Shop.guildguitars.com

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 11:25 AM

https://shop.guildguitars.com/

As many of you know Guild is now part of Cordoba Music Group (CMG). Guitar production is finally underway, and the above website is now officially up an running. On it you will find not only modern parts, but some vintage parts as well. There are 70 parts available at this time, which is a nice start. I, for one, am very impressed with the direction CMG appears to be taking Guild, and I'm looking forward to some new USA electrics in the near future.

DeArmond Rhythm Chief 1000: $69.99

**Klatu** · 02-09-2015, 11:49 AM

Now that's a game changer. I can't help but think how those who purchased these units off of eBay for hundreds of dollars will feel once they see this offering.

**drbhrb** · 02-09-2015, 12:08 PM

Looking forward to seeing a Cordoba made Guild. Hoping they live up to the history of the brand.

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 12:37 PM

I'm hoping they offer the 1100 version one day.

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 01:02 PM

Given the success of the Cordoba classical guitars, I suspect that CMG is run by some very clever and hard working people. I was pleased when they took things over and I have real hope that they'll make a success of it. This is a fine start.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 01:33 PM

Oh come on, they want $7500 for an aristocrat and $8000 for a laminate X-500??? Are you High Guild?

I think they need to lay off the Coffemate.

**Marty Grass** · 02-09-2015, 01:53 PM

Yes, they are high- high priced! The street cost will be considerably lower. These retail prices make Gibson look reasonable.

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Oh come on, they want $7500 for an aristocrat and $8000 for a laminate X-500??? Are you High Guild?

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Oh come on, they want $7500 for an aristocrat and $8000 for a laminate X-500??? Are you High Guild?

I think they need to lay off the Coffemate.

I think they inherited the American Patriarch series from Fender but my recollection is that they were solid wood carved guitars (but my memory on these things becomes a bit vague once I see prices that are out of my league). Given Cordoba's history, I would't take that too seriously. I seem to recall that the Patriarch series was very limited in numbers and once they're gone (if they actually go) I wouldn't expect to see any more. I'd expect that the real focus will be on the much less expensive Asian made guitars and they'll do exactly what they did with the nylons: try to raise the QA level as high as they possibly can giving as much bang for the buck as possible for consumer priced instruments.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I think they inherited the American Patriarch series from Fender but my recollection is that they were solid wood carved guitars (but my memory on these things becomes a bit vague once I see prices that are out of my league). Given Cordoba's history, I would't take that too seriously. I seem to recall that the Patriarch series was very limited in numbers and once they're gone (if they actually go) I wouldn't expect to see any more. I'd expect that the real focus will be on the much less expensive Asian made guitars and they'll do exactly what they did with the nylons: try to raise the QA level as high as they possibly can giving as much bang for the buck as possible for consumer priced instruments.

Good because that sounds like the old Guild, give as much as you can for the price point. Lets hope sale Number 2 goes well because the purchase from 95 is still leaving a really nasty taste in my mouth.

I dont care where they are made as long as they go back to doing what it was before Fender showed up and ruined the brand. And can they get back to making the nice guilds, not the plain anaemic looking early ones.

**Klatu** · 02-09-2015, 02:16 PM

I'm excited because I may finally be able to electrify my old Epiphone Triumphs!

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Good because that sounds like the old Guild, give as much as you can for the price point. Lets hope sale Number 2 goes well because the purchase from 95 is still leaving a really nasty taste in my mouth.

I dont care where they are made as long as they go back to doing what it was before Fender showed up and ruined the brand. And can they get back to making the nice guilds, not the plain anaemic looking early ones.

I don't think they'll ever go back to being what they were before Fender. It's not who Cordoba is. They'll become something entirely different but hopefully worthwhile.

**fritz jones** · 02-09-2015, 02:34 PM

wow i am glad i didnt buy that pickup on ebay.

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 03:26 PM

ArchtopHeaven, the prices on the website are MSRP, and are not even close to what they sold for. I have each of the AP guitars (Aristocrat coming shortly). The street prices I was quoted by a local dealer when these guitars first came out were:

AA - $6000
X-500 - $4800
Aristocrat - $4200

The AA has a fully carved top and back, and the other two do not. As for what I paid, I paid the full $4800 for my X-500, but considerably less than the above street prices for the other two. In fact, my fully carved AA was barely more than what I paid for the X-500. If I had held out longer I could have gotten my X-500 for closer to $4,000. Gibson can't even come close to $4800 with their new laminate archtop, so these Guilds are a tremendous bargain. As for the new 2015 catalog, I got one last week. Their 2014 catalog was used for most models as their new factory is just starting up. There was an added flyer inside the catalog , however, that did list a few new models. For those they used a MAP rather than a MSRP, which should make it less confusing to determine what one should expect to pay on the street.

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 03:40 PM

Jim, regarding the AP line, my source at FMIC a while back confirmed that less than 20 guitars were made for each of the AP models, and I think they are now all gone. My source at CMG assured me that the AP line will continue, but would not tell me which models will be included. The X-500 and Aristocrat remain on the Guild website to this day, so I am assuming that those modes will be continued. I am anxious to see if any others will be added, and which those might be.

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

Jim, regarding the AP line, my source at FMIC a while back confirmed that less than 20 guitars were made for each of the AP models, and I think they are now all gone. My source at CMG assured me that the AP line will continue, but would not tell me which models will be included. The X-500 and Aristocrat remain on the Guild website to this day, so I am assuming that those modes will be continued. I am anxious to see if any others will be added, and which those might be.

Honestly, I'm much more interested in seeing what they do with the import line. I thought that Fender actually did a decent job when they introduced the new electric lineup but I guess they were limited by their over extended finances. Cordoba have such a strong history in that market segment though that I think it might be very exciting so see what they can do. The release of the Rhythm Chief 1000 for $70 is exactly the sort of thing that I would expect from Cordoba and I suspect it will make a whole lot of people happy.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

ArchtopHeaven, the prices on the website are MSRP, and are not even close to what they sold for. I have each of the AP guitars (Aristocrat coming shortly). The street prices I was quoted by a local dealer when these guitars first came out were:

AA - $6000
X-500 - $4800
Aristocrat - $4200

The AA has a fully carved top and back, and the other two do not. As for what I paid, I paid the full $4800 for my X-500, but considerably less than the above street prices for the other two. In fact, my fully carved AA was barely more than what I paid for the X-500. If I had held out longer I could have gotten my X-500 for closer to $4,000. Gibson can't even come close to $4800 with their new laminate archtop, so these Guilds are a tremendous bargain. As for the new 2015 catalog, I got one last week. Their 2014 catalog was used for most models as their new factory is just starting up. There was an added flyer inside the catalog , however, that did list a few new models. For those they used a MAP rather than a MSRP, which should make it less confusing to determine what one should expect to pay on the street.

Well I wouldn't pay $4000 or $4800 for the new X500. I played one and really didn't care for it in anyway. Its just a cut and shut laminate box that doesn't look nearly as nice as the Westerly example (imo)

paying $4200 for an Aristocrat is still beyond insane.

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Well I wouldn't pay $4000 or $4800 for the new X500. I played one and really didn't care for it in anyway. Its just a cut and shut laminate box that doesn't look nearly as nice as the Westerly example (imo)

paying $4200 for an Aristocrat is still beyond insane.

I would suggest that it is a better idea to judge the Cordoba run Guild after they've had enough time to implement their own plans and efforts rather than being concerned about what they inherited from Fender. As Snoskier said, there were less than 20 made of each of the US models and they're mostly gone now anyway. Someone thought it was worth buying those guitars at some sort of price but that doesn't mean that any more will be produced or if they are, it doesn't mean that the price or the quality will resemble those first guitars that were made by a completely different company. Cordoba have enough accomplishments that I think they've earned a little patience before any judgement is rendered on their efforts with Guild.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

I would suggest that it is a better idea to judge the Cordoba run Guild after they've had enough time to implement their own plans and efforts rather than being concerned about what they inherited from Fender. As Snoskier said, there were less than 20 made of each of the US models and they're mostly gone now anyway. Someone thought it was worth buying those guitars at some sort of price but that doesn't mean that any more will be produced or if they are, it doesn't mean that the price or the quality will resemble those first guitars that were made by a completely different company. Cordoba have enough accomplishments that I think they've earned a little patience before any judgement is rendered on their efforts with Guild.

To be honest Jim, I'm looking forward to it. Cant be any worse than what Fender did and Guild WAS, my fav brand.

