Guild Guitar Company

The Guild Guitar Company is a United States-based guitar manufacturer founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge, a guitarist and music-store owner, and George Mann, a former executive with the Epiphone Guitar Company. The brand name currently exists as a brand under Córdoba Music Group.

Pre-Fender era


The first Guild workshop was located in Manhattan, New York, where Dronge (who soon took over full ownership) focused on archtop jazz guitars, both electric and acoustic. Rapid expansion forced the company to move to much larger quarters, on Newark St. in Hoboken, New Jersey, in the old R. Neumann Leathers building. The advent of the folk music craze in the early '60s had shifted the company into production of an important line of acoustic folk and blues guitars, including a dreadnought series (D-40, D-50 and, later, D-55) that competed successfully with Martin's D-18 and D-28 models, and jumbo and Grand Concert "F" models that were particularly popular with blues guitarists like Dave Van Ronk. Notable also was the Guild 12-string guitar, which used a Jumbo "F" body and dual truss rods in the neck to produce a workhorse instrument with a deep, rich tone distinctive from the chimier twelve-strings put out by Martin.

The company continued to expand, and was sold to the Avnet Corporation, which moved production to Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1966. As the folk scene quieted, a new generation of folk-rockers took Guild guitars on stage. The most notable Guild performance of that era was on the D-40 that Richie Havens played when he opened the Woodstock Festival in 1969.

During the 1960s, Guild moved aggressively into the electric guitar market, successfully promoting the Starfire line of semi-acoustic (Starfire I, II & III) and semi-solid (Starfire IV, V & VI) guitars and basses. A number of early West-Coast psychedelic bands used these instruments, notably guitarists Bob Weir and Jerry Garcia and bassist Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead, as well as Jefferson Airplane's bassist Jack Casady. Alembic started their transition from sound and recording work to instrument building by modifying Lesh & Casady's Starfire basses. The rare S-200 Thunderbird solid body electric was used by Muddy Waters and The Lovin' Spoonful's Zal Yanovsky. Inspired by seeing Muddy Waters, Australian guitarist Ross Hannaford also acquired a Thunderbird, which he used extensively in the period that he played in popular Australian 1970s band Daddy Cool.

Guild also successfully manufactured the first dreadnought acoustic guitar which incorporates a "cut-away" in the lower shoulder of the instrument, known as the Guild D40-C. In 1972, under Guild's new president Leon Tell, noteworthy guitarist/designer Richard "Rick" Excellente conceptualized and initiated the first dreadnought guitar with a "cut-away". The cut-away feature enables a player to have a more usable higher fret range. Upon the success of the Guild D-40C, other guitar manufacturers followed suit. Today, Guild continues to manufacture the D-40C, and now, virtually every guitar manufacturer in the world incorporates this cut-away on their acoustic dreadnought guitars.

The decline of the folk and acoustic market in the later '70s and early '80s put severe economic pressure on the company, and while instrument specialists generally concede that quality suffered at other American competitors, Guild models from the '70s and '80s are considered still made to the high-quality standards the Westerly plant was known for. In the 1980s, Guild introduced a series of Superstrat solid bodies including models such as the Flyer, Aviator, Liberator and Detonator, the Tele-style T-200 and T-250 (endorsed by Roy Buchanan) and the Pilot Bass, available in fretted, fretless, and 4- and 5-string versions. These guitars were the first Guild instruments to bear slim pointed headstocks, sometimes called "pointy droopy", "duck foot" and "cake knife" for their distinctive shape.

Fender era
After several changes in management and ownership, Guild was eventually purchased by the Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in 1995. In late 2001, Fender decided to move all Guild production to its factory in Corona, California. To ease the Corona facility (which had only made electric guitars up to this point) into making archtop and acoustic guitars, the Westerly factory artisans and workers prepared guitar 'kits' that they shipped to Corona. These kits were near-complete production guitars that only needed finishing and final assembly before being sent to retailers.

Production in Corona was short-lived, however, as Fender acquired the assets of Washington-based Tacoma Guitar Company in 2004, and moved all American Guild acoustic production to Tacoma, Washington and discontinued production of US-made Guild electric guitars completely.

