How do I know where they're made?

[learner]

Hi folks,

I posted this to LTGers Only. Don't know if I was supposed to do that...

New to the forum. Decided to join when I played a GAD 30R at Elderly while on a business trip to Lansing. I liked it. Might get one next visit.

Got me wondering, when I'm looking online, how do I know which models are USA made and which are not -- and does it matter?

Thanks!

 

[Walter Broes]

GAD = made in China. Anything else that says Guild on the headstock is made in the USA.

 

[chazmo]

GAD = made in China. Anything else that says Guild on the headstock is made in the USA.

... with the exception of DV-4 and DV-6 models made since 2009... those are made in Ensenada, Mexico. Prior to that, they were USA-made.

Yes, anything with a "GAD" model name is made in China.

 

[Scratch]

Welcome aboard learner.

The soundhole label will almost always state where it is made. You'll find new GADs less expensive than USA-builts. Vintage USA Guilds hold their value better than non-USA models. USA Guilds will reflect (from earliest to latest crafted): Hoboken NJ, Westerly RI, Corona, CA, Tacoma, WA, and New Hartford CT.

 

[learner]

Thanks very much guys (I assume). I appreciate the help. I'll stay tuned...

 

[Ridgemont]

The very first production line was out of New York (to add to the list of American made Guilds), but I do not suspect you will see too many of those around. There are some.

 

[Ridgemont]

how do I know which models are USA made and which are not -- and does it matter?

ooohhhh, we have plenty of threads with that debate. Depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking for something well built, modestly affordable, good tone (maybe not as good as an 30 year old Guild), and with a lifetime warranty, then a GAD will do nicely. If you want something well built, modestly affordable, magnificent tone, no warranty, and potentially a bit beat up from 30 years of seasoning, then a vintage Guild will do. If you want pristine condition and well built, cost beginning around $2000, great tone but needing to be worked in, warranty, then get a new Guild.

I started out with a GAD and love it. If I ever see a great sounding used one at a good price, I would be tempted. My GAD is great, but after a little while, I couldn't stop wishing it was an American Guild....so I got my D25.

 

[valleyguy]

Sometimes when GADs are advertised, they are just called Guilds. You can always tell by the pickguard. The Chinese GADs are not symmetrical like the USA ones are, the top (nearer the neck) is shorter than the lower portion.

I own a GAD30 and it is a fine instrument, well built with great tone. I also own 2 Guilds, which just seem to sound better. Viva la Difference.

 

[yettoblaster]

I tried a GAD M20 I should've bought. GREAT lil' ol' mahogany guitar. It even had "character," in this day of generic imports.

And I tried out a GAD30R which was very nice, except the former owner had some pretty light strings on it and had not addressed the trussrod, so the action was too low and the sound got compromised in there somewhere (not the guitar's fault). The workmanship and features were all top drawer though. No scarf joints, stacked heels, or other shortcuts in materials or workmanship, vs so many "name" imports. FMIC seems to be paying attention to QC and details.

Recently I found a New Old Stock D40 made in Tacoma Washington. I bought it because it was fully a world class dreadnought that could compete with any other production guitar (and some luthiered high-dollar guitars), and was cheap for what it was I figured -on its own merits (like a lot of Guilds, I think). I couldn't be happier with it. With the dead strings it had on it I could tell it had that Guild authority and cushy bass "thrumb!" When I put new (light gauge) strings on it the sound came alive like a Grande piano. Astoundingly good.

Locally there are at least three older used Guild mahogany dreads for sale in stores that each have slightly different tones (likely strings) yet are what Guild dreads "sound like." Each is made in a different era, and factory. Some are heavier than others, and one has a big neck at the joint, but they also have a certain consistent authority and cushy bass "thrumb" to them, and the necks are fine (one has been reset).

I don't think Martins are any more consistent from having been built in the same factory over the years. The new Guilds coming out from New Hartford plant have the same specs as my Tacoma-built example (and I believe the specs didn't change from Corona, CA either). I'm not sure there's any disernable difference, having not run into any New Hartford D40's yet. But I'd be willing to bet at least to my ears the dreads will be very familiar sounding. It seems to me FMIC is concerned about keeping Guild in the hunt, and that means consistency in the Guild "sound."

So I'd say (to answer the OP's original question), "No, I don't think it matters..."

 

[adorshki]

..new Guilds coming out from New Hartford plant have the same specs as my Tacoma-built example (and I believe the specs didn't change from Corona, CA either). I'm not sure there's any disernable difference, having not run into any New Hartford D40's yet. But I'd be willing to bet at least to my ears the dreads will be very familiar sounding. It seems to me FMIC is concerned about keeping Guild in the hunt, and that means consistency in the Guild "sound." So I'd say (to answer the OP's original question), "No, I don't think it matters..."

I'll only add a couple of small build details I've noticed for those who have preferences: As far as I've seen the New Hartfords are being built with open tuners...personally I prefer the enclosed ones which I believe were used up through the end of Tacoma production. Also I believe Tacoma introduced the Red spruce top to the D40, I don't think Corona ever specifed what the tops specifically were.
Lastly I can't recall whether it was ever resolved if Corona introduced the use of poly finishes on acoustics instead of nitro due to CA air quality regs? And I seem to recall that although Tacoma announced a "UV-cured poly finish", someone showed it didn't actually get used on Tacoma Guilds.
Bottom line however, as you say, is that knowledgable owners confirm that all plants somehow turned out Guilds that sounded like, well, GUILDS! :lol:

 

[valleyguy]

I bought a Tacoma D50 because I really liked the sound of that red spruce top. I think that the D50 and D40 Guild started making from the Tacoma plant onward sound very different than previous builds of the same guitar, mainly because of the adirondack top. I love the sound of red spruce tops, whether from Martin, Collings, and hand-builts, they just have a very defined powerful sound, great flat-picking guitars. The first time I played a Tacoma D50 I knew I had to have one, took me a couple of years to save up. I probably played 5 at different stores, they all sounded consistently good, so I got mine thru the internet. I'm not saying the pre-Corona D50s don't sound good, just different. I've played one NH D50, it sounded just like mine.

