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"Fender has brought back the quality, the original designs, and the value that made Guild one of the most distinguished names in guitars."
"...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."
| Fifty years ago, a small group of veteran guitar makers came together to form a new company. Its founder, Alfred Dronge, had been born in Poland, and several of his key workers were immigrants from Italy, with its rich heritage of musical instrument craftsmanship. Among them, these men had decades of experience, and they had already built some of the most elegant guitars the world had ever seen. For their new company, they picked the name Guild, which evoked the spirit of European artisan guilds of centuries past, and 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. What was remarkable about Guild was that it went on to build fine guitars in so many different styles-arch-tops favored by giants of the jazz community, and flat-top and electric guitars that became classics during the folk boom of the '50s and '60s, as well as the rock era of the British Invasion, folk-rock, the blues revival, and psychedelia. 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, I think it's great news, for all of us, that Fender has brought back the quality, the original designs, and the value that made Guild one of the most distinguished names in guitars. --Tom Wheeler |
