BoneDigger
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General concensus of Guild GAD series...
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killdeer43
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Walter Broes
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I think they're pretty great for the money - have played some that seemed a little dead, but I've played two F30-alikes (don't know what the "GAD name" is) that were downright spectacular for being as low priced as they are.
They're cheap, and the fit and finish and factory setup is really great compared to other guitars in this price range. (I work part time at a guitar store, and the typical GAD price range is probably what we sell the highest number of instruments in, so I get to play "the competition" too). I really like the Eastmans too, they probably sound a little better even, but the fretworks is just not good enough on their flattops. But I digress.
Part of me still feels these shouldn't have had the "Guild" name on the headstock, but then I've recently become the owner of a NS electric, made in Korea "Guild", so.....
They're cheap, and the fit and finish and factory setup is really great compared to other guitars in this price range. (I work part time at a guitar store, and the typical GAD price range is probably what we sell the highest number of instruments in, so I get to play "the competition" too). I really like the Eastmans too, they probably sound a little better even, but the fretworks is just not good enough on their flattops. But I digress.
Part of me still feels these shouldn't have had the "Guild" name on the headstock, but then I've recently become the owner of a NS electric, made in Korea "Guild", so.....
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
Right, and also visible here: http://www.guildguitars.com/instruments/?gtype=acoustics&series=GAD+Series and here: http://www.guildguitars.com/news/all-new-guild-acoustic-design-series-introduced/
Ralf
mavuser
Enlightened Member
I'm not much of an acoustic guy but I have some experience with Guilds, and all I can say is I'd love to own a Westerly Guild acoustic, but i'd only be lying to myself in that I like them better than GADs...the GADs ive played all seem like they would be the perfect acoustic for me. The Westerlys have super skinny necks and super high gloss, 2 things that just dont work for me, especially together. The GADs ive tried seem to be "just enough" guitar and nothing over the top about any of the features. for some of us less is more. I cannot change the fact that they are not made in America, and to me for a guitar without any electronics and all the same materials, i think there is little to scrutinize if you like it, that is kinda that. Music is supposed to bring everyone together and be this global peaceful thing, so ive never really understood the big deal on the overseas instruments. ...I think Americans and Asians can both make garbage and both make nice stuff. If you simply want a guitar made in the USA for no other reason than the novelty and American pride of it, I do understand and support that very much. I know the USA stuff is higher end and ther are benefits to those features for many or most of us. I just like the GADS. they are players!
Westerly Wood
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I just do not like the thick poly finish. And since Westerlies are reachable and aplenty, I just do not see the point of GAD. But as I stated before on this thread, I nearly bought one way back one, and they are a great Guild entry point. The Guild story is a great one, I still think the most iconic of the acoustic manufacturers. I mean who would base US guitar operations in Rhode Island? Not many I can tell you that. Rhode Island rocks!
Neal
Senior Member
Again, I think it all comes down to price point.
For $400-$500, you are most likely to find a assortment of pretty beat-up Westerly's, probably in need of work (neck reset, bridge pulling up, cracks, broken/repaired head stocks, etc). Guitars like Woody's D-50 are notable exceptions, and they are out there, but in short supply.
Some folks don't want to deal with a guitar that needs work, or they do not have access to a competent/trustworthy luthier. I can totally see where the GAD's would be an attractive option at that price point. They play just fine.
And there is the whole "risk" factor to consider. I take my M-120 wherever the risk of damage/heat/cold/drunks/water/salt/theft is too high to risk one of my American Guilds. It takes all of the worry out of taking a guitar someplace where it might encounter unpleasant conditions. I stopped traveling with my '71 D-25 because I could see the accumulating case damage indicative of rough handling by the airline industry. The M-120 now serves that duty, and I fly with less anxiety. Perfect guitar for what I am asking it to do.
Neal
For $400-$500, you are most likely to find a assortment of pretty beat-up Westerly's, probably in need of work (neck reset, bridge pulling up, cracks, broken/repaired head stocks, etc). Guitars like Woody's D-50 are notable exceptions, and they are out there, but in short supply.
Some folks don't want to deal with a guitar that needs work, or they do not have access to a competent/trustworthy luthier. I can totally see where the GAD's would be an attractive option at that price point. They play just fine.
