Has anyone ever reshaped the headstock of a Guild?
- Thread starter kydave
- Start date
Qvart
Senior Member
I wasn't going to chime in on this one as acoustics aren't my focus, but here goes:
I dig the Guild headstocks on my solid bodies. Everything is balanced well (and as I've said that's a big reason I have S-100's instead of SG's).
The one acoustic I do have (DCE1) has a smaller headstock than the model being discussed here and isn't headstock heavy at all.
In a way I want to say that if you feel the need to do a drastic modification then maybe passing it on to someone else would be a good idea. Then you can look for another guitar that would suit you better.
On the other hand - do what you want. It's your guitar and if you think you can mod it to better suit you then have at it.
I guess the middle ground would be the advice of changing what you can that is reversible first to see if you find a good solution without irrevocably modifying the guitar. If after that you feel the need to something more drastic then go ahead. I have a feeling though that you may not wind up with a Guild that has a modified headstock, but a different guitar altogether than what it is now.
Proceed with caution, and rock on. \m/-_-\m/
I dig the Guild headstocks on my solid bodies. Everything is balanced well (and as I've said that's a big reason I have S-100's instead of SG's).
The one acoustic I do have (DCE1) has a smaller headstock than the model being discussed here and isn't headstock heavy at all.
In a way I want to say that if you feel the need to do a drastic modification then maybe passing it on to someone else would be a good idea. Then you can look for another guitar that would suit you better.
On the other hand - do what you want. It's your guitar and if you think you can mod it to better suit you then have at it.
I guess the middle ground would be the advice of changing what you can that is reversible first to see if you find a good solution without irrevocably modifying the guitar. If after that you feel the need to something more drastic then go ahead. I have a feeling though that you may not wind up with a Guild that has a modified headstock, but a different guitar altogether than what it is now.
Proceed with caution, and rock on. \m/-_-\m/
kydave
Member
First change: I put the Grover Sta-Tites on to replace the clunky Rotomatics. I'll let this sit and settle for a while prior to any carving, and see how I like it. The looks are improved already, but putting the strings on still sucks on the G & D strings.
Let me know how you like this look.
Let me know how you like this look.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
:lol: :lol: :lol: Sorry you've had to put up with so much abuse about the question you ask, but try and keep in mind who you're talking to. Hey, it's your guitar, but to me the headstock is the most distinctive and the most beautiful part of a Guild guitar. I've never had trouble with the strings on any of mine and have never considered weight to be an issue. Having said that, it is your guitar and it's most definately your call, but if you are asking for opinions, I'd NEVER modify the headstock of one of mine for any reason.
Good luck to you,
West
Good luck to you,
West
kydave
Member
West,
What do you think about the tuner change? Like, dislike, indifferent? I think the Grover Sta-Tites look a little better than the Rotomatics, but that's just an opinion.
Thanks for the comments,
Dave
What do you think about the tuner change? Like, dislike, indifferent? I think the Grover Sta-Tites look a little better than the Rotomatics, but that's just an opinion.
Thanks for the comments,
Dave
Qvart
Senior Member
kydave said:
They look fine to me. A little strange seeing hexagons instead of round washers, but cool. Did it help with the weight/balance?
I too dig the headstock shape so I just suck it up and wind the strings by hand so I don't smack a winder into the side of the headstock.
If you did reshape it I bet it would be tough getting the finish to look right again. That would be a drawback. And like I said before, I would be concerned that you wouldn't end up with the same guitar plus a smaller headstock, but a different guitar altogether. But I have no experience and I guess it would depend on how drastically reshaped it was.
Keep us updated, and good luck!
taabru45
Enlightened Member
West R Lee said:
Yeah, well......this is an opinion from someone who prefers to have a chunk of rock inlaid into the head of his guitars........ :lol: :lol:
But really, aside from changing the tuners, I'd be about as impressed as someone getting circumcised to lose weight. I love the top, especially those big old ones, of which my 02-3 Corona D25 has. I Just think they are.......beautiful. Steffan
I think that most of us agree that it's Dave's guitar and he has every right to do whatever he wants to with it. The sarcasm and abuse he took were unfortunate and I think he's to be commended for keeping his cool in spite of it.
West R Lee
Venerated Member
kydave said:
Hey Dave, personally, I like the Grovers. I like the way they look and they're smooth. I think it would be an improvement if you're inclined to do so.
