Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
-
I don’t understand the Guild acoustic model naming system...why did Guild change some of the model names?
When we took on Guild in 2014, we had the unique opportunity of seeing it through fresh eyes. As new stewards of the brand, we quickly realized there wasn’t an established naming pattern and decided it was best to simplify this process moving forward. We came up with this handy dandy naming chart, taking Guild’s historical & flagship models into consideration. Though there will always be exceptions to the rule, we plan to follow these general guidelines.
-
What type of woods does Guild use, and what do they sound like?
Most commonly, Guild uses spruce, rosewood, mahogany and maple. There are different types of each of these woods, with each variation sounding slightly different. To learn more about guitar tonewoods, check out this informative article from Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
-
What is pau ferro? Why did Guild replace rosewood bridges and fingerboards with pau ferro?
Pau ferro is a South American tonewood that has been used in guitar making for many years. It is known to have a smooth feel and shares many sonic qualities with rosewood. With a tight wood grain in-between ebony and rosewood, pau ferro is hard and slightly snappy like ebony while maintaining a nice level of warmth similar to rosewood. Visually, pau ferro tends to be lighter in color than traditional rosewood though it may be stained to appear like rosewood.
CITES (Convention of International Trade of Endangered Species) is a global organization that maintains the health of our plant’s species and ecosystems by regulating international trade of wildlife (both flora and fauna). As of January 2017, CITES determined that rosewood will be protected, requiring new certification for any product that contains rosewood. This new legislation adds complexity to manufacturing guitars that contain rosewood, increasing costs to manufacturers and consumers. So in response, we have joined many other guitar manufacturers in switching out rosewood as much as possible. We selected pau ferro as the best replacement for many of our instruments because it shares many properties with rosewood (as described above).
We guarantee that all Cordoba/Guild guitars are imported legally, complying to all CITES regulations. You don’t have to worry about CITES unless you decide to sell or trade your guitar abroad. The proper CITES certification will be your responsibility and failure to comply may lead to forfeiture and sometimes destruction of the item. You may still travel with your guitar without certification as long as it has less than 22lbs of regulated materials.
We are dedicated to providing instruments of great quality while maintaining materials that are both acceptable to the guitar market and in compliance with all CITES regulations.
Expect these changes to show up in the market in the summer of 2018 (varies by model).
-
How does Guild source the wood used on Guild guitars?
All of our wood is sustainably harvested and sourced. We are fully compliant with CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which is an international agreement between governments that ensures that our use of certain plants does not threaten their survival. We are also Lacey act compliant which prohibits trade in wildlife, fish, and plants that have been illegally taken, possessed, transported, or sold.
-
Can I tour the Guild USA factory?
Eventually, just not yet. Our team is working hard to get production up and running and to get the next generation of Guilds off the line. Once we have our feet planted in the new factory and all appropriate permits are in place, we will definitely be offering public tours – we just need some time to get there! Keep an eye on our blog or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to hear when things like this become a reality!
-
Where are Guild Guitars made?
Guild USA acoustic models, currently including the M, D, F, and F twelve-string body shapes, are proudly made in our Oxnard, California factory. The Westerly Collection acoustic guitar models are made in China by our skilled factory partners. Our Newark St. electric guitar models are made in South Korea, Indonesia, and China depending on the model. As our Oxnard facility grows, we will gradually add new models to our USA-made line including electric models.
-
Can I order a custom guitar?
We are spending the immediate future getting production up and running in an effort to deliver high quality, iconic Guild models worldwide. Please check back later, or sign up for our newsletters, for updates on custom Guilds.
-
What is an arched back?
Guild began its legacy in 1953 by producing archtop electric guitars for the Jazz market in New York city; these guitars were built with arched backs made from pressed laminate maple, a low-cost alternative to hand-carved maple backs typical in Jazz guitar construction. As the company grew and began offering flat-top acoustics in 1954, the first models such as the F-30, F-40 and F-50 shared this pressed laminate arched back construction, which became a Guild trademark. Other classic Guilds like the D-25 and F-412, icons of the brand’s history to this day, represent this unique combination of acoustic flat top and arched back guitar construction.
In addition to its classic look and ergonomic comfort, an arched back design prevents the need for the added support of back braces, reducing weight while increasing projection and volume, contributing to the revered Guild sound for which these historic models are so well loved. We’ve paid homage to this classic Guild design trademark with a full line of affordable Archback models, available now from the Westerly Collection in sizes ranging from Concert to Jumbo.
-
What is the Guild privacy policy?
You can read our full privacy policy here.