SmithfieldFair
Member
Greetings - I am a new member of this forum and a Guild fan and advocate for 35+ years. As a member of the acoustic group Smithfield Fair, I wanted to ballyhoo something that's been a part of our sound since the late 70's. The previous group Charmer, which included 3 of the current members of Smithfield Fair, started in Pensacola, Florida and one day our local luthier Howard Passman introduced us to a new instrument - the Guild B-50. We would ultimately purchase both of the instruments that Tringas Strings was carrying (one was stolen from the studio in 1980). Since that time, the Guild B-50 has been a symbol of what we do - and the attitude Charmer/Smithfield Fair has on acoustics. We still use microphones - no processed, pre-amped, pick-ups sound right to my ear. We currently have 3 B-50s - 1976, 1978 & 1979 - two fretless and one fretted and use them exclusively in the studio and live. They combine perfectly with the army of Guild guitars we use (2/GF25s, G-37, 2/F112s, M20) and the lovely harmonies we structure our songs with. My friend Sandy Pinkard played an Earthwood Bass for years and loved it. It's the only acoustic bass that could hold a candle to the B-50 (and the early 80's B-30 in some cases). Anyone else out there using the B-50 on a regular basis? We've thought of putting up a section on our webpage with photos of other B50 players. Our bassist is Bob Smith, my kid brother, and we'd love to hear from and make contact with anyone else interested in the B-50. Best to you all. Cheers! dbsmith