Guild GAD-G212 Nat - pulled the trigger.

[SkippyX]

Check out Fuller's Vintage Guitars - it's on the North Loop (610), on the eastbound feeder road just east of Yale St.

This is my favorite guitar shop so far in Houston. I have seen others, but keep going back to Fullers. They do have quite a Guild selection. Prices seem appropriate and friendly staff. There is a new GC on Westheimer that has a decent selection of used/vintage Martins and Gibsons that I was impressed by.

Fuller's is absolutely my favourite guitar shop, regardless of location. Nice environment, friendly knowledgable staff, great selection. All in all a great guitar shop.

I do have qualms about their pricing. From what I've seen they're not too far off of MSRP on any item in the store. I'm way too much of a bargain hunter for all that. I'm also not affluent enough to pay MSRP for most new gear. That's why I generally buy used.

Having said that, they do price match. I like buying locally when I can, so I generally shop first and if it is an item that Fuller's stocks, I'll buy it there. I simply point them to the website or show them the advertised price on that piece of gear. I picked up an Epiphone Valve Junior head/cab combo (new in the box) there last year for $200. Not bad at all, IMO.

I've not been by the new GC on Westheimer. I know they have moved from their own location just down the street from Evans Music City (an OK shop). The parking at the old GC absolutely sucked. Horrid.

Where's the new one? I had heard they weren't on Westheimer any longer. Did they move out towards the beltway? I have to stop by there to see if I can get a box to ship a Les Paul-style knockoff (Agile AL-2000) to someone up in Wisconsin. That sale is helping me pay for the G212.

 

[Ridgemont]

Where's the new one? I had heard they weren't on Westheimer any longer. Did they move out towards the beltway? I have to stop by there to see if I can get a box to ship a Les Paul-style knockoff (Agile AL-2000) to someone up in Wisconsin. That sale is helping me pay for the G212.

It is at 8390 Westheimer. A little west of the old one which did suck very much by the way. The new one has one has a "vintage museum" section with some old historic pieces. In this area there is an old Guild hollow body for some nice change. The acoustic section is what I like though. In there they have a great used section with a bunch of Gibsons and Martins from the '60s that you can just pick up and play. It was a great experience for me, because in the end, my D25 blew all of them away. It taught me to appreciate my D25 much more.

 

[SkippyX]

It is at 8390 Westheimer. A little west of the old one which did suck very much by the way. The new one has one has a "vintage museum" section with some old historic pieces. In this area there is an old Guild hollow body for some nice change. The acoustic section is what I like though. In there they have a great used section with a bunch of Gibsons and Martins from the '60s that you can just pick up and play.

Cool - thanks for the info on GC's new location. I work on Westheimer (west of the beltway) and I live off of I-45 halfway between the loop and the north belt - which means that the new GC is just a wee small detour on the commute home.

I believe I'm going to be getting home late this evening.............

It was a great experience for me, because in the end, my D25 blew all of them away. It taught me to appreciate my D25 much more.

I'm always a bit suspicious of myself when I compare my GAD-50 against other six strings. I think it's human nature to be proud of what one has and to think that one is adept at finding a "good deal" on anything. I've not played anything south of $1,500 that I liked as much as I like the GAD-50. But, by the same token, I've not played many guitars in the +$1000 range that actually had decent strings on them.

I'm not experienced enough yet to see through the crap strings to what is possible once the strings are replaced with some good ones.

Does that make sense?

Having said that, the only six string I have played that I would sell the Guild to own was a Gallagher that I tried out at a coffee house open mic night. That sumbuck was Sweet. At $2500 (used) it should have been, though. That's too many Ben Franklins for my blood.

The sole complaint I have against the GAD-50 is the string spacing. It's a great little strumming guitar, and flatpicking is definitely doable. Sometimes, though I have problems when I'm trying to fingerpick some delicate thing. I have trouble placing my fretting fingers precisely enough that I'm not interfering w/ adjacent strings.

 

[Ridgemont]

The sole complaint I have against the GAD-50 is the string spacing. It's a great little strumming guitar, and flatpicking is definitely doable. Sometimes, though I have problems when I'm trying to fingerpick some delicate thing. I have trouble placing my fretting fingers precisely enough that I'm not interfering w/ adjacent strings.

Unfortunately, most Guild dreads come with the standard 1&11/16 inch nut width which can make it difficult to fret for some with large meaty fingers. Improvement will come obviously with practice and time. If fingerpicking is something you seriously enjoy and spend a lot of time doing and if you still have trouble fretting, I would suggest looking at the GAD30 and GAD30R. Currently they are the only new Guilds with a 1&3/4 inch nut width. That will provide extra space for your fretting hand. The GAD30s are OM sized guitars which will provide a very balanced sound. Its funny, while I do not have a problem with nut size, I do have a problem with string spacing at the sound whole. Guilds tend to have narrow string spacing at the bridge (2&1/16 inch) which makes it difficult for me to dig my fingers in between the strings. I can do it, but I would like a little extra room. Unfortunately, a guitar with better string spacing for me are Martins, which creates an issue when I decide to look for a new guitar.

 

[SkippyX]

The sole complaint I have against the GAD-50 is the string spacing. It's a great little strumming guitar, and flatpicking is definitely doable. Sometimes, though I have problems when I'm trying to fingerpick some delicate thing. I have trouble placing my fretting fingers precisely enough that I'm not interfering w/ adjacent strings.

Unfortunately, most Guild dreads come with the standard 1&11/16 inch nut width which can make it difficult to fret for some with large meaty fingers. Improvement will come obviously with practice and time. If fingerpicking is something you seriously enjoy and spend a lot of time doing and if you still have trouble fretting, I would suggest looking at the GAD30 and GAD30R. Currently they are the only new Guilds with a 1&3/4 inch nut width. That will provide extra space for your fretting hand. The GAD30s are OM sized guitars which will provide a very balanced sound. Its funny, while I do not have a problem with nut size, I do have a problem with string spacing at the sound whole. Guilds tend to have narrow string spacing at the bridge (2&1/16 inch) which makes it difficult for me to dig my fingers in between the strings. I can do it, but I would like a little extra room. Unfortunately, a guitar with better string spacing for me are Martins, which creates an issue when I decide to look for a new guitar.

Well - I'm hung up in that cost/benefit curve.

One of the things I really liked about the aforementioned Gallagher was the string spacing - for the very reason I cited. Wow - that was a comfy guitar to pick.

However, I have to carefully marshal my money. I'm afraid a Martin or a Gallagher is simply out of reach. Heck, generally a GAD would be out of reach unless I happen upon a great deal (like the G212).

I've heard of guys that have grown out their fingernails to make it easier to dig in while fingerpicking, but mine are too thin for that. I do know a guy that uses acrylic nails that he files down to what (for him) is optimal for fingerpicking. I've actually considered that and I might yet give it a try.

As far as my fretting hand goes, I guess I'll just have to learn how to be much more precise in where I place my fingers.

Until, that is, I happen to stumble upon another great guitar deal or a big pile of cash.

 

[adorshki]

In there they have a great used section with a bunch of Gibsons and Martins from the '60s that you can just pick up and play. It was a great experience for me, because in the end, my D25 blew all of them away. It taught me to appreciate my D25 much more.

Gotta love them late '90's Westerlys!