In 2008, Fender again moved Guild when they acquired Kaman Music Corporation and its small production facility in New Hartford, Connecticut, where hand production of all US-made Guilds resumed in a manner consistent with other high-end, boutique guitar builders. The New Hartford Guild facility began production in early 2009, starting with the D-55 and F-50 models. Production quickly ramped up to include most of the popular Traditional Series acoustic guitar models. Acoustic-Electric versions of these models are also available. Starting with 2012 models, all US-built Guild Traditional Series guitars were available in right- and left-handed configurations.

In 2011, Traditional Series models' were improved by means of a new DTAR pickup system, which allows blending between an internal microphone element and an under-saddle transducer. Previous DTAR configurations only included an under-saddle transducer. Also, hard shell case material has been upgraded to a high-end, faux alligator skin material with crushed velvet interior padding.

In late 2010, Guild released its Standard Series acoustic guitars, which are US-built guitars (still manufactured in the New Hartford, Connecticut facility) that are based on models from their top-end Traditional Series. These guitars have high-end features, but differences in ornamentation and instrument finish options make them more affordable. Standard Series models include the F-30, F-30R, F-50, D-40, D-50, and the return of the F-212XL 12-string model. All Standard Series models feature red spruce bracing, satin mahogany necks, and bone saddles, nuts, and bridge pins, but have lower-grade wood and different ornamentation than their Traditional Series counterparts.

In 2011, cutaway acoustic-electric versions of all Standard Series models were released. These guitars featured venetian cutaways and a DTAR 18V under-saddle pickup system. These models can be identified by the 'CE' suffix at the end of the guitar's model number. All Guild guitars come with hard shell cases.

The New Hartford facility had also created a new line of specialty, limited edition guitars, referred to as the GSR Series. The GSR designation stands for "Guild Special Run." This series was first revealed to Guild dealers at Guild's dealer-only factory tour in mid-2009 called the "Guild Summit Retreat". These models featured unique takes on classic Guild Traditional Series models. GSR models include the F-20 (figured Cocbolo), F-30R (master-grade Rosewood), F-40 (figured Cocobolo), F-50 (figured Koa), and D-50 (figured Cocobolo), and Guild's only electric guitar to be produced since 2003, the GSR Starfire VI (only 20 produced). Each of these instruments features unique designs, wood selection, ornamentation, and has extremely limited production numbers.

Cordoba Era
In the late spring/early summer of 2014, Fender's New Hartford Guild facility closed its doors as FMIC prepared to sell off the Guild brand. Cordoba Music Group (CMG), Based in Santa Monica, California, stepped in and purchased the Guild brand rights and began setting up a new manufacturing facility in Oxnard, California, led by Guild alum Ren Ferguson as the VP of Manufacturing and R&D. Cordoba started ramping up production in late 2015, releasing its first models (M-20 and D-20) in early 2016.

Guild Import brands


Guild has had four primary import guitar lines, which are imported from Asia. *Early Madeiras are from Japan, later ones from Korea.

In the early seventies, Guild formed import brands for acoustic and electric guitars made outside the United States. Madeira Acoustic and Electric Guitars were import guitars based on existing Guild designs, but manufactured in Asia. They are characterized by their substantially unique pickguard shape and differing headstock.

Similarly to Madeira, Burnside Electric Guitars were Guild electric guitar designs (typically of super-Strat delineation) that were manufactured outside the United States. The headstocks on these guitars read "Burnside by Guild." Both brands were discontinued in the early '90s.

After Fender purchased Guild in the mid '90s, reissues of some Guild electric guitars were manufactured in Korea under the DeArmond brand name, which Fender also owned the rights to. Import reissue models included the Starfire, X155, T400, M-75 Bluesbird, S-73, and Pilot Bass series. On the front of the headstock, these instruments display the DeArmond logo above a modified version of Guild's Chesterfield logo. On early production versions, the truss rod cover is stenciled with the word 'Guild' stylized and the DeArmond reissue model number, and the back of the headstock is stenciled with 'DeArmond by Guild' above the guitar's serial number. Later production versions drop all references to the Guild brand name except for a modified Chesterfield headstock inlay on most models. The DeArmond line also included other less expensive models similar in design to the Guild reissues and manufactured in Indonesia. The DeArmond brand was discontinued in the early 2000s.

