Your experience with the Korean A-150

[Uke]

Anybody own one of these? How is it REALLY? It interests me because of the top which doesn't have a pickup embedded in it.

 

[matsickma]

Mine came stock with flat wounds and I was really impressed with how closely it's build was like the Hoboken era guitars. The guitars built at the Westerly facility were/are great but they are much "thicker" than the Hoboken models. Thicker isn't always bad but the lighter built Hoboken's seem more acousically lively to me which I perferred. The blond NS A150 I have sure seems to be a good modern equivalent to the Hoboken era instrument.

M

 

[SFIV1967]

The blond NS A150 I have sure seems to be a good modern equivalent to the Hoboken era instrument.

Just out of interest, does yours still have the volume knob on the Pickguard or the tone and volume wheels under it? I'm not sure when, but at some point Guild changed this.

Ralf

 

[Uke]

Just out of interest, does yours still have the volume knob on the Pickguard or the tone and volume wheels under it? I'm not sure when, but at some point Guild changed this.

Ralf

Yes. Thanks for this question. There are also two different pickup possibilities on this guitar as well (I understand). Does one control style indicate a different pickup from the other control style?

 

[Uke]

Mine came stock with flat wounds and I was really impressed with how closely it's build was like the Hoboken era guitars. The guitars built at the Westerly facility were/are great but they are much "thicker" than the Hoboken models. Thicker isn't always bad but the lighter built Hoboken's seem more acousically lively to me which I perferred. The blond NS A150 I have sure seems to be a good modern equivalent to the Hoboken era instrument.

M

You've hit on what especially interests me in this guitar -- how "acoustically lively" it is.

 

[SFIV1967]

There are also two different pickup possibilities on this guitar as well (I understand). Does one control style indicate a different pickup from the other control style?

Didn't remember a pickup change so I checked. In 2013 the A-150 used the DeArmond® 1000 "Rhythm Chief". And the specs today still show "DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief ". So I see no change in the used pickup. Where did you get the info from?

Ralf

 

[Longnose Gar]

I had a 2018 NS A-150 for a few months. The #1 issue was that it arrived from Sweetwater with a cracked top. The reason was that the case pressed on the volume knob and it was enough pressure in transit to crack the top. Sweetwater sent me another one and it had the exact same issue. I googled around and discovered this was a known issue with the A-150. I contacted Cordoba and they said the case was being redesigned. So, you'll want to make sure you're getting one with the redesigned case if the volume knob is mounted on the top. I had mine strung with flat wounds. I found the pickup to emphasize the bass strings too much, so I ultimately sent it back. And with flat wounds I didn't think it had any acoustic value. But I never tried it with acoustic strings or rounds.

 

[SFIV1967]

I contacted Cordoba and they said the case was being redesigned.

Looks like instead of redesigning the case (or maybe they did both) they simply removed the volume knob and put them under the pickguard! That explains the reason for removing it!
Ralf

 

[Uke]

Didn't remember a pickup change so I checked. In 2013 the A-150 used the DeArmond® 1000 "Rhythm Chief". And the specs today still show "DeArmond 1000 Rhythm Chief ". So I see no change in the used pickup. Where did you get the info from?

Ralf

zz

Upon second viewing of the above vid I realized that either the presenter is unclear, or my hearing is unclear. Contrary to my assumption, I believe him to say that some folks put in some sort of upgrade pickup. It appears you are correct, the guitar is only produced with the one pickup. By the way, the video is fairly well done I think. Thanks.

 

[Uke]

I had a 2018 NS A-150 for a few months. The #1 issue was that it arrived from Sweetwater with a cracked top. The reason was that the case pressed on the volume knob and it was enough pressure in transit to crack the top. Sweetwater sent me another one and it had the exact same issue. I googled around and discovered this was a known issue with the A-150. I contacted Cordoba and they said the case was being redesigned. So, you'll want to make sure you're getting one with the redesigned case if the volume knob is mounted on the top. I had mine strung with flat wounds. I found the pickup to emphasize the bass strings too much, so I ultimately sent it back. And with flat wounds I didn't think it had any acoustic value. But I never tried it with acoustic strings or rounds.

Thanks! By the way, it seems a number of archtops have "boomy bass" issues.

 

[matsickma]

My A150 does have the small diameter transparent volume knob on the pickguard.

