Guild GAD F40E Acoustic Electric Guitar with CaseThe Guild GADF40 is a real beauty.
It has an original grand orchestra all-solid-wood body based on the 1955 F-40 Valencia body shape, with a 16 inch lower bout, Sitka spruce top, flame maple back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, ebony bridge pins, wood binding and 1 11/16 inch nut.
Unique Features
- 12th-Fret Neck/Body Joint
- 16 Inch Lower Bout
- Strap Button with Internal Block Reinforcement
- Dovetail Neck Joint
- Special Spruce Scalloped Braced Top
- Ebony Bridge Pins
- Tortoise Shell Pickguard
- Wood Bindings
- Bone Nut and Saddle
- Ornate Mother-of-Pearl Position Inlays
- Mother-of-Pearl Headstock Inlay
Guild and Fender - the Legend Continues
Fifty years ago, a small group of veteran guitar makers came together to form a new company. Its founder, Alfred Dronge, was born in Poland. Several of his key artisans were immigrants from Italy, with its rich heritage of musical instrument craftsmanship. Between them, these men had decades of experience building some of the most elegant guitars the world had ever seen.
For their new company, they picked the name Guild. Evoking the spirit of European artisan guilds of centuries past, it also suggested their shared commitment to excellence. In their original factory on Pearl Street in New York City, and then in later factories in Hoboken, New Jersey and Westerly, Rhode Island, attention to detail was the order of the day. Some guitars were built almost entirely by a single person.
Guild went on to build fine guitars in many different styles and for almost any musical taste. Their arch-tops were favored by giants of the jazz community, and their flat-top and electric guitars became classics during the folk boom of the '50s and '60s. During the British Invasion, the numerous Blues and Bluegrass Revivals and through rock Psychadelica, Guild was there and in fine form indeed.
Perhaps even more remarkable is that while these guitars were famous for their rich sound, beauty, and craftsmanship, they were equally famous for their durability and value.
Many of the world's best players chose Guild guitars for their uncompromised tone and elegance. And many beginners chose Guild guitars because of their affordability.
A half-century after the founding of this historic company, there's great news for players of all styles: Guild is back-the same elegance, the same affordability, the same classic models, plus some innovative new models-and this time, Guild is backed by Fender.
Fender has committed its full support and all its resources: environmentally controlled factories, a large and highly skilled work force, financial stability, its innovative R&D department, its famous custom shop, and its worldwide network of dealers and warranty repair outlets.
If you've been around awhile, you'll remember the Guild Starfires, the Bluesbirds, the 12-strings, the beautiful dreadnoughts, the fabulous archtops. If you're a younger player, the Guild name may be something of a legend. But whatever your age, whatever your playing style, and whatever your budget, it's great news that Fender has brought back the quality, the original designs, and the value that has made Guild one of the most distinguished names ever in the history of the guitar.
--Tom Wheeler