Time for something versatile... but what exactly?

[sitka_spruce]

I'm selling my rhythm kind of guitars, Marties and Gibbies and now I'm looking into buying a do-it-all kind of guitar. Basically I'm looking into an F-30 or F-40 model guitar but I have a hard time figuring out what I expect from the guitar.

I think I'd prefer a 1-3/4" nut - but then it's not all about the nut: it's the stringspread and profile of neck too that determines the playability of an instrument.

A cutaway could be handy but not a requirement as is an onboard pickup/ pre-amp electronics.

Species of tonewoods isn't important for me as long as the guitar has great definition and clarity. From samples I've heard of the CV-1 and what I remember from having played it myself once it's possibly the brightest Guild all acredited to the shape and design of instrument and not the tonewoods. Also the only non-jumbo and non-dreadnought of US manufacture is the looker CV-1C ATB - but let's not limit our search there.

Thanx for reading it through. Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Jonas

 

[FNG]

Guild only?

Guys really love the SD-50 and SD-60 Larrivees over at the Larry forum. Wide nut, sloped dread with 12 fret neck. They say it is great for all types of playing.

 

[Guildmark]

I have to believe the best candidate for an all-around acoustic guitar would have to a dreadnaught. That's if your all-around includes non-amplified once in a while. Strumming, flatpicking, and fingerpicking, amplified or not, that's kind of what the dread shape does best, IMHO. And, again, if you need something that'll handle just about anything, you may need those extra frets sometime, so I'd not limit myself to a 12-fret neck. And for versatility, be sure it's got a cutaway. Add electronicals for whenever the need arises and I'd think you're set.

I just looked and the only two models on the Guild website that fit those specs are the GAD-40CE and GAD-50PCE. Given that choice, I'd probably select a CO-1C.

 

[sitka_spruce]

Guild only?

Guys really love the SD-50 and SD-60 Larrivees over at the Larry forum. Wide nut, sloped dread with 12 fret neck. They say it is great for all types of playing.

I'm leaning towards Guild on this quest I'm affraid. I have an OM made by one of Jean's apprentices, a mr Jeff Sigurdson, which is a great instrument - some would liken it with a Larrivee on stereoids. Great guitar but it doesn't cut it as a multiple trick pony. Actually I haven't found the right strings for it yet, two years down...

Of course I could look into those guitars and we're talking the same kind of price tag as on the CV-1 and the Martin HD-28 here which is quite a bit of money with VAT and no chance of a deal on the instrument.

I sort of had promised myself not to go with a WW1 battle cruiser this time. Knowing not every D-shape is a boombox like a Martin or so let's see that as a sort of defence from making the same misstake twice. The sample at Guitaradoptions.com says it's a rather bright guitar for a 12-fretter. On the other side of the spectrum we find Taylors. Now, Taylors have always seemed a bit on the thin side for me and that clip exhibited some almost Tayloresque qualities. Some other time perhaps but this time I'm set on a Guild. [/list]

 

[dreadnut]

Hey, SS, what have you got for sale?

The most impressive new Guilds I've played are the D-50's - bright, loud, easy Guild neck, they really ring

 

[fungusyoung]

Just one person's opinion here obviously, but I'd definitely pick up a new Guild D-40 and give it a whirl before you decide. Those guitars are cannons. Gorgeous, crisp and versatile tones.

 

[West R Lee]

D55 all the way. It can certainly do it all.

West

 

[sitka_spruce]

I just looked and the only two models on the Guild website that fit those specs are the GAD-40CE and GAD-50PCE. Given that choice, I'd probably select a CO-1C.

Cheers, mate! Proves that theory of mine true there are more GADs than Traditionals; or there are more interesting GAD models available than Traditionals.

Using the clips at guitaradoption.com as reference I find the CO-1 does indeed sound smaller than the CV-1, but then exhibits less trebles and clearity than the CV-1 (could it be the red Cedar of the CO-1?; or the upper bout of the CV-1?)

The way I see it the best buy regarding to price would be the F-30 and F-40 (neither has cutaways, both has narrow necks), followed by the maple bodied F-47M (some more frills than the F-30/-40). I guess I could take the narrow neck, but I won't get around that cutaway bit.

 

[Guildmark]

That sounds like pretty dang fine logic to me, sit'-spru'. I don't think you could go wrong with any one those models, especially since you're not looking to join the WW1 British navy . I like the CO-1, myself. That is the one serving as the model for the guitar being built for my daughter right now.

Good hunting!

 

[Siwash]

Well, I've got a GAD50, which makes just a great sound. As loud as anything else you're likely to find. But I am starting to dislike the poly finish considerably; just snags at my arm and hands. It is a great buy. . . but then again, this is an era of great guitar buys. Including the D-55s!

 

[sitka_spruce]

Hey, SS, what have you got for sale?

The most impressive new Guilds I've played are the D-50's - bright, loud, easy Guild neck, they really ring

Up for sale is a CF Martin HD-28 and a Gibson J-100 Xtra, both fine axes but clearly rhythm instruments (and don't have that "wrang-sound" going that my Guild D-212 has and is found in the signature sound of Guilds in general - that I'd really like in a rhythm axe).

Just adding a further comment on those battle cruisers: Guild make some of the more balanced Dreadnoughts obviously, so I'm not dismissing the idea a 100%. I was in the game for a D-25 a couple of years ago

Listening to the clips at Guitaradoptions and comparing the CV-1 to the D-50 and other D-series Guilds, the CV appears to have more bottom yet have clearer highs - just an observation.

I did try some GADs but I found they varied qualitywise rather much from one another; one was halfway American, one would have a carreer as first class firewood. Also I was slightly dissapointed in the occasional stringrattle from the nut being filed too low on some of them. Nuts too high is more common place.

 

[J45dale]

Playability and versility, equal balance of bass, mids and highs,(IMHO) you are describeing my D55!
Everytime I am ready to expand my Rosewood stable, I play my D55, and say Why? They are that good! This is from a guy that has 5 Mohogany acoustics ready to play , tuned up,and on standby at all times, in order to play different styles and tunes.
Join the Flagship Club.
Dale.

 

[sitka_spruce]

The retailer I will most likely purchase my Guild from has the following inventory:
CV-1C
D40 w D-Tar
D40 Richie Havens
D55
F412
F50
JF30-12 (used)
+ most of the spruce top 6-string GADs
Should I decide on something else I will have to order it specially and I won't have an opportunity of playing it before ordering.

I don't know Willy Porter's taste in necks but maybe I should just wait till his signature model has been released...

 

[68tele]

The retailer I will most likely purchase my Guild from has the following inventory:
CV-1C
D40 w D-Tar
D40 Richie Havens
D55
F412
F50
JF30-12 (used)

Now THAT sounds like a PERFECT way to spend the better part of a day (or two)!! :lol: 8)

You've got the right batch of great sounds/models to zero in on a preference. After that, try and play 1-3 more of your favorites to get the pick 'o the litter! That's how I got my CV-1C and D2H--both of 'em are show-stoppers! :wink:

Good hunting!

Regards,
Ed

 

[sitka_spruce]

The retailer I will most likely purchase my Guild from has the following inventory:
CV-1C
D40 w D-Tar
D40 Richie Havens
D55
F412
F50
JF30-12 (used)

Now THAT sounds like a PERFECT way to spend the better part of a day (or two)!! :lol: 8)

You've got the right batch of great sounds/models to zero in on a preference. After that, try and play 1-3 more of your favorites to get the pick 'o the litter! That's how I got my CV-1C and D2H--both of 'em are show-stoppers! :wink:

Good hunting!

Regards,
Ed

I think my budget will allow anything upto the CV-1. As has been said I bought my HD-28 for this kind of money and I felt that was a little over the top, but somehow I wanted that axe back then, thought I needed it - probably I was just infatuated with the idea of affording that guitar.

We're talking 26000SeK here and I find anything above 20000 costy. The D55 and Guild Jumbos are 32000 and higher depending on version. With a bit of math that would equal $1=10SeK and it's the listed price (the dollar is actually just 7SeK). Alright, had I played an even costier guitar and had the sensation I just couldn't live without it... I might consider going beyond that but not by much.

 

[zplay]

The retailer I will most likely purchase my Guild from has the following inventory:
CV-1C
D40 w D-Tar
D40 Richie Havens
D55
F412
F50
JF30-12 (used)
+ most of the spruce top 6-string GADs
Should I decide on something else I will have to order it specially and I won't have an opportunity of playing it before ordering.

I don't know Willy Porter's taste in necks but maybe I should just wait till his signature model has been released...

Yeah, that was my plan: that is, waiting for the Willy Porter model to be released.
But then I heard the CV-1 clips on Guitar Adoptions and wondered what could sound that much better? - Pretty much a matter of maple vs. rosewood in an F40. Yes, I would have preferred being able to do a side-by-side, but you know, there was a decent deal available now, "A bird in hand is worth... bush", etc., etc. Anyway, the CV-1C is in hand now and I am enjoying it.

IMO you couldn't go wrong with the D40, D50 or 55 either. They are all well-balanced and versatile. I prefer the CV-1 because of the nut width and body style: extremely comfortable to play sitting or standing.

 

[68tele]

20,000.00 SEK = 2,863.40 USD

A new CV-C1 in the US goes for $1750-1850.

FYI

Ed

 

[sitka_spruce]

20,000.00 SEK = 2,863.40 USD

Yes and the CV is 26,000 (that's the quote from the largest reseller in Stockholm that has 337 different steelstring guitars hanging off the walls)

A new CV-C1 in the US goes for $1750-1850.

(1750x1.25)x7=15312.50 That's 3/5 of the price and about that of a Martin 00016RGT. Would be quite reasonable.

Like I said, listed price +25% VAT - I mean, I can take the VAT bearing in mind it's a social fee, but I wish there was the slightest chance of a deal on the instruments.

Also Fender don't allow private imports (not trans-continental anyway) and they're very strict on that or so it seems.