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 04:39 PM

To each their own. I have owned many Guild archtops, including vintage from Hoboken and Westerly. The new AP X-500 is nearly a faithful repro of a late 50's model minus the 55 year old wood and 55 years of wear and tear. If you're not into the Hoboken design that's fine, but to say it's a cut and shut laminate box tells me you either don't know guitars, or you haven't actually played one and you just don't like Guild guitars. If the later is the case that's perfectly fine, just admit the truth and keep playing whichever brand you choose.

Regarding $4200 being too much for a repro 50's Aristocrat, some others may agree. Perhaps you would prefer paying $6500 for a repro Les Paul? It's not even a contest to me, but again, each are entitled to their own opinion.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 05:11 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

To each their own. I have owned many Guild archtops, including vintage from Hoboken and Westerly. The new AP X-500 is nearly a faithful repro of a late 50's model minus the 55 year old wood and 55 years of wear and tear. If you're not into the Hoboken design that's fine, but to say it's a cut and shut laminate box tells me you either don't know guitars, or you haven't actually played one and you just don't like Guild guitars. If the later is the case that's perfectly fine, just admit the truth and keep playing whichever brand you choose.

Regarding $4200 being too much for a repro 50's Aristocrat, some others may agree. Perhaps you would prefer paying $6500 for a repro Les Paul? It's not even a contest to me, but again, each are entitled to their own opinion.

Well not to get into a ding dong, I think we have already had this convo.

The Guild X-500 is a cut and shut laminate jazz guitar. Not sure why you are trying to raise its profile beyond that.

There is no comparison between the new one (old one) and the Westerly one. The Westerly was a better guitar Imo with nicer appointments and a much nicer look.

I have play the new X500, the most disappointing guitar of 2014 (but of course thats my opinion and taste).

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by ArchtopHeaven

Well not to get into a ding dong, I think we have already had this convo.

The Guild X-500 is a cut and shut laminate jazz guitar. Not sure why you are trying to raise its profile beyond that.

There is no comparison between the new one (old one) and the Westerly one. The Westerly was a better guitar Imo with nicer appointments and a much nicer look.

I have play the new X500, the most disappointing guitar of 2014 (but of course thats my opinion and taste).

Again, your opinion not having played one, despite what you continue to state (without the details of where or when, of course). Arguing with you about this when your first reaction is to trash it in a way that shows no class and clearly no experience with that model tells me I am wasting my time. I would gladly put it up against any guitar in your list below, but in the end you like what you like. If making up stories and trashing things with which you have no experience or just don't like the looks of makes you happy I feel sorry for you, but wish you nothing but happiness.

**Jim Soloway** · 02-09-2015, 06:17 PM

I think it's really sad that this thread is devolving into an angry pissing match over what amounts to a tiny corner of the bigger Guild picture. There are signs of some very good things on that web site. I'd rather focus on those.

**Archie** · 02-09-2015, 06:33 PM

Originally Posted by snoskier63

Again, your opinion not having played one, despite what you continue to state (without the details of where or when, of course). Arguing with you about this when your first reaction is to trash it in a way that shows no class and clearly no experience with that model tells me I am wasting my time. I would gladly put it up against any guitar in your list below, but in the end you like what you like. If making up stories and trashing things with which you have no experience or just don't like the looks of makes you happy I feel sorry for you, but wish you nothing but happiness.

Lol I'm not going to prove top you when I played one and I'm not going to let you tell people what I did or didn't do. I DID play one.

You could look at this the other way which is, if they had built a great X500 I would be singing its praises.

I bet you wouldn't care if I had played one or not then ;-)

**snoskier63** · 02-09-2015, 06:42 PM

Jim, you're absolutely right.

Archtop, whatever makes you happy and let's you sleep at night.

**Marty Grass** · 02-09-2015, 07:18 PM

I've owned AAs from each Guild carnation. I have not yet been disappointed. On the other hand I made sure I didn't buy one that was crap, too. So there may well be a lot of lemons out there.

I receive the AP AA tomorrow, the last new one commercially available as far as I can tell. I'm taking the biggest risk on that one actually. I did as much due diligence on it before purchase as I could though.

I hope I don't eat my Guild words. But I'm confident that it will not limit my playing. Lack of talent is the barrier there.