Mark V vs Mark VI

[silverfox103]

As Many of you know, I recently bought a 1968 Mark VI Hoboken in pristine condition. I don’t know what it has been doing for the last 40 years, but it hasn’t been played much as there is not a scratch on it.

I also have a 1982 Mark V Westerly, in equally in good shape. I have had a few emails and PM’s asking me to compare the two. I have only had the VI for a week, but I’ll give it a go!

My originals intention was to buy the VI and sell the V. I have had the V since new and actually visited the plant and saw it being built. I lived 40 miles from Westerly back then. I have a very strong bond with it and it would be hard to sell it; but I might.

The physical characteristics are almost identical. The shape, construction and bracing seem to be the same. Both guitars were the top of the line for their year. From what I know the VII was custom made.

Both guitars have rosewood sides and backs. The V has Indian rosewood while the VI has Brazilian rosewood. The top of the V is Sitka spruce, the VI, I am not sure but I would guess spruce also. I’m guessing both necks are made of mahogany. Both heads are slightly different from each other, but obviously Guilds. The tuners are both high quality but different.

Now for the sound, both have nice projection and resonance with warm full tones. I would say the VI has deeper base projection. That is not to say the VI is better than the V, it is just different. Both the Guilds have a lower profile neck, which makes it easier to play.

Well for having it just a week, that is about the best I can do. Comments or questions welcomed!

Tom C.

V is on the left, VI is on the right

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Wow! Nice pair, eh??
Thanks for taking the time to post this, Tom. Very nice comparison and pics. It appears that the Mark VI has a three piece neck. Is that a strip of 'hog up the center of that neck? Or something else? Do different brands and types of nylon strings change tonal characteristics the way steel strings do? In other words, could difference in strings account for some of the tone difference? Or do you think the difference is attributable to the EIR vs Braz?

~nw

PS - Keep 'em both :wink:

 

[silverfox103]

Wow! Nice pair, eh??
Thanks for taking the time to post this, Tom. Very nice comparison and pics. It appears that the Mark VI has a three piece neck. Is that a strip of 'hog up the center of that neck? Or something else? Do different brands and types of nylon strings change tonal characteristics the way steel strings do? In other words, could difference in strings account for some of the tone difference? Or do you think the difference is attributable to the EIR vs Braz?

~nw

PS - Keep 'em both :wink:

Hi Nigel

I forgot about the VI neck being a 3 piece, thank you. As for the strings, they are both the same type. So i guess it must be the wood, maybe? All in all, the sound projected is very similar between the two.

Tom C.

 

[GardMan]

A nice pair of classicals. Thanks for sharing th pics and comments! Enjoy! D

 

[silverfox103]

A nice pair of classicals. Thanks for sharing th pics and comments! Enjoy! D

Thanks for your nice comment Dave. I clicked on your link, that is quite a collection you have. I have 5 guitars, I would like to get down to 3, but I'm having trouble not going up to 6. I need to start the 12 step program!

Tom

 

[Brad Little]

Thanks for your review. I've been looking at a '68 Mark VI on line, but it looks like it's been chewed up on the front, maybe from using picks. Since you don't think there is a lot of difference in sound, I'll probably hold off, especially since I have a BRW '37 Hauser copy on order from a luthier in Texas (http://www.pawless.com/little.html ).
Brad

 

[silverfox103]

Hi Brad

Like I said I have only had the VI for a week, so don't let my "review" hold you back from buying the VI that you are looking at. There definitely are more similarities than differences, but each has it's own sound.

Tom C.

 

[dane]

I have 5 guitars, I would like to get down to 3, but I'm having trouble not going up to 6. I need to start the 12 step program!
Tom

Hi Tom,

Thanks so much for the post, the photos, and the info on your beautiful guitars. We don’t see enough classical guitars on this forum, even though Guild built some excellent pieces. I know how hard it is to try to get the guitar count down, especially with the tempters here fueling the GAS fires. It’s all about keeping balance isn’t it? That’s important in life; keeping things balanced.

But Tom, I perceive an imbalance in your life. You see, you have three Alvarez Yairi’s, but only two Guilds? An imbalance like that can cause complete upheaval in ones life! Why, it may even tear apart the very fabric of the time and space continuum if left unchecked for too long! The galaxy…no…no…the very universe as we know it may cease to exist unless this imbalance is put right! :shock: And it’s up to you Tom, it’s up to you!

But what to do? There is so much at stake. Should you sell one of the Alvarez Yairi’s? Would having two Alvarez’s and two Guilds restore this delicate balance that is currently running a muck, threatening us all? :? By my calculations, it’s far beyond that. No, the only way to restore balance and to make things right throughout all of time and space is for you Tom; to seek out, and add to your collection, the illusive, tonal perfect, Guild Mark IV in PEARWOOD! :mrgreen: I’m sorry Tom, but it’s the only way! It’s the only way.