Also in the early 2000s, FMIC created a new line of Guild acoustic guitars called the GAD-series, which stands for "Guild Acoustic Design." As with the other import lines, these guitars are based on past and present Guild acoustic guitar designs, but are built in China. All of these models are designated with a 'GAD' as a model prefix. These guitars feature poly finishes (as opposed to traditional nitrocellulose lacquer on US models) and nondescript wood grading. Interestingly, FMIC did not choose to create this line under a different brand name, but left it as a new series of guitars from Guild. This choice has caused confusion, as it marks the first time that an import has actually donned the Guild brand name, which had previously only been used to describe US-made guitars. Because of this, it is no longer immediately clear if a Guild-branded guitar is a US-made model or an import, although the GAD models usually have unique ornamentation. The current product portfolio of GAD-series guitars is larger than Guild's US-built Traditional Series.

The 2011 GAD models have new features, looks, and model numbers. These new GAD-series Guild guitars can now also be identified with a number 1 as the first number in the model number. For example, a US-built F-50R's GAD-level copy would be called an F-150R. Similarly, a US-built F-512 would be an F-1512 as a GAD copy.

As of May, 2015, Guild Guitars discontinued the GAD line-up, with many for GAD guitars have been either discontinued or assigned to a newly formed Westerly Collection to pay homage Guild's Westerly, Rhode Island manufacturing facility which opened in 1967. According to the website, the Westerly Collection: "...pays homage to Guild’s early history renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and the introduction of many beloved Guild acoustics. Inspired by this golden era, the Guild Westerly Collection carries on the tradition of impeccable workmanship and unwavering excellence by incorporating high-quality materials and classic Guild designs into each instrument." . The collection line-up includes a variety of guitars made with: solid wood tops/laminate sides & body; and, solid wood tops/solid wood sides & solid wood backs.

