New Guild USA GSR models!

[richardp69]

And again, their GSR offerings are not all underwhelming. I'll put my F 55E GSR up against any brand any time and it will hold its own, plus it is, at least in my humble opinion, a fine example of an aesthetically pleasing GSR model.

And, I must say, I have zero problem with their model numbering scheme. It actually makes sense to me and yes, I do understand the historical argument and will just say we're all entitled to our own opinions, regardless of what they may be.

I will say, I just couldn't justify the bucks for a F 40E GSR. My F 40E Traditional is a really good guitar and yes, I know this is sacrilege but I prefer it to any of the Orpheum Jumbos or F 48's I've ever owned.

 

[mavuser]

I think the D-40 would look great with dot inlays and no abalone rosette! just my personal opinion on the way it looks now- not quite right. if the satin is in fact NCL, that is fine for my taste as well, however, I would not have called it a "GSR," and i think they are watering down that line of Guilds by doing so, which had previously attained a solid and very respectable reputation amongst most of what was previously a "GSR Guild type of target market." So they are trying to widen that target market now and widen the spectrum of offerings within that target market. Thus, watering down the GSR line of Guilds. They had something good, and high end. Now, they have what I would simply consider just "more options of what they already make." and calling it GSR

 

[Default]

And this is why they delete my comments on Facebook.

 

[beecee]

I dunno, been looking at them since last night...personally I think the Chesterfield looks kinda GAD-ish. The Chesterfields just never looked right post NH to me

The D-40 reminds me of a chef that is trying too hard. Take a nice simple Lobster ravioli....add artichokes and cream sauce with some sun dried tomato and pesto and anything else "blingY" we can throw on the dish.

Just my take, voting w/voice and $.

 

[Default]

I don't mind the block markers. Actually, they are my favorite feature, but the blackburst on the top only just screams something needed to be covered up. If I showed my new gsr to a fan of another brand, that would be the first thing out of their mouth. The second would be, "I would send this back, they didn't buff it enough". Not hating, just observing from experience.
If you want to run with the big dogs, you don't show up in a poodle suit.

 

[fronobulax]

We're still there: on the "Contact Us" page:

Contact Us | Guild Guitars

guildguitars.com

Thanks. I could not find it and Google could not find it for me so I figured we had outlived our usefulness to CMG.

 

[fronobulax]

Ya know...
We keep talking about how"we aren't the target demographic" at LTG, and, for the import stuff, I'd agree for the most part. But...

In violent agreement and I should remember to qualify my opinion next time I inflict it.

I wonder if this is just more CMG cluelessness about what names mean to us? Previous to this offering "GSR" meant to me a very limited edition of an instrument that was so fine that some people at LTG would sell vintage Guilds to get a GSR and consider it an upgrade. But no one here seems to think these instruments meet the expectations set by the GSR label.

 

[Rayk]

I think the D-40 would look great with dot inlays and no abalone rosette! just my personal opinion on the way it looks now- not quite right. if the satin is in fact NCL, that is fine for my taste as well, however, I would not have called it a "GSR," and i think they are watering down that line of Guilds by doing so, which had previously attained a solid and very respectable reputation amongst most of what was previously a "GSR Guild type of target market." So they are trying to widen that target market now and widen the spectrum of offerings within that target market. Thus, watering down the GSR line of Guilds. They had something good, and high end. Now, they have what I would simply consider just "more options of what they already make." and calling it GSR

I don’t know my butt from a hole in the ground . That being saud
I was thinking along the same lines . I’m not up into the history or dedicated to the Guild Brand .

You all thought me a lot and are the reason I got into Guild in the first place for which I thank you .

I consider myself one who dances around the edges of Guild keeping my feet in both ponds so to say Guild in one and verity in the other.
When I had that F47 GSR Koa there was no mistaking that it was special . The GSR’s felt good to own one .

I still think about it though I couldn’t bond with it or with the normal runs .
We’re definitely on the divide here with our opinions.

For me In this case I could not give a poo about how good it sounds that doesn’t mean that it sounds better then all normal run models . Even so what is CMG target group ?
Newbies aren’t dumb with the wealth of info on the net , most of them looking to spend that kind cash will look into them first .

You will have those who just buy because it’s there but how many are like that ? You all know I bought a Breedlove Master class . I didn’t know they existed but once I did there all I looked for .

