1974 Guild F50 pawnshop find

[Gary1953]

Last week, I was traveling out of state with my wife and I stopped in a pawn shop to look for a guitar amplifier or some pedals. I got there shortly after they opened. They had just put an acoustic guitar in the rack on the wall and it caught my eye. It was an old Guild. I was stunned to see the price; $150.

I looked it over for major structural problems, tuned it up and played a few chords. It sang like an angel's harp. The finish was cracked around the neck joint so I checked the neck for looseness. It was solid. I don't need another acoustic but I will never find another like this so, I bought it. They threw in the case and added sales tax.

On the way home, I dropped it off with my acoustic guitar luthier. It needs a new nut, new bridge saddle, glue down the bridge and a fret level and crown. He called me back to say it also needs the first 5 frets replaced and I should have it back in a couple of days.

Here are a few phone pics I took in the hotel. Check out the pink colored abalone inlays. Did I do good?

[jpbat]

Originally Posted by Gary1953

Did I do good?

And, after that, you're kidding us ?
Not fair...

Man, you did much more than good.
Why this *never* happens to me ?

[Goat Mick]

I like it!! If it sounds as cool as it looks you've got a real winner. Congratulations!

[KenL]

You can't beat an old Guild. Nice score!

[downtime]

Wow, congrats on an awesome find. That is a seriously cool Guild. I love the headstock and the fingerboard inlays.
There is a certain kind of joy that come from rescuing an old guitar like this and bringing it back to life.

[ChrisE]

That reminds me of the time I went into my local pawnshop superstore and walked out with a 1937 D-28 and a 1953 Broadcaster for $200.00 each.

Oh wait--that was a dream I had. Nevermind.

[Steadfastly]

Did you do good? No. You never PM'd to say you bought me a great guitar at an awesome price and ask me for my shipping address.

On second thought, ya, you done good, very good. Enjoy that find!

[troystory92]

Insane find, man. Congrats and enjoy the new geet

[Earl49]

Ya certainly done good, if you want / like it.

I never see anything worth having in pawnshops, to the point where I don't even bother looking any more. What I see are inexpensive or moderately priced guitars that are roughly used and all beat to heck, but wearing brand new prices as if they were pristine. (Ditto for tools, etc). IMO, one of the reasons these "pawnshop find" stories imprint on our minds is the same reason that airplane crash stories stand out -- it so rarely happens.

[jricc]

Congrats. Love Guild guitars.
But I don't see any pics....

[lowrider]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice!!!!!!!

'' Did I do good?'' You did real good!

[Misifus]

Six years ago, I inherited a similar 1977 F50R from my brother. Like yours, it needed a lot of work, but it was worth it. All in all, a fine instrument.

[Athens]

I'd bet the guys over on the Let's Talk Guild forum would enjoy hearing about this.

Great find!

[mattwood]

That's the kind of find that the rest of us dream about! Congratulations!

[Blueshoes]

Did you do good, I’ll say you did
Nice guitar these Guild jumbos are great