What is the quintessential Guild?

[theflyingturtle]

Hi. I have been itching to get another guitar and I think I am heavily leaning towards Guilds. However I don't know much about the many, many models made by the company over the years so I thought of this question; What, in your mind, is the best representation of what Guild guitars stands for? I am guessing a jumbo of some sorts. Perhaps the answer will provide some direction for me. I suppose that my real question is, what would be a good guitar to accompany a singer (me) and I play/strum with bare fingers 90% of the time. Thanks.

 

[killdeer43]

First of all, WELCOME!
You'll get as many answers as you have respondents to your query, so just sit back and sift through the potential for your first Guild.
Personally, my D50 has worked well for me, for 21 years, for flatpicking, fingerpicking, or any other way I could think of to play it.
My dos centavos.

Stay in tune,
Joe

 

[dreadnut]

Hi and welcome!

I think of the D-25, the D-40 and the D-50 all as "quintessential Guilds." Also just about any of the 12 strings but especially the F-512.

IMHO, see if you can find a Tacoma built D-50 Bluegrass Special. Also, one of the best bargains in the world of rosewood/spruce dreadnaughts is the DV-52 built only in Westerly, RI. These are two very similar guitars in materials, construction, and tone.

Happy hunting, we'd all love to help you spend your money on a Guild!

 

[theflyingturtle]

Interesting. I expected to get responses about 12 strings and jumbo, not dreads.

 

[killdeer43]

Interesting. I expected to get responses about 12 strings and jumbo, not dreads.

You came with specific expectations? Cool! :lol:

You have to know that some of us are partial to Guilds that came from Rhode Island; some partial to mahogany or maple or rosewood backs and sides; jumbos or dreads; 12 strings or six. I think I offered that the reponses will be varied, so sit back and wait. And enjoy! :wink:

Joe

 

[GardMan]

Hey Turtle,
Welcome to the asylum! I would bet that lots of folks here would say the quintessential Guild is whatever they have... Myself, I have half a dozen +1 Guild dreads, so my choice would be a dread. Tho' I would probably say the quintessential Guild was the D-55 (it all started with Tommy Smothers), with its incredible looks and majestic tone, I give more play time to my ash D-46 and rosewood D-50.
Dave

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

S'up?

D-55

G-312

Welcome!

 

[GuildsSing]

Interesting. I expected to get responses about 12 strings and jumbo, not dreads.

Your instincts are good, for me.....the F50R Jumbo. My LTG handle is based on the one I own. You might have heard it before, it sounds like a grand piano. With six sumptuous strings.

Dan

 

[Christopher Cozad]

The Quintessential Guild?

Are you asking which acoustic model available today best embodies more than a half-century of Guild reputation?

In my humble opinion...

6-string: The F50R

12-string: The F512

Both are rosewood jumbos for that giant, warm sound. Note: a flatpick is not necessary for you to be heard on the other side of the room - fingers will do the job just fine.

If I had to choose just one guitar that would typify the Guild brand, I would pick the 12-string. But, happily, there is no need to choose just one.

Christopher

 

[Yoko Oh No]

can't say a bad thing about my d50 ....cept of course you can't have it.

my .02

 

[sitka_spruce]

What happened to the F30 and F40 series guitars? If there's any such thing as a 'quintessential Guild' about I would have to say the F30. It's the trusty companion of Paul Simon (though he recently turned to dry Martinis) and a heap of other folk and singer-songwriter musicians.

 

[chazmo]

Yup, many many answers to this question.

First, welcome to LTG!!! Next, to me answering your question is challenging because of the spectrum of things that Guild represents to me (and of course the membership here).

1. Guild is the underdog US manufacturer and has been for most of its existence.
2. Guild built a gazillion dreads in the '70s that competed favorably in value to pretty much anybody else.
3. Guild was highly experimental and had an enormous breadth of product beyond even just flattop acoustics, which is currently all that's left (though hopefully not for long)
4. Guild builds the best 12-strings in the business.

So, I'm not going to give you an answer, but I am going to say that once you start acquiring Guilds, you can always find a reason to keep going.

 

[killdeer43]

So, I'm not going to give you an answer, but I am going to say that once you start acquiring Guilds, you can always find a reason to keep going.

Very wise summation, considering the GAS factor! :wink:

Joe

 

[chazmo]

A wise member told me once to take my collection out of my signature because it gave the appearance of showing off... To me, it was just wearing my GAS on my sleeve.

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome.

The quintessential Guild is an elusive beast and you will not get a useful answer although Grot's opinion is based upon experience :wink:

Focus on what you want to do with it and you will get an answer that you can take to the music store or to eBay.

 

[devellis]

I lean toward the jumbos and the 12's, but you could make a case for any number of models. None of them are too shabby.

 

[DennisMiller]

I have a buddy in Cincy with a DV-52. I will vouch for it being a spectacular guitar and not knowing much about Guilds in general, (I'm willing to learn), he has always given me the impression he took so long to find it because it was sort of the iconic model in the line. Some will agree and other, according to my friend, will be wrong.

Thankfully, he's a skinny little wimp, so those who disagree aren't likely to get much of a fight over their opinions.

 

[jcwu]

My answer would be the DV-52, because that's what I owned for a long time. But looking beyond my own stable, I'd have to agree with the F50R and F512.

Now... I loved dreads for years and thought jumbos look too girly. Then I picked up the JV-52 from Treem here, and I've been in love with the jumbo shape ever since. It just feels so... right. For me, at least.

 

[Thunderface]

The question is much easier on the electric side of the stage, where it has to be the vintage (1970-77) S-100 with the HB-1 pickups.

Sorry to veer, my acoustic brethern. Carry on with your discussion, which I am following with interest because someday I do need -- not want, need -- a Guild acoustic to compliment all my solidbody electrics.

 

[Scratch]

Darn good question & a heckuva way to introduce yourself... Welcome aboard... As you expected, lots of opinions & answers.

Guild's 12 string fame from the 60s first inspired me toward the brand; I play more 12 string stuff than six string, so the guitar that first drew me to Guild many years ago was the legendary F-212.

My fave 6er is the D40 maybe because I'm an old codger who remembers Richie Havens' magic at Woodstock. As a mahogany fan, my opinion is also a bit biased in that regard.

Good luck with your search which might well result in Guild GAS. It can get expensive finding just the right one... Just ask GROT... :mrgreen: