NAMM 2013: New series of Guild strings

[SFIV1967]

As many of you know Guild used to also selling guitar and bass strings under the Guild brandname until some years ago.
It started already at some point in the 50ies or 60ies I believe, with strings like the E-110 Spanish Electric strings (left picture) or a 60ies EA-610 Flatwound Chrome Steel set:



The last available series where as examples the L-350 (.012-.053) or M-350 (.013-.056) Phosphor Bronze strings, which were "Made in Mexico from US materials":

But since many years no more Guild strings existed.

So to my big surprise when I walked around at NAMM I found in a "hidden corner" of the FMIC booth the following strings display:

I see: Acoustic, Resonator, Classical, Mandolin ( ), Banjo ( ) and Bass stings.
Now does that mean we can expect a Guild Mandolin and Guild Banjo (see Hans' book page 166!) in the future ??? :?:

I asked around a bit and only was told they are all "Made in USA" strings.
I took a couple of example pictures (they were available in 4 different gauges I believe),
left (in white) a Phosphor Bronze set, right (in dark green) the Phosphor Bronze Coated set!

They are also availble as either "Standard Tension" (above) and as "Balanced Tension" (below) sets:




I wasn't able to find out at NAMM who exactly makes them in USA for Guild, also I couldn't open a package. I did not find somebody at the FMIC booth who could answer my questions.

But I found the statement from vcode at tdpri (former Sr. VP of FMIC) that the Fender strings are now not longer MIM but made by D'Addario in Long Island.
So I guess that answers where FMIC makes the Guild strings, especially as I was told they are Made in USA.

Anyway, I thought I share the news about the new Guild strings here. Maybe Bing can find out more from his FMIC sales rep regarding availability.

Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

The question regarding availability is answered, Reno's Music in Fishers, IN has them available on ebay already:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odk...046732.m570.l1313&_nkw=Guild+strings&_sacat=0

Ralf

 

[jcwu]

When they say the strings are made by D'Addario, does that mean they're rebadged D'Addario strings? Or their own specs/formulation/etc?

Because if these are rebadged strings, I may just prefer getting the Guild coated strings instead of the D'Addario EXP strings, since they'd be the same thing, no?

 

[SFIV1967]

When they say the strings are made by D'Addario, does that mean they're rebadged D'Addario strings? Or their own specs/formulation/etc? Because if these are rebadged strings, I may just prefer getting the Guild coated strings instead of the D'Addario EXP strings, since they'd be the same thing, no?

I don't have that info, but some of the Fender strings I remember had different colored ball ends (I mean different from the usual D'Addario colors), which would suggest they are made to FMIC specs, so maybe not 100% rebadged but slightly different. Who knows...
One would need to buy one set each from a same gauge and compare the Guild strings with the D'Addario strings.
Ralf

 

[learnintoplay62]

That's great. I haven't seen them yet but will give a shout when I do. Good news to see them making efforts in all areas of marketing.

 

[ladytexan]

What would be REALLY kewl is if DR Strings (CEO, Mark Dronge, son of Guild Guitars founder, Al Dronge) could make the Guild Guitar strings. Just a rambling thought...... :wink:

Gosh, Guild is a full-service guitar company, strings and all.....just like the good ole days.

P.S. Wonder how the Guild banjo strings came about? :?

 

[bluesypicky]

What would be REALLY kewl is if DR Strings (CEO, Mark Dronge, son of Guild Guitars founder, Al Dronge) could make the Guild Guitar strings. Just a rambling thought...... :wink:

I'm actually surprised it hasn't happened yet, given the connection....
No electric guitar strings?.... :?:

 

[AcornHouse]

Are they all PBS, or are there 80/20 too?

Also, nobodies mentioned the mando strings yet. :wink:

 

[chazmo]

They've been shipping new Guild acoustics with D'Addario EXP coated strings for quite a while now. I suspect these are just re-badged sets. If anyone hears anything conclusive otherwise, let us know!

Nice spotting there, Ralf!!!

 

[SFIV1967]

What would be REALLY kewl is if DR Strings could make the Guild Guitar strings.

I personally don't like DR Strings, had a couple of acoustic sets and the low E and A strings were crap so to say...Despite their marketing...
But that is only my personal experience.

No electric guitar strings?...

There were no electric guitar strings on the display rack, but that might be only because when the string deal was done it wasn't known to that FMIC person that the electric lines would be re-introduced at NAMM. So we might see them in future. (But that does not explain why Mandolin and Banjo sets were shown...)

Are they all PBS, or are there 80/20 too?
Also, nobodies mentioned the mando strings yet.

They only had the PB and PB coated but no 80/20 on the display rack.
I completely missed the Mando strings in my post, I edited it now.
Regarding Mandolin and Banjo: Actually Gretsch had re-issued Mandolins, Banjos and Ukuleles at NAMM 2012: http://gretschpages.com/happenings/wint ... dates/107/
So there "might" be a possibility that we might see the same coming from Guild, most probably via the Korea connection and Mike Lewis. If Guild makes an exact copy of the Mandolin (page 166 in Hans' book) I would probably immediately buy such a cool Guild Mandolin!

Ralf

 

[roadbiker]

What would be REALLY kewl is if DR Strings could make the Guild Guitar strings.

I personally don't like DR Strings, had a couple of acoustic sets and the low E and A strings were crap so to say...Despite their marketing...
But that is only my personal experience.

Ralf

I agree. I tried the DR Rare's and wasn't so impressed. I like D'Addario's and have been using them for years. I currently like playing the EXP's.

Jim

 

[jte]

Things come full circle... Guild strings were D'Addario in the '70s (and probably before, but I don't know for sure) until FMIC stopped marketing them a few years ago. The same as the equivalent set- M-450 were J-17, L-350 were J-16, E-210 were XL-110, E-220 were XL-120, etc.

John

 

[davismanLV]

Can anyone explain the "Standard Tension" and "Balanced Tension" statements to me? Are they different things? Two separate things? I'm not sure I understand.....

For the record, I'm not a huge fan of DR strings either.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Balanced, as in a more "balanced feel" across all 6 (or 4 or 12, etc) strings.

In D'Addario's own words:

"The standard set gauges we've all come to know and love were developed decades ago through trial and error with little regard for technical logic. When you look closely at the tensions in a traditional set, they can vary dramatically between strings, which can result in some strings feeling "tighter" or "looser" in relation to the others. These differences in tension can contribute to players altering their techniques, consciously or subconsciously, to compensate for these variances." http://www.daddario.com/balanced_tension.page

The sales points help to explain what they mean:

• Based on traditional gauges, but optimized for "balanced tension" between strings??
  Mathematically equalized resistance delivers comparable feel from string to string??
  Even effort while bending, strumming, plucking and ?slapping delivers improved dynamic control

Christopher

 

[SFIV1967]

Things come full circle... Guild strings were D'Addario in the '70s (and probably before, but I don't know for sure) until FMIC stopped marketing them a few years ago. The same as the equivalent set- M-450 were J-17, L-350 were J-16, E-210 were XL-110, E-220 were XL-120, etc.

John, the only comment I have is that the gauges of the 3rd string changed in the past in the L350 set for instance:
At one point in time the L350 set Guild had in the past used: LIGHT: .012 .016 .025w .032 .042 .053
They were marked "Assembled in Mexico of U.S. materials" and were probably Squier strings after FMIC bought Guild in 95.)

(Picture from roadbiker)

Afterwards this set changed and used a .024w string, so some players bought an extra single .025w string to reach the original gauge of the set. But I believe the new packaging was also marked with "Assembled in Mexico of U.S. materials", so I am not really sure why this string gauge change was done.

The funny thing is that even today you can still buy those L350 sets (i just bought a few of them recently) that are advertized as having the .025w string, but when you get them they are the newer sets with only .024w ! Most shops didn't realize the change and didn't change their webpages, but it is printed on the back of the package. (I don't have a picture of this package back side).
Just one example of many here: http://www.elderly.com/accessories/items/L350.htm

The D'Addario's EJ16 is the equivalent of Guild's L350, but it has also an .024w 3rd string. (.012 .016 .024w .032 .042 .053)

So there are differences between original Guild and D'Addario gauges.
As you can see in my above pictures in the first post, the new Guild L-350 set is also using the .024w 3rd string, which is not what the historical L350 used.

Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Afterwards this set changed and used a .024w string, so some players bought an extra single .025w string to reach the original gauge of the set. But I believe the new packaging was also marked with "Assembled in Mexico of U.S. materials", so I am not really sure why this string gauge change was done.

My suspicion is that the L350's with the .025 were D'Addario and the the change to .024 coincided with the change to Squire strings. Although I don't have access to the Squire gauge selections at the time, I be willing to bet they simply didn't make an .025, not many makers do, but D'Addario is one of the ones that did.
That's how I discovered them, looking for a maker who offered an .025PB single to sub into a set with an .024. They were the only ones I found where I usually went for strings and picks.
In fact I was doing that before I got my D25 so when I discovered their standard set already had the .025, I thought "AHA! They GET it!" :lol:
As I mentioned on another thread I suspect they ran through old D'Addario inventory then "phased in" the Squires, as I was still able to buy the "old" L350 set at least up through '98. But I think it was actually around 2000 when I stumbled across a few sets of the last ones I ever saw with the .025, in a "closeout" bin.

So there are differences between original Guild and D'Addario gauges.

