Does anyone here own a custom Guild?

[jciampa]

I recall there being an option to design a custom-built Guild at some point during the mid- to late-nineties. These models were constructed in the Nashville Custom Shop and there was a spec sheet available at my local Guild dealer at the time. Choices ran the gamut from wood materials to various finishes, inlays, body styles, and electronics. I remember seriously considering it then, but ended up going with a standard model instead.

I don't believe I've ever seen one these and was curious whether someone on the forum had one built, or at least has seen or played one.

Thinking back on it, I think my choices were as follows:

Dreadnaught
Spruce top
Mahogany back and sides
Ebony fingerboard and bridge
Scalloped bracing
Tortoise binding
Chesterfield inlay on the large headstock (during this period, narrow headstocks were predominate)

I wanted something classic looking that was also unique among the Guild line. I also thought that a simply-appointed instrument would keep costs down. Still, I'm sure anything ordered in this manner would've involved a steep up-charge.

Seeing that Guild no longer does this, it would've been nice to order a build when I had the chance. Perhaps they'll start this up again in the new plant?

 

[FNG]

I have a Deco, not a custom order though. I've seen a nice 12 string custom on ebay or CL. Think it had a script logo and vine inlays on the fretboard...I forget. I do remember it was pretty striking. I also kick myself over that 45th Anniversary Valencia that got away...

I would be interested in seeing custom builds. I would love to do something with a F-50R....that looked like a JF-100!!

 

[GardMan]

Here's a link to the "Dream sheet" on "Westerly Guild Guitars."

As I think, I don't know there is anything I would change on any of my Guilds... like children, they are all "beautiful" (to me) in their own way... so it's hard to say what I might order as a custom, that isn't already available.

 

[chazmo]

I wonder if the custom situation will change as time goes on in New Hartford. We already know they've put out two special editions, the GSR version (cocobolo) of the F-40, and the koa version of the F-50...

Taylor has a pretty thriving build-to-order program. It'll be interesting to see if Fender views this as a possibiltiy for the Guild brand.

 

[jciampa]

Here's a link to the "Dream sheet" on "Westerly Guild Guitars."

Thanks for the link, Gardman. Yes, that was the sheet, I believe. I could've sworn there was a headstock option, though. Perhaps on the reverse.

 

[William63]

I wonder if the custom situation will change as time goes on in New Hartford. We already know they've put out two special editions, the GSR version (cocobolo) of the F-40, and the koa version of the F-50...

Taylor has a pretty thriving build-to-order program. It'll be interesting to see if Fender views this as a possibiltiy for the Guild brand.

I wondered this myself. Taylor and Martin both do custom orders and I know Guild used to have a custom shop so hopefully this trend will spur them into reopening theirs.

 

[adorshki]

In fact it appears to me that historically you COULD special order just about anything, at least as far back as Tommy Smothers in the '60's and including Phil Lesh and Bobby Weir's special builds when they visited the plant in '68 (or '69?) for example. I could be wrong, but I thought it was one of the things that made Guild special, that you didn't actually have to be famous for them to take that special order. I hadn't heard of the special order sheet but I suspect it was a just way to simplify the whole process. They were doing customs long before there was a "Custom Shop". And I know they still do warranty repair there according to some very recent postings, unless it's closed within the last 3 months..
For what it's worth my D40 has a **"Crafted in Corona California" **label and I believe at that time Corona was only known as Fender's "Custom Shop". But I'm sure it was regular production and not special order.
**Edited for accuracy** 1/21/10 -Al

 

[chazmo]

Al,

It would be good to get some clarification of this in recent years. I am just as confused as you are.

I think there was a facility in Nashville that served as the Guild Custom Shop back in the Westerly days, and I don't know if that pre-dates Fender or not. I don't know what the breakdown was of what guitars were built in Nashville vs. Westerly. Then, I agree, the situation is murky once the move to Corona occurred. Was anything custom built during that era? Was Nashville doing anything with Guilds? Then, when the factory moved to Tacoma, and perhaps even now, there's a facility in Nashville that does repairs -- I assume that must be a Fender facility. Is it the same facility that used to be the Guild Custom Shop? I don't know if there's been any custom Guild work coming from there recently, but there might be. E.g., there were cocobolo headstocks on some special Guilds at NAMM 2008 which I think (not sure) came from Nashville.

