Straight Music
I looked over the e-mail I received after I boughtt the G-37.. The guy who donated to the Zouk Fest organization. indicates that Straight Music was in Houston. Here is the e-mail:
Howard--
Roger Landes told me you had purchased the Guild G37 that I had donated
to Zoukfest. I thought you might be interested in its history. I purchased
it new from Straight Music in Houston, Texas in March, 1973. At that
time that was a small music store owned and operated by George Straight's Dad. I had been looking at Martins, but I couldn't find one that suited me. I couldn't afford a vintage one, and the new ones at that time
sounded like washtubs. Mr. Straight suggested I try the Guild, and I took to it immediately. It had a wonderfully fast neck, much like an electric
guitar. Most of all I liked the bright crisp sound. I think that is
because of the maple body. If memory serves I paid $400 for it, which
seemed like a lot of money in 1973. It really withstood the test of
time, adapting well to very diverse climates in Galveston, Los Angeles, Ann Arbor, and Albuquerque. During the Ann Arbor years it became well known among the folk/acoustic crowd and was often borrowed for special gigs.
It was used on some recordings.
Due to a neuromuscular condition I became unable to play such a large
instrument. It sat unused for a couple of years, which broke my heart.
I had Tony Sutherland, a luthier in Taos, build a custom guitar for me
that I can comfortably play, so the Guild became redundant. Even so I couldn't bring myself to sell it, so I donated it to ZF to be auctioned off. I'm glad it has found a new home. I hope it brings you all the joy,
pleasure, good times, and friendships that it brought to me.
best personal regards,
Dale Kennedy