Guild GAD-F40P, Valencia (2011), Acoustic Guitar

Description: Guild GAD-F40PNAT w/F, Valencia (2011) 12-fret Grand Concert model Excellent Condition Solid Sitka top, Solid African Padauk back and sides, one piece mahogany neck Fishman Matrix electronics w/ endpin output jack, Tonerite treated for 168 hours One of the originating guitars in Guild’s GAD Series (Guild Architectural Design), the GAD-F40P is modeled on the American-made 1955 Guild F40 Valencia, a Grand Concert model acoustic guitar. The GAD-F40P features a solid Sitka Spruce top and solid African Padauk back and sides (the “P” in the model designation) and also departs from the original design by incorporating a 12th fret neck joint. This GAD model was made from 2007 to 2011 and this particular guitar was bought new in 2011. The early F40 Valencia Grand Concert-sized body was between Dreadnought and OM sized guitars (unlike the later F40 jumbo models), with a 16” lower bout. As such, it’s also deeper than an OM. Consequently, the output is somewhere between the sounds of those models, with a full bass and a mid-range that’s enhanced by the 12-fret neck joint. It has a powerful projection, a mids-punch, and a sweet singing treble voice up the neck. The guitar is suitable for both finger style and strumming. Vintage styling of this Grand Concert is completed with a set of chrome-plated Grover tuning machines. Natural color of the wood is the only color scheme assigned to this model. It’s finished with a high gloss finish. Bridge section is equipped with a belly-shaped rosewood bridge.* The neck is one-piece mahogany and is topped with a 19-fret rosewood fingerboard.* *Specs list a rosewood fretboard and bridge. If so, this is the blackest rosewood I’ve ever seen, including one very slight patch of dull reddish hue, which ebony might have, near the sound hole. All looks like ebony. It’s worth noting that concurrent GAD-F40 models with mahogany back and sides have an ebony fretboard and bridge. I’ve never seen rosewood that looks like this (see images). Having played many guitars across many years, I would say this is ebony, not rosewood. Regardless, it sounds terrific! Condition is excellent, play is quick, and smooth, frets are excellent, action is excellent, the saddle has working room and the truss rod works without problems. There are no cracks, dents, gouges, or scratches beyond normal surface noise from use. There is one very small surface flaw in the finish above the binding as shown by a small red arrow in the 18th image. See all images as part of the instrument description. Premium elements abound on this guitar enhancing its visual impact and beauty. The top and back bindings are hard wood (not stated in specs, but it looks like flamed maple). There are mother of pearl inlays on the fretboard, a mother of pearl inlay on the headstock, abalone inlays on the bridge pins, a gorgeous Sitka spruce top, with notable central silking below the sound hole and continuing below the bridge (see images), and the extraordinary Padauk tone wood, a striking reddish wood that mellows and darkens across time (of note, it has been case-kept when not playing, so the wood color has not had as much chance to transform as it would if not cased). Tonally Padauk has been compared to rosewood, but I find that it has its own projection and tonal sense, its own unique, sensual voice. Robust and clean Fishman Matrix electronics (the w/F in the model number) with preamp and endpin output jack are included (system requires a 9V battery). Sound hole controls include volume and tone. The electronics work flawlessly. The guitar has not gigged, but played through my Fender Acoustasonic 150 amp (not for sale) the combination is terrific. The instrument was Tonerite treated for a full week and sporadically after that. The Tonerite system provides a vibrational processing that helps align and so reinforce the musical resonant characteristics of the guitar. Much as regular playing makes a fine instrument sound better, so does Tonerite. Regular use keeps guitars “warmed up.” I treat all of my acoustic guitars with Tonerite, finding that they respond to the treatment with greater harmonic depth while their dynamic range is also improved. The results of treatment can be dramatic. It’s very unusual to find the combined features of the GAD-F40P, particularly a 12-fret Grand Concert model with Padauk tone wood. You probably will not see this model listed for some time, and it likely won’t be in as fine condition as this one. A sturdy hard shell case (a sticker removed from it, see image) in good condition is included. I’m revamping my sprawling collection and am sad to see this one go, but I don’t have space to keep it! SPECS Model Name: GAD-F40P Model Number: 381-0800 Category: Guild Acoustic Design Grand Orchestra Body Style: Grand Orchestra Top: Solid Spruce Bracing: Guild Scalloped Spruce Back: Solid African Padauk Sides: Solid African Padauk Bridge: Rosewood [Ebony?] Neck: One-Piece Mahogany Fretboard: Rosewood, 12" Radius [Ebony?] Width at Nut: 1-3/4" No. of Frets: 19 Scale Length: 25.5" Hardware: Chrome Machine Heads: Grover G-98 Finish: High Gloss (Polyurethane) Neck/Body Joint: 12th Fret/Body joint Lower Bout: 16" Strap Button with Internal Block Reinforcement Neck Joint: Dovetail Top Brace: Special Spruce Scalloped Bridge Pins: Abalone Inlays Pickguard: Tortoise Shell-style Binding: Hard wood [looks to be Flamed of Spalted Maple] Nut: Bone Saddle: Bone Position Inlay: Ornate Mother-Of-Pearl Position Inlays Headstock Inlay: Mother-Of-Pearl Electronics: Fishman Matrix System with Under Saddle Pickup & Endpin Mounted Active Preamp and Output Jack Case: Hard Shell Case Production: 2007-2011 [Shipping US to lower 48 only.] _______________________________________________________

Price: 795 USD

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

End Time: 2024-12-25T22:59:26.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD