Tell Me what you really think of the New GAD'S !

[Siwash]

Yeah, I agree with the fellow above about the D-25 being dropped.

A guitar this widespread almost stands alone in terms of public recognizability. And it WOULD be the next logical step up the Guild ladder.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

Owning 2 GADS, a 50 and a 212, along with a New Tacoma D55, I would rate the GADS very high in quality, tone, and playability.

For sure the D55 has more and better tone than the GAD50, but that 50 is just about the best sounding and playing 6 string I had ever owned prior to the D55. Side by side comparisons with other brands, it is well above the others in it's sales price class.

The GAD212, is just drop dead beautiful in tone and quality too. I think only another Guild could match this 12 stringer in the tone department.

If these GADS were built over here, and at that same quality level, the price would have to be more than double.

Never, but never under-estimate the Oriental Peoples' abilities and integrity, when it comes to manufacturing anything!

 

[creeksideguy]

what are GADS????????

 

[Graham]

GAD are Guilds made offshore in China. Although some folks argue that they're not Guilds at all. That is really semantics, in my view.

They are a very well priced, $600 for a D-50 style, guitar. Spruce and rosewood, to me they sound very good and feel very good.

The problem that some folks have is that the headstock says GUILD. As opposed to the entry Gibson line of Epiphone. Something like that.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

what are GADS????????

A designation given to Pacific Rim built Guild products.

GAD stands for Guild Acoustic Design.

Pretty much what Graham said! :wink:

 

[Firebird]

One thing that the Westerly and Tacoma Guilds have is a uniformity in tone. A Guild guitar has its own unique sound in the the same way a Martin has its own definable sound. The Guild tone is recognizable throughout the entire model line. The GAD guitars are well built, look great and have a nice tone for the money but they lack the classic Guild tone that the American made guitars are known for. The GADs have a much better tone than any Ibanez, washburn, Alverez, Fender or Epiphone guitar. Starting off your guitar buying journey with a GAD is not a bad thing but I would opt for a used Westerly for similar money in order to get the real McCoy.

 

[dreadnut]

kydave: the GAD sounded better than any Guild you've played over the past 45 years? :?

You've obviously led a Guild deprived life :lol:

 

[Graham]

One thing that the Westerly and Tacoma Guilds have is a uniformity in tone. A Guild guitar has its own unique sound in the the same way a Martin has its own definable sound. The Guild tone is recognizable throughout the entire model line. The GAD guitars are well built, look great and have a nice tone for the money but they lack the classic Guild tone that the American made guitars are known for. The GADs have a much better tone than any Ibanez, washburn, Alverez, Fender or Epiphone guitar. Starting off your guitar buying journey with a GAD is not a bad thing but I would opt for a used Westerly for similar money in order to get the real McCoy.

I don't disagree at all with that Fire and that is exactly what I did. My argument has been that if it wasn't for the GUILD on the headstock I wouldn't have pursued the name and subsequently the company. For me, I'm very glad they call them Guild GADs and give them the nicer headstock and trim. Face it, for some people, and I'm in that boat to some extent, looks play a part in the choice. You could put a Martin beside a Cort, beside a GAD, beside an Epiphone Masterbilt and, to me anyway, the looks of the GAD and the Epi are more attractive than the other two. That is the headstock, it looks more refined, more dignified, bigger. It just may make your look a bit better than the next guys. Whether it's a better guitar or not, to some doesn't matter.

 

[fungusyoung]

Yeah, I agree with the fellow above about the D-25 being dropped.

A guitar this widespread almost stands alone in terms of public recognizability. And it WOULD be the next logical step up the Guild ladder.

I think they must be struggling over costs/price range... or maybe they just want the Tacoma's to be viewed almost like a Guild custom shop. Then again, maybe Tacoma is not interested in increasing their capacity too much... so maybe Guild is forced to keep the higher volumes in China?

If they made a D25 (built like the old ones), they would probably need to price them in the $700 - 850 range. Or at least I'd think that would be a very good competitive option.... which might be too close for comfort considering the GAD line pricing.

 

[Graham]

If they made a D25 (built like the old ones), they would probably need to price them in the $700 - 850 range. Or at least I'd think that would be a very good competitive option.... which might be too close for comfort considering the GAD line pricing.

Perhaps but the 25 would be a great "real" Guild at $800 up from the GAD at $500 or $600. The next step is the D40 and it's quite a leap from $800.

You're probably right about the production side of it though.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

All the ones I've played were at least 90% as wonderful as my older (early 70s) and more modern (early 90s) Guilds...works for me!

Lotta bang-for-the-buck! 8)

 

[guildzilla]

Although it probably won't happen, perhaps Fender will eventually build D-25's to provide a lower USA Guild entry level. As they still seem to be building up production capacity in Tacoma, it makes sense to do the more expensive stuff first.

If the market responds, maybe they'll ramp up a little more and run some big batches of D-25's.

Cross your fingers, it could happen.

There's no place like home, Auntie Em.

 

[Graham]

If the market responds, maybe they'll ramp up a little more and run some big batches of D-25's.

That could be very exciting.

 

[george kraushaar]

GAD?

I bet Fender wishes that they had a venerable trademark like Epiphone to name a line of guitars after. Let's remember that 45 years ago Epiphone was a builder of premium guitars. When Gibson bought that company the most valuable asset they received in the deal was that name. And I'm sure they have made a bundle off of it.

I would guess that for Guild to recreate a new D-25 that the cost would be very close to that of making a D-40, especially since mahogany has become just an endangered tonewood. It would make more sense for them to have the Chinese build an exact D-25 replica.

 

[Metalman]

What do you think of the GAD Guilds

The GAD's are made in China, are not Guilds, don't sound like Guilds, but have the name on their headstock.
Remember Madeira Guitars? Theywere made in Japan, I believe, and I never really liked them. They would be the '60's equivalent to the GADs I suppose. But they didn't carry the Guild name on them, but they sounded a little like Guilds. Just not as good as the American-made guitars.

At least the Madeiras sounded SOMETHING like a Guild. The GADs don't come close. They are nicely made, but don't call them Guilds.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Re: What do you think of the GAD Guilds

The GAD's are made in China, are not Guilds, don't sound like Guilds, but have the name on their headstock.
Remember Madeira Guitars? Theywere made in Japan, I believe, and I never really liked them. They would be the '60's equivalent to the GADs I suppose. But they didn't carry the Guild name on them, but they sounded a little like Guilds. Just not as good as the American-made guitars.

At least the Madeiras sounded SOMETHING like a Guild. The GADs don't come close. They are nicely made, but don't call them Guilds.

Must respectfully disagree...Madeiras were very inexpensively built plywood guitars, usually with those accursed "adjustable" bridges and cheesy tuners...every bit as good as Hondo IIs and such as that...likely built in the same factories, too!

Guild GADs, OTOH, are actually pretty decent solid wood instruments, well worth the $$$ they cost.

BTW, to those looking for a D-25:
[img:180:420]http://www.guildguitars.com/instruments/prod_images/acoustics/3810100821_md.gif[/img]
http://www.guildguitars.com/instruments ... 3810100821

Will this sound as good as a 70's era D-25? Well, yes, it'd likely sound very similar to a 70's D-25 guitar when it was brand new, and it just might, in 35 years sound EVERY bit as good as that 70's era D-25 today...give the GADs a chance!

I can surely promise it'll sound quite a bit better than a 35 yo Madiera!

 

[Metalman]

What do you think of the GAD Guilds

Reply to Terry Allen Hall


My reply:
Yes, Madeiras were made out of plywood. I guess that's why I never liked them. And I stand corrected, sort of; The GADs are made much better than those Madeiras, but still don't like them. Now, the dreadnoughts are pretty decent. The smaller bodied ones I just don't like.
Now, about that GAD D-25; in 35 years it will sound great. I don't want to wait that long for my guitar to sound good.
I can tell right away if an instrument has any potential, as far as opening up in sound as the guitar ages. And this process, mind you, takes place only in the first few years of its life. The resins in the wood get loosened up from vibrations, and after two or three years, this process stops.

Older guitars sound better because Martin, Guild, Gibson used different methods back then, and air-dried woods. Other factors were present, but that is it in a nutshell. I believe guitars don't get better year after year, and on and on.
Unless you install a JLD Bridge Doctor sometime along the way. THEN the guitar comes alive even more so . . .

Dennis
_________________

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Re: What do you think of the GAD Guilds

Reply to Terry Allen Hall


My reply:
Yes, Madeiras were made out of plywood. I guess that's why I never liked them. And I stand corrected, sort of; The GADs are made much better than those Madeiras, but still don't like them. Now, the dreadnoughts are pretty decent. The smaller bodied ones I just don't like.
Now, about that GAD D-25; in 35 years it will sound great. I don't want to wait that long for my guitar to sound good.

>>>Didn't mean to imply it would take 35 years to improve...the GAD-40 I have access to has improved a great deal in the 2 years my buddy has owned it...it now sounds so much better than his 15-yo D-18 that he's getting ready to sell the Martin to finance a 12-string.


I can tell right away if an instrument has any potential, as far as opening up in sound as the guitar ages. And this process, mind you, takes place only in the first few years of its life. The resins in the wood get loosened up from vibrations, and after two or three years, this process stops.

>>>Well, in the 35 years I've made a living as a performer, I've actually bought a few brand-new guitars and experienced this phenomenon for myself...

Older guitars sound better because Martin, Guild, Gibson used different methods back then, and air-dried woods. Other factors were present, but that is it in a nutshell. I believe guitars don't get better year after year, and on and on.

>>>Properly cared for, they certainly do, but after the first few years, it's a much more subtle/gradual thing.


Unless you install a JLD Bridge Doctor sometime along the way. THEN the guitar comes alive even more so . . .

>>>Pass...those are great for plywood guitars, but sometimes ruin solid tops...


_________________

 

[Metalman]

What do you think of the GAD Guilds

To: Terry:

Talk to me about the JLD. How does it ruin solid tops. I like the sound that I get as a result of installing one; however, I am not interested in damaging my guitar!

Like to hear more about this . . .

I like that - someone sells his Martin D-18 in favor of a chinese-made Guild. doesn't say much for Martin, does it.

Someone told me, there is just something regal about pulling out an old Guild Guitar. Must be the headstock . . . Martins are so plain . . .

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Re: What do you think of the GAD Guilds

To: Terry:

Talk to me about the JLD. How does it ruin solid tops. I like the sound that I get as a result of installing one; however, I am not interested in damaging my guitar!

Like to hear more about this . . .

>>>If you're not careful in the installation, the JLD can split the top...I've also heard of this happening to guitars that got too dry in the winter.<<<

I like that - someone sells his Martin D-18 in favor of a chinese-made Guild. doesn't say much for Martin, does it.

>>>Wasn't a bad Martin, but the Guild sounded better to him...and to others. Hopefully, the D-18 will make it's new owner very happy. :idea:

OTOH, the fact that his Guild was made in China instead the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line doesn't make it any less of a fine guitar. 8) <<<

Someone told me, there is just something regal about pulling out an old Guild Guitar. Must be the headstock . . . Martins are so plain . . .

>>>Guilds are cool...that why we all have 'em! <<<