Oxnard Guilds

[txbumper57]

We must have been posting at the same time, you can see my answer now.
"Finish buff" Al.

And now you can see my answer as well.

In this video at the 2:58 mark they call it an Instrument Varnish Finish.

 

[adorshki]

In this video at the 2:58 mark they call it an Instrument Varnish Finish.
[/video]

Marketing speak, that's a generic term.
Only saying that because if you read that article, "varnish" itself is somewhat generic, he covers the varieties.
I saw the term "catalyzed varnish" in an interview with Ren that was quoted here, which caused me to look it up, I'd never heard of it .
edit: here:

Ren said, he saved "$1000" for a laquer job on those new models by using a "catalyzed varnish finish". Not sure if a real NCL spray job would really add $1000 however...

But he didn't say it is the first time he worked with such "catalyzed varnish finish", he said he didn't use it since the days of the Flatiron Mandolins in Bozeman/MT 30 years ago! So it's an old finish indeed!
It might be the same two-part catalyzed coating named "Fullerplast" (Fuller for Fuller O'Brien, the products creator) which Fender used since 1963. Flatiron Mandolins used it as well in the 80ies I read, that is how I came to that idea and Ren mentions Flatiron 30 years ago... A Fullerplast datasheet from 2007 can be seen here: http://portal.gemini-coatings.com/assets/pdf_pds/353-00,353-02,353-50.pdf

Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

Well. The satin finish on that sunburst D20 looks like crap. Cheap. Like the recording king dirty 30s.

And the dude from Guild did not know the original D25s were flat back. Unless he misspoke, which is plausible. Still, glad they are full in production. I will await the D55.

 

[rwmct]

I don't look for much to celebrate from Oxnard for a couple of years after they begin production. Let's hope Guild's reputation can stand it.

 

[Bigdog409]

With Ren overseeing production, I think they'll sound great. Might not look pretty, but I'll bet they'll sing.

 

[Opsimath]

Personally, I don't like satin either. I have a Recording King Dirty Thirties, bought as my entry level student guitar. Have never liked the dull look. They need to look good and sound good. Myself, I'll be skipping the dull finishes.

 

[mavuser]

thanks guys. i dont mind "satin" finishes, I have a few guitars like that. I think they are nitro/satin though. they gloss up after playing it a while, especially the neck. (and then polishing). i thought even NH had satin/nitro Guilds. and same with Westerly "hand rubbed?" anyway i'd reserve judgement until one is in my hands. The M-20 i bet does well. those are popular!

 

[SFIV1967]

Thomann in Germany (who usually get very early deliveries) expects delivery on May 2nd, 2016.
Ralf

 

[JohnW63]

I have a satin finish on my Walden. It certainly doesn't hurt the tone and has been mentioned, it will shine up. My neck is getting hand buffed over time, as well as a spot below the strings where I might rest my fingers for some picking patterns.

I would guess that a satin finish is easier for new guys to apply and hides errors more.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Waldens are cool, I had one of them years ago. Solid.

 

[Walter Broes]

Not a fan of the satin finishes either. Feels weird, looks cheap.

 

[Islandtexan]

Ideally want this deal to work. An American option to Taylor/Martin for a bit less money. But...when there is talk of having to train an entire factory, and the Chinese are now cranking our some fine product after their 20 year learning curve, I'm unsure I see the niche developing. Guild's legacy regrettably includes too many moves. Besides Ren I want to read of this and that fella from Martin or Collings joining the team. For the retailer to sell Guild he/she has to have a pitch.

 

[richardp69]

We're all a bit different I guess. I love the feel of a satin finish but much prefer the look of gloss. Not that any of that makes my playing any better. That's pretty much an impossible task.

Not a fan of the satin finishes either. Feels weird, looks cheap.

 

[jazzmang]

I think New Hartford had a great idea with the standard series, with glossy body and matte necks. They just needed better product differentiation. I see STD F-50s advertised as regular F-50s all the time.
Anyways, I'd like to see this approach instead of instrument bodies finished in varnish. I agree, it does make it feel a bit cheap.

 

[Neal]

And from a tonal standpoint, an F-50 STD will go toe-to-toe with any traditional F-50 I have ever played.

 

[jazzmang]

Agreed!

 

[rwmct]

I love the New Hartford standard series. It would be nice to have the "G" on the headstock, but other than that, they are perfect, IMO. I think they will be classics in their own right twenty years or so from now.

And the $1,300 to $1,400 range seems to me a good place to be to compete with U.S. built acoustics (Gibson J-15 territory). Not going to get there with anything fancy.

 

[davismanLV]

I think the newer Taylor 300 series guitars look pretty sweet and classy with the shaded edge and the satin finish! They brighten them up with some white purfling which is a nice touch. I'm good with the finishes and the shading. The Guild ones are fairly dull looking, though. However, the Taylor 322ce sells for about $2,050 so the Guild price is certainly right.

 

[bobouz]

Light colored woods often look just fine in a satin finish (a beautiful piece of wood will prevail).

But in a dark finish (particularly sunbursts fading to black), satin finishes understandably look dull & lifeless.

Imho, of course.

 

[6L6]

"Not a fan of the satin finishes either. Feels weird, looks cheap..."

+1

Heck, even at Martin you now have to go at least as far up the ladder as a D-42 to get a gloss neck and headstock standard.

One more reason to like vintage Guilds and Collings guitars (of any vintage).

Bill