Guild aesthetics

[GGJaguar]

I love the sound of my Martins, but aesthetically they are pretty nondescript. Sure the 28’s have herringbone purfling and the higher end models have abalone, but to me, Guilds have always had more character visually. Again, I’m not disrespecting Martin – they are what they are – but when you look at these two top-tier models, it’s easy to get excited about the Guild.

 

[Brucebubs]

By coincidence ... I own a Martin Grand J12-40E Special and a Guild F-412.

 

[GGJaguar]

By coincidence ... I own a Martin Grand J12-40E Special and a Guild F-412.

Me too! They are awesome guitars!

 

[richardp69]

Some are not fans of the "bling factor" but without shame, I admit that I am a fan in a big way. It's one of the reasons (albeit less important than sound/tone) that I love the upper end Guild models. Ah hell, I like all the models but I still like bling.

 

[GGJaguar]

Some are not fans of the "bling factor" but without shame, I admit that I am a fan in a big way.

I know! It's so hard to resist shiny things.

 

[Cougar]

Some are not fans of the "bling factor" but without shame, I admit that I am a fan in a big way....

Yay, Richard. I'm with you, for the most part, but for me, there's a limit. Blingy Guilds generally have just the right amount.

 

[Coop47]

I love the pinstriping on the higher end models. So subtle, so classy.

 

[beecee]

Yup Pinstripes are lovely, subtle. The F-50, F-4/512 blocks are so darn nice.

A DV-52 w/abalone and ebony??? Sweet

Compare to a glitzy Gibby:

 

[bobouz]

I’m very attracted to the basic styling cues on Guilds & Gibsons, with a low to moderate level of bling. By contrast, I’ve always found Martins to be lacking aesthetically - in particular the dreads, which I consider to be the plumber’s butt of guitars (although I do own one!). Sure, guitars are tools, but there’s a fine art component to their construction that I find very appealing, similar to appreciating works of art - and I applaud makers like Breedlove who aesthetically choose to push the envelope while at the same time considering function.

 

[davismanLV]

See, with the Gibsons there's a lot going on but not a lot GOOD going on. Overly shapely bridge shape and stylized flowers all over the pickguards is a little too 12-year old girls lunchbox kinda giddy to me. l like a bit more CLASS with more adult and sophisticated decor overall. Guild does that really well. Martin can do well, but they tend towards more simple designs. I agree, Breedlove has a really good sense of style and taste incorporated into their designs. Racing stripes on fretboards are awesome!!!

 

[bobouz]

See, with the Gibsons there's a lot going on but not a lot GOOD going on. Overly shapely bridge shape and stylized flowers all over the pickguards is a little too 12-year old girls lunchbox kinda giddy to me.

Ah, beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Gibson’s single point pickguards, as historically seen on the J-200, J-185, & J-50, are my very favorites (but only in a plain tortoise color without flowery stuff - as on my avatar J-100xt). My next favorite is Guild’s Westerly pickguard from the ‘70s & early ‘80s (again in tortoise).

It’s also a big deal to me that the pickguard is placed on the instrument in a manner that the shape optimally follows the instrument’ lines. No crooked pickguards in my house!

 

[davismanLV]

Oh the shape is fine. It's the decoration that bothers me. Black or tortoiseshell.

 

[richardp69]

See, with the Gibsons there's a lot going on but not a lot GOOD going on. Overly shapely bridge shape and stylized flowers all over the pickguards is a little too 12-year old girls lunchbox kinda giddy to me. l like a bit more CLASS with more adult and sophisticated decor overall. Guild does that really well. Martin can do well, but they tend towards more simple designs. I agree, Breedlove has a really good sense of style and taste incorporated into their designs. Racing stripes on fretboards are awesome!!!

Shucks. It turns out I'm part 12 year old girl with what I thought was a cool lunchbox but now all the other kids are telling me it's not. Life can be cruel.

 

[netspirit]

For me, I always liked the Guild pickguard so much more than the Martin's.

 

[GGJaguar]

Even more bling.

 

[davismanLV]

And see above, we come to the classic ultimate of Royal Bling. Something reserved for so very few, and yet still with a bone-grinding sense of simplicity! To me it almost harkens to the Egyptians as if it would not be uncommon for something like this to be uncovered as a relic from a famous king or queens tomb. Or as the classy "free gift" found at the bottom of the finest breakfast cereal in the world. And if from my words you think, "Dear God, is he high as a kite?" the answer would be, I woke in pain, but with proper medication I no longer am so. Thanks for posting that beauty, GG!!

 

[walrus]

Even more bling.

What is this model?

walrus

 

[davismanLV]

What is this model?

walrus

If you hover the cursor over the photograph, it gives you a file name of F612head.jpg. So I'm gonna guess that's the model number of this Guild. Headstock, F612.

 

[GGJaguar]

If you hover the cursor over the photograph, it gives you a file name of F612head.jpg. So I'm gonna guess that's the model number of this Guild. Headstock, F612.

Yup. F-612 Super Jumbo 12-string.

 

[walrus]

If you hover the cursor over the photograph, it gives you a file name of F612head.jpg. So I'm gonna guess that's the model number of this Guild. Headstock, F612.

Thank you, sir!

I'm into simplicity more than bling...

walrus