Dave Gonzalez & Guild

[JayHardtke]

I suppose this is the wrong part of the forum, but Dave G. pretty much is Mr. X-500, or 550.

I had the opportunity to see Dave play today and talk with him a bit and asked him what was his current relation with the new Guild. His reply was that there has been zero contact and he has zero relationship. I find that mind boggling.

I knew of and was aware of Guild, but it was seeing Dave play many years ago that prompted me to buy one. I bet there are more than a few like me on the forum.

I think we all know that Dave has taken Guild guitars all around the world, and has played with and is respected and admired by many heavy weight A list musicians.

Why wouldn't current Guild management be in contact with Dave?

I would imagine someone from Guild monitors this forum, and hope they do get in touch with him to put something together and make it happen.

Just curious to hear any comments or input from the forum. Thank you.

 

[txbumper57]

Guild did have a relationship with him in the early 2000's with the collaboration and release of a very few American made X550P guitars which were a modern version built from the specs of his original 50's X550. Right now Guild in Oxnard is having a hard enough time trying to get the first of the traditional acoustic models into the swing of production. When the sale went through there was talk of Guild in Oxnard planning on eventually making a few American Electric models but that was only after Acoustic production had been well into production for a few years. As far as making a Paladin Newark Street model I just don't think they could make a Good enough Guitar and have it be cost effective. Hopefully things will work out in the future but at this point in time Guild is really in it's infancy stage of American production at the new facility. I personally would love to see Guild have a relationship with Dave and if I ever get the chance to buy one of the early 2000's reissue guitars I would in a Heartbeat.

TX

 

[Jeff Haddad]

I personally would love to see Guild have a relationship with Dave and if I ever get the chance to buy one of the early 2000's reissue guitars I would in a Heartbeat.

TX

I would like to see that too, not only for the guitar's sake, but also for the purpose of raising awareness of Dave and the Paladins. His tone and playing got me interested (and hooked) on Guild archtops, specifically those equipped with the Franz pickups.

 

[kakerlak]

My wife and I were there, too. Probably stood in line right next to you, lol. Nothing much to add that hasn't been covered. Guild isn't making American electrics at the moment and, as cool as Dave is (one of my all-time favorites), I doubt he carries much marketing value for a guitar company. Hell, Soundgarden was a lot bigger and they're not really a thing now, either.

 

[Walter Broes]

I'm a Dave fanboy too, obviously. I wouldn't underestimate how "he's still selling Guilds to the Rockabilly/Blues community worldwide". I bet half of the Newark Street X175T's got sold to people who have Dave and the Paladins on their radar. I know I see a LOT of them out there at the festivals I play.

I guess Cordoba should contact him once they figured out how to build an X500 in Oxnard, haha. Or maybe do an official Dave-sanctioned NS model that he's had some input in, if he's interested in that.

 

[kakerlak]

Yeah, that's a good point, Walter. I wonder if there'd be any interest in a NS 550? They've already got the superstructure, so it would just be a matter of fancier maple, binding, inlays, and ebony. If the 175s can street around $1k, I wonder if they could get a 550 out just under $2k

 

[txbumper57]

Yeah, that's a good point, Walter. I wonder if there'd be any interest in a NS 550? They've already got the superstructure, so it would just be a matter of fancier maple, binding, inlays, and ebony. If the 175s can street around $1k, I wonder if they could get a 550 out just under $2k

You could compare the materials needed for a Newark Street X550 model to the materials they are using on the Newark Street Starfire VI"s they are making now. Problem is that I don't see too many of the Starfire VI's selling at the $1999 asking price. I have seen a few sell for a discounted price of $1200-$1500 but there can't be that much profit margin at those discounted prices. It is just really hard to sell a Korean made Guitar no matter how well it is built at the close to $2000 asking price these days. Just an opinion of course.

TX

 

[Walter Broes]

Yeah, that's a good point, Walter. I wonder if there'd be any interest in a NS 550? They've already got the superstructure, so it would just be a matter of fancier maple, binding, inlays, and ebony. If the 175s can street around $1k, I wonder if they could get a 550 out just under $2k

I'm not sure I'd want one, see Tex's post too. All very theoretical in my case, I'm spoilt, and something very special would have to come along at the right for me to get yet another hollowbody. But I don't see myself spending 2000 on a fanciefied NS175.

Then again, if Dave could get a royalty for every guitar with his name on it sold, I'm all for it. High time he makes a buck on all the Guilds he sold - most people I know who are into archtop electric Guilds have been introduced to them by him.

