Honduran, quilted mahogany. Oh my!

[chazmo]

Anyone else think this is just exquisite? Forgive the pictures of this non-Guild (it's an R. Taylor, Style 1 up on eBay), but this wood just makes me crazy with GAS! If only I had a spare 6 grand to make the BIN.

 

[Dr. Spivey]

That is the nicest quilted mahogany I have ever seen. Stunning!

 

[chazmo]

I'm dreaming of an F-212 made out of this wood.

 

[dreadnut]

Almost looks like one of those 3-D pictures :shock: that's some of the flamiest wood I've ever seen, and what a great finish!

 

[cjd-player]

I'm dreaming of an F-212 made out of this wood.

Not likely.
That's from "The Tree"

That brings up an interesting topic. Whether you like the sound / look / or whatever of Taylor guitars, I think they have certainly done more than any other company (private luthiers excluded) to get people looking at the backs and sides of guitars. And I think they have used it to a marketing advatage, especially with their full-blown Build-To-Order program.

I think Fender/Guild could learn a thing with the Conneticut Guilds and use some interesting back woods, alternative tops (cedar, redwood, etc.) to grow the brand. The traditional D-55's, D-50's, etc. are great, but grow a little. The acoustic guitar buying public has matured and diversified since the 60's. The contemporary models seemed to be a start, but were not well marketed in my opinion. But then Fender probably has little interest in REALLY marketing anything other than Strats and Teles.

 

[chazmo]

I'm dreaming of an F-212 made out of this wood.

Not likely.
That's from "The Tree"

That brings up an interesting topic. Whether you like the sound / look / or whatever of Taylor guitars, I think they have certainly done more than any other company (private luthiers excluded) to get people looking at the backs and sides of guitars. And I think they have used it to a marketing advatage, especially with their full-blown Build-To-Order program.

I think Fender/Guild could learn a thing with the Conneticut Guilds and use some interesting back woods, alternative tops (cedar, redwood, etc.) to grow the brand. The traditional D-55's, D-50's, etc. are great, but grow a little. The acoustic guitar buying public has matured and diversified since the 60's. The contemporary models seemed to be a start, but were not well marketed in my opinion. But then Fender probably has little interest in REALLY marketing anything other than Strats and Teles.

Yup, that's right, cjd! I wasn't interested in all the hype about "the tree" but I cannot argue with the astonishing figuring in this mahogany. You just don't see that much.


I completely agree that Guild could do with some wood experimenting. It was nice that Tacoma brought out the contemporary series, but we didn't see any special wood offerings. But you hit the nail on the head... who would claim that "growing the brand" is what Fender has in mind? Survival, if anything, perhaps. Taylor, as you say, owns the game of eye-candy for the masses. You can't believe how many custom build-to-orders, limited editions, and even R. Taylor separate brand guitars they build.

EDIT: I take that back a little; Tacoma did put Adirondack spruce (rather than Sitka) on the D-50. This was kind of along the lines of what we're talking about.

 

[kostask]

Guild is the only company that I know of that was brave enough to experiment with Pearwood (D44) and Ash (D46) back and sides while they were still in Westerly, and had at least one model in Koa (the Peacock).

The GAD line, at least last year, had Padauk back and sides in the GAD-30PCE and GAD-50PCE (I think).

Guild is all over mahogany, maple, and rosewood back and sides, in both US and Far East lines. There are models in the Contemporary line that had cedar tops (CO-1, I think).

Guild has never been afraid to experiment, they've just tended towards solidity, tone, and reliability. What Guild doesn't have eye-candy type back and sides like Taylor does, or Breedlove for that matter. Guild's woods are good/great quality, they just tend to use straighter, less eye catching woods with less figure in general, although some of the maple guitars have had some good figure. Also, Guild has never used walnut back and sides, which I am a fan of.

Kostas

 

[chazmo]

Guild is the only company that I know of that was brave enough to experiment with Pearwood (D44) and Ash (D46) back and sides while they were still in Westerly, and had at least one model in Koa (the Peacock).

The GAD line, at least last year, had Padauk back and sides in the GAD-30PCE and GAD-50PCE (I think).

Guild is all over mahogany, maple, and rosewood back and sides, in both US and Far East lines. There are models in the Contemporary line that had cedar tops (CO-1, I think).

Guild has never been afraid to experiment, they've just tended towards solidity, tone, and reliability. What Guild doesn't have eye-candy type back and sides like Taylor does, or Breedlove for that matter. Guild's woods are good/great quality, they just tend to use straighter, less eye catching woods with less figure in general, although some of the maple guitars have had some good figure. Also, Guild has never used walnut back and sides, which I am a fan of.

Kostas

Yup, they're not stressing the eye candy. There's a whole universe of tonewoods to explore. I hope New Hartford gets a chance to stretch its legs with stuff like this. I'd also hope they start looking into sustainable wood models. How about an F-body in cherry?

 

[FNG]

If I was a betting man, I would bet monkeys would fly before you ever saw a Guild like that.

 

[count savage]

The only way I could see Guild doing some really fancy guitars like that is to start a new or custom shop line, which Fender did some time ago with their electrics, so there's something of a precedent. Or limited runs of a certain acoustic. I'm not sure Fender has such a keen interest in Guild breaking new ground, though. And, frankly, we're all just hoping that the new Guild factory lives up to Tacoma and Westerly. One thing that Larrivee did which is pretty neat is build a specific, one time acoustic for its forum members. They take orders, set a timeline, price and build them. They're unique to the line. The equivalent would be a LTG model. Say, a mahogany 212, or a Koa F 30, or something. It would be cool, though, to hear the Guild sound in a different tonewood configuration.

