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Description

The Guild GF-55 was introduced in 1989 as a successor to the Guild models designed by George Gruhn, introduced in 1989 when some of the Gruhn-designed models were discontinued. Basically, it has the shape of a Gruhn GF model but with the top of the line Guild trimmings. The model was discontinued during 1993 with a total of 166 instruments made, (of which this is number 22). Just as a perspective, GF-60s (the same guitar with a maple body) were presented by Jerre Haskew, president of Guild at the time, to Eric Clapton and Johnny Cash, both of whom used them extensively. There is a GF-60 on Reverb right now for $3472—the only one of these guitars I see anywhere online.

This particular guitar was one of the first made in Westerly, R.I., in the new model year 1989 as indicated by the serial number (GF550022). It has dominated lesser instruments for more than 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 one of the top of the line Guild acoustics, parallel to the more conventional F-55, featuring Gruhn’s mini-jumbo body style in 6-string configuration, with a rounded 16-inch lower bout, 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 ivoroid 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 almost no cosmetic issues to report. There are no visible dings and bruises, no finish checking in the top, and no cracks at all. Please note the particularly gorgeous figuring in the book-matched rosewood back—if I didn’t know better, I’d think it was Brazilian. The only flaws I see anywhere are a few hairline cracks in the binding on the neck (all quite stable) and some slight discoloring of the finish on the treble side of the neck at the second and third frets. The action is set up at a fast and comfortable 3/32” at the 12th fret low E, and the 1 11/16” nut makes it easy to play. It has an under-saddle pickup activated through an end pin jack, but with the sound and resonance this guitar generates you won’t need amplification playing solo except in a really large venue.

All in all, this beautiful 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 over 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 generations 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, 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.

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS

1989
Guild GF-55NT
Excellent
Natural
Original Hard
9 Years
ALUMPSTER'S GUITARS
ARTHUR H LUMPKIN
803-731-0515
Online Only
9:20 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.