Any Guild fans here?

wordfan · January 24th, 2006, 06:16 AM

I bought a used D-30 a couple of months ago, one of the last of the Rhode Island blondes from what I can tell, and I've fallen in love with it. I wasn't in the market for an acoustic....and certainly not in the market for a Guild, but it was hanging on the wall at Sam Ash and I fell in love with it. Never thought I'd be interested in an acoustic with maple back and sides, but it's not overly bright....just extremely well-balanced, if that makes sense at all. This is my first high-end acoustic, and she still needs a name....Anyway, I guess what I'm getting at is that it would be nice to hear from others who are as entranced by these guitars as I am. It seems like a Guild collection would be a nice thing to build. From what I can tell vintage D-55 prices are quite a bit friendlier than similarly aged D-28's...And does anyone have one of the newer Fender-made Guilds. If so, how do they compare?

DougieLove · January 24th, 2006, 08:18 AM

I own a 1997 Guild F65-CE. Also one of the Rhode Island guitars...and I love it. Along with yours, it's maple back & sides and, to me, it sounds perfect. I wouldn't trade it for any Martin, Taylor, Gibson, or any other brand. I was looking for close to 5 years for THE RIGHT acoustic, and this one was it. Another similarity to yours is that I bought mine at Sam Ash as well...the one in Edison, NJ.

I also have a newer 12 String Guild, made since they were taken over by Fender and moved over to California. It's not nearly as nice as the Rhode Island guitar. It just doesn't have "it", if you know what I mean...

DrewB · January 24th, 2006, 07:49 PM

I have a '98 (Jan or Feb) DV-52HG with the AAA-top. The correct spec for these was a AA top. All of the DV-52s I've played with the AA top were nothing special, but all of them I've played with the AAA tops have been great. Guild was one of the few companies that made/make dreadnoughts that are great for fingerstyle and flatpicking. A friend of mine has some older Guilds, a G-37 (similar to your D-30), a mahogany-topped D-25 and another I can't remember. He also has a lefty DV-52 with the AAA top that he has been in the process of converting to a righty for several years; we'll see if that one ever gets finished. Another friend has a late-60s (I think) D-40 that needs a neck reset, but that thing has the tone!

hogwldfltr · January 25th, 2006, 02:33 PM

I've got a nice JF-30 Guild. It's got a Fishman Nat-II installed. It is in competition with my Martin D-35 which has a Nat II and Ellipse Blend recently installed (last weekend). I love them both. I remains to be seen which is my favority since the Guild came in the fall. The Guild is one of the last US made Guilds. It is black and is nick named La Bete Noire. I traded in an eighties black beauty LP custom on the guitar with a Fishman Loudbox thrown in on deal. I wasn't using the LP and love the Jumbo Guild.

eddiewagner · February 10th, 2006, 07:19 AM

it is really really good and solid as a rock. i love it.

dangerine49 · February 10th, 2006, 02:43 PM

I have a 2002 D50CE from the Corona plant. It is a beauty and sounds terrific.

I had been on an acoustic quest for quite a while after playing a beautiful D28 a few years ago that I couldn't afford at the time. I decided that I wanted a dreadnought with a cutaway and built-in electronics, and narrowed it down to one or two models from Taylor, Martin, Gibson and Guild. The Martins with these specs didn't make the cut soundwise, the Gibsons were too expensive. I almost bought a Taylor 410CE, but Sam Ash's credit dept. had other ideas. Then I found my slightly used Guild at Buffalo Bros. for a great price and never looked back.

fat paul · February 12th, 2006, 09:20 AM

My brother gave me a blond d-30 a few years ago, he bought this guitar many years ago. When he lost his voice to cancer he totaly lost the desire to play guitar....
so he gave it to me. The most bittersweet gift that I have ever receved..
<>< fat paul

DJG105 · February 12th, 2006, 03:40 PM

1974 D-40
my #1

big jimmy · February 13th, 2006, 09:11 PM

so they really got to be a good guitar. its not like keef needs endorsement money.

Paul G. · February 17th, 2006, 10:31 AM

I have owned quite a few of them.

I still have my '79 D55, one of the most balanced sounding, easiest playing guitars I've ever encountered.

I still haven't touched the truss rod once, even though it has incredibly low action and not a buzz anywhere.