:wink: And yes Steffan, I've got a couple with rocks inlaid in the headstock......but the factory did them that way. :lol:
West
kydave
Member
That last pic I posted was NOT a hypothetical or a photoshop. That was my guitar's (D-50BS)headstock with the new Grover Sta-Tite 18:1 Vintage Nickel tuners I put on last night/this morning. The guitar balances better already with about 6 oz less weight on the headstock. No doubt, Rotomatics work fine and I had them on my D-28 for 37 years before switching to the open back style. But that's what all my guitars will get from now on - Sta-Tites or Waverlys.
Thanks guys,
Dave
Thanks guys,
Dave
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
Hi Dave.
I like the look of the open backs.
If I ever need to replace the tuners on my D55, I may go with those.
So how do your Bluegrass buddies like your D50?
I took my D55 to a big 4 day Bluegrass Jam last weekend.
I got some funny looks at first but the sound coming out of my Guild won them over.
Several folks admitted that they had never heard or played a Guild before and they were very impressed with it.
I like the look of the open backs.
If I ever need to replace the tuners on my D55, I may go with those.
So how do your Bluegrass buddies like your D50?
I took my D55 to a big 4 day Bluegrass Jam last weekend.
I got some funny looks at first but the sound coming out of my Guild won them over.
Several folks admitted that they had never heard or played a Guild before and they were very impressed with it.
Qvart
Senior Member
kydave said:
Sounds like success. Cool! I love it when a plan comes together.
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Hey Qvart, that was a great show.......went over big in Canada....."The Eh! Team" :lol: :lol: Steffan
Qvart
Senior Member
taabru45 said:
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Well, Graham didn't show up in time so I figured I'd pinch hit. What's he gonna do? Say "take off, eh, hoser"?
taabru45
Enlightened Member
I'm sure he'll be along in eh! moment. :wink: Steffan
kydave
Member
TaylorMartinGuild,
My friends and acquaintances know that pretty much any guitar I bother bringing out to play with them is going to be worth listening to. Last year, at the annual week's vacation & festival we go to up by Yosemite (heading up there the week prior to Labor Day weekend soon) along with one of my Martins, I took a $425 Chinese Recording King. It's a nicely done sunburst solid Engelmann spruce top over a solid mahogany back & sides body. The guys were unfamiliar with the brand, but were impressed with the looks and sound. One of my buddies had a brand new Collings (and an old Martin in the wings) loved it. He couldn't believe it was Chinese, and was blown away when I told him what it cost, considering what he'd just spent.
I'm looking forward to them seeing/hearing the Guild. They'll love it! Especially when they hear my deal on a NOS 2006 $2899 list D-50 Bluegrass Special!
I'm also liking the Tony Rice D'Aquisto Nickel wrap strings on this puppy!
Thanks,
Dave
My friends and acquaintances know that pretty much any guitar I bother bringing out to play with them is going to be worth listening to. Last year, at the annual week's vacation & festival we go to up by Yosemite (heading up there the week prior to Labor Day weekend soon) along with one of my Martins, I took a $425 Chinese Recording King. It's a nicely done sunburst solid Engelmann spruce top over a solid mahogany back & sides body. The guys were unfamiliar with the brand, but were impressed with the looks and sound. One of my buddies had a brand new Collings (and an old Martin in the wings) loved it. He couldn't believe it was Chinese, and was blown away when I told him what it cost, considering what he'd just spent.
I'm looking forward to them seeing/hearing the Guild. They'll love it! Especially when they hear my deal on a NOS 2006 $2899 list D-50 Bluegrass Special!
I'm also liking the Tony Rice D'Aquisto Nickel wrap strings on this puppy!
Thanks,
Dave
.
Dave, I think the open back Grovers are killer. Nice. I will say that what you've done actually is exactly in line with what the New Hartford folks have done (at least with the D-55, possibly with the other models as well including new D-50s -- I don't know). I don't know if they did it for weight (I expect so), but they put butterbean tuners on there with hex sleeves showing from the front. Very nice, and very in line with the current practice.
If that 1/2-pound savings works out to be good enough for ya', then that should do it!
Regarding the string winder... Maybe you're putting the button too far into the receptacle when you wind... If you just put it on enough to grab the knob, you might find less intrusion.
If that 1/2-pound savings works out to be good enough for ya', then that should do it!
Regarding the string winder... Maybe you're putting the button too far into the receptacle when you wind... If you just put it on enough to grab the knob, you might find less intrusion.
kydave
Member
Chaz,
I had not realized that!! Wow! The D-50 headstock pictured on the Guild Website looks just like mine. When did they switch?
Thanks!!
Dave
I had not realized that!! Wow! The D-50 headstock pictured on the Guild Website looks just like mine. When did they switch?
Thanks!!
Dave