1989 Guild GF-55
The Guild GF-55 was introduced in 1989 as a successor to the Guild models designed by George Gruhn and discontinued in 1993 with a total of only 166 instruments made (of which this is number 29). This particular guitar has dominated lesser instruments for almost three decades now, and its resonance will only improve with its new generation of players. Its classic mojo, gorgeous woods, and extravagant inlay make it stand out in any crowd, but it’s the huge sound that will make other players turn around to check it out.
The GF-55 was the top of the line Guild acoustic, parallel to the more conventional jumbo JF-55, featuring Gruhn’s mini-jumbo body style in 6-string configuration, a solid AAA spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides, three-piece mahogany neck, scalloped bracing, bound ebony 14/20-fret fingerboard with flashy pearl block/abalone wedge inlays, gold Grover tuners, and an ebony bridge with black abalone-dot pins. It is fully bound, top and back, with multi-stripe binding on top, and it has a large tortoise pick guard and a multi-stripe inlaid rosette. The bound blackface headstock features gold Grover tuners and the pearl inlaid Guild name and Chesterfield logo.
There are some cosmetic issues to report. There are a few visible dings and bruises and some finish checking in the top, but no cracks at all. However, one of the six gold Grover tuners has been replaced--unless I find a matching Grover--with a similar gold tuner; it works perfectly, but is visibly different from behind the headstock. In addition, about two inches of the binding at the top of the headstock has broken off (unless my luthier has time for the easy repair before it sells). The current price reflects this guitar’s rarity and value minus about two hundred dollars until I get these issues attended to. It has two after-market pickups, with both volume controls located inside the sound hole, and the action is fast and comfortable at about 3/32” at the 12th fret low E.
All in all, this gorgeous tone monster is ready to rule the world—or at least your local jam. It is a truly classic instrument, a real Guild, “Made to be Played”, and it has worked hard making music and beating up on banjo and fiddle players for almost three decades. Its beauty and great sound will make anyone else forget whatever they’re playing and envy its owner. 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 included arched-top hard shell case is original to this guitar, it is in dinged but solid condition, and of course it fits the GF-55 shape perfectly. The hinges and the latches work well—there’s even the original key, the black plush lining is soft and intact, the Guild logo is discreetly printed on the top, and it is solid as a rock. It is an excellent vintage complement to protect this wonderful 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; cashier’s checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have tried to be perfectly clear and accurate in describing this instrument, so its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.
Thank you for your interest in this excellent guitar.
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.