Westerly Wood
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4th from the right.
Introducing the Guild Westerly Collection
- Thread starter johnbiscuti
- Start date
adorshki
Reverential Member
And I'm the other guy still wearin' his tie.
In a lifeboat.
Hey, it's good for morale.
Always a good idea to dress well - might get rescued soon!
walrus
walrus
merlin6666
Senior Member
Strange that they still have the GAD series on their website too as it's very confusing to have them compete. The site sure needs something that allows comparison of the series and explanation why Westerly is lower price than GAD.
howardjeffreymusic
Member
Tell you what, I will be holding on to my Westerly Guilds for sure. That site I just saw was GROSS!!!!!
txbumper57
Enlightened Member
They probably have a fair amount of GAD Product left over that they acquired from Fender in the purchase of Guild itself. Therefore they would have to sell it off in transition while introducing the New Westerly Line. Hence having both listed on the website.
merlin6666
Senior Member
There are probably more differences, but when I compare the spec sheets for the F150s of the series it seems that the main differences (other than cosmetic) are a move from dual action to single action truss rod (though with wider nut) and move from hardshell case to polyfoam case to explain the lower list price. I assume that when dealers are clearing out their GAD inventory to make place for the Westerlys there will be good deals on the GADs to be had which seem to be the "better" product, if you don't mind the narrow nut.
Was there not also a feature removal (nitro lacquer?) when they moved from first generation GADs to the current generation that's being replaced?
Was there not also a feature removal (nitro lacquer?) when they moved from first generation GADs to the current generation that's being replaced?
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Merlin,
I'm pretty sure all the MIC guitars are/were finished in polyester.
There was some change in the features between the original GAD series and the "100" series guitars that were second-generation. Aside from many of the models changing, the ones that continued through looked a bit different and had some different appointments. The 100-series guitars are harder to distinguish from their made-in-USA forbears as they went to a more traditional pickguard shape among other things.
I'm pretty sure all the MIC guitars are/were finished in polyester.
There was some change in the features between the original GAD series and the "100" series guitars that were second-generation. Aside from many of the models changing, the ones that continued through looked a bit different and had some different appointments. The 100-series guitars are harder to distinguish from their made-in-USA forbears as they went to a more traditional pickguard shape among other things.
txbumper57
Enlightened Member
As far as I know all of the Chinese Models were Poly finish. The main feature of the original GAD's that was dropped was the Wood Binding around the guitar. Some of the early GAD's had Gorgeous Rosewood, Mahogany, or Maple binding on the body depending on the model and Finish. When they switched to the 100 series they dropped that feature and made the appearance more of a Stripped down one.
merlin6666
Senior Member
I see, when I compare the pictures for the Westerly Line they also seem to have less binding on the back giving them more of a plain look. Otherwise they added the headstock logo and changed pickguard color cosmetically. The neck and case changes are definitely disappointing. Neck changes were also a huge concern when they moved Ovation production from U.S. to Asia a few years ago. For how long has the dual truss rod been a feature of Guilds?
Merlin,
Guild was using two truss rods in their US-built 12-string guitars since the beginning of time until late in the Tacoma-era. Either late 2007 or early 2008 is when you start to see Guild 12-strings with a single rod. They flank the rod with two fixed carbon rods. During New Hartford, they changed the specs somewhat on the rod they were using. It's a dual-action truss rod (which means that it exerts force when pulling back or pushing forward on the neck). I don't know if the dual-action rod is being used in any of the 6-string guitars... possibly.
GADs have had different schemes, and they've certainly used different hardware.
Guild was using two truss rods in their US-built 12-string guitars since the beginning of time until late in the Tacoma-era. Either late 2007 or early 2008 is when you start to see Guild 12-strings with a single rod. They flank the rod with two fixed carbon rods. During New Hartford, they changed the specs somewhat on the rod they were using. It's a dual-action truss rod (which means that it exerts force when pulling back or pushing forward on the neck). I don't know if the dual-action rod is being used in any of the 6-string guitars... possibly.
