Guild Archtops -2007

[Walter Broes]

I don't know if I'd mind all thàt much if Fender made electric Guilds in Japan.
Like Jazzman says, they're making some great Gretsches there - since Fender stepped in and overhauled the line, I fully agree with the "better than ever" statement about those. And they might be listed for $3000 or more, but no clever shopper pays that much - look around Ebay and dealer sites, and you can get a nice one for around $1500.

If Fender went as far with Guilds as they did with Gretsch, I don't think I'd mind all that much where they were made.

I wonder too why those U.S. Custom Gretsches are so riduculously expensive btw....when the Fender Custom Shop-made X550 was still in the pricelist, it was right under $5000 list IIRC - and that was a "custom built" double pickup 17" archtop with a Bigsby too..... :?

 

[Pappy]

I'm willing to bet the reason those US made Gretsches are so pricey is because they know there's buyers out there who want to brag about their 1)ridiculously expenisve and 2)made in the USA purchase. Those are pricey bragging rights.

 

[Graham]

Very well could be Pappy, goodness knows all of the "braggarts" with Gibson, Taylor, Martin, etc of the large run guitar manufacturers. And the discussion has gone on here with the Guild name on the headstock of the GAD line as well. :shock:

Welcome to LTG, by the way.

 

[Pappy]

Thanks! It's good to be here!

 

[d-rock]

Since Guild is already producing the GAD line overseas, it really wouldn't be that much of a shock to my system to see the electrics made in Japan. Before I purchased my Westerly Starfire III I owned a Japanese Gretsch Tennessee Rose. The guitar was incredible from top to bottom. Japan really produces some quality stuff nowadays.

It would be a bit sad to see production move but I'd love to see them produce electrics again.

 

[capnjuan]

...Japan really produces some quality stuff nowadays.

... and have made quality electric stuff for some time. Pic of an early 1980s Greco/LP currently in the $650-$750 range:

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

Hi everyone,
I'm not sure if anyone has hit on this part of the discussion, but I feel that I may have something to contribute on the matter. I work at a guitar store so I have been able to talk with the Guild/Gretsch rep on this matter.
First I"ll make my own personal observations. Fender's Acousitc guitars Stink! They always have. They are not well made, sound crummy, and don't play well either. Guild does have a heritage of fine archtop guitars, and some awesome electrics as well, but in the end Fender doesn't want to rely on the reputation for Archtops (for example) when the market doesn't justify doing so. Except for a small population who play archtops on a regular basis, the main market doesn't care.
As I"m sure we all know it takes a LOT of work to build an archtop guitar and I don't think fender saw it as a worthy investment when many archtop players will play an actual Bennedetto, or a Manzer, or a Triggs, or even a Heritage! (Which are fantastic by the way!)
However, since the 60s Guild has maintained a strong following for flattop guitars. I really feel that Fender bought Guild so that they could have a strong brand name for an acoustic line. They have really expanded the acoustic line, and the guitars they are making are pretty darn good. (We sell them at the store I work at)
So if you look at it from the practical standpoint of strictly business, fender has "Fender" as it's electric line for all occasions, they have the agreement with Gretsch so they have the hollow body electric line (With a name that is more recognizable for a hollow body electric to the main stream culture), they have Jackson and Charvel for the shredders, and they have Guild for their Acoustic line. Definitly going to hit all the niche markets there.
NOW here is the weird thing. The Guild rep did tell me that they are thinking about reintroducing the electric line. However I really hope they don't because he told me they would be made in Japan. Imagine a brand new Guild X-500, that looks just like the old one, maybe it plays all right, sounds pretty decent, etc....but it's made in Japan....and it costs $3000 just like a gretsch!!! What a shame!!!!
Two other thoughts if I may. When I try to show people guitars (whether it be new acoustics or new electrics) MOST of the people have never heard of Guild, or they've heard of Guild but they've always thought that guild was a "Budget" brand etc etc. It's hard to convince people and educate them when they've been brainwashed by the marketing machine of Fender, Gibson, Martin, Taylor, etc etc.
Okay final thought! The Guild/Gretsch rep was in our store and I made a great joke at the company's expense. We were talking about the two Gretsch guitars that are made in america in the fender custom shop. One of the fellas at the store asked him why they list for $12,000 and I jumped in right away and asked him if that's because they custom shop guys suck at making hollowbodies and so it takes them forever?
all that I will say is that he got really quiet because I think he was afraid to answer....nuff said!

The guys who make those two USA Gretsch models are the same custom shop master builders that were building Benedettos for similar prices. Some of them studied under some of the most reknowned archtop builders in the business. If you've seen the guitars, and how much intricate work, not to mention, hand work, is put into them, you'd understand their pricetag. Go look up a Benedetto price list for comparison. The money is in the man hours, the high end materials, and the attention to detail.

If this Guild Electric/Japan thing pans out, I'll have mixed feelings about it. But food for thought, everyone here loves the old Dearmond guitars, right? Let's hope for the best.

 

[california]

If Guild does decide to make electrics in Japan, and they're as good as the DeArmonds were, I'd say go for it.

Fender makes Strats in Japan that are so good they won't sell them in the U.S. My guitar teacher has two of them that he paid about $700 each for. I keep asking him to part with one but he won't, say's they're too good to give up.

 

[guildzilla]

I rather hate hearing this news re: no more USA-made Guild electrics. Another shovel load of dirt on the grave of the American guitar. RIP.

 

[Graham]

RIP.

'scuze you. :shock:

 

[Walter Broes]

If Guild does decide to make electrics in Japan, and they're as good as the DeArmonds were, I'd say go for it.

Whoa! The DeArmonds were nice allright, for the money, but not nearly as nice as my Guilds!!

 

[california]

Its kind of a moot point anyhow, anytime an instrument has been imported under the Guild brand they only make them for a couple of years -- Madieras, DeArmonds -- the next to go will probably be the GADs.

 

[Jeff]

anytime an instrument has been imported under the Guild brand they only make them for a couple of years -- Madieras, DeArmonds -- the next to go will probably be the GADs.

Wonder how much lead is in the paint on the GADS :twisted:

 

[Graham]

Its kind of a moot point anyhow, anytime an instrument has been imported under the Guild brand they only make them for a couple of years -- Madieras, DeArmonds -- the next to go will probably be the GADs.

Wonder how much lead is in the paint on the GADS :twisted:

Oohhh.