Acoustic Guitar Magazine Cover Story: Guild!

[FNG]

The introduction of maple bridge plates was the only really interesting point for me.

 

[d-rock]

Ome thing that I left out: If FMIC is working hard enough to plant this kind of story, it means that they are finally making a serious effort to bud up and promote the Guild brand, somthing they haven't done for many years. With their marketing clout and -- hopefully -- Tacoma's guitar building skills, this could be a very good sign.

I hope so. I've seen a few full pages ads over the last few months in Vintage Guitar magazine. Looks like FMIC is trying to get the brand back into the consciousness of the public. I'm kind of excited about that.

 

[GardMan]

The introduction of maple bridge plates was the only really interesting point for me.

I'm pretty sure my '72 D-35 has a smaller, maple bridgeplate (definitely smaller, and a light wood... NOT rosewood)... the '78 D-35's bridgeplate is rosewood (and is larger), as are those in my '74s and my D-55 (haven't looked at the one in my D-46, yet). So, tho' described in the article as a "new" thing, smaller maple bridgeplates may just be going further back into the history of Guild design/construction?
Dave

 

[guildzilla]

The bridge plate thing irked me, also.

On my guitars: '86 F-44 - maple bridgeplate, '2000 DV-52 - maple bridgeplate.

Not new and innovative at all.

I don't have a problem with ad writing as a form of propaganda or as a sales pitch. My e-Bay listings are very rah-rah about Guild, as you guys know, and I use all the rhetoric I know how to use to build value and sell the quality and vibe of the instrument. A person writing catalogue ad copy or press releases is welcome to tease and entice me in the same way.

But a magazine story should have a different approach. People are paying for the expertise, information and guidence offered. Objective research, multiple interviews, critical thinking, comparison and contrast, etc.

 

[West R Lee]

Just one question..............................where were they this past weekend. I saw 2 huge Gibson trailers in Arlington, Martins everywhere. There were more Taylors than you could shake a stick at (as you well know David ), but one of the guys said there was a small Fender stand. He said he asked about Guilds, but the guys working the stand sort of shrugged.

Where's the promotion? This was the largest guitar show in the world! It's great that Fender is promoting it's Guild guitars in Acoustic Guitar Magazine, but wouldn't it be more beneficial to get them out there for the public to see and play? They sure missed a golden opportunity this past weekend.

West

 

[FNG]

The bridge plate thing irked me, also.

On my guitars: '86 F-44 - maple bridgeplate, '2000 DV-52 - maple bridgeplate.

Not new and innovative at all.

I don't have a problem with ad writing as a form of propaganda or as a sales pitch. My e-Bay listings are very rah-rah about Guild, as you guys know, and I use all the rhetoric I know how to use to build value and sell the quality and vibe of the instrument. A person writing catalogue ad copy or press releases is welcome to tease and entice me in the same way.

But a magazine story should have a different approach. People are paying for the expertise, information and guidence offered. Objective research, multiple interviews, critical thinking, comparison and contrast, etc.

Agreed, zilla, that this isn't any big innovation, but it is a smart move in terms of tone.

 

[songsmith7]

Interesting stuff, West, about the Arlington show. Please allow me a short, profane expletive: [••••]ing Fender!

Thanks for that.

Oh, and I'll be canceling my Acoustic Guitar Mag subscription.

 

[West R Lee]

Nah, I don't want to start a negative aspect to the thread.....really. I'm just curious. Why would you see the need to promote yourself in a magazine article, but neglect a show with that much visibility?

BTW, I played some very nice Tacoma Guilds this weekend.

West

 

[Graham]

BTW, I played some very nice Tacoma Guild this weekend.

West

If it wasn't for Dave's Guitars though, I don't think there would have been any new models to play.

As it was, the ones he brought I liked very much.

F-30, F-40, D-50 BJ, F-50, F-412, F-512

Pilzer had a CO-1C??

Jeff brought his CO-1 and it was a joy to play.

 

[songsmith7]

The magazine needs to be taken to task for shilling for any corporation. Example A: The November '07 issue has a cover featuring David Bromberg with the heading 'Blues Lesson.' Now that is a guitar magazine, and one that I'd happily subscribe to. The latest issue, when it comes right down to it, is a microcosm of what's wrong with this country today. Corporations control everything, education is replaced with the blurb, and marketing rules all. I'll leave this thread, but if anyone who subscribes to Acoustic Guitar Magazine wants to join me in my vitriol, I plan on logging in over there to argue this further. I'll be in the 'Gear' section. Peace to all, and best wishes to my SoCal brothers and sisters amid all of this fire madness.

 

[GardMan]

The introduction of maple bridge plates was the only really interesting point for me.

