My July 5th Guitar of the Day

[ClaytonS15]

I’ve decided to write a bit about whatever Guild I’m playing every couple of days since I have some extra time on my hands these days.

I’ll start with the newest (to me) Guild, my 1991 D-4-E. It’s clearly been played, played, had beer spilled on it, and then played some more before I found it at a local music shop back in January, but this one has that classic loud Guild sound and I loved it the second I strummed a C chord. The neck is on the small side, but it plays and sounds great despite the dings and finish checking. Only the first few frets really show any fret wear and no breaks or cracks at all. Here are some photos. I’ll try to get a recording to add to this post some time soon.

Feel free to add onto this thread about any cool Guild (edit: they’re all cool) you’re playing over the next week!

 

[F30]

I remember a while back a Friend of mine ask me what kind of acoustic he should check out. At his price point - I told him I would look at a Guild D4.
He ask me why and told him go play one if you can get your hands on one - let the guitar speak for itself.
He owns that guitar still today. It is an amazing instrument.

 

[Stuball48]

Spent my afternoon practice on Hank Jr. model - G45. Guild's Maple always deliver.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Why are Guilds so good, in a general way? Maybe we should put together all of our thoughts on that subject. I know there's plenty of reasons already expressed on LTG, but as a focused thread, I'm not aware. More senior members might advise...

 

[Stuball48]

Consistancy - predictability

 

[blakeb2193]

I'm with richard on finding a good way to express how good guilds are. I try to introduce new people to the guild brand, and it's hard to quickly sum up why every one should try a guild. I will say the overall consistency, and being able to buy, used guilds online, without playing them first. I have so much confidence in the brand. I have never had a "bad" guild acoustic.

Also Clayton, your D4 has a Hoboken style pickguard that I have started calling "black tortoise" the westerly pickguards are much more red. Very cool to see that look on a D4.

 

[ClaytonS15]

Thanks! The pick guard is lifting up off of the top on the edges, but it works as is.

 

[Badger]

I had a Guild guitar that was really bad. It was a D4 and it sounded really dull. It had the top with very wide veins and it seemed almost wet. It was my first Guild and this experience has kept me away from the brand for years. Now I have 3!

 

[HeyMikey]

Why are Guilds so good, in a general way? Maybe we should put together all of our thoughts on that subject. I know there's plenty of reasons already expressed on LTG, but as a focused thread, I'm not aware. More senior members might advise...

For me it is the combination of build quality, playability, sound and value.

Generally consistently very good build quality and materials. Excellent wood.

Very comfortable necks on the ones I own, though I do focus on smaller size models so this might not be accurate for certain periods and models.

The sound is most important to me, and that just comes down to personal preference. I find them well balanced and often well suited for accompanying singers. Generally they don’t favor too heavily on the high end, or drown you in overtones, or have an underlying dull thud like some other makers.

Finally, on the secondary market they are often very good values. Some seriously good values. Maybe new as well. but most certainly used.