❌SOLD❌ Guild JF-30C Jumbo Flattop Cutaway Blonde, 1988

The Guild JF-30C is a rare bird, built in small numbers during 1988 and 1989 in Westerly, Rhode Island as a cutaway version of the 17 inch jumbo JF-30.

A quirk of this example is that the label identifies it as a JC-30. Some non-cutaway JF-30 models were also identified as J-30 on the label. The 1988 Guild catalogs and price lists name them as JF-30 and JF-30C. Below the serial number stamped in the back of the head is another stamp reading ‘2-88’, suggesting a build date of February 1988.

Based on a full size, 17 inch wide (432mm) Jumbo body, the Guild JF-30C adds a rounded Venetian cutaway. The top is Sitka Spruce, with solid Maple sides and Maple laminate, arched back. The body blocks and linings are Mahogany. The neck is Guild’s three-piece construction of two long Maple blocks with a narrow Walnut center. The tapered headstock is built out with small Maple sections. The bridge and unbound fingerboard are Indian Rosewood, and the bridge plate is Maple.

This guitar appears to have shipped with a factory-installed under-saddle pickup; there is a small hole in the bridge plate at the treble end of the saddle slot. That pickup was removed and a Fishman passive soundhole pickup, likely a Neo-D magnetic humbucking model, installed to an end-pin jack. The tuners are the original Grover Roto-Matics.

This Guild JF-30C is in good playable condition, and shows signs of being used as intended. There are some marks to the bass side of the top from enthusiastic strumming, and a few other dents. Some time ago, a centre seam crack developed between the bridge and tail block, which was repaired and seems stable. Fret wear is light to moderate, and the guitar plays well. It has plenty of articulated volume and projection.

A modern TKL style arched top hard shell case is included, and is in very good condition.