Guild arguably made the best jumbo acoustic guitars in the country from 68-75. That the brand has survived multiple ownerships is a testament to how good those guitars were.
They maintained the same quality until at least the later 80s, maybe early 90s too. At some point in the early 90s they started introducing new models and many of them had issues.
Just to clarify, the F-40 shown is actually the F-40 Traditional model, which is more expensive with some differences from the F-40, satin-finished model.
Apparently, I am quite biased in the direction of a rosewood back and sides guitar. Both the Gibson and the Guild F-55 sounded very pleasing to my ears. I loved that low-end bloom on both of them. The mahogany back and sides F-40 sounded very nice, too. Based solely on what I heard through my speakers, I would rate the Guild F-55 as the best to my ears, the Gibson J-200 next, and then followed by the Guild F-40. At some point, I'd love to play modern Guild guitars.
The age old question, Rosewood vs Mahogany. The mid scoop and bass (Chug)/ treble (sparkle) of the Rosewood or that straight Mid range punch of Mahogany. They both look and sound beautiful so that's why you have to own both!!! 😉 Its like the old Almond Joy/Mounds commercials, sometimes you feel like nut sometimes you dont.
Love Guilds. I have an F-40P 12 fret. It's got amazing bass and plenty of mid high projection. The solid Paduk back and sides is a beautiful natural wine red colour. The top is a very nice 'silked' spruce top. Workmanship is flawless. The 12 fret neck has the bridge further back on the lower bout which is very deep. This along with the Paduk gives it an almost dreadnaught bass. Way back in the 'Folk Boom' I owned a 1964 New Jersey built F-47. It was a wonderful balanced loudish guitar with the intriguing name inside 'Bluegrass Cherry'. Played coffee houses and TV. Sold it with original case in 1979 🥲
Great class on how to make 3 different guitars sound the same - strum them, and whatever you do don’t play scales on the 12th on bass, mid, and treble and then slowly repeat the exact same scale very slowly down to the 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st. Instruments have an optimum harmonic zone, so how wide is that optimum zone? Strumming it blends the notes together and hides flaws. $4,300-$4,500 for the F-55e. It’s not a kids instrument and by that time players are looking for specific harmonies nice. Thanks for the show!
I think you really need to be in the room but,out here in radio land,maybe it is the blindfold issue but,the j-200 was a level above. The guild pair were both marvelous, love the look of the j-55!
I can't speak to the current Guilds but I own two F512s, a 1975 from Westerly, and a 2009 from New Hartford. These are the 12 string versions of the F50R (now the F55). Both absolutely brilliant guitars with somewhat different tonal characteristics. The Westerly has that classic warm midrange chime. The New Hartford is hands down one of the best guitars I've ever played. A more defined bass, not quite as midranged-focused, and fantastic note individuation overall. Also quite a bit lighter. Generally, I've found Gibsons are balanced for cowboy chords in the open position and get very thin if you capo and play further up the neck. The Guilds are wonderfully balanced and play well and keep their sustain up the fretboard. I've played both of them strung as 6-strings and I tend to keep one of them strung as a 6-string (so, basically an F55 with a slightly wider neck, which fits my hands well). If you're considering a jumbo, definitely check out the Guild F50R (now named the F55). New Hartford era Guilds (2009-2014, I believe) are not that old, don't have the aging neck problems one sees in some of the older Westerly instruments, and are some of the best production guitars ever built.
I agree with you that Gibsons don't hold up up the neck. My '76 maple F-50 is consistent all the way up the fretboard, and I can play it hard or soft, with a pick or without and it works equally well and I can't say that for most guitars. I definitely do prefer the maple to the rosewood, although played a F50R recently - it needed a neck reset badly but the first two frets which I could play did sound great too.
I appreciate Paul's statement about a blindfold test. I know, sitting blindfolded in the same room, I could not consistently tell the difference between these guitars. I need to see the instrument to employ my time-tested, critically objective criteria: does it match or complement the color of my eyes?
The F-55 is basically my all time favorite guitar. I have a '76 maple F-50 and I've found only a handful of guitars that can hold a flame and maybe a couple I'd have to play back to back to be sure which I liked better. The F-40 also sounds quite good too. Not really a fan of the rosewood SJ-200 here.
love the review! but jumbos are equivalent of the giants trucks driving around. lot of size and lot of distraction and get tired of hearing them. novelty. dreadnought is where it's at. ;)
Guild arguably made the best jumbo acoustic guitars in the country from 68-75. That the brand has survived multiple ownerships is a testament to how good those guitars were.
They maintained the same quality until at least the later 80s, maybe early 90s too. At some point in the early 90s they started introducing new models and many of them had issues.
Just to clarify, the F-40 shown is actually the F-40 Traditional model, which is more expensive with some differences from the F-40, satin-finished model.
That was a thoroughly enjoyable 7 minutes and I was impressed with both models, and pleasantly surprised to hear the j200 tossed in for good measure!
I LIKE both the J-200 Deluxe and the Guild F-55. Thanks Paul and Quinton.
