Maccaferri G30 1950s With Paperwork and Hard Case

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Mario Maccaferri is one of the more fascinating figures in guitar history — a classically trained luthier who made his name building the guitars Django Reinhardt played, and who later reinvented himself in postwar America as a mass-market manufacturer of plastic instruments. The G30 is the centerpiece of that second act.

Produced in the early-to-mid 1950s through Maccaferri's French American Reeds Manufacturing Company, the G30 was molded entirely from Dow Styron, a high-impact polystyrene that was cutting-edge industrial material at the time. The body, neck, fretboard, bridge, saddle, nut, and internal bracing are all Styron — the neck reinforced with a wood and aluminum composite to maintain stability. Maccaferri sold millions of these, famously endorsed by Arthur Godfrey on national television. These guitars have a distinct acoustic voice — bright, present, with a surprising amount of sustain given their construction — and they occupy a genuinely unique place in the American guitar story.

This example presents well for its age. The white top and wood-grain patterned back and sides finish is original and in good shape, with no cracks. The body measures 17-3/4" in length with a 13-3/8" lower bout and 3-1/2" depth, giving it a full-sized acoustic silhouette that surprises people who expect something toy-like. The 24.75" scale length and 1-7/8" nut width make it a comfortable, familiar feel, and the 12" fretboard radius and D-profile neck (.831" at the first fret, .936" at the tenth) play more like a conventional guitar than you'd expect.

Action is set at 5/32" on both the first and sixth strings at the 12th fret — playable and reasonable. There's a zero fret at the nut.  The neck condition is noted as fair, with a headstock faceplate reglue — a common repair on these and structurally sound when done right. The low E planetary-style banjo tuner does not hold tension and would need attention. The original hang tag is included, which is a genuinely rare survivor on a 70-year-old instrument.

The G30 sits at an interesting intersection: it's a legitimate piece of American manufacturing and design history, a playable guitar with its own tonal personality, and a collector's artifact that's increasingly hard to find in this condition. Jack White and Dave Grohl have both been associated with these, which says something about the kind of player drawn to an instrument that rewards curiosity over convention. If you're looking for a conversation piece that actually plays, or a slice of mid-century American ingenuity in original condition, this is a serious candidate.

A hard case is included.

Specifications:

• Brand: Maccaferri
• Model: G30
• Era: 1950s
• Weight: 3 lbs 10.5 oz
• Overall Length: 36-7/8"
• Body Length: 17-3/4"
• Lower Bout: 13-3/8"
• Waist: 8-7/8"
• Upper Bout: 10"
• Body Depth: 3-1/2"
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Nut Width: 1-7/8"
• Fretboard Radius: 12"
• Neck Profile: D
• Neck Thickness at 1st Fret: .831"
• Neck Thickness at 10th Fret: .936"
• Fret Count: 21 (zero fret)
• Action – 1st String at 12th Fret: 5/32"
• Action – 6th String at 12th Fret: 5/32"
• Top Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Back & Side Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Bracing Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Neck Material: Dow Styron Plastic, Wood, Aluminum
• Fretboard Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Nut Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Bridge Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Saddle Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Bridge Plate Material: Dow Styron Plastic
• Color: White Top, Wood Grain Back and Sides
• Finish: Original, Good
• Top Condition: Good
• Back & Side Condition: Good
• Fretboard Condition: Good
• Fret Condition: Good
• Bridge Condition: Good
• Saddle Condition: Good, Original
• Bridge Original: Yes
• Bridge Plate Original: Yes
• Neck Condition: Fair
• Neck Repairs: Headstock faceplate reglue
• Tuners: Planetary gear, 14:1 ratio, banjo-style; original — low E does not hold tension
• Strap Buttons: Heel button only (original)
• Pickup System: None
• Bridge Pins: N/A
• Case: Non-original, fair condition
• Documentation: Original hang tag included

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