American Made vs. foreign made Guilds

[fronobulax]

Congratulations, so far, since there is a moderator who will rip this thread out as soon as there is even a hint of xenophobia or racism and that hasn't happened yet.

Qualifiers are always helpful since Guild branded instruments have been made in the USA, Spain, Mexico, Korea, China, Indonesia and I think one other location. The list gets shorter if you focus on acoustics only or electrics only.

On the acoustic side the Mexican Guilds were the Arcos models and one dealer told me that they could not sell any of the made in China Guilds but could not keep the Arcos in stock. Some of that was just the client base because people looking for an entry level instrument tended to shop elsewhere and most of their sales were second instruments or upgrades.

The comparison most people are interested are USA vs. China. it should be noted that there are a couple of generations of MIC Guilds and a lot of people have expressed the opinion that the first generation (labelled as GAD or Guild Acoustic Design) is superior to the subsequent MIC generations.

But the comparison can be pretty simple. The MIC Guilds were made to meet a specific price point and thus there were decisions made about materials and designs that were driven by cost and not performance. So by design and definition a MIA Guild targeted at a higher price point should be a better instrument. Most people seem to agree with that.

If you have a fixed budget and can get a MIC or a MIA Guild within the budget most people would advise the MIA if the condition warrants it. But if you can buy a MIC for $x or a MIA for $x+y and "y" is big enough then the decision is not so clear.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Congratulations, so far, since there is a moderator who will rip this thread out as soon as there is even a hint of xenophobia or racism and that hasn't happened yet.

Qualifiers are always helpful since Guild branded instruments have been made in the USA, Spain, Mexico, Korea, China, Indonesia and I think one other location. The list gets shorter if you focus on acoustics only or electrics only.

On the acoustic side the Mexican Guilds were the Arcos models and one dealer told me that they could not sell any of the made in China Guilds but could not keep the Arcos in stock. Some of that was just the client base because people looking for an entry level instrument tended to shop elsewhere and most of their sales were second instruments or upgrades.

The comparison most people are interested are USA vs. China. it should be noted that there are a couple of generations of MIC Guilds and a lot of people have expressed the opinion that the first generation (labelled as GAD or Guild Acoustic Design) is superior to the subsequent MIC generations.

But the comparison can be pretty simple. The MIC Guilds were made to meet a specific price point and thus there were decisions made about materials and designs that were driven by cost and not performance. So by design and definition a MIA Guild targeted at a higher price point should be a better instrument. Most people seem to agree with that.

If you have a fixed budget and can get a MIC or a MIA Guild within the budget most people would advise the MIA if the condition warrants it. But if you can buy a MIC for $x or a MIA for $x+y and "y" is big enough then the decision is not so clear.

"Congratulations, so far, since there is a moderator who will rip this thread out as soon as there is even a hint of xenophobia or racism and that hasn't happened yet."

What? When does that ever happen around here? I find this comment unnecessary. I just don't get it. Since when does not liking a guitar build gave anything to do with the race of anything?

 

[chazmo]

"Congratulations, so far, since there is a moderator who will rip this thread out as soon as there is even a hint of xenophobia or racism and that hasn't happened yet."

What? When does that ever happen around here? I find this comment unnecessary. I just don't get it. Since when does not liking a guitar build gave anything to do with the race of anything?

Woody, best avoid the subject, my friend. It's happened many times around here. Just move along. Nothing to see here.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Woody, best avoid the subject, my friend. It's happened many times around here. Just move along. Nothing to see here.

my apologies for getting so upset, not sure what happened there. sorry fro an dchaz.

 

[fronobulax]

"Congratulations, so far, since there is a moderator who will rip this thread out as soon as there is even a hint of xenophobia or racism and that hasn't happened yet."

What? When does that ever happen around here? I find this comment unnecessary. I just don't get it. Since when does not liking a guitar build gave anything to do with the race of anything?

Feel free to review the old threads when the GADs were first introduced. It has happened before and there have been occasional resurgences. If you have not noticed then perhaps Moderation did its job or maybe folks just left.

 

[Rocky]

One question I always had was why someone would spend 500-700 bucks on a MIC Guild when you might be able to hold out for a US made D4 on reverb.

Because the MIC Guild will have at least a passable factory installed pickup system, and the D4, if it has electronics, will likely be from the period in which it was built.

Assuming that's important to you.

 

[chazmo]

Because the MIC Guild will have at least a passable factory installed pickup system, and the D4, if it has electronics, will likely be from the period in which it was built.

Assuming that's important to you.

Oh, that's a very good point, Rocky. Old (acoustic) electronics are bad electronics!

 

[Westerly Wood]

Because the MIC Guild will have at least a passable factory installed pickup system, and the D4, if it has electronics, will likely be from the period in which it was built.

Assuming that's important to you.

good to know, I do consider the OM-120 as a possible next acoustic for me. be a good compliment to the F30r.

 

[Bonneville88]

Re reference to D4s - have yet to own a D4 that was in any way remarkable - I've owned 3 of them.
Have owned several MIC Guilds - every one played and sounded better than any of the D4s.
Also - have yet to play or own a D4 that compared favorably in any way to a D25.
This has been my personal experience... YMMV.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Re reference to D4s - have yet to own a D4 that was in any way remarkable - I've owned 3 of them.
Have owned several MIC Guilds - every one played and sounded better than any of the D4s.
Have yet to play or own a D4 that compared favorably in any way to a D25.
This has been my personal experience... YMMV.

good to know. again, I oft rave about a GAD-50 I played at Rainbow Guitars in Tucson, back in 2008 I want to say. List price was favorable at around $500 and boy did it sound great.