And there is the whole "risk" factor to consider. I take my M-120 wherever the risk of damage/heat/cold/drunks/water/salt/theft is too high to risk one of my American Guilds. It takes all of the worry out of taking a guitar someplace where it might encounter unpleasant conditions. I stopped traveling with my '71 D-25 because I could see the accumulating case damage indicative of rough handling by the airline industry. The M-120 now serves that duty, and I fly with less anxiety. Perfect guitar for what I am asking it to do.
Neal
fretless
Member
what Bikerdoc said... word for word, actually. although I want that little Ghost Label Troubadour that's on Ebay right now
killdeer43
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Always lots of talk around here about camping/campfire guitars, well here's one in action on a dark and stormy night.
GADzooks! It's a GAD30 and he looks like he's enjoying himself! :triumphant:
But he's easy that way,
Joe
GADzooks! It's a GAD30 and he looks like he's enjoying himself! :triumphant:
But he's easy that way,
Joe
mr.d.bluster
Member
Yes, campfire guitars are a long-standing tradition...
[Disclaimer: No Guild guitars were harmed in the production of this post].
mr.d.bluster
Member
...but seriously, folks, I have a GAD-30 that I like a lot. As people tend to say, "for the money" they are great guitars. Regardless of cost, I'd rate mine as very good in sound and playability, and very low in anxiety quotient among the campfire/party/drinking set.
killdeer43
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That's always an option if you run out of firewood. :triumphant:
Joe
Joe
Westerly Wood
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Nice pic Joe.
Neal
Senior Member
Isn't that a Gibson on top of that bonfire?
Neal
Neal
Bill Ashton
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I bought a GAD30PCE new in August of '09 purely based on how good it sounded in the store...I was looking for a D-50, could not find one, and stumbled upon her...then, sadly, found a Tacoma D55 the next week...yeah, bought her too!...that's what happens when the ladies in the house conspire to keep you from a nice vacation within the first year you have retired...then my son sees that I have bought two guitars and spends all his forest-fire-overtime monies on a '53 M37...:05.18-flustered:
Calmed down considerably since then. Last year gave her to my brother, who considers it "a work of art." While I think he is a little off the edge, it is a quite nice guitar. No match for a dread, but very nice in its own genre. Maybe, just maybe, an equal to my F47R...well, not quite as much bass.
I too take exception to the "...for the money" kiss of death. Its a very nice guitar. Period.
Calmed down considerably since then. Last year gave her to my brother, who considers it "a work of art." While I think he is a little off the edge, it is a quite nice guitar. No match for a dread, but very nice in its own genre. Maybe, just maybe, an equal to my F47R...well, not quite as much bass.
I too take exception to the "...for the money" kiss of death. Its a very nice guitar. Period.
BoneDigger
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If I can swing the money, I hope to also add a D40 to the stable at some point. Right now I am quite happy with the D140 and may just not worry about the D40 unless a really good deal comes my way. I wouldn't mind also having a D25, although I would be surprised if it can outplay my D125.
Todd
Todd
ladytexan
Senior Member
Ken, I couldn't agree more. Although I've never owned a GAD, I've played several. They just didn't have any 'life'.....if that makes any sense.
I LUV the Eastman E10P......if I didn't already have a great parlor, this one is on my radar screen. Eastman really does it right!
P.S. If one searches really, really intensely with patience, a used D40 will pop-up (for about the same price as a new GAD D140).....just my preference. Keyword: patience :wink:
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Scratch
Enlightened Member
Toni,
New Braunfels Music is now stocking the GAD line, but after owning a couple (6-string and 12-string) I've pretty well sworn off them.
Dwayne at Hill Country Guitar's new Austin location has several Eastman guitars. If he was still located in Wimberley, I'd probably have visited by now; although nearly each time I did, I wound up buying something and that's an expensive habit I'm trying to break. Wimberley sure is a pretty little place to spend an afternoon picking under the cypress trees by the Little Blanco River. So many Texas singer-songwriters go to Wimberley to get away, relax, and record their stuff. As I hear it, Collings pressured Dwayne to move the store to Austin. Dang it all, anyway...
adorshki
Reverential Member
GOT a sneakin' suspicion you're gonna be in for a sur-prise.
In fact, if the D25's a late Westerly archback it'll be no contest, trust me on this....
Scratch
Enlightened Member
+1 for sure