They were special over every model underneath them. They no longer use the Master Class name there now um ... legacy or the custom shop I believe. Breedlove used other names for there top run guitars . What they didn’t do is diminish one of their names by sticking it on a lesser model .

There is no way to get confused on the master class line and those names that came before and after that represent the top line models.
Here I believe Guild has tarnished what GSR’s stood for and what made them special.

I have nothing against the special run guitars just the naming . Maybe they should just call it the SR Models , oops to late.

How do they figure that these are going to be popular and draw buyers in ? Even if it’s just for certain stores wanting a model to standout .
I think they should of just started on OM’s . To me it’s like tripping over a treasure chest and keep on going like it was a slick in the rd compared to the So so GSR models . Opportunity missed at least for now .

I say it again , I don’t know my butt from a hole in the ground what I know ? absolutely nothing . It’s just the way I see it .
RAY Speak rules !!!!
Ps I didn’t proof read , now I’m to tired to go over it. Al fix it !

 

[adorshki]

I will say, I just couldn't justify the bucks for a F 40E GSR. My F 40E Traditional is a really good guitar and yes, I know this is sacrilege but I prefer it to any of the Orpheum Jumbos or F 48's I've ever owned.

Not sacrilege, buddy.

I just wish they'd called it an F48. Or even an F50M (as opposed to F55 Maple), for Mahogany. There is, after all, room in the model numbering scheme to do that.

What're they gonna call a real F40 if they ever get around to building one? (Which I'm beginning to doubt more and more. In fact at this point I don't think they ever intend to. )

 

[davismanLV]

Okay as long as everyone is chiming in on what they DON'T like about these, I'll play along. First, satin finish. Usually used on lower end guitars. But what I also notice is the use of an unbound rosewood fretboard. Rosewood for fretboards isn't special, especially if it's not bound. It's okay I suppose, but I do think if they'd made them gloss lacquer AND put bound ebony boards on them, we probably wouldn't be talking about this so much. Just two things. Gloss, better bound fretboard. Way better.

 

[Westerly Wood]

for me, i guess it seems like CMG, in trying to compete with Martin and Taylor, are becoming like Martin and Taylor. Which imho, goes against the grain of Guild history.

I would rather Guild just stop totally being a brand if that becomes the case. There are plenty of used Guilds out there still to be had for years and years. And their history is just too cool to vanish away completely.

 

[cupric]

The way I see it Guild is becoming, or is, a import brand. The USA models are limited. In the past Guild had import brands that were branded as such. D'Armand, Burnside. No longer.
Corporations are about making money. Big money. They are not Al Dronge. If a marketing scheme doesn't yield you try something else. If the bottom line gets too thin sell the brand or retire it. There are a lot of players in the guitar making field. The loss of a non profit making brand is not a huge loss as long as not too much is invested.

 

[mavuser]

if u are going to play the "everybody gets a Ferrari game," you have to build actual Ferraris...not just a "well equipped Lexus."

 

[Rayk]

I got 427 Shelby Cobra don’t need no Ferrari’s. Lol
And my Blueridges come with ebony finger board ( bound ) and bridge and bling .

 

[GGJaguar]

The way I see it Guild is becoming, or is, a import brand.

I sure hope that's not the case. I'd rather believe that they are using the import lines to keep them afloat and able to continue offering US-made guitars.

 

[davismanLV]

You don't build a brand new, state of the art factory in Southern California with input from Ren F. if you're gonna just be an import brand. There's room for both. I'm with GG on this one.....

 

[fronobulax]

Some car companies make their money from selling cars but establish their prestige by building and racing cars that win races or at least do well in competition.

I see a parallel to Guild/CMG. They make their money selling imports but earn their prestige by selling MIA guitars.

 

[GGJaguar]

but earn their prestige by selling MIA guitars.

At least they continue to make three iconic models, which happen to be top-of-the-line: F-412, F-512 and D-55. There's some prestige in those three for sure.

 

[HeyMikey]

Some car companies make their money from selling cars but establish their prestige by building and racing cars that win races or at least do well in competition.

I see a parallel to Guild/CMG. They make their money selling imports but earn their prestige by selling MIA guitars.

Made in Asia?

 

[richardp69]

At least they continue to make three iconic models, which happen to be top-of-the-line: F-412, F-512 and D-55. There's some prestige in those three for sure.

And the F 55 as well.