P.

unclearty · February 17th, 2006, 11:35 AM

I have a '61 F-40 that I bought in 1969 from a little music shop. Some knucklehead had strung it with HEAVY strings and ripped the bridge clean off...traded it in for an electric. I bought it for $150 with hardshell case..paid $75 for the bridge repair. It still lives on my living room wall. It's my go-to guitar. I don't take it on the road, anymore....I'm too afraid something bad will happen to her.

Paul in Colorado · March 7th, 2006, 11:04 PM

I've never owned one, but I've played some nice ones over the years. I got to play one of the first ones out of the Corona plant and it was as good or better then any production guitar I've played. I think the serial number was something like 000000000003. A friend has a 12 string with a repaired headstock that sings.
They're overlooked guitars. Ritchie Havens and Paul Simon have used them for years. And it seems every woman I feel in love with in a ten year stretch had a D-25. Ah,the love songs played on those guitars...

Petrucci-fan · March 11th, 2006, 11:53 AM

I bought a 1996 Guild Jf-30 about a year ago. It is really my first upper end acoustic. I see no reason to look any further. 8) This thing plays and sounds beautiful with the recent exception that it needs a truss rod adjustment.(please see my other post!)
I have played a few Martins and a couple of Taylors that where very nice. But I am very happy with the price I paid and the quality I got. I would buy another Guild in a heartbeat if I was in the market for another acoustic. :D

totallydevoted · March 19th, 2006, 08:58 PM

Hi DougieLove --
I'm trying to find a Rhode Island Guild F65-CE amber with 24 frets for my fiancee for his birthday. If you have any ideas where I might find one (maybe you know of someone who has one for sale?) OR if you ever want to sell yours, please contact me at 602.828.2921, my cell phone. I'm trying to surprise him! Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougieLove

I own a 1997 Guild F65-CE. Also one of the Rhode Island guitars...and I love it. Along with yours, it's maple back & sides and, to me, it sounds perfect. I wouldn't trade it for any Martin, Taylor, Gibson, or any other brand. I was looking for close to 5 years for THE RIGHT acoustic, and this one was it. Another similarity to yours is that I bought mine at Sam Ash as well...the one in Edison, NJ.

I also have a newer 12 String Guild, made since they were taken over by Fender and moved over to California. It's not nearly as nice as the Rhode Island guitar. It just doesn't have "it", if you know what I mean...

paulpixel · March 28th, 2006, 09:15 PM

I've owned a Guild D 40 C (very early cutaway model from 1974 or so) since it was new. The thing is a monster. Its been all over the country (about 50 times), abused (in my youth), rained on (at Galax VA BGF no less), had its frets replace a couple of times, and still is the best sounding, best playing flattop I've ever run across. It has a much more complex tones than either of my Martins. (which cost thousands more). I wish they still made them like this :<

When I first purchased it, I replaced the nut and saddle with bone, but even before that it had killer tone.

gitarjoe · March 30th, 2006, 04:27 AM

It was my first new acoustic. Worked hard for it back in the days( I had just started high school). I still have it. The wood grain is really nice, and it sounds great. Its in my gallery by the way.

Charlie Bernstein · April 27th, 2006, 12:12 PM

liked it.

franchelB · April 27th, 2006, 06:50 PM

I WISH I had bought a DV52 instead of my Taylor 410E. Also the D-25 mahogany is a nice guitar...

AZMIKE · May 8th, 2006, 08:05 PM

'95 D-4 owner here. Bought new in June of '95, which means it is coming up on its 11th birthday. It is a Rhode Island, pre-Fender (I think Fender bought them in November of that year) guitar. It was then the entry-level Guild, but it is a fine guitar. I have heard it described as a satin-finished D-25, which seems about right. It was my first "good" guitar, and the one I would never think of selling or trading. Flatpicks, finger-picks, hybrid-picks, whatever, very well.

I had a shot at acquiring a slightly shopworn A-25 a few years ago, back when I had a little more money, and I regret not pulling the trigger. Another small-bodied Guild I would love to have is the M-20, and someday I hope to get a Guild 12-string of some sort.

Mike

Bluesbob · June 26th, 2006, 07:41 PM

DC-5E. Saw one on eBay for $650.00. Hesitated. Lost it. Darn!

fungusyoung · June 26th, 2006, 09:59 PM

I got this D-25 on Ebay for $300 recently. What a bargain! I'm amazed by how ridiculously undervalued these guitars still are.

