Chuck Sanzone and latest GSRs

[HeyMikey]

I suggested a year or so ago that wouldn’t it be a great idea if independent vetted luthiers were subcontracted to build customs or GSRs following Guild design specs and oversight? You wouldn’t even need a centralized custom shop.

 

[Boneman]

Ooh, there’s the concert sized Guild with a spruce top and rosewood b&s, dang I want one. (But something more affordable) lol, although that is really gorgeous, and the TRC is awesome!

I’b be down with a new F20 with spruce + rosewood but with an ebony bridge and fretboard built out of Oxnard, about $2K, sign me up

 

[SFIV1967]

Ooh, there’s the concert sized Guild with a spruce top and rosewood b&s, dang I want one.

I'm glad I got a used one of the NH built GSR F-20 Cocolobo with a Carpathian spruce top and Cocobolo back and sides. She has a really nice sound for such a small guitar. If you ever see one used buy one!

Ralf

 

[West R Lee]

I like the sound of that top......Italian spruce and Adi bracing. As close as I can come to comparison is a German top with Adi bracing, and if they are as similar as they sound they should be, that thing should be pretty incredible.

West

 

[jeffcoop]

I'm glad to see Guild is putting the S back into GSR.

 

[SFIV1967]

Do you know if these are being built in the same building in Oxnard as the other Guilds?

I think only the Kim Thayil Polara was made in the Cordoba Custom Shop opposite of the Guild building as this was an entire different built compared to the acoustics. I would not see any reason for Guild acoustics to be built in the Cordoba Custom Shop where they usually make the Hauser and Torres models and which was/is not large by any means.

Another interesting fact!
Chuck Sanzone also built the 20 pieces limited USA Artist Edition S-100 Polara Kim Thayil!

As you can read on Sweetwater's page:
"Built in collaboration with the man himself, the limited-edition Guild USA Artist Edition S-100 Polara Kim Thayil was handcrafted by Master Luthier Chuck Sanzone based on specs from Kim's most cherished instruments."

And on that page:
"His favorite, a 1978 Guild S-100 Polara in Natural and his go-to stage guitar, a white model with gold hardware. Specs and measurements taken from the 1978 were replicated by Master Luthier Chuck Sanzone in a limited-run of 20 guitars. Hand-built utilizing one-piece bodies of old-growth Honduran Mahogany, the Guild 70's neck shape and large headstock reflect Kim's favorite features of his '78 S-100. These ultra-limited guitars include pickups hand-wound by Jason Lollar. Also a Seattle native, Lollar is world renowned for his designs and worked with Guild and Kim to authentically produce Guild's flagship HB-1 Humbuckers."

And a bit more about Chuck Sanzone...
He started at CMG/Guild as Production Manager/ Sr. Luthier in June 2020. In October 2021 he got promoted to Director Of Manufacturing @ Cordoba Music Group for both Cordoba Guitars and Guild Guitars. In July 2022 he was again promoted to Vice President of Manufacturing for CMG.

Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

I was hesitant posting this but after consultation I think it's interesting that he just finished his stint with Cordoba Music Group in February 2024, probably because YGG is reorganizing manufacturing management I could imagine. Anyway, he posted the following on Linkedin a week ago:

"Grateful for the past 3 1/2 years, working for Guild, an iconic American brand. Formed from the ashes of Epiphone in 1953 with a crew of Italian violin makers, the Guild represented an alternative to Fender and Gibson. I’m incredibly proud of my accomplishments over the past few years, especially building the team and watching them grow in skill and confidence. For an Italian-American violin making independent luthier like myself this has been a wonderful experience which I will always hold in the highest regard. It’s been an honor to carry the torch.
I’m available for strategic vision and forward thinking product design, consultation on production efficiency from an informed perspective, real world problem solving, and simple but effective process improvement. I relish opportunities to build teams and relationships, and am a devoted servant leader. Where the workbench is concerned, I’m interested in string instrument setup/restoration, and fretted instrument restoration projects. Please feel free to reach out with interesting opportunities. Thanks for reading, Chuck Sanzone"

Means we will not see more GSRs from him going forward. Let's see what the future will bring...

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

I was hesitant posting this but after consultation I think it's interesting that he just finished his stint with Cordoba Music Group in February 2024, probably because YGG is reorganizing manufacturing management I could imagine. Anyway, he posted the following on Linkedin a week ago:

"Grateful for the past 3 1/2 years, working for Guild, an iconic American brand. Formed from the ashes of Epiphone in 1953 with a crew of Italian violin makers, the Guild represented an alternative to Fender and Gibson. I’m incredibly proud of my accomplishments over the past few years, especially building the team and watching them grow in skill and confidence. For an Italian-American violin making independent luthier like myself this has been a wonderful experience which I will always hold in the highest regard. It’s been an honor to carry the torch.
I’m available for strategic vision and forward thinking product design, consultation on production efficiency from an informed perspective, real world problem solving, and simple but effective process improvement. I relish opportunities to build teams and relationships, and am a devoted servant leader. Where the workbench is concerned, I’m interested in string instrument setup/restoration, and fretted instrument restoration projects. Please feel free to reach out with interesting opportunities. Thanks for reading, Chuck Sanzone"

Means we will not see more GSRs from him going forward. Let's see what the future will bring...

Ralf

Well, let's hope he's started a trend. Sad to see him leaving as he's so responsible for the cool gear.