 

[kakerlak]

So I noticed they're now selling Paladins Guild X-550P t-shirts: http://luxrecordsusa.com/store

Seems like he still feels inclined to endorse them.

 

[kakerlak]

Walter, I was introduced to The Paladins by Hans' book, which I got in the '90s, due to an interest in Guilds. But I'm a backwards fellow

 

[txbumper57]

So I noticed they're now selling Paladins Guild X-550P t-shirts: http://luxrecordsusa.com/store

Seems like he still feels inclined to endorse them.

If I am not mistaken a Member here actually owns one of the early 2000's X550P guitars. The shirt is cool but the guitar is on my "Guild Grail" list. Looks like the X550P is also on the front of the Album they are selling on the website.

TX

 

[kakerlak]

If I am not mistaken a Member here actually owns one of the early 2000's X550P guitars. The shirt is cool but the guitar is on my "Guild Grail" list. Looks like the X550P is also on the front of the Album they are selling on the website.

TX

Yeah, he's still gigging that guitar (it's filthy and covered in stickers, Iol)

 

[Walter Broes]

Walter, I was introduced to The Paladins by Hans' book, which I got in the '90s, due to an interest in Guilds. But I'm a backwards fellow

I think I got my first Pals record around '89 or '90, probably first saw them around 91 or 92. They were a big deal to me - I came ouf of the Rockabilly scene with my first band(s), was in a Blues band at the time, and they were the band that made me go "see!?! You can do all of it in one band!!". Proud to call them my buddies now.

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Lux Records is run by Thomas Yearsley so it makes sense they're selling Pal's merch. I just ordered 2 tshirts and the new live CD.

I waited about 14 years to see the Paladins live after discovering them after "Years Since Yesterday", around 1988. They scheduled a drive-by show at a little bar (way) outside of Allentown, PA on the way from one show to another one back around 2002. It's been another 14 years, maybe they'll come east again! Dave had his prototype X550P and let me check it out. Definitely an "I'm not worthy" moment! I finally found one a few years ago and am lucky to call it mine:

 

[JayHardtke]

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for posting, that's a beautiful guitar!

I spoke to Dave about the 550Ps years ago, and I am very certain he told me only 3 were ever made, his and two others. I would assume that's correct, or no?

I kind of think and hope Walter is correct in that Dave probably has been responsible for many sales over the years.

I know the company is still getting organized and taking baby steps, but I can't imagine there aren't enough talented workers in the SoCal area to make it impossible to produce whatever they want, and realize it's all about the numbers.

I was just kind of surprised that there has been zero communication, I would think that on some level they would be bringing him in to the tent so to say.

I know he didn't use the Guilds much when touring with the Hacienda Brothers, more the baritone and tele, but any Paladins fans not familiar with the Hacienda Brothers really need to check them out. They also were a fantastic live band.

 

[JayHardtke]

Also just an FYI, I picked up a Paladins CD at the show I had never seen before, actually a Hollywood Fats CD, and Thomas had a box of them. A live show from 1985 in Dallas with the Paladins backing up Hollywood Fats. It's really awesome. Thomas told me that someone recorded the show on a walkman, and that was the tape used to make the album. Saying that, it sounds very live and it's a fun listen. Not sure why he doesn't have it on the site, probably because it's on another label. Thomas also has a limited number of 45s left of Should Have Been Dreamin'/Wicked

 

[Jeff Haddad]

Mine's #2. I found it used at Artisan Guitars in TN, outside of Nashville. I don't know who the previous owner was. I had seen one other for sale previously and at the time that dealer said that 12 were made but that could be total BS.

 

[Guildadelphia]

Being an East Coast Philly guy I have been lucky enough to see Dave and the Paladins live twice way back in the 80's. First time opening for Los Lobos at the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly (talk about an amazing show) and again at the same venue a year later when The Paladins headlined. Huge Paladins fan. Hope to see them put out a new album of new material soon. As far as why I bought my NS X175B as related to artist influence. Dave Gonzalez of course and another non household name artist, local Philly guitar legend Tommy Conwell, an amazing blues/rock guitarist who had a brush with the bigtime in the 80's with his band The Young Rumblers. Back in the 80's, Conwell was known for his blond '65 Guild X500 w/ HB1's. That X500 was played at more bar and small club gigs than you could imagine and looked it. It was also covered in the autographs of any famous guitar slinger that Conwell crossed paths with, including....Dave Gonzalez.

 

[kakerlak]

Hey Jay, is that you holding the A-500 next to Dave in the Pistons & Paint's facebook photos?

 

[JayHardtke]

yep, that's me.