What/who inspired you to play Guilds?

[bytr6]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

I had played guitar for a few years in grade school, but switched to bass in 7th grade. I fooled around on guitar a bit, but mostly focused on bass. In 1984 I separated from my first wife (best 120 pounds I ever lost!), and wanted to buy a guitar to celebrate my new found freedom. I went to 48th St. in NYC with a professional guitarist friend figuring I'd buy a nice Yamaha. Some friends told me to consider a GIbson or Guild, but I figured I would never be able to afford it. At one store we came across a beautiful D-35. It was a factory second (small hairline crack on the back, lined up with the long brace on the back, hasn't opened up a bit since then), and it sang to me. I loved the way an open "G" sounded; full, fat, and with lovely overtones. It felt great in may hands, it played easy. I bought it for $350.00 and fell in love. I remember one time late at night playing softly and the way the note decayed reminded me of how I felt at midnight mass when I was a child listening to the choir sing.
Since then I bought a Guild SB-602 Pilot bass, wish I hadn't sold that one, an '06 D-55 and a '81 D-25.
I love Guilds for their sound, their quality and for the fact that they are "hip" and "trendy" like Martins or Taylors (and they sound better).
Brian

 

[Curlington]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

I was broke for most of the 70s, and played to death a Yamaha FG160, bought at Manny’s. I came across a number of Guilds during that time, wanted my own, and should have found a way. I still remember several of them to this day. They always impressed, in their own right, and as amazing values. So, when I finally attained some stability and financial security, I bought a 1980 Guild D40, which had been traded-in at Vintage instruments in Philly. But the enabling internet hooked me on Guild with a killer close-out Corona D50 cheap, and then a craigslist-score 1970 D35. Thanks to Guild, I have the luxury of owning a number of inspiring acoustics.

 

[Terry Allan Hall]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

Always liked Guilds, but for the longest time I played a couple Gibson J-200s and a B-45...one day, I recieved a royalty check and decided to go buy myself a new toy before my (now ex-) wife could commandeer it.

Went to a buddy's guitar shop, intending to buy a J-100 Ultra, back when they had mahogany backs and sides, and he had 3 in stock...was going from one to the other, when my buddy said, "Try this one" and handed me a JF-4...WOW!!! Sounded so much bettter than any of the 3 and I bought it immediately.

A few months later, I ran across a F-212XL and decided I'd like to own it, as well...then, about a month later, I decided that I'd like another 12-string for open tunings, and my other 12-string, another brand, just sounded so "blah" next to my F-212XL...and, lo and behold, my buddy got another F-212XL in, and made me a deal I chose not to refuse...at that point I began to realize that I was somewhat addicted. :lol:

However, in the spirit of moderation, my next 12-string was a Taylor and it's great for standard tuning, while my two F-212XLs are kept in Open G and Open D/DADGAD.

I'd like to state that I'm got my "jones" under control, but the truth is that I've found a JF-4-12 that I'm currently negotiating for. 8)

 

[Cypress Knee]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

My first quality guitar was an Ovation Balladeer that I got for high school graduation. I became a John Denver/James Taylor/Jim Croce/Gordon Lightfoot/S&G fan, and found a '69 Guild D 35 that I bought and sold the Ovation much to my parent's chagrin. A fwe years later I sold that and bought a '78 D 50 that I carried around for years and years, then I began looking for that D 35 and found lots of Guilds to buy and trade on eBay. Several years ago buying and selling on eBay was more of a flea market and trading Guilds was just about like renting one for a couple of months to see if you liked it.

Along the way I found a '73 F50R that I fell in love with, and scored a super deal on a Carlo Greco rosewood Dred that led me to sell all my other Guild rosewoods and dreds because I didn't play them after that. I sold the rest of the Guilds except for a JF 55-12 and kept the Greco and the F50R.

The Greco and the F50R are always in the mix a lot, along with a '46 Gibson SJ and a CSN Martin. I have a few other remaining guitars that I should sell because I don't play them enough, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

C'est la vie,

CK

 

[mcduffnw]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

Hi All...

Well...for me, like so many others...it was the music of John Denver, especially when he played his 12 string...but...it took me a long time to finally own a Guild of my dreams...but boy was/is it worth it.

Now...I am keeping my eye out for just the right F-50R...time will tell...and I am a very patient man...

Kind Regards
duff

 

[wileypickett]

Re: What inspired you to play Guilds?

The discovery of a Guild jumbo JF-30 12-string clinched it for me. I'd tried just about every brand (still have a couple Taylors) and couldn't believe how much better they sounded than anything else out there. From there I began checking out other models.