Looking for Gurian Owners

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Permalink Reply by Orlyn Gaddis on April 11, 2011 at 5:38pm

I have a Gurian jumbo rosewood (East Indian Rosewood) J-R serial number C2568 which I bought new in 1977 in a music store in Austin, Texas. I've used it regularly now for over 30 years so it does show signs of use. The back has scratches from all the years of playing. The top has a pickguard but shows wear near the sound hole from finger wear. There are a few small dings in the top as well. There is a small chip missing from the peghead (where some drunk lady knocked my guitar into a friend's banjo). The finish on the guitar shows checking from all the years here in the dry Idaho climate. I understand the jumbos were particularly susceptable to this. There are no structural issues with the guitar at all and no previously repaired cracks or anything like that. It is in the original hardshell case and still has the letter of thanks from Michael Gurian on the purchase.  The craftsmanship on these Gurian's is superb with the outstanding quality of the spruce and rosewood and the extra touch of wood binding. The jumbo size was great when I was playing with bluegrassers with it's big bassy sound. The nut width on this guitar is 42mm (1-21/32").

I may be interested in selling the guitar. As a result of a shoulder problem I usually play a smaller bodied guitar now. If you are interested then please contact me.

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Permalink Reply by David Johnson on April 11, 2011 at 7:44pm

Hey Orlyn,

 

You didn't buy your Gurian in Dobie Mall on the edge of the UT campus, did you?  That's where I met my first Gurian, and though I couldn't afford to buy one then, I never forgot it.

 

Time has passed, and now once again I can't afford to buy your Gurian, or I'd shoot you an offer! The more things change ....

 

Best of luck,

David

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Permalink Reply by Orlyn Gaddis on April 16, 2011 at 11:05am

I can't remember the name of the store that I got the Gurian from. The were very hard to find in Texas in 1977. Checked out one other shop at the time that was in Houston but they didn't have anything in stock and were not particularly helpful.

Please pass along to anyone you might know that might be interested in the guitar.

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Permalink Reply by Warren Bendler on May 22, 2010 at 9:39am

I own a Gurian JM that I bought in 1978, so it's a pre - fire guitar. I am considering selling it, because I want to buy a Rickenbacker 330 and it's the only way I could afford one. (I have other hand made guitars so it's not a tragedy.) Where would be the best place to advertise it, and what do you think it's worth? I have seen Gurians advertised on the bay for $1500 - $2900 (that one hasn't sold, so I'm guessing that's too high.)

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Permalink Reply by David Johnson on May 22, 2010 at 11:35am

The used acoustic market is a bit soft overall right now, so though I've seen near mint J-Ms top $2000 on eBay in the past, that's not likely today. If you want to sell it on eBay (and that's probably still your best bet) you might want to start relatively low, then set a reserve price in the neighborhood of $1300 or $1400, depending on condition. I'd offer to buy it myself, but I already have another fellow trying to sell me a pair of J-Ms, and I'm not sure where the money would come from in any case ....

Could you tell me the serial number of your J-M, for my date/serial/model list?

Good luck with your sale!

David

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Permalink Reply by Warren Bendler on May 23, 2010 at 5:41pm

The serial number is C3232. I bought it in 1978, I'd have to dig out the receipt to find the exact date. I still have the brochure and the thank you letter from Michael Gurian, too! I don't know yet if I'll sell it, I'm still trying to decide. My first step will be to play one of the new Rickenbacker 330's to see if I like it as well as the vintage one I played.

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Permalink Reply by lans christensen on July 1, 2010 at 6:46pm

Hi David,
You are The Gurian guy, and I'm new to the family, and have recently acquired JM C 2355 from a very famous player, lead guitarist, and video teaching pioneer. It was part of a trade for a superb old Martin. It is in magnificent condition, and is full of sound and voice. Undecided if I'll keep it or not...just thought I'd throw in the # for your records,
Cheers

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Permalink Reply by David Johnson on July 1, 2010 at 7:19pm

Well thank you! Just last night I was updating my Gurian database, and realized that I've actually got pictures of 42 different Gurian guitars, and that one day I could put all this information on a web page so that people could click on certain serial number/model listings to see what the instrument looks like. I even have pictures of a size 1 Gurian!
Thanks for the information!
David

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Permalink Reply by David Johnson on June 17, 2010 at 2:52pm

Okay, I know I shouldn't bite -- my allowance was spent long ago -- but what do you want to get for this one? By the way, the early D series instruments all had the "G" on the headstock. The full "Gurian" shows up on about 60% or so of the D series instruments, the "G" on the other 40%.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Cannon on July 21, 2010 at 8:34am

YT, Do you have any idea how much you'll be selling it for?

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Permalink Reply by Albert da Costa on July 25, 2010 at 10:12pm

SInce David didn't bite, is the guitar still available?
Thanks,
Al

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Permalink Reply by Albert da Costa on July 26, 2010 at 7:21am

I am in Santa Barbara and am usually up in the Bay area every two months. My email is aldacosta@earthlink.net. Can you send me the other photos?
Thanks,
Al

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