Martin vs. Guild

[Brad Little]

Someone on AGF has a Martin custom 000-18 for sale. Looking at the specs, the only difference is 24.9" scale vs. 24.75", abalone inlays vs. MOP. Not sure if the Martin uses hide glue or not. Of course it has Martin stamped on a back brace and not Guild. I wonder if it is just the Martin name/mystique that justifies the $1000 higher MSRP or is it something else. I know we tend to think highly of our Guilds, but even though I've owned a couple of Martins, they never impressed me the way they seem to some people, and I've played (although not often) pre-war and '40s Martins.

 

[Cougar]

...I wonder if it is just the Martin name/mystique that justifies the $1000 higher MSRP...

Yeah, I think that's it.

 

[jedzep]

Hard to believe your assessment, Brad. The Martin tone is above and beyond, but the ear wants what the ear wants, I guess.

 

[Westerly Wood]

i owned a 000-18 for a while. it sucked.
but i bet there are 000-18s that area great.

 

[Rambozo96]

I often wondered what puts Martin on top for most people. I never played one so I don’t know if they’re all that or not. I’m sure like most things it is best seen as a case by case basis

 

[twocorgis]

I'll play here. The three Martins I own (the incredible '69 D28 from Richard, my '02 D28 David Crosby Signature, and a '13 000-17SM) are all wonderful guitars, and Martin has a long standing tradition of greatness that very few if any companies can match. Don't get me wrong, I love my Guilds too (especially the two Orpheums), but I love my Martins at least as much, if not more. And when it comes to investment potential, there's simply no comparison between Martins and Guilds. It's truly remarkable that these great guitars have been built under the private ownership of one family since 1833, and that is why they command such high prices, and hold their value so well.

 

[fronobulax]

Something in "the market" places a higher value. Period. If we were smart enough to identify that factor then we could look forward to a successful job in guitar product development and marketing.

I suspect brand recognition ("snob appeal") and resale value are bigger factors than someone who buys guitars for function wants to admit.

 

[dreadnut]

Being a "custom" gives it extra value.

 

[chazmo]

Brad, whatever works for you, buddy.

Martin has cachet that Guild lacks. That may not always be true if both brands survive another 25 years... Who knows? Some of the Martins that I've wanted in my life have always been too expensive for me to seriously consider. I've played a lot of new(ish) models in guitar stores over the years and I remember being moved by a new HD-28 about 12 or 13 years ago that eventually led me to buy a used one. Still that was probably the most expensive guitar I'd owned at the time. I can't remember when I picked up my D12-20, but that guitar is a must for anyone with a 12-string collection. Completely unique sound and feel compared to other 12s.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Whatever moves you, man!

 

[bobouz]

Each guitar must be assessed on it’s own unique merits. I’ve owned quite a few Martins - all but two are gone. Even those two would most likely go on the chopping block if I decided to downsize. The company’s history is cool, but to me, there’s no mystique at all - they’re just another option in the marketplace. I’ve played bunches of them that didn’t click tonally, which often is too dark in the lows and/or too brittle in the highs to work well with my fingerpicking style. I also greatly prefer a 12” radius fingerboard, and Martin typically goes with 16”. Gibsons & Guilds have worked best for me over the years, but I’ve played lots of them too that basically were yawners.

Average to good guitars are numerically the norm. Exceptionally good guitars do not regularly get pumped out by any of these factories, but they do happen to come along from time to time. It might be a Martin, Gibson, Guild, or some other brand. If it’s in your hands & puts you in a special place, don’t let it get away.

 

[richardp69]

I love both brands, ah hell-likely all brands.

Guild and Martin just have different sounds/tones to my ears. Neither better than the other, just different. I love both brands.

I also have a 000 28 Custom Shop. Great guitar but I'll be selling soon. I have a 000 Martin Custom Shop Cocobolo I just like better. I likely will lose money when I sell, I bought at the high end of acceptable.

 

[matsickma]

Living 30 minutes from the Martin factory I often got odd looks from music store owners when I inquired if they carried Guilds. One thing is certain and that is great sounding guitar's are available from both companies and some are not so great sounding. That is the choice of the player. Martin have kept up with times of high volume production models and have the hand made models. I'm sure Cordoba is the same with Guild. It is a cool experience to do a Martin tour and see both the high volume models being built and also the hand made set neck models. The Martin company has done a great job of celebrating their guitars and that is such a cool thing that adds to the Martin guitar mystique. How often can you tour a factory, get to sample various models, see some of the great artisans in action and get a free drink coster from the sound hole Martin coaster!
M

 

[cupric]

Monkey see, monkey do. Also called word of mouth. It's what branding is made of. A good guitarist, or a famous one, can play any guitar. The brand gains status. And models become grails.

