I have but one Guild, my D 35. I have three Martins, soon to be two, a 00 15 custom and a new to me D 35 custom. Then there is the 65 Epiphone Texan. No Guild I have ever played has given me the iconic tone of a Martin dread. My Guild does not sound the same as a D 18. Wish I had a D 18 IN ADDITION.
I have played more Guilds I wouldn't want to own, more than perhaps any other brand, just as I have played even Brazilian D 28s I wouldn't want, and lord knows Gibsons have been very spotty to say the least. But my beautiful sounding Guild D 35 doesn't have the punch to hang in a bluegrass setting like a good D 18 or Dxx Martin. I'd love to have a D 55 too.
And its odd that my particular Martin D 35 custom is very unlike any Martin D 35 I've ever played, much more clarity in the low end, perhaps due to the Koa wedge or the rosewood fretboard and bridge, or Brian Kimsey's very slight mods. I bought it because it is what it is. Typically I don't like them. If you want to be brand centric go ahead. Heck I don't understand guys who own ten D 28s either. My Texan does things no non Gibson will do. Ditto the Guild and Martins. Heck, I was enjoying the Taylor barritone I was playing yesterday. Hard to make a too bright baritone.LOL.