General opinions on Madeira P600m and Guild F-50 comparisons

goodry

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Hello!

I have the opportunity to buy a mint Madeira P600m with case and dean Markley pickup for $300 listed, less after negotiating. I've been trying to find info and I've came up with it being a 70's pre-guild brand. Solid spruce and laminated flamed maple back and sides.

I've also read its the same tone wood combination of similar Era Guild F-50.

Anybody have incite into quality of the Madeira, value at $300 price point and similarities to Guild F-50???

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Thanks for the info in advance!
 

Badger

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the advice I can give you: for $ 300 buy it and then tell us.
 

richardp69

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I own one of these. I'm a big fan of the Madeira P 600M Jumbo and it's Mahogany counterpart (can't remember the model name).

I owned one several years ago that was pretty beat up and I sold it but bought the one I have now just a few months ago. It really has a huge sound and I think that for what it is, it's a hell of a bargain. I bought it to give as a gift to a really fine player and even better person. I'm just waiting for the Corona Virus thing to settle down before I ship.

I paid a bit more for mine than what you're looking at. I paid $371 all-in but without case and pickup. Some folks frown on the Asian imports and in some cases I agree with them. But, there are some really good ones out there including Blueridge, Recording King etc. The MIJ models are well built and I've had zero problems with them. There are some really good Luthiers/guitar builders in Japan.

I'd say it's tough to go wrong at the $300 price point (or maybe even less) If you've got the cash and the room, go for it.
 

beecee

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I have 5 or 6 Madeiras including one I purchased new, (A-2...like an F-30), in 1977. They are the Sigma/Epiphone versions of Martin and Gibson.

I keep them out all over the house during the winter so I've been playing them a lot the past few months....starting to be more and more impressed.

The Japanese made are pretty darned good. Never owned a Korean version but I've heard they should be avoided.

My A-30, maple bodied dred is a banjo killer. Loudest guitar I've owned. I own the dred version of the P-600, (P500). Lovely guitar, great sound nice bling here and there but not overwhelming. The A-20, (D-40) keeps me coming back

Not well loved here but if I had to sell everything and go back to just the Madeira A-2 due to Corona Virus induced poverty I wouldn't complain. It was my go to and only acoustic 6 string for over 20 years.

EDIT: .................... and similarities to Guild F-50???

That was their version of the F-50. From what Owners of House of Guitars, (where I bought the A-2...instead of the F-30), the parts were produced in Westerly RI and shipped over to Japan for assembly. Not sure if that is true but I've heard that from many sources over the decades. So they made an F-30, (A-2) D-30, (A-30M) D-40, (A-20) D-50 (A-30) and F bodied versions...if that makes sense.
 
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wileypickett

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If you're looking for something you can keep on a stand and grab whenever the spirit moves you, you could do worse than the Madeira for sure. But I wouldn't kid myself that I was getting an F50.

I owned one of these in sunburst. It was a decent enough guitar and fun to play, but no comparison with my F50. Not even close. I sold it for about what I paid for it, so no loss.

If you have your heart set on an F50 eventually and you have something else to play in the meantime, I'd recommend socking away the 300 towards an F50. I can't imagine you'll ever regret it.
 

Badger

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I share what it says. Dissatisfaction is a very expensive commodity.
 

goodry

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I appreciate all the comments. I dont have my heart set on an f-50, just one of the comments I had read was that it was the exact same tonewood combination as the f-50. So I thought maybe it was a poor mans version or it was something that would sound good and be fun to play. The $300 isnt an issue - I currently have around 50 acoustics and was looking to see after I sell a few if this would be a worthwhile purchase. I only have one guild - A Westerly F-150CE. Soon to own a D-150CE.

I love my guild and among the nicer guitars I have - Takamine GN93CE, Yamaha LJ16, Takamine Korean made EG544SC-4C .. I like my guild the best. Which is what brought me here inquiring about the quality of the Madeira.

Since there isnt a whole lot of information out there, like there are about Guild's, I was hoping to get a better picture of what they sound like or if they are a 'sleeper' in terms of quality and if I should add it to my collection.