I usually keep it in the case and didn't notice a tight fit with the lid of the case. I'm away at the moment but will check when I get home this weekend.
M

 

[bobouz]

My A-150b was made early in 2014, while Fender still owned Guild for a few more months (they had designed & released this model in 2013). It has the one old-style knob on the pickguard, and it did not crack the top. What attracted me to this instrument is the solid spruce top (pressed) with X-bracing. Years ago I had owned a 1930s Ward (made by Gibson) with a carved solid spruce top and X-bracing, which I fingerpicked acoustically. I loved the unique tone of that guitar, so when the A-150 was released, I had to try it out.

I have mine strung with extra-light D'Addario EJ-15 pb acoustic strings, and the acoustic tone it produces is pleasingly similar to that of the old Ward guitar. When plugged in, the tone is nicely balanced & very punchy - more in the realm of a P-90, and exactly what I prefer. So for me, this guitar has ended up being a winner both unplugged and plugged-in. Additionally, the neck profile leans more in the direction of being slim & fast, and overall I find it to be extremely comfortable. I do not know if Cordoba has changed anything significantly on this model in the ensuing years. I am only aware of the pickguard knob change, and additionally I believe the more recently released white model is the one with a different pickup.

All of that said, I admit that what I'm after out of this guitar is rather different from what many folks desire from what would primarily be considered a jazz box. But for me, it ends up being a very satisfying two-trick pony. Here's a photo, and it remains stock except for changing out the TRC:

 

[SFIV1967]

additionally I believe the more recently released white model is the one with a different pickup.

Ah! That's it! The "A-150 Savoy Special" in Snowcrest White comes with the gold DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 with adjustable pole pieces! Introduced in May 2019.

Ralf

 

[freddyfingers]

I bought the white one, one of the few that came with the different imperial tuners. Loved it, but had a buzz issue on higher frets. Took it to a local luthier, they said high frets , sent it back to guild, they said buzz came from loose truss rod. They sent me another Snow White one, but they had no more of the imperial tuners. It plays well, has a solid top, the pickup is what i wanted as well. I can order the imperial tuners off reverb that drop in, but truth be told, they dont work well with string winders, so will most likely keep it the way it is. Its a looker for sure. Played unplugged its adequate for couch practice. the solid top does not project like one thinks a solid top would. Its still coated with thick white glossy paint. The volume knob is not super accurate. It goes from full to a significant drop as you turn it. I dont use the tone knob, and considered detaching it to improve some of the sound. Whether or not the white is worth the extra money depends on how much you want white. I wanted white with the imperials , but now just have white with gold trim. I got it new, but didnt pay new. Other wise i would not have it. Like the new x350 i got, i don’t believe theses are worth the 1499 or 1599 price tag. when they get it right, the guitars look good, play well, but then again so do new gretsch electromatics, and those are all under 1000 new. A plus for guild is that these come with a case, gretsch does not. Second photo shows the tuners i no longer have. When guild shipped me the new guitar, they did remove the tuners from the original and sent them to me, but they have different screw holes so i put them on a gretsch i have that was a drop in.

 

[Uke]

Ah! That's it! The "A-150 Savoy Special" in Snowcrest White comes with the gold DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1100 with adjustable pole pieces! Introduced in May 2019.

Ralf

Between you and Bobouz the two of you might very well solve many world problems! Hats off to you both!

 

[GreatVanzini]

zz

Upon second viewing of the above vid I realized that either the presenter is unclear, or my hearing is unclear. Contrary to my assumption, I believe him to say that some folks put in some sort of upgrade pickup. It appears you are correct, the guitar is only produced with the one pickup. By the way, the video is fairly well done I think. Thanks.

You are correct! I was unclear, LOL. I was referring to a couple of references I had seen, actually one of them was a guy I talked who had upgraded his Savoy from a Rhythm Chief 1000 to a 1100. I have cringed a time or two after reviewing this vid. 1st time here, so I am glad to have some new folks to talk to.

 

[Uke]

You are correct! I was unclear, LOL. I was referring to a couple of references I had seen, actually one of them was a guy I talked who had upgraded his Savoy from a Rhythm Chief 1000 to a 1100. I have cringed a time or two after reviewing this vid. 1st time here, so I am glad to have some new folks to talk to.

Welcome to LTG. Great to have another Guild lover on board. (By the way, see post numbers 13 and 14 above.)