Anyway, we can certainly ask the folks in New Hartford what their plan is and what (if any) their relationship with Nashville will be going forward.

 

[jazzmang]

Al,

It would be good to get some clarification of this in recent years. I am just as confused as you are.

I think there was a facility in Nashville that served as the Guild Custom Shop back in the Westerly days, and I don't know if that pre-dates Fender or not. I don't know what the breakdown was of what guitars were built in Nashville vs. Westerly. Then, I agree, the situation is murky once the move to Corona occurred. Was anything custom built during that era? Was Nashville doing anything with Guilds? Then, when the factory moved to Tacoma, and perhaps even now, there's a facility in Nashville that does repairs -- I assume that must be a Fender facility. Is it the same facility that used to be the Guild Custom Shop? I don't know if there's been any custom Guild work coming from there recently, but there might be. E.g., there were cocobolo headstocks on some special Guilds at NAMM 2008 which I think (not sure) came from Nashville.

Anyway, we can certainly ask the folks in New Hartford what their plan is and what (if any) their relationship with Nashville will be going forward.

I'm sure Hans will have a more definitive answer, of course, but from what I've seen and read, the Custom Shop was opened post-Fender in the late-nineties.

IIRC, it was finally shut down while Corona was up and running. When I say 'shut down,' I mean that Guild was no longer using the space for Custom Shop acoustic production.

Afterwards, the Custom Shop space was transformed into Guild/FMIC Nashville Repair. From what I've seen and read, its at the same address, etc... (516 Rundle Ave)

From my talks with FMIC reps, Guild Nashville is only used for repairs and no custom work goes on there any more.

What I'm not sure of, however, is if Fender's Custom Shop is in the same workspace or business park.

 

[adorshki]

I'm sure Hans will have a more definitive answer, of course, but from what I've seen and read, the Custom Shop was opened post-Fender in the late-nineties.
IIRC, it was finally shut down while Corona was up and running. When I say 'shut down,' I mean that Guild was no longer using the space for Custom Shop acoustic production.
Afterwards, the Custom Shop space was transformed into Guild/FMIC Nashville Repair. From what I've seen and read, its at the same address, etc... (516 Rundle Ave)
From my talks with FMIC reps, Guild Nashville is only used for repairs and no custom work goes on there any more.
What I'm not sure of, however, is if Fender's Custom Shop is in the same workspace or business park.

That's pretty much how I understood it. A Guild Gallery made references to the GUILD Custom Shop as the manufacturing location for things like the Decos and Crossroads, regular but limited production. According to what I've read here, at least some tooling was shipped from Westerly to Corona, in late 2001, and production there was "regular", but I believe at that time the facility was known as FENDER's "Corona Custom Shop". This was originally for limited production/special order electrics (Jeff Beck had a guitar made there) and I suspect that was simply where they had room to establish Guild acoustic as well as electric production. My D40 is an "e" (has a pickup) so that may have something to do with its label also. The only other Corona labels I've seen have been online but they look the same.
When you say Fender's custom shop I take that to mean the original Corona shop as opposed to Guild's Nashville shop. The last I heard Corona's still up and running and I'd be surprised if Fender started making more electric guitars in Nashville but truthfully I don't know. I guess they could pick worse places!

 

[plaidseason]

I owned a 2001 Nashville made Guild F30r-ls for seven or so years. It was a fantastic guitar. I sort of bought it in place of a Santa Cruz OM I'd dreamed about and tone wise it definitely fit the bill. I sold it in the fall of '09, mostly because I felt like I wasn't giving my F44 enough attention.

