Black eyed Guilds
First - Benee - I, too, am a "vigorous" rhythm player and I tend to favor medium guage (13-53) - but I have to qualify and say that I play in open C and D, so the tension is a wee bit lower. But, I purchase strings in bulk from String This and know that they are Martins. I use the 80/20 rather than the phosphor, as the phosphor "shine" sound dulls pretty quickly and I find it abrasive anyway. I would recommend you get a set of medium 80/20 bronze strings - D'Addario, Martin are good - John Pearce strings are great - and give them a test.
Dkl - You crack me up, but, as usual - your gyro is spot on and you hit the mark again.
Now the rest of you can tune out if you wish. Dred - Aye, the black one is my 1988 GF25. I also have, as you've seen, a 1987 GF25. These two are as different as night and day with the 88 deeper by an inch at the lower bout and the sound is as dark and dusky as the finish (which is slowly flaking off on the arched back to reveal a beautiful piece of mahogany - come on flake!). The 87 has an extremely fast neck and a sweeter, lighter sound. I asked both George Gruhn (the guitar's designer) and Jay "The Guild Guy" Pilzer why the two are so different only a year apart - why were the specs changed. George admitted the guitar was released in 87 just before his departure from Guild and he had no idea the specs were changed. He deferred to Jay, whom I had already submitted the question to. Jay agreed with me - Westerly was ALWAYS a player's shop and someone probably came in, said 'this model is great, but can you do this for me, and the changes stuck.
I like the 88 better for a stage guitar on the road. For years, I used my G37/D25. It's a monster and so-o-o achingly gorgeous sounding. But, I feared for it's well being (I've used it on every album I've ever done as the principal guitar and in session work from LA to Boulder, to Nashville to the East Coast) as I could never replace it if stolen or damaged AND sometimes, it seemed too powerful, too much sound, nearly overwhelming. So, I bought a 94 D4 to replace it, but quickly found it had too much sound too. At that time, I bought my wife her M20 and she gave me the black 88 GF25. It was perfect on the road and gets a fair amount of use in the studio. The 87 is being used by my studio lead guitarist and he says he has that and his 73 Martin D35 in the studio. People come in, play both and almost to a player choose the Guild for the studio work.
But, partially thanks to Hans Moust and John Kidder here at the site, I was alerted to an 89 GF25 on Ebay. I was the high bidder, but the reserve hadn't been met (I believe I was close). I checked with the seller and at this point, they say it's mine - send them the money. When they email me the total with shipping, I will send the money. Why do I want another? Well, the 88 is kept in open C (CGCEGC) and the G37/D25 is in open D (Vestapol/Richie Havens DADF#AD). Since I fear to take the 75 G37/D25 on the road, the 89 will replace it and, I believe, be the perfect road counterpoint without the overwhelming sound.
Thanks for asking - as you know - Guild people really love to talk about their Guilds...eh, DKL?!?!?! Best to you all. dbs
Dudley-Brian Smith
Smithfield Fair