If you could only have two....

[beecee]

From each era.

So, forgetting the unicorns, if you were going to build a collection of the most iconic or representative of the respective factories and you had to pick two, with no repeating, what acoustic guitars would you buy? At the risk of insulting anyone I'm going to lump all the post Westerly years into one group. Not sure if there are enough NY versions out there but feel free to add.

Hoboken:

Westerly: I would imagine the D-25 arched back would be on everyone's list so let's think of two more besides that.

Corona/Tacoma/New Hartford:

 

[GGJaguar]

Well, I'm more into Guild archtops than acoustics, but here goes...

Hoboken: F-212, F-47

Westerly: F-412, D-55

Corona/Tacoma/New Hartford: F-512, AP Artist Award

 

[Stuball48]

Hoboken -- D40
Westerly -- DV72/73
Corona/Tacoma/New H. -- Orpheum RW

 

[richardp69]

If I could only have two I would check myself into the clinic of "I can't live like this".

 

[Coop47]

Hoboken: F-212, F-47

Westerly: F-412, D-55

Corona/Tacoma/New Hartford: F-512, AP Artist Award

My list is pretty similar. Maybe the F-30 over the F-47 (though I'd personally prefer the F-47)? And maybe the D-40 over the AP artist award, at least for me.

Great thread - really looking forward to seeing the responses.

 

[GGJaguar]

Maybe the F-30 over the F-47

I know, right? I had the same thought, but ultimately, I think I'd prefer the sound of the F-47's larger body.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Hoboken: D40
Westerly: M20

 

[walrus]

I'll jump in between Woody's models. I only need one, but I need the bigger nut width. A NH F-30.

walrus

 

[Coop47]

I know, right? I had the same thought, but ultimately, I think I'd prefer the sound of the F-47's larger body.

I've played both and that's what I came away with. (It didn't hurt that the F47 I bought from Richard is extraordinary.) The thing is, I'd never heard of the F47 until last year and rarely read about it. My impression is that the F30 is more "iconic" and representative, but I'm really interested to hear what others think.

 

[dreadnut]

DV73, F50R

As long as I can keep my D25M and D15 too.

 

[spoox]

N.Y.--F20
Hoboken--F212
New Hartford--F47
Hey--I already own these, so I guess I'm set...!

 

[fronobulax]

I find the "separation" by factories to be interesting and perhaps a bit of a red herring because I believe there are several models where, if you close your eyes and play, you really can't tell which factory made the guitar.

Focusing on iconic, I'm going to say F-30 and D-25 and let others argue about time periods. If there is wiggle room on the limit of two, I think the D-55 deserves a place since it was often the top of the line and so represents Guild's "best" and what the factory could do when they wanted to.

 

[Rayk]

If I could only have two I would check myself into the clinic of "I can't live like this".

Lmao !

 

[Rayk]

I’ve not had enough era experience.

 

[SFIV1967]

Iconic to me would mean Westerly F-612. And Westerly D-100C.

Ralf

 

[Coop47]

I find the "separation" by factories to be interesting and perhaps a bit of a red herring because I believe there are several models where, if you close your eyes and play, you really can't tell which factory made the guitar.

Respectfully disagree - sort of. In my experience, you can the Westerly's just by lifting them, and a big difference in the neck shape. What I don't know is if there's a consensus on if those heavier builds have an overall difference in sound or make a model from one era more iconic/well known/highly regarded than another.

 

[davismanLV]

Wow, this is too difficult for me. And I'm probably not well versed enough on all the different models and such. For Westerly, although there are others I covet, I feel pretty lucky to have two from 1994. My D65S (1 of 20) and my DV-72 are both super exceptional, so I'll keep 'em. Post Westerly as a whole group, I'd like a GSR F-30 (pretty sure they made those somewhere) and like Woody, an F20. Of course I'd really love if they made a dolled-up F20, but not sure if they ever did. Fun question, though.

 

[Guildedagain]

I may have already achieved the "if you could", where I'm at now I don't feel like I will pursue anything else, especially the way prices are going.

My actual list;

Hoboken F112, 1st year, 12th F112 off the line, does have some kind of special mojo magic, it's undeniable.

Westerly; D35, and a D25 just for kicks, and F30. But I think my original '73 D35 with virtually no saddle is the one, I dig the super low action. It inspired to write some great songs, and they sound better on that guitar. It has what I would describe as "reference" tone.

It has proven it's worth in a close combat Bluegrass setting several times, pre Covid.

The archback D25 is big and boomy and a full pound heavier, two very different Westerly guitars. To me it almost has a weird EQ compared to the D35, which you would describe as "drier" but man does it deliver the goods when asked.

The F30 isn't a bad choice either, light, easy to carry and play but doesn't have the hard cutting tone of the D35 when you push it.

Anything past Westerly I don't need.

 

[Russell Letson]

I already have a Hoboken D-40 and don't feel the need for another Guild flat-top (I've owned several and still have the '59 M-30), but a 1960s Artist Award or A-500 would be interesting. Though it's hard to beat a '30s-40s Epiphone for archtop-acoustic sound.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'd like a GSR F-30 (pretty sure they made those somewhere) and like Woody, an F20. Of course I'd really love if they made a dolled-up F20, but not sure if they ever did.

Those F-20 and F-30 were all built in New Hartford (links included):

GSR F-20 Cocobolo
GSR F-30CE Cocobolo
GSR F-30 Maple
GSR F-30 Rosewood

Ralf