Notable users of Guild guitars

 * Sofia Talvik – 1984 D-25
 * Bryan Adams – F-50R
 * Ryan Adams – D-25M
 * Billie Joe Armstrong – D-55
 * Dan Auerbach – Thunderbird S-200
 * Joan Baez – F30R
 * Ehud Banai
 * George Barnes (musician) – George Barnes Acousti-Lectric, George Barnes Guitar in F
 * Richard Barone – X-500 (Cool Blue Halo album)
 * Brendan Benson – 1959 Aristocrat
 * George Benson –
 * A.A. Bondy – T-100D (slim jim)
 * Paul Bonin – F65CE
 * Zeta Bosio – Guild Pilot Bass
 * Greg Brown – Starfire III
 * Creed Bratton – Bluesbird
 * Roy Buchanan – T-200 and T-250
 * Tim Buckley
 * Jeff Buckley – 1967 Guild F-50
 * Charlie Byrd – Mark VI
 * Mya Byrne – F20, F30, D35
 * Larry Carlton – Bluesbird
 * Stephen Carpenter
 * Jack Casady – Starfire bass
 * Johnny Cash – D-60SB
 * John Denver – Various
 * Eva Cassidy
 * Jerry Cantrell – JF55 - MTV Unplugged
 * Gustavo Cerati – Guild F4CE
 * Peter Cetera – F612
 * Eric Clapton – F-30, GF-60, S4CE/Songbird
 * Judy Collins – F312
 * Sheryl Crow – M-85 bass, B-301 bass
 * Rick Danko – F-50
 * Dave Davies – Starfire III, F-512 NT 12-string
 * John Denver – F-50R and F-612 (custom)
 * Nick Drake – M20
 * Doyle Dykes
 * David James Elliott as Cmdr. Harmon Rabb Jr. – D-50CE (special edition sunburst)
 * Duane Eddy
 * Brian Erickson – 1983 D-25
 * Duke Erikson – Starfire III
 * Leslie Feist – 1965 Starfire IV
 * The Felice Brothers – T100D (SLIM JIM) & Guild D4 acoustic
 * Tom Fogerty – Starfire
 * James Blackshaw – various Guild 12-string models
 * Justin Furstenfeld
 * Jerry Garcia – Starfire III
 * Barry Gibb – Songbird BG (stands for Barry Gibb) & X-375
 * David Gilmour – F-512 12-string
 * Charlie Gracie
 * Ted Greene
 * Colin Greenwood
 * Dave Gonzalez – X-550 Paladin
 * Steve Gunn
 * Buddy Guy – Starfire IV
 * Andy Hackett – 1967 Starfire VI and 1964 Thunderbird S200
 * Peter Hammill - M75 Bluesbird named Meurglys III
 * Mick Harvey – Starfire IV
 * Richie Havens
 * Hayden – Starfire III, CE-100D
 * Justin Hayward – JF-65
 * John Herman – B-302 Bass
 * Hank Hill – 1963 Solid Top
 * Chris Hillman – Starfire Bass
 * Roger Hodgson – F-412 and F-512
 * Susanna Hoffs – Starfire XII
 * Lightnin' Hopkins – Starfire IV
 * Shannon Hoon – JF-30
 * Mississippi John Hurt – F-30
 * Glenn Jones (guitarist) – D-50, F-512 12-String
 * Barney Kessel
 * Mike Kinsella – Modified Guild S-100
 * Tim Kinsella –
 * Mark Knopfler – Songbird
 * John Lennon – Starfire XII
 * Phil Lesh – Starfire bass
 * Gary Lightbody
 * Scott Matthews
 * Bruno Mars
 * Mick Mars – Guild X-88 Flying Star
 * Bryn Merrick - Guild B302 Bass
 * A.C. Newman
 * Joe Nichols
 * Kristian Matsson
 * Brian May – Brian May (Signature) Electric, F512
 * John Mayer Where The Light Is – Trio Set
 * Barry McGuire – F-212 12-string
 * Ellen McIlwaine – S-250, S-500-D
 * Pat Metheny – D40-C, F-50
 * Matt "Guitar" Murphy
 * Michael Nesmith – JF-30
 * Pelle Ossler – Starfire
 * Jeff McDonald – Thunderbird
 * Nathen Page – Starfire IV SN EL135
 * Bonnie Raitt – F-50R
 * Steven Page
 * Tom Petty – D25-12
 * Joe Walsh –
 * Jesse Quin – Starfire
 * John Renbourn – D-55 (ca. 1975-85)
 * Randy Rhoads
 * Keith Richards
 * Space Jesus 3001.5 (in space)
 * Josh Ritter
 * Duke Robillard
 * Daniel Rossen – T-50
 * Arlen Roth
 * John Rzeznik – D-55, F65CE, F47M Valencia, S7CE Custom, S4CE, and more.
 * Son Seals – Starfire IV
 * Chris Seefried – Guild Starfire, Guild D 212
 * Brian Setzer – Bluesbird
 * Randall Shawver – Guild X-88 Flying Star
 * Paul Simon – F-30 and F-212 12-string
 * Megan Slankard – D-55
 * Slash – jF30 & Crossroads Double Neck
 * Claydes Charles Smith – X-350
 * Johnny Smith
 * Tommy Smothers – D-55 (TV model)
 * Bruce Springsteen – D-40SB
 * Stephen Stills – X-500
 * George Strait – Custom Shop D-100
 * Kim Thayil – Guild S-100
 * Peter Tork – Jetstar Bass
 * Ralph Towner – F-212C and F-512 12-string guitars (custom)
 * Pete Townshend – F-512 NT 12-string
 * Dave Van Ronk – F-50R
 * Steve Van Zandt – X-79 (zebra pattern)
 * Stevie Ray Vaughan – S-300
 * Tom Waits
 * Muddy Waters – S-200 Thunderbird
 * Bob Weir – Starfire V, F50r
 * Gillian Welch – D-25M
 * Bert Weedon – Starfire (signature model - early sixties)
 * Aidan Knight – M-65 Freshman
 * Paul Westerberg
 * Hank Williams III – G37 Sunburst
 * Zal Yanovsky – S-200 Thunderbird
 * Fred Cole – S-200 Thunderbird
 * Charlie Parr
 * Paul Weller – Guild F47mce
 * Abi Wallenstein – Guild Aristocrat M-75, 1959
 * Josh White
 * fat daddy-DV-6
 * Sivert Høyem – F-512 12-string