Back in January, I was looking around on Kim Walker's website (amazing guitars!) and recalled information about his role in the production of the Guild Studio 24 acoustic. On a whim I sent him the following note with some pictures of the one I have:
"Kim,
I was just looking around on your website, and thought you might like to see this picture of a Guild that I had the good fortune to find and purchase a few years back. I believe you had something to do with the design & production of this guitar when you were at Guild. Not too many were made.
Just wanted you to know that this one (#12 of about 30) is still being used and enjoyed pretty much every day. Now equipped with a K&K Double helix and Pure mini for when I get to play out."
I had pretty much forgotten about doing this, but today I received this unexpected response. Thought it would be of interest to folks - and especially Hans:
Hi Bob,
I tagged this note meaning to get back to you about how cool I think this is! Yes, I refined the design work and made the original prototype, which George Gruhn still has. It was George's idea to make a 335-ish flattop and I made it reality. The sides are the shape of the Guild Firebird. The headstock shape is inspired by the early Gibson L-5s, George's favorite. It's very likely more rare than the 30 serial numbers would indicate. There were problems in the manufacturing and some of those never made it out of the factory. So, cool!
Kim
I had read the 30 guitar run estimate in a number of places, and (other than the Gruhn prototype) have only ever seen 4 others anywhere on the net (including two others on this forum), but Kim's response regarding manufacturing problems sheds more light on why this may be so.
Bob
"Kim,
I was just looking around on your website, and thought you might like to see this picture of a Guild that I had the good fortune to find and purchase a few years back. I believe you had something to do with the design & production of this guitar when you were at Guild. Not too many were made.
Just wanted you to know that this one (#12 of about 30) is still being used and enjoyed pretty much every day. Now equipped with a K&K Double helix and Pure mini for when I get to play out."
I had pretty much forgotten about doing this, but today I received this unexpected response. Thought it would be of interest to folks - and especially Hans:
Hi Bob,
I tagged this note meaning to get back to you about how cool I think this is! Yes, I refined the design work and made the original prototype, which George Gruhn still has. It was George's idea to make a 335-ish flattop and I made it reality. The sides are the shape of the Guild Firebird. The headstock shape is inspired by the early Gibson L-5s, George's favorite. It's very likely more rare than the 30 serial numbers would indicate. There were problems in the manufacturing and some of those never made it out of the factory. So, cool!
Kim
I had read the 30 guitar run estimate in a number of places, and (other than the Gruhn prototype) have only ever seen 4 others anywhere on the net (including two others on this forum), but Kim's response regarding manufacturing problems sheds more light on why this may be so.
Bob