I don't know the exact beginning and end dates for the Nashville shop. I do know that it basically progressed from the Fender Spring Hill line, which was going to be Fender's full on attempt to create a top end American made acoustic line. But then they bought Guild and the plan changed. The Spring Hill operation basically became the Guild Custom Shop.

I think Nashville made the conversion from custom shop to repair center some time around the Westerly to Corona move.

As an aside, if you happen to come upon a Fender Spring Hill acoustic, they are top notch guitars.

-Chris

 

[adorshki]

I owned a 2001 Nashville made Guild F30r-ls for seven or so years. It was a fantastic guitar. I sort of bought it in place of a Santa Cruz OM I'd dreamed about and tone wise it definitely fit the bill. I sold it in the fall of '09, mostly because I felt like I wasn't giving my F44 enough attention.

I don't know the exact beginning and end dates for the Nashville shop. I do know that it basically progressed from the Fender Spring Hill line, which was going to be Fender's full on attempt to create a top end American made acoustic line. But then they bought Guild and the plan changed. The Spring Hill operation basically became the Guild Custom Shop.

I think Nashville made the conversion from custom shop to repair center some time around the Westerly to Corona move.

As an aside, if you happen to come upon a Fender Spring Hill acoustic, they are top notch guitars.

-Chris

Now THAT's why I joined this place! THANKS Chris!

 

[scott]

I actually have 2 custom shop guilds; and I own own 4 standard models, as well; I have owned several others over the years. I have been pondering the" top tier" question all week because the question kind of implies that the guild is not a top tier instrument. I'll explain my thinking: The "top tier" instruments have either top quality standard woods or exotic woods. I have owned guilds for 35 years and the wood on guild standard models, for the most part, does not compare to Martin, Taylor, Collings, Huss and Dalton or any very high end gallery type instruments. The custom shop models do; I did own a JF-100-12 and my 2 custom shop JF-55-12's had superior wood and craftsmanship- they were much higher quality than the standard models in every way, even better than the JF100 or 612. And I don't say this to sound snobbish or downgrade current or vintage guilds. This is just my experience. Custom guilds cost almost 3 times as much to purchase so they better be on a higher tier or why would they be marketable?
Tone, of course, is another consideration. The tone of my custom shop instruments is also a little different. Guilds, by their very nature, are boomy and powerful-as the standard models are. My custom shop guitars- tone seems to be a little more controlled and maybe even a little deeper but not as boomy. Of course this is all very subjective. I find the guild tone equal if not better than gallery or higher tier guitars-craftsmanship and wood grade seem to be the factors that determine the tier. Walker and Ryan guitars are the only gallery type instruments I have played that have the power of a guild. Olson is more balanced and sensitive.
On a final note, I would really like to see guild create a new custom shop- it definitely would give consumers more options. The opposite end of the GAD's. Wouldn't it it be fabulous to be able to order a custom 612 , F-50 or Artist Award? If guild had a concept like this, maybe they would be considered a top tier guitar. Thanks for your time and patience.

 

[scott]

I actually have 2 custom shop guilds; and I own own 4 standard models, as well; I have owned several others over the years. I have been pondering the" top tier" question all week because the question kind of implies that the guild is not a top tier instrument. I'll explain my thinking: The "top tier" instruments have either top quality standard woods or exotic woods. I have owned guilds for 35 years and the wood on guild standard models, for the most part, does not compare to Martin, Taylor, Collings, Huss and Dalton or any very high end gallery type instruments. The custom shop models do; I did own a JF-100-12 and my 2 custom shop JF-55-12's had superior wood and craftsmanship- they were much higher quality than the standard models in every way, even better than the JF100 or 612. And I don't say this to sound snobbish or downgrade current or vintage guilds. This is just my experience. Custom guilds cost almost 3 times as much to purchase so they better be on a higher tier or why would they be marketable?
Tone, of course, is another consideration. The tone of my custom shop instruments is also a little different. Guilds, by their very nature, are boomy and powerful-as the standard models are. My custom shop guitars- tone seems to be a little more controlled and maybe even a little deeper but not as boomy. Of course this is all very subjective. I find the guild tone equal if not better than gallery or higher tier guitars-craftsmanship and wood grade seem to be the factors that determine the tier. Walker and Ryan guitars are the only gallery type instruments I have played that have the power of a guild. Olson is more balanced and sensitive.
On a final note, I would really like to see guild create a new custom shop- it definitely would give consumers more options. The opposite end of the GAD's. Wouldn't it it be fabulous to be able to order a custom 612 , F-50 or Artist Award? If guild had a concept like this, maybe they would be considered a top tier guitar. Thanks for your time and patience.