I'm about to post almost all of my guitars, I decided instead of having a bunch of $200 or $300 guitars, i'd prefer to have 10 or so nice - I want to play all the time guitars. With that being said, I'll have a spreadsheet here soon if anybody is looking to add some guitars to their collection - LOL.

Thank's for the info guys!
 

beecee

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I'm about to post almost all of my guitars, I decided instead of having a bunch of $200 or $300 guitars, i'd prefer to have 10 or so nice - I want to play all the time guitars.

Funny, for years all I had was two $300 guitars...see bottom of my sig.

I blame my current level of madness and inventory solely on this place...run...run while you can!!!!
 

goodry

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Funny, for years all I had was two $300 guitars...see bottom of my sig.

I blame my current level of madness and inventory solely on this place...run...run while you can!!!!

It looks like you have added some nice pieces to the collection!!!!! The more I play guilds, the more I think i'm going to stick with them. I do like takamine's though.


I'm focusing on trying to find really good guild deals, I'll probably buy a Ibanez AS153 Semi Hollow thinbody and add Seth Lovers, or Eastman t486. Then the only other guitars other than guilds is I really want a sinker redwood Taylor 714ce.. but $3500 requires a little bit of saving. Though my refund check is coming................................

Most of the money from my guitar sales will go towards guilds.

Rosewood back and sides and various tops - that is my weapon of choice, so that is what I will seek out. I still might pick up that Madeira just because of the price and it's really pretty haha... and from what i've read here, it's not a total dog, it just might not be an F-50 - but im not paying that price either. I was hoping it was a sleeper F-50 but, alas, not so much.
 

richardp69

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Well, to be clear, I'd say not only is it NOT a total dog, it sounds superb at least to my ears. Would I rather have an F-50??? Yes, of course (and I do have 3 of them) for many reasons. But that doesn't diminish my strong positive feelings about that model. And come on guys, for $300 in "mint" (although I don't actually believe any used guitar of any age can/will be mint) condition with case and pickup??? Pretty tough to beat that I would say.
 

beecee

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If you want a sleeper, look at a Guild JF-30. Same chemistry as the F-50, a lot lighter on the wallet.
 

goodry

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Well, to be clear, I'd say not only is it NOT a total dog, it sounds superb at least to my ears. Would I rather have an F-50??? Yes, of course (and I do have 3 of them) for many reasons. But that doesn't diminish my strong positive feelings about that model. And come on guys, for $300 in "mint" (although I don't actually believe any used guitar of any age can/will be mint) condition with case and pickup??? Pretty tough to beat that I would say.

Thank you very much for the knowledgeable feedback - This is exactly what I was looking for, somebody who owned one and could give me a price vs worthiness opinion. Im going to try to talk the person down a bit so hopefully less than $300, then comes the D-F150 which they want $500 for. So hopefully 2 decent guitars for under $800.
 

goodry

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If you want a sleeper, look at a Guild JF-30. Same chemistry as the F-50, a lot lighter on the wallet.
AWESOME!

I'll keep an eye out - Do you have a point of reference of what they ussually or should sell for ?
 

bobouz

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Another thumbs-up for the JF-30.

An excellent guitar - all the good stuff without the bling.
 

goodry

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Another thumbs-up for the JF-30.

An excellent guitar - all the good stuff without the bling.
I found a JF-30 GAD for $650 - Is that a fair price? GAD just stands for Guild Acoustic Design I believe, it's not an indication of different model then just a regular Guild JF-30?
 

fronobulax

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As long as it isnt from Wuhan, I think i'll still consider it.

Well the GAD line was discontinued a few years ago so you should be safe. (Guild has been making guitars in China for a while now, but what they call them and model numbers have varied. The current incarnation is the Westerly Series).
 

bobouz

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Personally, I would not throw $650 towards a GAD, when that same money can get you nicely set up towards purchasing a real USA-made Guild jumbo.
 

goodry

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Personally, I would not throw $650 towards a GAD, when that same money can get you nicely set up towards purchasing a real USA-made Guild jumbo.
What would your recommendation for that be ? F-250CE, F-40. F-55? What about the jumbo juniors?
 
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