A-25

[killdeer43]

I scored a good looking '96 A-25HR last weekend and it's on the way as I type. I'd be interested to hear any feedback from previous owners/users of this little piece of Guild history. Wider neck for fingerpicking, so I'm ready to put another hanger in my office (might have to move the banjo down the hall!)
Come one, come all, and thanks.

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

I don't think Coastie would mind my posting a few shots of his, which I had the pleasure of babysitting for a few months.



West

 

[killdeer43]

So the babysitting was enjoyable?

 

[West R Lee]

Yes it was, first of all, my wife loved her since she was so small. Then we had a shipping snafu which cost some time, then, during the wait, Gary ordered new pins, saddle and nut and had me install them, after that it was hard to send her on her way to New Zealand

The bone components helped the tone enormously in my view.....Gary can give you a better heads up on what he thinks.

West

 

[killdeer43]

Great slide show! Now I'm really salivating. Mine should arrive on Monday so I'll be ready. Oh yeah, it's a birthday present....to myself!!

Thanks,
Joe

 

[coastie99]

My very limited review..............

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7364&hilit=+A25

 

[tjmangum]

A fine little guitar. If yours is the one that went for small dollars on ebay, congratulations on a great win on a wonderful guitar. I just won it's big brother, an A-50 and am eager to try them out side by side. In that Guild put this out several years before the OM revival was really under way (at least that's my understanding) it once again proves how creative and resourceful the Guild gang in Westerly were. Who else built Maple, Pearwood and Ash b/s guitars way back when most thought the acoustic guitar market was down for the count. Anyway, if you don't love it there are plenty of adoptive parents standing by!
Best wishes,
tj

 

[killdeer43]

Thanks TJ,

I think both guitars have gone to "appreciative" homes. I was also checking out that A-50 but wouldn't you know it, some "highroller" beat me to it. Oh well.

Take care,
Joe

 

[fungusyoung]

I just let mine go to a very good friend, who has been calling me to thank me twice daily since he took it home to NC with him from NY on Thursday afternoon. I'm so happy this all worked out. I even had a K&K Pure Mini Western installed in it.

I'm in the process of a major downsizing of the herd because I'm just not home enough. It's been a tough conclusion to come to, but I know I will not be around nearly enough during the next 2 years or so to play (or maintain) 15 guitars on a regular basis. Taking care of so many acoustics especially during the winter is tough when I'm gone 4- 5 days a week, every week.

By the way, I was a bit off on the body size when referencing this guitar in the past. It is definitely smaller than my Martin 000-15... probably either closer to a 00 sized Martin or maybe somewhere between a 00 and 000 (or OM). Overall, I found mine to have very sweet tones & plenty of volume, especially for the size. I think what I liked most about it was the lightweight and small body. Easy to drag around anywhere & to handle without compromising tone.

Anyways, it is a great sounding guitar, and I found it to respond well to picking (using Pearse 80/20 lights). I'm going to have a lot of tough decisions to make in the coming weeks, but it's all for the best.

 

[killdeer43]

Thanks to all who responded very positively to my request for feedback on this little A-25 that I picked up yesterday. And then let me go on to express a bit of disappointment.

For starters, both the guitar and the case are in mint condition, and the guitar is a beauty, but it's just not floating my boat. I've been through a GAD 30 to have a 000 Guild in the stable and it was the same end result....no comparison to my other 000, an Epiphone Masterbilt (blasphemy, I know). I've been a bonafide Guild junkie for almost 40 years but my ears still work just fine and, after all, the sound of the guitar is the primary consideration.

I won't do the 'woe is me' routine but I'm on the verge of considering a quick unload.

Comments from my brothers in arms....and strings and things?

Thanks for the mini-rant,
Joe

 

[Punkybub]

Thanks to all who responded very positively to my request for feedback on this little A-25 that I picked up yesterday. And then let me go on to express a bit of disappointment.

For starters, both the guitar and the case are in mint condition, and the guitar is a beauty, but it's just not floating my boat. I've been through a GAD 30 to have a 000 Guild in the stable and it was the same end result....no comparison to my other 000, an Epiphone Masterbilt (blasphemy, I know). I've been a bonafide Guild junkie for almost 40 years but my ears still work just fine and, after all, the sound of the guitar is the primary consideration.

I won't do the 'woe is me' routine but I'm on the verge of considering a quick unload.

Comments from my brothers in arms....and strings and things?

Thanks for the mini-rant,
Joe

I had the same experience with an A25 I bought a couple of years ago - great design,wide fingerboard,and it's a Guild, but... no cigar for me either.

You might try heavier strings - I have an A50 that I was thinking about selling until I put .13's on. Not quite as easy to play but the tone improved substantially to my ears. As long as the neck angle is good and you have some saddle to play with (heavier strings sometimes bring the action up), it might be worth a shot.

Replacing the stock saddle/nut/pins w/bone would help (if it hasn't already been done), though that might be more than you're wanting to invest in this.

My A25 had a satin finish - I think that had something to do with my not liking the tone. I played another A25 years ago w/a stock gloss finish and I liked that one, though it didn't jump out at me either.

I only regret not having another acoustic that would fit into the killer case these guitars come in...!

Good luck and let us know what you come up with.

 

[killdeer43]

Thanks for the suggestion about the strings and yes, that's one helluva case that Guild apparently built around that particular guitar. It's a perfect fit and reminds me of a piece of fine luggage!

Later,
Joe