Even with the new saddle, the action is set at a hair under 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, the sound is terrific for its smaller size, and the light weight makes it comfortable to play for hours—which is exactly what you will want to do.

This is not a museum piece. While it is a totally cool instrument, it is a real Guild, “Made to be Played,” and it has been making music and turning heads for almost two generations. It has now been thoroughly checked out, and it’s ready to beat up on some banjo and fiddle players, despite its modest size. Any hesitation you might feel about it due to its honorable battle scars should be more than overcome when you hear the remarkable sound and resonance released from its solid woods by those years of experience. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, it will pass into the hands of a player able to make music and turn heads for a generation or two to come.

The vintage original hard shell case naturally fits perfectly, and is in very good condition. The hardware is all functional, the bright blue plush interior is soft and clean, and the arched top makes it solid as a rock. It is a great vintage complement to this totally cool vintage guitar.

Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashiers and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.

I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Please check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing.

Thank you for your interest.

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1969
GUILD
Very Good
Original Hard
9 Years
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
7:50 AM
24/7 by e-mail: akmgj@bellsouth.net. I'm old; I don't sleep much.

Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.

From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.

I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.