Mordgeld wrote:They seem like really nice guitars. Can you maybe elaborate on why one might pick a Guild over some other manufacturer? Are they better for certain styles? For me, I wouldn't mind looking at their 12 string. I also like the look of the Polara on their website but would prefer solid body guitars in 25.5" scale. As for the Bluesbird, I'd have to lay my hands on one to compare to what I know. I've jammed with other guitarists that let me get hands on Gibson Les Paul, and ESP E-II Eclipse which seem similar.
Happy to give you my take. As I understand it, Guild was started up by some Epiphone workers back in '53 after Gibson bought the company and relocated.
Early on they strictly made archtop guitars which found favor w many jazz gtrsts who discovered they could get the same quality Gibson offered at lower prices. Guild cashed in on the folk craze of the '60's and started offering a pretty extensive line of flatops, both 6 and 12 string models. They were actually very popular among a lot of big name folks and their 12 string models from the 60's and 70's are highly sought after and thought to be some of the best 12 strings made......while still being available at affordable prices.
For me, they give me everything I look for in a gtr....playability, great tones, good looks, and affordability. They've often been referred to as "the poor man's Gibson", but i think you could also say they're "the poor man's MARTIN". The '75 D50 I own holds it own w any of the MARTIN D18's or D28's i've played.
Now, as for the Bluesbird.....that's a gtr that's been in a state of flux since it was introduced way back when. The version I have is a 1990 and was made while GUILD still made gtrs in Westerly Rhode Is. "Westerly" Guilds are highly regarded. The '90 that I own, and BB's from that era are semi hollow (chambered), have a Seymour Duncan SD 1 p/u's (medium hot but they clean up nicely when rolled back), the neck is med thick and has a comfy wide fingerboard. It really is a fun gtr to play. It is, Les Paul like but different enough.
There's an almost cult like following and devotion among Guild lovers. As much as I appreciate the good points of GUILD's that I mentioned above...I'd be lying if i didn't admit that I also like playing them because they're NOT Gibsons, Martins, or Fenders.