Yep, there sure are some tempters here who will try to fuel the GAS flames…but not me. My motives are purely humanitarian, and for the greater good of all. :wink: :roll:

Putting absurdity aside, if you do get a chance to play a Mark IV in pearwood, you very well may be tempted by it. The tonal quality of that wood with nylon strings is phenomenal in my humble opinion. And the way Guild braced that guitar, the entire body just resonates with a sound that is honey to the ears.

You certainly have some wonderful guitars, and I can see how it would be difficult to bring the count down to three. Both Guilds are beauties! We all suffer from the affliction of “Guitar Acquisition Syndrome” to one degree or another. But it could be worse. Five or six guitars can be hung on a wall so as not to be under foot. Try doing that with Grand Pianos! See...it’s all relative.

Enjoy the latest Mark IV and congratulations on its acquisition. May its tone, voice, and balance inspire you. And seriously keep an eye out for the less common pearwood version. You may be glad you did.

Dane

 

[silverfox103]

Hi Dane

Wow! I am eternally grateful to you. Sometimes the answer to your problems is so obvious, but being so close to the problem, you can't see it. Having this imbalance in my life HAS been causing me great problems.

I have heard about this elusive Mark IV, that you speak. I can tell that a man of your wisdom and knowledge who can see that this would be my cure. How can I repay you? I just noticed that you have quite a list of guitars, and must have fought this demon yourself. It looks like many times, you are a warrior.

Actually, I just quickly added the $ up, and for the 5 guitars I paid $3600...big deal. I don't golf, go to bar rooms, chase women (married for 31 years), have a motorcycle or boat. I do have a couple of Roadmaster station wagons that I am into, but they total about $2500. So a guy has to have a couple of vices, so to speak. I guess after working for 37 years, putting 3 kids in college, plus law and graduate school etc etc etc; I may look for a Mark IV pearwood. I've see them for sale once in a while. I can also easily sell a Yairi.

Anyways Dane, if you see a pearwood, let me know. I like to find them in excellent condition and at a very good price.


Tom

 

[Brad Little]

Hi Brad

Like I said I have only had the VI for a week, so don't let my "review" hold you back from buying the VI that you are looking at. There definitely are more similarities than differences, but each has it's own sound.

Tom C.

No, not entirely on your review. As I said, the one I'm looking at is a bit chewed, and I have a couple of custom guitars on order, one of which has some money due on completion, so I'll hang on the money I'd be spending on the Mark VI.
Brad

 

[chazzan]

Thanks for the posting- great to see those two different eras of classical guitars being compared!!!!

Having a Mark II and a prior MARK iv both from the late 1970's it is helpful to know that the westerly and hoboken bodies are similar. IMO the Mark II I had sounded better then the particular Mark iv I owned so the Mark IV was sold. I just bought a very very used Tom Blackshear flaminco that sounds in a world of it's own........... an amazing guitar!

 

[GardMan]

Try doing that with Grand Pianos! See...it’s all relative.

A couple years back, at a St Paddy's Day Pipes and Dance performance, I leaned over and shouted (if you have ever been in the front row of a pipes concert, you'll understand) to to my wife "It could be worse... I could collect and play BAGPIPES!" She knows that I DO really want to learn... so I think she's happy it's JUST Guilds...

I don't golf, go to bar rooms, chase women (married for 31 years), have a motorcycle.... So a guy has to have a couple of vices, so to speak.

(Paraphrasing noted fishing author John Gierach)
But I do collect Guild guitars and flyfish... Somtimes I think my wife wishes I did some of those other things.

 

[adorshki]

A nice pair of classicals. Thanks for sharing th pics and comments! Enjoy! D

Thanks for your nice comment Dave. I clicked on your link, that is quite a collection you have. I have 5 guitars, I would like to get down to 3, but I'm having trouble not going up to 6. I need to start the 12 step program!
Tom

I think you may be a little confused. OUR 12-step program means you still have 7 guitars to go.... :lol:

 

[silverfox103]

I think you may be a little confused. OUR 12-step program means you still have 7 guitars to go.... :lol:

Oh, thanks for the clarification! I say I'm trying to get down to 3, but what have I been doing? Looking at a potential #6. What did we do before Craigslist?

Tom C.

 

[adorshki]

I think you may be a little confused. OUR 12-step program means you still have 7 guitars to go.... :lol:

Oh, thanks for the clarification! I say I'm trying to get down to 3, but what have I been doing? Looking at a potential #6. What did we do before Craigslist?
Tom C.

Before Craigslist we had to go out looking for 'em on the street. ER...uhhh...I mean.....well, you know what I mean! :lol:

 

[James Knox]

I had a Mark VI for awhile. In addition to what you noted, a couple of differences I remember (and see in you photo's) were the Rosewood headstock overlay with the amber (maple?) dart and the abalone/MOP inlay on the bridge where the strings wrap. I was also told that the great Carlo Greco hand built all the VI's and VII's.