I just bought my first Guild, a D-30 (with pics). What should I know?

[Canard]

@The Hawk

What should you know?

Guilds can be the loveliest acoustic guitars going.

Put fresh strings on it.

Check its setup and tweak as necessary.

And most importantly, enjoy playing it.

The marketing slogan, Made To Be Played (and played and played and played), is true for most Guilds, but especially true for the American-made ones.

Congratulations!

 

[SFIV1967]

The instruments dates to 1992, made in Westerly

It's actually a very early 1993 serial number, the lists show the last number for the year. (last 1992 number was 1458)

From the 1992 price list and catalog sheets:





Ralf

 

[The Hawk]

It's actually a very early 1993 serial number, the lists show the last number for the year. (last 1992 number was 1458)

From the 1992 price list and catalog sheets:





Ralf

Thanks so much, SFIV1967! I'm curious to know what the year and make tell me about Guild guitars. Was it thought to be a good period, or were there mixed opinions about quality. It seems that many manufacturers, even the big names like Guild and Gibson, have periods that shine and periods that produce more questionable instruments. Business practices, takeovers or simply the supply of high-grade woods, etc, are all factors. What is the opinion of Guilds from this period? I'm curious, because the one I picked up seems to be quite good. Thanks!

 

[The Hawk]

@The Hawk

What should you know?

Guilds can be the loveliest acoustic guitars going.

Put fresh strings on it.

Check its setup and tweak as necessary.

And most importantly, enjoy playing it.

The marketing slogan, Made To Be Played (and played and played and played), is true for most Guilds, but especially true for the American-made ones.

Congratulations!

Thanks, Canard. I've put some Curt Magnan strings on it, because I live in Colorado and really enjoy playing his strings. They sound really nice, very balanced. I also read on this forum that Newtone strings are wonderful. I didn't know about them. I've ordered a set of Newtone double wounds from Darbyshire (!) and will probably try them next. Play and play and play...

 

[GGJaguar]

What is the opinion of Guilds from this period?

The Guilds from that, and other periods are considered excellent. There were no "bad times" for Guild.

 

[The Hawk]

The Guilds from that, and other periods are considered excellent. There were no "bad times" for Guild.

Super!

 

[adorshki]

I do not know much about the D30, outside of it was previous called the G37, and there is a photo of Ry Cooder playing one in Hans Moust's Guild Guitar Book.

You been smokin' dope with with that Al dude on the sly, haven'tcha? That'd be a neat trick since it wasn't called the D30 yet during the book's coverage era....but I do find a pic of him with an F47 on pg 122....(Full disclosure I was expecting to find him with an F50 but must-a been conflatin' 'im with Dave Van Ronk...)

Hawk, Nice acquisition. As someone mentioned, this is the renamed G37. The G 37 had mahogany neck in the early 70's, then switched to maple. Around 1996 they switched the name to D30...I tried to buy a 1980 G37 recently, but the seller backed out 9of the price he set)...I am also new to the forum, but have learned a lot as all are eager to help with questions and, as pointed out, enable you to buy more Guilds...I have picked up two recently and nothing but positive feedback and encouragement along the way...Dave

Just a history note, name change actually happened ca late '85, but in '92 when it went on hiatus, it was revived in '96 and showed up in the '97 catalog :

They even got Richie Havens to play a sunburst version for the second issue of the Guild Gallery but it didn't seem to stick, they gave him a Signature D40 in '03 and never looked back.

 

[hansmoust]

I do not know much about the D30, outside of it was previous called the G37, and there is a photo of Ry Cooder playing one in Hans Moust's Guild Guitar Book.

Hey Wood,

You're mixing it up with the F-47!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[The Hawk]

You been smokin' dope with with that Al dude on the sly, haven'tcha? That'd be a neat trick since it wasn't called the D30 yet during the book's coverage era....but I do find a pic of him with an F47 on pg 122....(Full disclosure I was expecting to find him with an F50 but must-a been conflatin' 'im with Dave Van Ronk...)



Just a history note, name change actually happened ca late '85, but in '92 when it went on hiatus, it was revived in '96 and showed up in the '97 catalog :

They even got Richie Havens to play a sunburst version for the second issue of the Guild Gallery but it didn't seem to stick, they gave him a Signature D40 in '03 and never looked back.

Thank you for sharing this! I'm fascinated by the history of guitar models and what comes in and out of stock/favor. I must say that the maple used for my particular guitar is gorgeous. Photos don't do justice. Even when covered with dust and grime, I could see the wonderful grain and quilting of the woods. The ad above captures it well!

 

[adorshki]

Thank you for sharing this! I'm fascinated by the history of guitar models and what comes in and out of stock/favor. I must say that the maple used for my particular guitar is gorgeous. Photos don't do justice. Even when covered with dust and grime, I could see the wonderful grain and quilting of the woods. The ad above captures it well!

Not just that guitar, and for that you can thank a guy named Willie:

Just in case that's hard to see, here's a link:
https://www.gad.net/Blog/2010/07/28/guild-gallery-catalog-1999-july-december/

 

[crank]

It's actually a very early 1993 serial number, the lists show the last number for the year. (last 1992 number was 1458)

From the 1992 price list and catalog sheets:





Ralf

They went up a lot in a decade. I paid around $550.00 for mine new in '81.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Hey Wood,

You're mixing it up with the F-47!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

Thanks Hans. I am mis remembering, but Abby like tore up your book as a baby and probably haven’t read it since. I am left with many images in my head however. Sunburst D55, my BR, well, not mine but same model. The larger than life 12 string photos, Clapton and an F50.