 

[Bonneville88]

Have read several good things about GAD-50s too - it's on my "someday" list to check out!

 

[Stuball48]

I will say the first none USA Guild I had was a D - 240 and was a fine guitar.

 

[fronobulax]

One question I always had was why someone would spend 500-700 bucks on a MIC Guild when you might be able to hold out for a US made D4 on reverb.

There are other factors besides the instrument (and point about the electronics noted and agreed with).

The big one is availability. Can I try something before I buy it? Can I buy it tomorrow if there is money burning a hole in my pocket? Can I deal with shipping? Do I have the time and energy to search for a used instrument? Am I willing to trust the seller?

And if we're talking new, there is warranty. Someone on LTG did a simple study of new MIA instruments and the sale price of the same model in the used market. The conclusion was that a warranty was worth about $500 to people who bought new and not used. That is anecdotal and makes more sense for a $2000 guitar than a $500 guitar but it does illustrate that some people will pay a premium to get a new instrument with warranty regardless of how fine the used alternatives are.

If your hobby is looking for guitars you will have a different response than if your hobby is playing guitars. For some people the search is part of the enjoyment. For others it is a hassle to be avoided.

 

[tonepoet]

As a retired guy that spent 31 years in Union jobs, I prefer to keep Americans employed and prefer to buy American. Having said that, I know my two Ford vehicles have engines made in Mexico and other non-American parts. But I try my best to buy American.

Having said that, because my Guilds are all older ones, they are US made. But I do have MIM, MIJ, MIC and MIK guitars and would agree that foreign-made does not necessarily mean cheaply made.

My first Strat (1990) was MIM and 2nd Strat MIJ (1996). Both excellent guitars. I have experimented with buying MIC "Grote" brand guitars that are well made. I have a MIC Hofner Verythin model that is excellent and a MIK PRS SE Soapbar Maple ll. No complaints about the workmanship on any of them.

I think Peavey was the last hold out to go off shore. I believe the first models they built off-shore were the Korean made Raptor Plus and Predator plus in 2000. I owned both and they were quite well made for the price. The Predator Plus was S-S-H and came with Schaller locking tuners standard and a very well made trem bridge. Fretwork was excellent. The neck was similar to, and the trem bridge the same as the US made Firenza models they were making at the time in Leaksville, Mississippi.

In short, I would say it's a case-by-case situation. There's some of these that I paid $300 or less for new that have excellent workmanship.

It's the hands and ears that are the true judge of a guitar. How does it feel playing it and how does it sound?

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

I love my MIC m140 and I realize that the Chinese have been manufacturing stringed instruments for centuries. But to speak of the price point, it is a very light guitar, a fragile feel. My 2 Westerly acoustics feel very substantial and sturdy. Indeed, my f112 is 46 years old and is structurally sound never having major work. My 90's DCE1 has always been played regularly and has never needed major work. I guess you get what you pay for.

 

[Minnesota Flats]

I have a couple of MIK Guilds, which are very nice. But the MIA Guilds I've owned have been constructed with impeccable craftsmanship and of superior woods and hardware. The finish quality of the (MIA) Westerly SF-II bass I bought from MavUser is stunning.

All of them have suited me perfectly, in terms of ergonomics.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Get your guit-pickin' hands on an old Guild from Westerly and you won't let go.

 

[Boneman]

I prefer MIA, but my only experience with import Guilds was the D1212 I had, and now the M120e both from the Westerly series MIC. Build wise they are really fine instruments, the wood looks like wood, they sound like an acoustic guitar should, and the price is easy on the wallet. The only discerning difference to me is the finish, where the USA made ones will have a NCL finish, the imports use poly. The poly feels like plastic and is extremely shiny and glossy giving the impression of cheapness. I obtained the m120 for a specific purpose, and wanted that cheapness factor, and in playing it I’ve grown fond of her. Outside of that I say they are all just guitars, play what you can afford, what feels good in your hands and sounds good to your ears, no matter where it was built. This imports does look good though:

 

[wileypickett]

I tried out a bunch of Guilds at Union Music in Massachusetts years ago. They had at least a dozen. I was most impressed with one that had no pickguard. After playing it a while I peered inside and was mildly shocked to discover it was a GAD. Usually I recognized them by the pickguard shape and wouldn't even pick them up, being a "Made in the USA" snob at the time.

A little lesson in making assumptions. Good guitars can come from anywhere.

 

[LesB3]

One question I always had was why someone would spend 500-700 bucks on a MIC Guild when you might be able to hold out for a US made D4 on reverb.

I've seen them as low as $499 at a GC (there might even be a few on there now). Similarly, I see D-25's for $800 or under all the time. I don't think I've paid more than $800 - $900 for any of the used US-made Guilds I have bought recently (and that includes an SF-III and an F-47CE).

Because the MIC Guild will have at least a passable factory installed pickup system, and the D4, if it has electronics, will likely be from the period in which it was built.

Assuming that's important to you.

Did they make an A/E D-4? I didn't think so. Which is even better because you can put a $100 K&K or JJB pickup in there and it would still be better than the stock pickups on a lot of new guitars. The stock pickup in my 20+ year old F-47 sounds exponentially better than any of the factory pickups I have in my MIC Guilds, MIK Gretsch, or MIA Martins or Gibsons.