Aplologies for repeating something I've said before, but as far as I could tell it was only that difference in the gauge of the G string.
But I'm still open to any new actual evidence to the contrary. I've had to reach my conclusions through visual inspection only. :wink:

 

[SFIV1967]

Al: I just was wondering that the L350 set with just the Guild logo was using the .025w 3rd string and already showed "Assembled in Mexico of U.S. materials", as the first picture in my last posted showed.
D'Addarion never assembled in Mexico, or?
The L350 sets I bought in 2010, which were made maybe anytime between 2000 and 2010 (showing the Guild headstock) are having the .024w 3rd string but use the same 350-0350-000 part number and show "Assembled in Mexico with U.S.Materials" (so instead "of U.S. materials" they print "with U.S. materials".
Both the D'Addario EJ16 sets, as well as the new Guild sets use a .024w.
Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Al: I just was wondering that the L350 set with just the Guild logo was using the .025w 3rd string and already showed "Assembled in Mexico of U.S. materials", as the first picture in my last posted showed.
D'Addario never assembled in Mexico, or?

Yes it's still something of a mystery to me. I thought perhaps you'd seen Roadbiker's recent thread "What Do You Think" in which he describes just that, and I posted stuff I've said before.
I agree, I don't think D'Addario ever manufactured in Mexico, but I'm not certain.
A while back when Guild got back into the string business JTE and I discussed the D'Addario connection here.
Since he was speaking as a former retailer I give his statements a lot of credibility.
I don't think the change to Squier happened before the move to Corona, based only on my memory of what I was able to buy and when.
I never saved any of the wrappers from the very first few sets I bought ('97 and '98) so I don't actually know if the "Made in Mexico..." logo was printed on them. That might have been the definitive clue. It is on the last ones I found just like you show.
One thing just occurred to me: that "Asssembled" may very well have a different specific meaning than "Manufactured" ...in Mexico. It's possible that only the packaging of the finished strings was done there, and that might technically be what's meant by "Assembled", but there was still a legal reuirement to denote foreign labor content on the package, ie the stuffing of the packages.
I have a distinct memory of comparing an L350 set with an .024 gauge to an older set and the color of the metal was very slightly different. One of them was redder but I forget which one.
Also the "newer" set hadn't lasted as long as I was used to before going dead, as Acorn house mentions in that thread.
When I compared a D'Addario .025 to a Guild .025 the winding wire appeared identical.
There could be at least one good reason for that, that the wire maker supplied both lots of theh same wire to two different makers, but it's also possible Fender ordered a bunch of packaging in advance of the change and needed to start using it even though technically it wasn't "accurate".
Even the Guild website was showing the old gauge mix on the '04 price list.
maybe one of these years we'll get a definitive answer. I'm still somewhat surprised I've never seen input from Hans, but perhaps it's one of those tidbits he deosn't want to reveal before publication of the second volume.
The thing that really struck me when Guild started selling strings under their own name again was that after all those years they came full circle back to D'Addario. It was in character with the other moves they made in New Hartford to try to evoke traditional Guild brand details.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'm still somewhat surprised I've never seen input from Hans, but perhaps it's one of those tidbits he deosn't want to reveal before publication of the second volume.

I am not sure if Hans would cover this, mind that he also did not cover all the Guild accessories in his first book. He mentioned the amps for instance but didn't cover them in detail, nor the foot switches and other things with a Guild brandname. Hans also said he will not cover GADs or MIMs or so, so why would he cover a rebranded Guild string? I guess Hans concentrates at Guild MIA guitars, that alone is a monster task...Now I am not 100% sure about that, but that is what I assume. So there is probably room for somebody who wants to publish a book about Guild amps and Guild accessories and Guild rebranded things I believe...
Ralf

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

As many of you know Guild used to also selling guitar and bass strings under the Guild brandname until some years ago.
It started already at some point in the 50ies or 60ies I believe, two examples are below (E-110 Spanish Electric set and EA-610 Flatwound Chrome Steel set):

The last available series where as examples the L-350 (.012-.053) or M-350 (.013-.056) Phosphor Bronze strings, which were "Made in Mexico from US materials":

But since many years no more Guild strings existed.

So to my big surprise when I walked around at NAMM I found in a "hidden corner" of the FMIC booth the following strings display:

I see: Acoustic, Resonator, Classical, Mandolin ( ), Banjo ( ) and Bass stings.
Now does that mean we can expect a Guild Mandolin and Guild Banjo (see Hans' book page 166!) in the future ??? :?:

I asked around a bit and only was told they are all "Made in USA" strings.
I took a couple of example pictures (they were available in 4 different gauges I believe) , left (in white) a Phosphor Bronze set, right (in dark green) the Phosphor Bronze Coated set!

They are also availble as either "Standard Tension" (above) and as "Balanced Tension" (below) sets:

I wasn't able to find out at NAMM who exactly makes them in USA for Guild, also I couldn't open a package. I did not find somebody at the FMIC booth who could answer my questions.
But I found the statement from vcode at tdpri (former Sr. VP of FMIC) that the Fender strings are now not longer MIM but made by D'Addario in Long Island. So I guess that answers where FMIC makes the Guild strings, especially as I was told they are Made in USA.

Anyway, I thought I share the news about the new Guild strings here. Maybe Bing can find out more from his FMIC sales rep regarding availability.

Ralf

D'Addario made Guild strings for a while (maybe 20+ years ago?)...glad they're making them again!