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...-1992004-2.jpg

jonzer · June 29th, 2006, 04:15 PM

I have an F4CE (I think that's what it is). It's a more inexpensive Guild than most. It was made in Rhode Island in 97. I bought it used. It's beat up, scratched up and looks like a mess. I love it. It's a thin body and the sound hole is oval shaped. It's great on stage. I restrung it last night and it sounds like a new guitar all over again.
There's some photos of me with it on our website:
http://816rocks.com/photos.cfm

guitar mike · July 3rd, 2006, 11:20 PM

My first good acoustic was a Guild JF65. Jumbo body, great inlays and a huge sound.

sharkydude50 · July 21st, 2006, 12:16 PM

I think the older ones (pre-Fender) were almost to the one very fine instruments. Built to last and sound great. I own an '87 Westerly D225 (it's a 12 string cannon tuned in D). The only negative was it's plastic bridge pins and nut (there was bone in the saddle however). Now she has bone (and even more incredible tone) all over!!!

marcb · December 15th, 2007, 08:13 AM

Just took her back out of the closet.

Regards,....marc

Bluesbob · December 15th, 2007, 04:01 PM

Wow, since my last post I received a '75 Guild D35 for my b'day in '06 and I have it on good authority that I'll be getting that DC5E for this Xmas. I believe Guild guitars are one of the best buys around, American made (not counting GAD imported production) and seriously under-valued, at least for the older, pre-Fender guitars. Now I need a 12.

January 24th, 2006, 06:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
wordfan Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Raleigh NC Age: 29 Posts: 106	Any Guild fans here? I bought a used D-30 a couple of months ago, one of the last of the Rhode Island blondes from what I can tell, and I've fallen in love with it. I wasn't in the market for an acoustic....and certainly not in the market for a Guild, but it was hanging on the wall at Sam Ash and I fell in love with it. Never thought I'd be interested in an acoustic with maple back and sides, but it's not overly bright....just extremely well-balanced, if that makes sense at all. This is my first high-end acoustic, and she still needs a name....Anyway, I guess what I'm getting at is that it would be nice to hear from others who are as entranced by these guitars as I am. It seems like a Guild collection would be a nice thing to build. From what I can tell vintage D-55 prices are quite a bit friendlier than similarly aged D-28's...And does anyone have one of the newer Fender-made Guilds. If so, how do they compare? __________________ "The only thing we knew for sure about Henry Porter was that his name wasn't Henry Porter"

January 24th, 2006, 07:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
DrewB Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Independence, MO Posts: 904	Heck yeah! I have a '98 (Jan or Feb) DV-52HG with the AAA-top. The correct spec for these was a AA top. All of the DV-52s I've played with the AA top were nothing special, but all of them I've played with the AAA tops have been great. Guild was one of the few companies that made/make dreadnoughts that are great for fingerstyle and flatpicking. A friend of mine has some older Guilds, a G-37 (similar to your D-30), a mahogany-topped D-25 and another I can't remember. He also has a lefty DV-52 with the AAA top that he has been in the process of converting to a righty for several years; we'll see if that one ever gets finished. Another friend has a late-60s (I think) D-40 that needs a neck reset, but that thing has the tone! __________________ There is no substitute for Sound Pressure Level

February 10th, 2006, 07:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
eddiewagner Friend of Leo's Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: ROCK!linghausen/germany Age: 49 Posts: 3,599 27 Photos	i have a d 25 it is really really good and solid as a rock. i love it. __________________ My Drum/Guitar-Duo: www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat

February 13th, 2006, 09:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
big jimmy Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Melvis, TN. Posts: 286	keef and bonnie play guild so they really got to be a good guitar. its not like keef needs endorsement money. __________________ I get my kicks on guitar licks!