 

[yettoblaster]

...I can't recall whether it was ever resolved if Corona introduced the use of poly finishes instead of nitro due to CA air quality regs?...

I had what was called a California Strat ('97) so-called because before the Corona state of the art finishing booth passed its certification the "American" Strats were being sprayed in Ensenada. Since that year, Corona has been spraying all the American Vintage reissues, etc., in-house in Corona.

It's a bit hit and miss I'm afraid.

My last Westerly Savoy (but under auspices of FMIC) was lacquer, and the specs said so on the Fender website. My present Savoy was Corona made, and poly (but the website was still spec'ing lacquer).

My D40 (Tacoma) is lacquer.

I didn't know about the Corona D40's and the red spruce thing. Mine Tacoma-made is (and sounds like it). 8)
It's the first Adirondak spruce guitar (and first "keeper") I've had since my '61 J-45!

I may be a deaf old geezer, but I am so happy to hear about that OTHERS can also hear the difference! 8)

 

[chazmo]

Sometimes when GADs are advertised, they are just called Guilds. You can always tell by the pickguard. The Chinese GADs are not symmetrical like the USA ones are, the top (nearer the neck) is shorter than the lower portion.

I own a GAD30 and it is a fine instrument, well built with great tone. I also own 2 Guilds, which just seem to sound better. Viva la Difference.

Fred, just FYI, that's not entirely accurate. The GAD-style pickguard is different than traditional style, true, but some of the USA-built guitars (early NH guitars from 2009 and I think some of the Contemporaries from Tacoma) used that style. So, I guess I'm just saying using the pickguard shape is not conclusive.

 

[chazmo]

..new Guilds coming out from New Hartford plant have the same specs as my Tacoma-built example (and I believe the specs didn't change from Corona, CA either). I'm not sure there's any disernable difference, having not run into any New Hartford D40's yet. But I'd be willing to bet at least to my ears the dreads will be very familiar sounding. It seems to me FMIC is concerned about keeping Guild in the hunt, and that means consistency in the Guild "sound." So I'd say (to answer the OP's original question), "No, I don't think it matters..."

I'll only add a couple of small build details I've noticed for those who have preferences: As far as I've seen the New Hartfords are being built with open tuners...personally I prefer the enclosed ones which I believe were used up through the end of Tacoma production. Also I believe Tacoma introduced the Red spruce top to the D40, I don't think Corona ever specifed what the tops specifically were.
Lastly I can't recall whether it was ever resolved if Corona introduced the use of poly finishes on acoustics instead of nitro due to CA air quality regs? And I seem to recall that although Tacoma announced a "UV-cured poly finish", someone showed it didn't actually get used on Tacoma Guilds.
Bottom line however, as you say, is that knowledgable owners confirm that all plants somehow turned out Guilds that sounded like, well, GUILDS! :lol:

Al, I think we got a confirmation along that way that at least in Tacoma all the Guilds were nitrocellulose-finished. I'm not sure about that. I do know that the actual Tacoma-brand guitars got polyester finishes...

 

[Ian]

Welcome along. Good luck in your search for a Guild. Might I suggest looking over the FS/Ft columns pretty regularly, you often find some really great buys there ( hope you've got a big savings account, and a really understanding partner !!).

Cheers, Ian

 

[adorshki]

My last Westerly Savoy (but under auspices of FMIC) was lacquer, and the specs said so on the Fender website. My present Savoy was Corona made, and poly (but the website was still spec'ing lacquer).
My D40 (Tacoma) is lacquer.
I didn't know about the Corona D40's and the red spruce thing. Mine Tacoma-made is (and sounds like it). 8)It's the first Adirondak spruce guitar (and first "keeper") I've had since my '61 J-45!

I know it wasn't mentioned in the price list when I got mine (Corona '03), and I don't know enough about wood to be able to identify by sight (which is a debated issue all by itself). Hopefully one of these days we'll get a chance to A/B 'em in person!

I may be a deaf old geezer, but I am so happy to hear about that OTHERS can also hear the difference! 8)

Hopefully one of these days we'll get a chance to A/B 'em in person!
And I warned you not to hang around with that Townshend kid! :lol:

 

[kdavid]

maybe it was the model also, but i started with a GAD 30 & while the nut width was a little wider, the neck felt slimmer
same with the GADf212 i owned. the DV6 (Westrly-bui;t) that owns me now seems to have a more 'meaty' feel to the neck
whick i like.
butt then again...it might just be all in my head too--thats been known to happen

 

[adorshki]

maybe it was the model also, but i started with a GAD 30 & while the nut width was a little wider, the neck felt slimmer
same with the GADf212 i owned. the DV6 (Westrly-bui;t) that owns me now seems to have a more 'meaty' feel to the neck
whick i like.
butt then again...it might just be all in my head too--thats been known to happen

I've been running an informal neck survey and it's probably NOT in your head. The American necks vary for sure. Mainly due to the fact that they were hand-finished on a belt sander so even though the fretboards may be pretty much exactly the same on a given nut width and scale, the necks themselves can (DO) vary enough to be noticable.