GSR basses?

[dlenaghan]

Well I think we've all had a look at the pair of 'GSR SF' basses, and Frono mentioned (I believe) something about Guild not being able to use the name 'Starfire' anymore? The only time I recall hearing GSR as a product tag is for sports cars, meaning Grand Sport Rally, or something like that.. I'm still feeling a bit slain that this is how it goes for new Starfires. DeArmond makes 32"s, not 30"s.. and the old ones, well - time to start a hedge fund company. Is it simply the process? I'm pretty sure new Gibson semihollows aren't 3,500USD new.. and Gretsch seems to put together some lovely basses for less than that, though I do understand there's a significant price point difference between their domestic models and foreign-made models. Just a change in philosophy? Is a company like Eastwood the only one making profits of these old school style instruments?

 

[Default]

They are limited run items. If you want a guitar that is going to be as close to a custom shop instrument as possible, well, there you go. GSR refers to limited runs, usually 20 or less. If they were in production, the cost would be less than a Gibson. In the case of the Starfire name, that may come along later. My SF6 is in new Gibson territory (355) and the T-500 has no comparable model anywhere. Eastwood ain't even riding on the same train as these instruments. Gretsch is made in Japan and China. If you want something made in China, you have tons of options.

What's your beef?

 

[fronobulax]

Well I think we've all had a look at the pair of 'GSR SF' basses,

Nice to see you back.

I'm not sure where your question is going so I'm going to make a few comments, shotgun style, and hope something connects.

GSR instruments are by definition limited edition. Part of the pricing is that people will pay more because the supply is limited. Looking at some of the acoustic guitar GSRs there is a couple thousand dollars difference in MSRP. Let me guess that somewhere between 50% and 75% of that is due to materials and retooling and the remainder is the GSR premium. Bottom line - don't spend any time comparing these prices to the prices of instruments made in "production quantities".

A second point is that the GSR electrics all have their roots in a project that was started and stopped several years ago. From a bottom line standpoint the choice was to take some bodies and necks to the bandsaw (and stop paying for storage) or make them into guitars. Guild chose the latter but the fact that they did so really says nothing about their long term interest in electrics or their ability to produce them.

The Hew Hartford factory is producing about 3,000 guitars of all models annually. That is still a pretty small number compared to the production runs of many other companies and at some point it is just not rational to compare Guild to Gibson or Fender.

My opinion is that Guild is positioning itself to be known as a maker of high end acoustics competing in the boutique market. I think the next step for Guild electrics, to include electric basses, will be to introduce something that is completely made in New Hartford. My guess is that electrics will continue to be GSRs rather than multi-unit production runs and that Guild will continue to mine historical designs rather than break new ground. My guess is that all of this is reasonable for boutique acoustic guitar company that has an electric heritage.

So did any of that even come close to your question?

Tangentially, I liked the GSR SF I but not enough to even consider selling my Starfire or JS to make room (sonically) in the stable. Through my amp, it sounded more like my JS than my Starfire.

 

[dlenaghan]

That was my essential, question, basically, what the heck is a 'GSR' instrument..

My beef is the absence of hollow instruments made in the US along the lines of your standard solid bodies, whether it's an American Standard Fender or a G&L (maybe those two examples are too closely related to be a real illustration).. I just think if Eastwood can find a market that'll pay 700 for a hollowbody made in China, they can find a market that'll pay twice as much for something made in the States. Huge variety among solid-bodied instruments.. not so much for the hollow bodies.

 

[Default]

That was my essential, question, basically, what the heck is a 'GSR' instrument..

My beef is the absence of hollow instruments made in the US along the lines of your standard solid bodies, whether it's an American Standard Fender or a G&L (maybe those two examples are too closely related to be a real illustration).. I just think if Eastwood can find a market that'll pay 700 for a hollowbody made in China, they can find a market that'll pay twice as much for something made in the States. Huge variety among solid-bodied instruments.. not so much for the hollow bodies.

Ok, I gotcha now. The whole GSR title has been so debated/discussed that that we take for granted that everyone knows what it means. Basically, these are special run instruments. The acoustics are from New Hartford, the electrics are from? They were instruments in varying stages of completion that were in storage somewhere and completed at NH.
I would love to see Guild with a successful line of anything electric that was made in America, but right now, Guild as a brand has been out of the loop for while. One of my local dealers (mom and pop store) saw my T-500 and was utterly unimpressed, because he stays in business selling low priced Chinese crap.
Thank God I have gotten to the point in my life where I don't have to settle. :wink:

 

[chazmo]

And, just to add a little to Steve's post... Dealers in Fender equipment are not necessarily good Guild dealers. In fact, Guild itself is arguably a split brand because imports are mixed in with the US-built stuff. Those of us who pay attention here can readily distinguish and understand the differences, but good luck to the general public.

I guess I'm saying it's complicated. We'd love to see Guild with a healthy line of 'leccies, but it's a tough road ahead.