I'm pretty sure my '72 D-35 has a smaller, maple bridgeplate (definitely smaller, and a light wood... NOT rosewood)... the '78 D-35's bridgeplate is rosewood (and is larger), as are those in my '74s and my D-55 (haven't looked at the one in my D-46, yet). So, tho' described in the article as a "new" thing, smaller maple bridgeplates may just be going further back into the history of Guild design/construction?
Dave

I'll correct myself... looked again when I got home this evening, and my '92 D-55 appears to have a maple bridge plate (at least, it's light wood, NOT rosewood). D-46 definitely has a rosewood plate (confirmed that the '72 D-35 is maple, the '74s and '78 are rosewood).

 

[Jeff]

Early in this thread Lonesome picker mentioned one of the reasons Fender moved the Guild plant out West was problems with humidity control.

Mebbe I don't understand, was it too dry in Rhode Island or perhaps it was the building? They ended up just down the road from me in Tacoma,

Todays a fairly typical day, actually humidity today may be a bit on the low side for average

Current Conditions for Seattle, WA

Currently: 54° F
Feels like: 54° F

Sky: Overcast
Relative Humidity: 90%

dewpoint: 51° F
Pressure: 30.15 in
Wind: SW 10 mph
Gust: 0 mph
Ceiling: 1400 feet

 

[songsmith7]

Ah, yes,

gotta love them optimal guitar-building conditions!

 

[West R Lee]

Funny, I would have thought that Corona would have been the best environment to build guitars. Low humidity, stable temperatures.

West

 

[california]

Funny, I would have thought that Corona would have been the best environment to build guitars. Low humidity, stable temperatures.

West

... And probably the highest wages and operating costs in the country. It is one thing to attach a slab of wood to a neck and throw it into a paint booth to make a Strat or a Tele, it is totally another thing to build a quality acoustic guitar. Moving Guild to Corona was reinventing a wheel, moving it to Tacoma means putting production in the hands of real acoustic guitar builders with a lower cost of living.

 

[Scratch]

Funny, I would have thought that Corona would have been the best environment to build guitars. Low humidity, stable temperatures.

West

... And probably the highest wages and operating costs in the country. It is one thing to attach a slab of wood to a neck and throw it into a paint booth to make a Strat or a Tele, it is totally another thing to build a quality acoustic guitar. Moving Guild to Corona was reinventing a wheel, moving it to Tacoma means putting production in the hands of real acoustic guitar builders with a lower cost of living.

Bingo!

 

[fronobulax]

Why would you see the need to promote yourself in a magazine article, but neglect a show with that much visibility?

We are presuming that the magazine article was part of a product placement and advertising campaign from Fender. We then extrapolated from that thet Fender is starting to show interest in the brand again.

Just suppose, however, that the magazine article was filler, written by someone who didn't have much time, had a deadline and chose to rely on press releases. That would give you the type of article we got but says nothing about Fender's interest in reinvigorating the brand.

Just suggesting an alternative hypothesis which would explain the absence at Arlington.

 

[california]

Why would you see the need to promote yourself in a magazine article, but neglect a show with that much visibility?

We are presuming that the magazine article was part of a product placement and advertising campaign from Fender. We then extrapolated from that thet Fender is starting to show interest in the brand again.

Just suppose, however, that the magazine article was filler, written by someone who didn't have much time, had a deadline and chose to rely on press releases. That would give you the type of article we got but says nothing about Fender's interest in reinvigorating the brand.

Just suggesting an alternative hypothesis which would explain the absence at Arlington.

The way they should have a presence at Arlington is through their dealers. It is obvious that Taylor went out of their way to make sure that Buffalo Brothers, Dave's and Fullers had plenty of cool stuff to show, there was even a Taylor marketing rep roaming the floor. The place that they REALLY need to make an impression is at NAMM in January, they need to get more dealers, and to get their existing dealers worked up about the brand.

Donnie -- are you reading this?!?!?

 

[dklsplace]

The way they should have a presence at Arlington is through their dealers. It is obvious that Taylor went out of their way to make sure that Buffalo Brothers, Dave's and Fullers had plenty of cool stuff to show, there was even a Taylor marketing rep roaming the floor.

I believe there was a "Fender" rep roaming the show. Probably not someone that could've fielded any questions about Guild though.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

There is hope in the hype!

Check out the picture of Guild boss Donnie Wade -- he's one of us!

I've met Donnie. He IS one of you. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

He was very pleasant to me and allowed me to try out a couple of very nice Guilds. And he carefully wiped them down afterwards....I didn't take that personally. :lol: :lol: :lol:

I don't "know" him, but I don't imagine it can be easy for anyone to be a "target".

As to Fenders "lack of presence" at Arlington....wasn't the show knee deep in old Strats and Teles? :mrgreen:

Since they are not currently marketing any Guild Electrics, and the older ones were not theirs, and the good Guild Acoustics are coming out of Tacoma CURRENTLY, and the show's focus, I presume, is mainly on older and collectible instruments....

Personally, I would think it would be nice if they were to show up anyway.....

And they do have a significant presence at NAMM.

Looking forward to this year and the hope of seeing the C0 12-string that's supposed to be in development.