 

[FNG]

Hey Scott..

We'd all love to see any pics you might have of your custom models. Pretty please? :lol:

 

[jazzmang]

I actually have 2 custom shop guilds; and I own own 4 standard models, as well; I have owned several others over the years. I have been pondering the" top tier" question all week because the question kind of implies that the guild is not a top tier instrument. I'll explain my thinking: The "top tier" instruments have either top quality standard woods or exotic woods. I have owned guilds for 35 years and the wood on guild standard models, for the most part, does not compare to Martin, Taylor, Collings, Huss and Dalton or any very high end gallery type instruments. The custom shop models do; I did own a JF-100-12 and my 2 custom shop JF-55-12's had superior wood and craftsmanship- they were much higher quality than the standard models in every way, even better than the JF100 or 612. And I don't say this to sound snobbish or downgrade current or vintage guilds. This is just my experience. Custom guilds cost almost 3 times as much to purchase so they better be on a higher tier or why would they be marketable?
Tone, of course, is another consideration. The tone of my custom shop instruments is also a little different. Guilds, by their very nature, are boomy and powerful-as the standard models are. My custom shop guitars- tone seems to be a little more controlled and maybe even a little deeper but not as boomy. Of course this is all very subjective. I find the guild tone equal if not better than gallery or higher tier guitars-craftsmanship and wood grade seem to be the factors that determine the tier. Walker and Ryan guitars are the only gallery type instruments I have played that have the power of a guild. Olson is more balanced and sensitive.
On a final note, I would really like to see guild create a new custom shop- it definitely would give consumers more options. The opposite end of the GAD's. Wouldn't it it be fabulous to be able to order a custom 612 , F-50 or Artist Award? If guild had a concept like this, maybe they would be considered a top tier guitar. Thanks for your time and patience.

Which custom shop models did you have? Guild mistakenly advertised the JF-100's and D-100s as being Custom Shop models, when in actuality, they were built in good ol' Westerly.

IIRC, the true Custom Shop creations have a rectangular sticker inside the guitar designating them as such.
Production models that were built at the Custom Shop may also have an oval Guild label, but something on there will designate it as being a Custom Shop model, along with the serial number nomenclature being radically different from what Westerly was using.


Edit:

Hey Scott..

We'd all love to see any pics you might have of your custom models. Pretty please? :lol:

Me too!

 

[scott]

Hi again- The 2 custom shop guilds I have are both JF55-12's; they have the rectangular sticker with the owner's name and designation-I do realize the JF 100-12 was not a custom shop order and was a "standard model" It was the top of the line at the time. The custom shop instruments I have seen and played are a cut above even the top of the line standard model and compare very favorably to any gallery instrument I have played. That was the point of my thread -to give my impression of the differences because I have experience with both. I would post pics if I knew how to do it- I will reiterate what I stated earlier I would love to see guild reopen its custom shop- that would open many new revenue streams for the company and benefit the consumer, as well. Guild should be considered a top tier instrument. Thanks.

 

[GardMan]

I would post pics if I knew how to do it-

Scott, PM sent. Dave

 

[hansmoust]

Anyone interested in this one?

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=17198

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[jciampa]

Anyone interested in this one?

http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/vie ... 15&t=17198

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

That's nice looking guitar, Hans.

I'm noticing the unique label, too. I'm assuming that's the custom shop label -- does anyone have a close-up of one?