GAD D-125 is terrific

[ladytexan]

Whether it's GAD or 100 + something, the Asian mahogany is still some of the ugliest, cheapest looking stuff....next to plywood.

Please note: I would like to change "Asian mahogany" to "mahogany used in the production of the GAD models". It's the look of the tiger-striped (streaky) mahogany, not the country of origin, that is keeps it out of my 'like' category.

From what I've gathered thus far here, is that the USA Guilds are the top dogs & the GAD series Guilds are kinda swept under the carpet? ....Say it ain't so!

Happy New Year
~Rich

First of all, Rich, welcome to LTG. Although you've been a member for awhile, it's great to have you post.

FWIW, IMHO....again, IMHO, I don't like the aesthetics of the Asian-made mahogany GAD or 1+ models. Again, as I mentioned earlier, I've not played any of the models, so I will defer to you, Chazmo, and others who have. From the reviews of LTGers, these guitars are remarkably good sounding for the money. It's a good thing to have diversity and different price-points when buying a Guild.

With that being said, and not meaning to harp on a topic that has been hashed-out here in numerous threads on the merits of one vs another, I would buy a used USA made Guild vs a new GAD/1+ one. That's me, though. Like you said, it comes down to economics and personal preferences. Again, having a choice is a good thing.....for Guild, it's a sound business strategy. I think we would all agree we want Guild to be successful and continue to be a viable guitar manufacturer.

P.S. I like nitro vs poly. Again, that's my personal preference.

P.P.S. Charlie, the rosewood laminated (plywood) back of your former F50R is just phenomenally gorgeous. I could, definitely, live with that streaky look. 8) :wink:

 

[chazmo]

Whether it's GAD or 100 + something, the Asian mahogany is still some of the ugliest, cheapest looking stuff....next to plywood.

Please note: I would like to change "Asian mahogany" to "mahogany used in the production of the GAD models". It's the look of the tiger-striped (streaky) mahogany, not the country of origin, that is keeps it out of my 'like' category.

From what I've gathered thus far here, is that the USA Guilds are the top dogs & the GAD series Guilds are kinda swept under the carpet? ....Say it ain't so!

Happy New Year
~Rich

First of all, Rich, welcome to LTG. Although you've been a member for awhile, it's great to have you post.

FWIW, IMHO....again, IMHO, I don't like the aesthetics of the Asian-made mahogany GAD or 1+ models. Again, as I mentioned earlier, I've not played any of the models, so I will defer to you, Chazmo, and others who have. From the reviews of LTGers, these guitars are remarkably good sounding for the money. It's a good thing to have diversity and different price-points when buying a Guild.

With that being said, and not meaning to harp on a topic that has been hashed-out here in numerous threads on the merits of one vs another, I would buy a used USA made Guild vs a new GAD/1+ one. That's me, though. Like you said, it comes down to economics and personal preferences. Again, having a choice is a good thing.....for Guild, it's a sound business strategy. I think we would all agree we want Guild to be successful and continue to be a viable guitar manufacturer.

P.S. I like nitro vs poly. Again, that's my personal preference.

P.P.S. Charlie, the rosewood laminated (plywood) back of your former F50R is just phenomenally gorgeous. I could, definitely, live with that streaky look. 8) :wink:

The ship's captain I bought it from a few years ago took it all over the world with him. It was even confiscated once in Japan! I loved that guitar, but I couldn't justify keeping it. Now it's with its twin F-412spec in Holland. Two spectacular guitars.

Madrose, I've played lots of GADs. I had a soft spot for a GADF212 I played a couple of years ago, but this new D-125 is really something (IMO). Aesthetics notwithstanding, it's among the nicest dreads I've ever played. It was a little bit gauche to find a hanging tag with measured action in QA, but it was also interesting. The guitar really was setup well, right from the factory.

 

[Mad Rose]

but this new D-125 is really something (IMO). Aesthetics notwithstanding, it's among the nicest dreads I've ever played. It was a little bit gauche to find a hanging tag with measured action in QA.

Measured action in QA...?

I think I've got it going for a GAD D-125 too! I've yet to hear a bad report on one. And...I thought I was through w/ Dreads? I still get the urge for one now & then. Shoulder pain is the issue! Good news is: as of today...Medicare becomes official.

 

[killdeer43]

GAD 30

[/quote]Joe: Where/how does one acquire a pickguard like that for a GAD-30R...?[/quote]

Try this link.

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/pickguards_acoustic.htm

Joe

 

[Mad Rose]

Joe: Where/how does one acquire a pickguard like that for a GAD-30R...?

Try this link.

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/pickguards_acoustic.htm

Joe[/quote]

Thanx...!

They have 2 available: One for a Jumbo & one for a 12-string Jumbo. I'm guessin', it's the one for the '025 Jumbo' (# 005-9122-000) ...?

 

[killdeer43]

They have 2 available: One for a Jumbo & one for a 12-string Jumbo. I'm guessin', it's the one for the '025 Jumbo' (# 005-9122-000) ...?

That should be the one, unless you want the 12-string, that is. :wink:

Joe

 

[chazmo]

but this new D-125 is really something (IMO). Aesthetics notwithstanding, it's among the nicest dreads I've ever played. It was a little bit gauche to find a hanging tag with measured action in QA.

Measured action in QA...?

I think I've got it going for a GAD D-125 too! I've yet to hear a bad report on one. And...I thought I was through w/ Dreads? I still get the urge for one now & then. Shoulder pain is the issue! Good news is: as of today...Medicare becomes official.

The hanging tag was from the QA department, and it listed measured action at a few different points on the fretboard.

Good luck in the hunt, mad rose. I'd be interested to hear your opinion when you get a chance to play one.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

I was thinking I felt the same way as I read your post and I also didn’t care for the old pickguards. My apology to any of you who own and like the look of the old GAD pickguards. I have always liked the shape of Guild's pickguards better than any other brand and it sure improves the look of the imports. IMHO.
George

You know, George, it's easy enough to replace those awful GAD pickguards with the traditional Guild pickguard. Like so.....

GAD 30

It even sounded better when I installed a new Guild pickguard. :wink:

Joe

Agreed...I replaced the original p/g on my GAD JF48 w/ a "Guild" p/g and it looked much nicer...sadly, it was destroyed in an auto wreck a bit over 3 years ago, and is still missed.

 

[Bill Ashton]

Had the chance to play the speciman that Chaz refered to today. A very, very nice guitar for only about 5 1/2 C-notes. Cannot beat that at all!

Also tried several others...the new M120E surprised me, small like a toy but pretty nice sound and playability. I must say though that I was disappointed in the F130CRE...chunky neck, boxy sound...my older GAD30PCE (padauk sides and back) really had it all over this one. Didn't try its mahogany variant. There was however a NOS GAD30R-ATB...very, very nice...this would give my old one a run for its money (same money, actually...about three years later). Beautiful finish, rosewood stained really dark so it goes well with its SB top, flawless...and that nice almost-Fender-C-shape neck profile.

However...if I were allowed to "take" a guitar from the store, and someone stood in front of the G & L ASAT Classic and Gretsch (Electromatic) Country Gent so I wouldn't get distracted :wink: , I would walk out with a D40 Standard. Just a great acoustic guitar. Sounds just like what an acoustic guitar is supposed to sound like. No bling, just the goods where they should be, and apparently consistant in manufacture (I have played three or four). It is the Standard acoustic guitar. (Hey, that could be an advert!).

Now, you want me to pay for it? I'll take that D125 thank you...