James Knox
Junior Member
- Joined
- May 2, 2009
- Messages
- 33
- Reaction score
- 0
The road of my journey has woven through many a Guild over the years. In a recent moment of clarity during a life simplification exercise, I discovered that I really only need 3 acoustic guitars to cover my needs. Evaluating the tone, size and feel of my existing guitar stable, I was able to narrow it down to 3 guitars that I could be very content with and experience the rush of "wow, I love this guitar" every time I pick it up.
My trinity, in no particular order:
1. Westerly built 1982 D25 (Boomer). When I need big. When I want full and powerful. My busking, street psalmistry guitar.
2. Hoboken built 1959 Ghost label M20. Warm and woody Mahogany. Well worn and broken in! Surprisingly loud for a small guitar. Nice fat midrange growl for lead playing. I like to play this guitar when jamming with others or accompanying another artist. Everybody wants to play this guitar at get-togethers.
3. Made-in-China GAD30R Prototype. Great snarl and snap. Clear - rings like a bell! This guitar sounds and plays fantastic, but also carries special sentimental feelings. Ordered from the factory as one of several different Sunburst finishes for evaluation by my good friend Donnie Wade (Guild Product Manager), I was asked which sunburst was my favorite. I selected the very vintage looking violin sunburst. Not a traditional Guild 'burst - more like some thing Bill Collings would do. A couple of other burst finishes were selected for production (Ice Tea and Antique). To my surprise, months later when I left Fender, this very guitar was presented to me with the signatures of my Fender Friends and coworkers on the back. I have written some of my best songs on this guitar and played it A LOT. Many of the Sharpie well-wishes have worn off now but this is the guitar that sits close by my favorite chair for when the muse hits.
Over a 50+ guitar and amp sell-down over the past 4 years I have discovered:
A) I'm not comfortable owning and storing expensive guitars.
B) I prefer the look of Sunburst and brown guitars
C) I really like the balanced tone of a Guild - strong fundamental, nice overtones, the trebles are always fat.
D) There is NOT a one-size solution for me. Although, if Guild were to make a 000-12 fret, 1 & 3/4" nut width, all mahogany with a 'burst for under $1200, I would be tempted (everybody has a dream!)
E) I like capoing at the second fret for a 12-fret feel. Med strings (13-56), tuned down a step to D or DADGAD. Capo'd at 2nd fret gives you standard E tuning or EBEABA (DADGAD in a better singing key).
Santa Cruz's - gone. Bourgeois' - gone. Goodall - gone. This week I sold my last Martin and a CA (Composite Acoustic). All that's left is a Gibson AJ and a Recording King 000-12 fret - both for sale and hopefully soon gone. I'm feeling lighter and more content than ever.
Peace,
My trinity, in no particular order:
1. Westerly built 1982 D25 (Boomer). When I need big. When I want full and powerful. My busking, street psalmistry guitar.
2. Hoboken built 1959 Ghost label M20. Warm and woody Mahogany. Well worn and broken in! Surprisingly loud for a small guitar. Nice fat midrange growl for lead playing. I like to play this guitar when jamming with others or accompanying another artist. Everybody wants to play this guitar at get-togethers.
3. Made-in-China GAD30R Prototype. Great snarl and snap. Clear - rings like a bell! This guitar sounds and plays fantastic, but also carries special sentimental feelings. Ordered from the factory as one of several different Sunburst finishes for evaluation by my good friend Donnie Wade (Guild Product Manager), I was asked which sunburst was my favorite. I selected the very vintage looking violin sunburst. Not a traditional Guild 'burst - more like some thing Bill Collings would do. A couple of other burst finishes were selected for production (Ice Tea and Antique). To my surprise, months later when I left Fender, this very guitar was presented to me with the signatures of my Fender Friends and coworkers on the back. I have written some of my best songs on this guitar and played it A LOT. Many of the Sharpie well-wishes have worn off now but this is the guitar that sits close by my favorite chair for when the muse hits.
Over a 50+ guitar and amp sell-down over the past 4 years I have discovered:
A) I'm not comfortable owning and storing expensive guitars.
B) I prefer the look of Sunburst and brown guitars
C) I really like the balanced tone of a Guild - strong fundamental, nice overtones, the trebles are always fat.
D) There is NOT a one-size solution for me. Although, if Guild were to make a 000-12 fret, 1 & 3/4" nut width, all mahogany with a 'burst for under $1200, I would be tempted (everybody has a dream!)
E) I like capoing at the second fret for a 12-fret feel. Med strings (13-56), tuned down a step to D or DADGAD. Capo'd at 2nd fret gives you standard E tuning or EBEABA (DADGAD in a better singing key).
Santa Cruz's - gone. Bourgeois' - gone. Goodall - gone. This week I sold my last Martin and a CA (Composite Acoustic). All that's left is a Gibson AJ and a Recording King 000-12 fret - both for sale and hopefully soon gone. I'm feeling lighter and more content than ever.
Peace,