 

[twocorgis]

Living 30 minutes from the Martin factory I often got odd looks from music store owners when I inquired if they carried Guilds. One thing is certain and that is great sounding guitars are available from both companies and some are not so great sounding. That is the choice of the player. Martin have kept up with times of high volume production models and have the hand made models. I'm sure Cordoba is the same with Guild. It is a cool experience to do a Martin tour and see both the high volume models being built and also the hand made set net models. The Martin company has done a great job of celebrating their guitars and that is such a cool thing that adds to the Martin guirar mystique. How often can you tour a factory, get to sample various models, see some if the great artisans in action and get a free drink coster from the sound hole Martin coaster!
M

It's too bad that you never made it to any of the LMG factory tours in New Hartford. Not only were they a more in depth tour than Martin offers (although Martin's tour is good too), they basically showered us with goodies! Still enjoying all the swag I got, and really miss doing those tours every year. Great bunch of folks who were making some wonderful guitars, and all the camaraderie of the LTG members was great, too.

 

[bluesypicky]

Like Sandy, I loved (love) the Martin's I've owned (own) but I reckon Martin has one unfortunate thing in common with Gibson: Inconsistency.
You can either get a "wow" guitar, or a "meh" one.
My 000-28 was an awesome lil' blues box, and I agree, they tend to be overpriced. For some reason there seems to be some kind of fanaticism about this model, that to these followers' eyes and ears, justifies any kind of ridiculous price. ( I actually enjoyed it when I decided to sell mine).
In this area (consistency) I contend that Guild beats Gibson & Martin hands down.
Although they do exist, I have very rarely played a "meh" Guild.

 

[cupric]

Kind of off topic.....but...... I saw a clip of Ribbon Ford talking about his original Telecaster. I guess there's going to be a artist series? Anyway, he mentioned that his first good guitar was a Starfire lll. Thought that was a good plug for Guild.

 

[chazmo]

Good post, Cupric. I'm going to go out on a limb a little and say that there are really three Guild models that have transcended the brand and entered the guitar players' psyche over the years as well as many of their hands. The Starfire is absolutely one of them, arguably the only electric that really hit it out of the park. The D-25 is perhaps the most known and loved Guild acoustic, certainly during the '70s and '80s when I was coming up. And, I think the F-50, when people were exposed to it, created a "must-have" situation for them in their lives. I know that's why I ended up become a Guild lover in my 40s after collecting Ibanez and Taylors for a while.

 

[Brad Little]

Good post, Cupric. I'm going to go out on a limb a little and say that there are really three Guild models that have transcended the brand and entered the guitar players' psyche over the years as well as many of their hands. The Starfire is absolutely one of them, arguably the only electric that really hit it out of the park. The D-25 is perhaps the most known and loved Guild acoustic, certainly during the '70s and '80s when I was coming up. And, I think the F-50, when people were exposed to it, created a "must-have" situation for them in their lives. I know that's why I ended up become a Guild lover in my 40s after collecting Ibanez and Taylors for a while.

Hm, I would add just about all 12 strings, especially the 512.

 

[matsickma]

I must claim that my acoustic guitar depth is pretty limited. The first Guild acoustic I purchased was a D40CE. I didn't know much about the acoustics but liked the cutaway. A few years ago I was at a Sam Ash to purchase an unusual vintage T50 with two HB1's and I walked into the acoustic room and played a number of guitars then saw an inexpensive full size Guild 12-string. I picked it up and instantly liked what I heard and walked out with both guitars. The 12- string was a $500 model. I never had that experience at a Martin tour when checking out their "production" models on display outside the museum.

Best acoustic I ever played was a Guild archback model a friend had but today he swears by Martin.

So I came to realize acoustic guitar tone is a very subjective thing. I also need to add that I had a great love for an old Picadore guitar. I was told the Picadore name was what became of the Martins import brand Sigma guitars if they had an imperfection. That guitar was another great find that I picked up in a music store and just loved it's tone. Played the heck out of that guitar. Hate to say it but I liked it more than the Guild D40CE. And sure enough when I tore the Picadore label off of the headstock it had the Sigma emblem on it (i.e. sidways letter "M"). Still have the Picadore but sold the D40CE. Acoustic guitars have a way of finding their players!
M

 

[GGJaguar]

Neither better than the other, just different.

Yup, this.