February 17th, 2006, 10:31 AM	#10 (permalink)
Paul G. Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 885	They made some great flattops and archtops I have owned quite a few of them. I still have my '79 D55, one of the most balanced sounding, easiest playing guitars I've ever encountered. I still haven't touched the truss rod once, even though it has incredibly low action and not a buzz anywhere. P. __________________ Listen to your mother

January 24th, 2006, 08:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
DougieLove Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Elmendorf AFB, AK Age: 36 Posts: 657 3 Photos	I own a 1997 Guild F65-CE. Also one of the Rhode Island guitars...and I love it. Along with yours, it's maple back & sides and, to me, it sounds perfect. I wouldn't trade it for any Martin, Taylor, Gibson, or any other brand. I was looking for close to 5 years for THE RIGHT acoustic, and this one was it. Another similarity to yours is that I bought mine at Sam Ash as well...the one in Edison, NJ. I also have a newer 12 String Guild, made since they were taken over by Fender and moved over to California. It's not nearly as nice as the Rhode Island guitar. It just doesn't have "it", if you know what I mean...

January 25th, 2006, 02:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
hogwldfltr TDPRI Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bend, OR Posts: 41	I've got a nice JF-30 Guild. It's got a Fishman Nat-II installed. It is in competition with my Martin D-35 which has a Nat II and Ellipse Blend recently installed (last weekend). I love them both. I remains to be seen which is my favority since the Guild came in the fall. The Guild is one of the last US made Guilds. It is black and is nick named La Bete Noire. I traded in an eighties black beauty LP custom on the guitar with a Fishman Loudbox thrown in on deal. I wasn't using the LP and love the Jumbo Guild.

February 10th, 2006, 02:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
dangerine49 Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 339	I have a 2002 D50CE from the Corona plant. It is a beauty and sounds terrific. I had been on an acoustic quest for quite a while after playing a beautiful D28 a few years ago that I couldn't afford at the time. I decided that I wanted a dreadnought with a cutaway and built-in electronics, and narrowed it down to one or two models from Taylor, Martin, Gibson and Guild. The Martins with these specs didn't make the cut soundwise, the Gibsons were too expensive. I almost bought a Taylor 410CE, but Sam Ash's credit dept. had other ideas. Then I found my slightly used Guild at Buffalo Bros. for a great price and never looked back.

February 12th, 2006, 09:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
fat paul TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 43	My brother gave me a blond d-30 a few years ago, he bought this guitar many years ago. When he lost his voice to cancer he totaly lost the desire to play guitar.... so he gave it to me. The most bittersweet gift that I have ever receved.. <>< fat paul

February 12th, 2006, 03:40 PM	#8 (permalink)
DJG105 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: SI, NYC Posts: 283 5 Photos	1974 D-40 my #1

February 17th, 2006, 11:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
unclearty Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South central Mass. Age: 56 Posts: 283 2 Photos	I have a '61 F-40 that I bought in 1969 from a little music shop. Some knucklehead had strung it with HEAVY strings and ripped the bridge clean off...traded it in for an electric. I bought it for $150 with hardshell case..paid $75 for the bridge repair. It still lives on my living room wall. It's my go-to guitar. I don't take it on the road, anymore....I'm too afraid something bad will happen to her. __________________ uncle-arty

March 7th, 2006, 11:04 PM	#12 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,012 3 Photos	I've never owned one, but I've played some nice ones over the years. I got to play one of the first ones out of the Corona plant and it was as good or better then any production guitar I've played. I think the serial number was something like 000000000003. A friend has a 12 string with a repaired headstock that sings. They're overlooked guitars. Ritchie Havens and Paul Simon have used them for years. And it seems every woman I feel in love with in a ten year stretch had a D-25. Ah,the love songs played on those guitars...

March 11th, 2006, 11:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
Petrucci-fan Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Columbia, Mo Posts: 126	I bought a 1996 Guild Jf-30 about a year ago. It is really my first upper end acoustic. I see no reason to look any further. 8) This thing plays and sounds beautiful with the recent exception that it needs a truss rod adjustment.(please see my other post!) I have played a few Martins and a couple of Taylors that where very nice. But I am very happy with the price I paid and the quality I got. I would buy another Guild in a heartbeat if I was in the market for another acoustic. :D __________________ "Never play a minor in a Major situation"

March 28th, 2006, 09:15 PM	#15 (permalink)
paulpixel NEW MEMBER! Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1	Guild Fan I've owned a Guild D 40 C (very early cutaway model from 1974 or so) since it was new. The thing is a monster. Its been all over the country (about 50 times), abused (in my youth), rained on (at Galax VA BGF no less), had its frets replace a couple of times, and still is the best sounding, best playing flattop I've ever run across. It has a much more complex tones than either of my Martins. (which cost thousands more). I wish they still made them like this :< When I first purchased it, I replaced the nut and saddle with bone, but even before that it had killer tone.

