Guild® has a rich history in acoustic guitars, starting with the small body “folk-style” models in the 50′s, and the iconic dreadnought and jumbo models that helped define the folk-rock explosion of the 1960′s. These classic models are still in production today under the Guild® Tradition Series banner.
A NEW VOICE
In the April 1953 issue of Musical Merchandise Magazine, a brief ad appeared marking the debut of a brand-new company:
“A new corporation, known as Guild Guitars Inc., with headquarters at 220 Fourth Ave., New York, N.Y., has been formed to manufacture high-quality guitars, including Spanish and Hawaiian electric — solid wood body electrics, amplifiers, cases and strings.”
With this rather modest announcement, the Guild® company began its rise from a small Manhattan guitar workshop to one of the world’s premier makers of high-quality acoustic (and several popular electric) guitars.
The first catalog and pricelist, from April 1954, referred to Guild as “The Strad- ivari of Guitars,” with a small selection of arch-top electric and flat-top acoustic guitars. Arch-top acoustics were added to the line in 1955.
ACOUSTIC EXCELLENCE
Guild flourished in the rest of the ’50s and in particular throughout the ’60s. Although they had started out as a line of mainly jazz guitars, Guild’s popularity and solid reputation spread quickly, and over the years its instruments found their way into the hands of high-profile rock, pop, blues and jazz guitar heroes including Johnny Smith, Duane Eddy, Roy Orbison, John Lee Hooker, Merle Travis, Paul Simon, Keith Richards, Dave Davies, George Benson, Buddy Guy, Howlin’ Wolf, Richie Havens, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, Doc Watson, Ry Cooder, George Strait and so many other acclaimed artists.
Guild’s signature excellence in acoustic flat-top guitar design has made its name synonymous with fine quality and craftsmanship.
From three models introduced in 1954—the F-30 Aragon, F-40 Valencia and F-50 Navarre—Guild founded an acoustic empire. The famous D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee and D-50 Bluegrass Special dreadnoughts were introduced in 1963 (at the insistence of Guild veteran Mark Dronge, Al’s son), and Guild’s flagship dreadnought, the D-55, first appeared in 1968. These guitars and many other Guild six- and 12-string acoustic flat-tops enjoyed widespread use and acclaim from artists and amateurs alike well into the ensuing decades.
In those heady late ’60s days, perhaps the foremost exponent of Guild acoustic guitars was the great Richie Havens, a thoughtful interpreter of songs and a soulful, electrifying performer who opened rock’s legendary 1969 Woodstock festival by single-handedly mesmerizing the audience of 400,000 with his powerful voice and a Guild D-40, on which he displayed his trademark breathtaking rhythmic force. It was a shining moment for Havens and for Guild, and he continues to entrance audiences to this day with Guild guitars.
GUILD TODAY
Through the ’90s and well into the new millennium, a diverse new generation of gifted, spirited players recognized the excellence of a truly fine Guild guitar. From the sultry Jazz and Blues of Cassandra Wilson, to the scorching ‘hellbilly’ pickin’ of Hank Williams III, or the solo acoustic magic of Willy Porter; it was a Guild acoustic guitar that became the vehicle for their expression. Recording studios and concert halls everywhere continued to reverberate with the full, pure sound of Guild guitars.
Today’s Guild is as dynamic and prolific as ever! We continue to champion the timeless history and heritage of old-world craftsmanship, modern design innovation from our current factory in New Hartford, Connecticut.
Whether it’s a 12-string jumbo, a dreadnought, a small-body acoustic or one of our new GAD Nylon/Classical Series acoustics, Guild guitars remain among the most sought after instruments in the world.
There’s really nothing quite like the strong, balanced, crystal-clear sound of a finely crafted Guild acoustic guitar. Today’s Guild guitars are better than ever, and we can’t wait for you to hear them!