GADs have had different schemes, and they've certainly used different hardware.
merlin6666
Senior Member
GAD Neck (F150) specs:
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape “C” Shape
Neck Finish Satin
Scale Length 25.5″ (648 mm)
Nut Width 1 11/16″ (42.86 mm)
Nut Material Nu-Bone™
Neck Binding Ivoroid
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 16″ (406.4 mm)
Fingerboard Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Block
# of Frets 20
Tuning Machines Die-Cast
Hardware Finish/Plating Gold-Plated
Truss Rod Dual-Action
Truss Rod Wrench 4mm Hex Truss Rod Wrench
Westerly Line Neck specs:
Neck Material Mahogany
Neck Shape C Shape
Scale Length 25 1/2″ (648 mm)
Nut Width 1 3/4″ (44.5mm)
Nut Material NuBone
Fingerboard Material Indian rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 16″
Fingerboard Inlays Mother-of-Pearl Dot
# of Frets 20
Tuning Machines Guild Die-Cast Closed-Gear
Hardware Finish/Plating Nickel-Plated
Truss Rod Single Action
Truss Rod Wrench 4mm Hex Key
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adorshki
Reverential Member
Didn't we once have a discussion about your '06 F512 having the single truss w/ parallel reinforcement rods even though the official Tacoma spec sheet was never updated to show it?
Right, and maybe I'm just missing something sematically but those were 2 distinct systems in Tacoma. I remember for sure seeing the dual-action rod spec'd on a Tacoma era D40 and thought it was a mistake about the D40 having the dual reinforcement rod system until I saw the official Tacoma D40 spec sheet, then I understood. Dual action was introduced in Tacoma.
If you're saying they further developed dual reinforcement rod system in New Hartford by making it dual action as well, then everything makes sense. You probably know better than me about that.
In fact I was surprised to see the dual-action rod spec'd on the F150.
If I remember correctly***, it was one element of the bolt-on neck/spider top system used in the ill-starred Contemporary series.
I remember looking at the original concept patent application for that here, and it was submitted by Fender, so it might not be an actual Guild intellectual property that Cordoba acquired the rights to.
For our new members:
GAD's were always technically Fender product even though Fender put the Guild name on 'em.
They had every right to because they owned they owned the Guild branding rights.
But that dual action truss rod patent might still be owned by Fender.
If it isn't I'd be surprised if Cordoba didn't keep using it.
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***that's a big "IF" and if I'm wrong I hope somebody with some search wizardry like Ralf will correct me for accuracy's sake.
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Neal
Senior Member
FWIW, The 100-series GAD's had awesome cases!
My beat-to-crap '71 F-20 now resides in one. The case is in WAY better shape than the actual guitar it protects.
Neal
My beat-to-crap '71 F-20 now resides in one. The case is in WAY better shape than the actual guitar it protects.
Neal
adorshki
Reverential Member
merlin6666
Senior Member
Now I'm getting really confused. The Orpheums are also spec'd with dual action rods, but the U.S. rods are different from the GAD rods? And Cordoba/Oxnard may have to come up with something completely different as they don't have patent for that ... yikes!
adorshki
Reverential Member
Nonono. Just sayin' that it's possible Fender still owns that patent. I don't know for sure.
Sorry to cause confusion.
Orpheums were US-built at New Hartford while Fender still owned Guild, so it's reasonable to see 'em spec'd with that rod.
And now that you mention it, I don't know if the MIC dual action rods are different from US rods or not.
I just assumed they were the same because all materials for those guitars were shipped to the factory by Fender.
All that factory did was assemble 'em.
Neal
Senior Member
Travel...that's a six letter word I have come to detest, Al.
But the per diem it generated did lead to a bunch of five letter words - GUILD.
neal
But the per diem it generated did lead to a bunch of five letter words - GUILD.
neal
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Hi everyone new to the forum here. Past owner of a F-412 which I had purchased new in '78 and later a Guild D-35 (currently Guild-less presently). I have been looking for a 12 string for about 6 months. Of course, there is only one real consideration for me when it comes to 12 strings..Guild. I have several Epiphone Masterbilts, which are marvelous instruments (so I have no issue with solid wood instruments manufactured outside the USA) but I never warmed up to the whole GAD line. I just came across the Westerly Collection and wanted to get some honest opinions on the line based on sound and build quality (only). I've read the rest of the thread and I understand the displeasure that some of the members have with the name. At my age, I really have no desire to drop the $$$ on a new 412 or 512 when it will get just occasional use. Thanks and I look forward to hearing your opinions.