 

[chazmo]

If I was a betting man, I would bet monkeys would fly before you ever saw a Guild like that.

Hey, I only recently saw that turkeys actually fly. Maybe monkeys do and I just haven't seen it yet.

 

[6L6]

Tacoma did put Adirondack spruce (rather than Sitka) on the D-50.

Yep. And they put Adi tops on the Tacoma D-40BJ's too.

And if you think Fender can't build a custom D-55, ye need to get on down to Guitar Showcase in San Jose, CA to play the 50th Anniversary D-55 they have in the glass case. And, it's #1 of 50!

I've played this Corona Custom Shop-built guitar many times and it KILLS. Unfortunately, the current price on it is $10K... (it sold originally for $5K). It also looks incredible!

Fender can do it if the notion strikes them.

6

'06 D-55
'06 D-40BJ
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'98 Collings D-1
'98 Martin D-45V
'03 Taylor 214

 

[FNG]

Tacoma did put Adirondack spruce (rather than Sitka) on the D-50.

Yep. And they put Adi tops on the Tacoma D-40BJ's too.

And if you think Fender can't build a custom D-55, ye need to get on down to Guitar Showcase in San Jose, CA to play the 50th Anniversary D-55 they have in the glass case. And, it's #1 of 50!

I've played this Corona Custom Shop-built guitar many times and it KILLS. Unfortunately, the current price on it is $10K... (it sold originally for $5K). It also looks incredible!

Fender can do it if the notion strikes them.

6

'06 D-55
'06 D-40BJ
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'98 Collings D-1
'98 Martin D-45V
'03 Taylor 214

I played one of those D-55s, and it was sweet. And a lot cheaper than 10 large.

Don't doubt that Guild could build some sweet customs, or limiteds, but I do doubt that they will.

 

[dane]

Ok. It’s late and way past my bedtime so maybe I’m just a bit cranky but here goes. Yes, that is one VERY pretty guitar. Can’t argue that. But…were talking Guild’s here. When you say Guild what comes to mind? For me a great sounding, well built guitar at half the price of comparable guitars. It’s true that in the past Guild did use some different woods for their guitars. I have a D46 myself (ash sides and back) and it’s the best sounding and playing acoustic I ever had, hands down. Personally I think it’s also rather pretty, and I could afford it. Could Guild build guitars out of more exotic woods? Sure…why not? But if they did would they truly be Guild’s anymore? That is to say could the average Joe still afford one? Would it still retain the wonderful Guild tone and volume that we have come to expect and love? Would they have to sacrifice some quality in order to use more expensive woods, yet try to keep the price down from $6000 to the $3000 mark? In my humble opinion I will gladly give up a bit of flash and glimmer for sound, durability, and playability at a price I can afford any day of the week. After all, that’s what brought me to Guild and DeArmond in the first place. But again, this is strictly my opinion.

 

[chazmo]

Valid opinion, Dane.

But, I think a major brand needs both ends of the spectrum. WIthout "custom shop" models going forward, Guild lacks somewhat on the high end "halo" guitars. It all depends on how Fender views the brand for the future (and I don't want to get into that again this week ). Another problem is that the Traditional models are not even close to inexpensive these days. They still undercut Martin and Taylor though (in most cases).

This Honduran mahogany beauty is just an example of wood that's to-die-for. I think a sustainable wood model line (cherry, ash, whatever...) would be great for the brand in another way than just halo guitars like the R. Taylor above.

Best wishes.

 

[dane]

Hey Chaz,
Well, another lesson learned. Never post when you’re tired and had a really hard night. Not that’s its any excuse, but I’m a county supervisor, and after a 3 plus hour meeting last night, we realized that we have no other choice but to lay off 10 to 15 percent of the county employees in order to make up for the deficit in the budget. I’m taking that a bit hard; realizing that behind every employee there is a family. So first of all allow me to apologize to you and all who have read my earlier post for being so gruff and rather narrow minded. Neither trait is the norm for me. Again if I offended anyone I am sorry.

After re-reading all the post, in a better frame of mind, I have a better understanding where you are coming from. I do stand firm in my hope that Guild will continue to create wonderful guitars at a reasonable price. I also agree with you that Guild is not in the cheep seat section of the guitar world, but you’re still getting an excellent value for the money, and for $1200 you can get a very nice sounding and playing guitar from Guild.

That R. Taylor is beyond a doubt one beautiful guitar, and I can see where a Guild head stock would be a welcomed improvement to it. :wink: And if Guild would expand there line up to include a high end series, I’m sure that the guitars would be as nice. Maybe it could also give the brand a boost in sales. But for some reason Guild has a history of not sticking with veering too far from the norm. Yes they tried olive wood for a short run, but then abruptly stopped. The same can be said for the ash D46. Why is that? All I can figure is that they just didn’t sell well, and why that is I just don’t know. Perhaps it has to do with Guild’s not being a well known brand due to a lack of celebrity endorsement, as so many “main stream” guitars get.

Maybe you’re right and if they did offer some really “pretty” guitars that could change. But it’s sort of like the chicken and the egg. Do you build expensive lines and to increase your popularity, of do you work at increasing your popularity THEN build a high end line? I don’t know what’s the right answer on that one. :?