NGD: 1964 Guild Mark IV classical

[jp]

So this is actually my first Guild acoustic. Serial number dates it to 1964. Apologies for my crappy phone pics.

It has a spruce top and what appears to be pearwood back and sides. Three-piece Peruvian mahogany neck, ebony fretboard and bridge. Tuning machines look original and still function as they should. It shows ample playwear, esp. on the neck, indicating that someone probably used this more for cowboy chords than Tárrega compositions. As you can tell from the pictures, there's the common worn patch below the sound hole. It's obvious it has been well-loved and played. It also came with the OHSC, which was nice.

At first I was concerned about the line down the middle of the top where the two halves meet (not visible in pics), but it seems more like a lacquer seam surface issue and not a crack in the top. There's a fan brace directly underneath the entire line as well.

To me, the tone is lively and punchy, more akin to a flamenco than a classical. Overall, the action is low, and it plays well. I've wanted a classical for a while now, so I snapped this up when I saw it. I'm not sure if I'll end up keeping, but I'll enjoy it for now.

 

[GGJaguar]

Cool guitar, congrats! I like the figuring in the pearwood. Is it difficult to acclimate to the 2" nut width?

 

[twocorgis]

Congrats!

I've owned two Mark Vs and a Mark VI, and loved all three of them. Tremendously underrated guitars. My current '74 Mark V was built while Carlo Greco was still there, and is the only one of the three with a cedar top. It's my favorite.

 

[hearth_man]

That's a nice one. The pear wood mark IV is a great sounding and looking guitar. I also have a 1964 Mark IV and really enjoy it. Enjoy it!

 

[jp]

Cool guitar, congrats! I like the figuring in the pearwood. Is it difficult to acclimate to the 2" nut width?

Thanks! I usually don't have so much trouble adjusting to different nut widths on electrics and most acoustics. Playing classical guitars, however, takes me some time to adapt, mostly because I'm not a classical or flamenco player--just a dabbler.

It forces me to activate a whole different set of muscles in my fingers and hands than I'm used to and tires my hands out faster. I like that certain techniques like finger vibrato and right hand tremelo react so differently on classicals. Super fun!

I just cleaned it up and restrung the guitar last night, and I'm waiting for the strings to settle so they'll stay in tune. I can't wait it play it some more!

 

[D30Man]

Congrats on your first Guild acoustic, JP. That one is a looker. It is quite a shift going from an electric nut width / string spacing to a classical for sure. Going from 1 11/16" to 1 3/4" is an adjustment, but up to 2"? I hope you have fun with it and it leads to a second Guild acoustic!!
I would be interested to get your take on tonal characteristics on the pearwood with lighter tension nylon strings..

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks! I usually don't have so much trouble adjusting to different nut widths on electrics and most acoustics. Playing classical guitars, however, takes me some time to adapt, mostly because I'm not a classical or flamenco player--just a dabbler.

It forces me to activate a whole different set of muscles in my fingers and hands than I'm used to and tires my hands out faster. I like that certain techniques like finger vibrato and right hand tremelo react so differently on classicals. Super fun!

I just cleaned it up and restrung the guitar last night, and I'm waiting for the strings to settle so they'll stay in tune. I can't wait it play it some more!

It does take quite a bit longer for nylon strings to "settle" than their steel counterparts. I also highly recommend hard tension strings with any Guild Mark.

 

[D30Man]

Just noticing this one has some mojo with a nice little worn spot by the soundhole. Somebody played this thing and that tells you something.
Also digging that dark rosette.

 

[jp]

It does take quite a bit longer for nylon strings to "settle" than their steel counterparts. I also highly recommend hard tension strings with any Guild Mark.

I'll try that next time. I restrung it with a set of D'Addario Pro Arte normal tension strings the seller included with the sale. Thanks for the tip!

 

[jeffcoop]

That's a birth year guitar for me. Congratulations and thanks for the report.

 

[Heath]

That's a nice one. The pear wood mark IV is a great sounding and looking guitar. I also have a 1964 Mark IV and really enjoy it. Enjoy it!

I also have a ‘64 Mark IV

 

[Elderguilder]

Congrats on the Mark! I'm still enjoying my lowly 1977 Mark II. How did you acquire the instrument?

 

[Brad Little]

Thanks! I usually don't have so much trouble adjusting to different nut widths on electrics and most acoustics. Playing classical guitars, however, takes me some time to adapt, mostly because I'm not a classical or flamenco player--just a dabbler.

It forces me to activate a whole different set of muscles in my fingers and hands than I'm used to and tires my hands out faster. I like that certain techniques like finger vibrato and right hand tremelo react so differently on classicals. Super fun!

I just cleaned it up and restrung the guitar last night, and I'm waiting for the strings to settle so they'll stay in tune. I can't wait it play it some more!

Since you're having to adjust anyhow, you might try going to the "classical" LH position with the thumb in the middle of the neck back, makes it a lot easier to get at the 5th and 6th strings.

 

[chazmo]

Really nice, jp!!!! Enjoy!

 

[jp]

Congrats on the Mark! I'm still enjoying my lowly 1977 Mark II. How did you acquire the instrument?

Local craigslist ad actually. It's the first time I'd seen a Guild classical listed in many years.

Since you're having to adjust anyhow, you might try going to the "classical" LH position with the thumb in the middle of the neck back, makes it a lot easier to get at the 5th and 6th strings.

Thanks, Brad. I do adjust to classical technique with my left hand when playing, but I still have to get smoother up and down the neck. The right hand technique is the super challenging part! Ever since watching masters like Segovia or Paco DeLucia, I've wanted to be able to develop that right-handed dexterity, but I'm such a shlub and used to a pick.

 

[Brad Little]

The right hand technique is the super challenging part! Ever since watching masters like Segovia or Paco DeLucia, I've wanted to be able to develop that right-handed dexterity, but I'm such a shlub and used to a pick.

Are you familiar with Giuliani's 120 studies for the RH? LH is a simple alteration of open C and G chords. Legal download available here:
https://boijefiles.musikverket.se/Boije_0136.pdf

Just fyi, the vertical dots indicate RH fingers.

 

[jp]

Ooh! I just downloaded it. I'm not familiar with this book, although I do have a few others for reference. Now the question is whether or not I'll have the time and discipline to work through them properly.

That's an interesting resource for older music instruction. I never knew that existed. I'll have to pore through it for other archived treasures.

Thanks, Brad!

 

[Brad Little]

Ooh! I just downloaded it. I'm not familiar with this book, although I do have a few others for reference. Now the question is whether or not I'll have the time and discipline to work through them properly.

That's an interesting resource for older music instruction. I never knew that existed. I'll have to pore through it for other archived treasures.

Thanks, Brad!

When I was concentrating n classical, I set up a schedule so that I went through all 120 in a week, roughly 17 a day. If I had more discipline, I might have done all daily, but never was very disciplined, plus would take time from working on a piece.