Hi. I just bought the first production model used ser. AD500001. I have received a lot of info about my A50 and most replies are positive. I have a very positive opinion about mine. It was made in 1995 and is in excellent condition. Someone said they thought they were overbuilt.
if you could elaborate some one why you think they are not so good, I would appreciate it. It would be good to hear from an insider. I saw a good amount of extra glue and it has been said if you do, it could show the lack of concern with care taken in other things. However, it’s about 27 years old and looks and plays like a champ. Some of the best resonance and tone I think I have heard in a guitar. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Cary
Hi Cary, I see you’ve been asking about your A50 in several threads recently. What is it that you want to know - is it more valuable based on the low serial number, what is means by the overbuilt comments, other people’s opinion about whether it is a good model guitar?
I did a review of my “opinion” when I bought mine three years ago and also did a comparison vs a NH F30R Std. Mine is also a first year (#74) so should compare similarly to yours.
Wonderful review, thanks! GREAT name! (Used to be one of my hobbies around here) Interesting note about s/n vs tuners as the '96 catalog shows 'em with chrome (And A25's with "Ivoroid"), but '97 catalog does show 'em with show gold, (and A25's with chrome) and apparently their gold tuners...
letstalkguild.com
I showed pictures of the inner bracing which was much thicker compared than the NH F30. This and heavier construction all around was somewhat typical of Westerly built guitars, which are by and large terrific guitars but often built like a tank. Perhaps some of the negative opinions were based on a belief that a heavy build on such a small body guitar would deaden the sound or responsiveness. I certainly didn’t find it true of mine but some others might have speculated or observed that problem.
I did find my A50 darker in tone than the F30, which is an all around more versatile guitar IMHO. It is not a “typical” fundamental Guild type of tone and perhaps that was a turn off to some. I do however love the tone of mine a lot for certain uses. Mine excels at finger style and slow melodies where the overtones don’t get a chance to build up and muddy things too much. It’s not great for hard or fast strumming. It is a very fine guitar for what it does, though is not a do-it-all kind of guitar like many Guild models can be. Perhaps that is another reason why some people don’t care for it. So be it, I like it!
Another reason for some negativity is the wide 1-13/16 inch neck that may make chording difficult for those who prefer a moderate neck width. I happen to find it a benefit, especially for what it was designed to do.
As for what it’s worth, value to most is based on cosmetic and structural condition and how it sounds. Don’t go by s/n alone. In fact sometimes a low s/n is not a good thing unless you are talking about highly collectible models. There have been several prototypes and very early numbered guitars talked about here. Sometimes they are good sometimes they are not. Sometimes in later renditions an unexpected early design flaw was improved upon. I had one high end custom which some called a prototype of the GSR series that I found nice but didn’t measure up in sound and dynamics to the later production release.
Occasionally a model or line might have a bad reputation, but there are always exceptions. Take the Contemporary Series for example. As a whole the series is known to have had serious design flaws which caused problems with many that were produced. Because of that they often sell for relatively less than other counterparts of the same era. However when you find a good one, such as the cedar top refurbished one I have, they are outstanding guitars but perhaps not a do-it all model either.
If it plays good, sounds good and is structurally sound that is all that matters. Don’t worry about opinions of other people who have not played your particular guitar. From what you’ve been telling us, you like how yours plays and sounds and it clearly looks super, so that is all that should matter. You found a good one, enjoy it!