Apparently, I am quite biased in the direction of a rosewood back and sides guitar. Both the Gibson and the Guild F-55 sounded very pleasing to my ears. I loved that low-end bloom on both of them. The mahogany back and sides F-40 sounded very nice, too. Based solely on what I heard through my speakers, I would rate the Guild F-55 as the best to my ears, the Gibson J-200 next, and then followed by the Guild F-40. At some point, I'd love to play modern Guild guitars.
Guild...Simply the Best
An ocean of sound in those guitars. Wow.
I didn't think I would see the SJ-200 dethroned, but here we are.
John Denver played Guilds on the beginning
John Denver is the whole reason I purchased a vintage Guild jumbo.
The age old question, Rosewood vs Mahogany. The mid scoop and bass (Chug)/ treble (sparkle) of the Rosewood or that straight Mid range punch of Mahogany. They both look and sound beautiful so that's why you have to own both!!! 😉 Its like the old Almond Joy/Mounds commercials, sometimes you feel like nut sometimes you dont.
Love Guilds. I have an F-40P 12 fret. It's got amazing bass and plenty of mid high projection. The solid Paduk back and sides is a beautiful natural wine red colour. The top is a very nice 'silked' spruce top. Workmanship is flawless. The 12 fret neck has the bridge further back on the lower bout which is very deep. This along with the Paduk gives it an almost dreadnaught bass.
Way back in the 'Folk Boom' I owned a 1964 New Jersey built F-47. It was a wonderful balanced loudish guitar with the intriguing name inside 'Bluegrass Cherry'. Played coffee houses and TV.
Sold it with original case in 1979 🥲
Great class on how to make 3 different guitars sound the same - strum them, and whatever you do don’t play scales on the 12th on bass, mid, and treble and then slowly repeat the exact same scale very slowly down to the 9th, 7th, 5th, 3rd, and 1st. Instruments have an optimum harmonic zone, so how wide is that optimum zone? Strumming it blends the notes together and hides flaws. $4,300-$4,500 for the F-55e. It’s not a kids instrument and by that time players are looking for specific harmonies nice. Thanks for the show!
That comes down to individual guitars, which is why you try in store when you’re spending that much for an acoustic guitar
I think you really need to be in the room but,out here in radio land,maybe it is the blindfold issue but,the j-200 was a level above. The guild pair were both marvelous, love the look of the j-55!
Nah, the guild was far superior especially considering it was half the price
beautiful tone from the f 55
Sweet Guild ❤
Got 3 fr dread to thinline (model)to om body (rosewood y hogs); got om28 etc martins y Martin ukulele 😂❤🎉 ty guys just play a lot 😢
I bought THAT J-200 Deluxe. I love it so much!🤩
I can't speak to the current Guilds but I own two F512s, a 1975 from Westerly, and a 2009 from New Hartford. These are the 12 string versions of the F50R (now the F55). Both absolutely brilliant guitars with somewhat different tonal characteristics. The Westerly has that classic warm midrange chime. The New Hartford is hands down one of the best guitars I've ever played. A more defined bass, not quite as midranged-focused, and fantastic note individuation overall. Also quite a bit lighter.
Generally, I've found Gibsons are balanced for cowboy chords in the open position and get very thin if you capo and play further up the neck. The Guilds are wonderfully balanced and play well and keep their sustain up the fretboard.
I've played both of them strung as 6-strings and I tend to keep one of them strung as a 6-string (so, basically an F55 with a slightly wider neck, which fits my hands well).
If you're considering a jumbo, definitely check out the Guild F50R (now named the F55). New Hartford era Guilds (2009-2014, I believe) are not that old, don't have the aging neck problems one sees in some of the older Westerly instruments, and are some of the best production guitars ever built.
I agree with you that Gibsons don't hold up up the neck. My '76 maple F-50 is consistent all the way up the fretboard, and I can play it hard or soft, with a pick or without and it works equally well and I can't say that for most guitars. I definitely do prefer the maple to the rosewood, although played a F50R recently - it needed a neck reset badly but the first two frets which I could play did sound great too.
There is something about a Mohagany guitar
I appreciate Paul's statement about a blindfold test. I know, sitting blindfolded in the same room, I could not consistently tell the difference between these guitars. I need to see the instrument to employ my time-tested, critically objective criteria: does it match or complement the color of my eyes?
Ha!!
That F-55 is a boom box and it’s just beautiful
Great sunburst
The F-55 is basically my all time favorite guitar. I have a '76 maple F-50 and I've found only a handful of guitars that can hold a flame and maybe a couple I'd have to play back to back to be sure which I liked better. The F-40 also sounds quite good too. Not really a fan of the rosewood SJ-200 here.
F-55😍😍😍😍 Simply delicious
The F-55 sounded pretty good, but it looks like the neck is too narrow for me, so i would go with the SJ-200
Pretty good? really good wym
You could also try an F512 (slightly wider neck) and string it with only 6 strings. I've done that for years.
probably the F40 would be easier to record, but I wouldn't kick either of them out of my music room (aka: my home office LOL)
love the review! but jumbos are equivalent of the giants trucks driving around. lot of size and lot of distraction and get tired of hearing them. novelty. dreadnought is where it's at. ;)
Best is to have all, different guitars for different songs.