March 30th, 2006, 04:27 AM	#16 (permalink)
gitarjoe Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 987 15 Photos	I have a 1979 guild d-40... It was my first new acoustic. Worked hard for it back in the days( I had just started high school). I still have it. The wood grain is really nice, and it sounds great. Its in my gallery by the way. __________________ Just my two cents.

April 27th, 2006, 12:12 PM	#17 (permalink)
Charlie Bernstein Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Augusta, Maine Posts: 2,301	had one for a long time. liked it.

April 27th, 2006, 06:50 PM	#18 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,792	I WISH I had bought a DV52 instead of my Taylor 410E. Also the D-25 mahogany is a nice guitar...

May 8th, 2006, 08:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
AZMIKE Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 175	'95 D-4 owner here. Bought new in June of '95, which means it is coming up on its 11th birthday. It is a Rhode Island, pre-Fender (I think Fender bought them in November of that year) guitar. It was then the entry-level Guild, but it is a fine guitar. I have heard it described as a satin-finished D-25, which seems about right. It was my first "good" guitar, and the one I would never think of selling or trading. Flatpicks, finger-picks, hybrid-picks, whatever, very well. I had a shot at acquiring a slightly shopworn A-25 a few years ago, back when I had a little more money, and I regret not pulling the trigger. Another small-bodied Guild I would love to have is the M-20, and someday I hope to get a Guild 12-string of some sort. Mike

June 26th, 2006, 07:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
Bluesbob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East Suffolk L.I. Posts: 971 20 Photos	ISO DC-5E. Saw one on eBay for $650.00. Hesitated. Lost it. Darn! __________________ What, me worry?

June 26th, 2006, 09:59 PM	#21 (permalink)
fungusyoung Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 860 22 Photos	I got this D-25 on Ebay for $300 recently. What a bargain! I'm amazed by how ridiculously undervalued these guitars still are. http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c1...-1992004-2.jpg

June 29th, 2006, 04:15 PM	#22 (permalink)
jonzer Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 981	I have an F4CE (I think that's what it is). It's a more inexpensive Guild than most. It was made in Rhode Island in 97. I bought it used. It's beat up, scratched up and looks like a mess. I love it. It's a thin body and the sound hole is oval shaped. It's great on stage. I restrung it last night and it sounds like a new guitar all over again. There's some photos of me with it on our website: http://816rocks.com/photos.cfm __________________ http://816rocks.com/ Last edited by jonzer : June 29th, 2006 at 04:17 PM. Reason: bad link

July 3rd, 2006, 11:20 PM	#23 (permalink)
guitar mike Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Akron, OH Age: 38 Posts: 297	My first good acoustic was a Guild JF65. Jumbo body, great inlays and a huge sound. __________________ I do whatever my guitar tells me to.

July 21st, 2006, 12:16 PM	#24 (permalink)
sharkydude50 Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2006 Location: South Florida Posts: 170 9 Photos	An '87 Westerly, RI D225 here I think the older ones (pre-Fender) were almost to the one very fine instruments. Built to last and sound great. I own an '87 Westerly D225 (it's a 12 string cannon tuned in D). The only negative was it's plastic bridge pins and nut (there was bone in the saddle however). Now she has bone (and even more incredible tone) all over!!! __________________ Sharkymon- Acoustics Baby Yeah! Last edited by sharkydude50 : December 28th, 2007 at 12:21 PM.

December 15th, 2007, 08:13 AM	#25 (permalink)
marcb TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brick, NJUSA Posts: 81	1973, D55 here Just took her back out of the closet. Regards,....marc __________________ Best regards,....marcb

December 15th, 2007, 04:01 PM	#26 (permalink)
Bluesbob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: East Suffolk L.I. Posts: 971 20 Photos	Time flys... Wow, since my last post I received a '75 Guild D35 for my b'day in '06 and I have it on good authority that I'll be getting that DC5E for this Xmas. I believe Guild guitars are one of the best buys around, American made (not counting GAD imported production) and seriously under-valued, at least for the older, pre-Fender guitars. Now I need a 12. __________________ What, me worry?