Guild F-47R
The Specs:Grand orchestra body. Solid Adirondack spruce top. Solid Indian rosewood back and sides. Dovetail neck joint. Three-piece mahogany and walnut neck. Indian rosewood fretboard and bridge. Scalloped Adirondack spruce X-bracing. 25.5-inch scale. 111/16-inch nut width. 21/8-inch string spacing at saddle. Bone nut and saddle. Gotoh tuners. High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. D’Addario EXP17 coated phosphor-bronze strings. Made in USA.

THOUGH GUILD GUITARS is not yet 60 years old, it is without question one of the great American guitar makers. High quality, relative affordability, and associations with iconic players such as Richie Havens and Paul Simon helped propel the company’s quick rise to prominence in the ’50s and ’60s. And in the years since, Guilds became faithful companions to John Renbourn, Nick Drake, and contemporary players like Ryan Adams.

There’s always been something a little special and unique about the look, feel, and sound of a Guild. And though the company that Al Dronge founded with the help of some former Epiphone employees in New York in 1952 has passed though the hands of several owners (since 1995, it’s been a division of Fender) and called six factories home (the latest is shared with Ovation and Hamer in New Hartford, Connecticut) the distinctions and intangibles that make a Guild guitar unique remain. They are certainly in evidence in the F-47R we received for review—a rosewood-and-spruce grand orchestra that has appeared sporadically in the company’s catalog since the early ’60s. It’s a handsome, sweet-playing specimen that’s more than worthy of the Guild legend.

Stylish and Well-Built
The styling of Guild’s fancier models, like the F-50, F-412, and F-47, always seemed to owe something to Guild’s history as a jazz archtop manufacturer and even the electric guitars of the day. It’s part of what has made these guitars stand out from the pack and is most evident in the pearl block inlay on the bound rosewood neck and the trademark Guild headstock—complete with Chesterfield inlay—the very picture of subdued art deco cool.

The pretty Adirondack spruce top has a sunny blond hue that takes on a warm, luxurious glow through the nitrocellulose finish. The Indian rosewood back and sides are beautiful pieces of wood, too, with grain that’s rich and deep, revealing chocolate and reddish shades under sunlight.

Guilds have generally been revered for their sturdy build quality. Here again, the F-47R is worthy of the legend. From headstock to endpin the construction is virtually flawless. The fretwork is immaculate, as is the binding on the neck and around the body, which contributes to the guitar’s upscale appearance without upsetting the tasteful and understated overall look.

Buttery and Robust TonesOver the several weeks I spent with the F-47R, I was repeatedly pleased with its versatility, much of which is attributable to how comfortable and familiar it feels. The C-shaped neck is substantial without feeling too big. It has some of the tactile feedback of a good vintage neck—solid and sturdy but conducive to moving around the fretboard as fast or as lazily as you need to.

It’s the kind of comfort that puts you at ease in any playing situation. The guitar seems to invite a try at tunes like Led Zeppelin’s “White Summer” or Pete Townshend’s acoustic-driven songs from Tommy—workouts that require a combination of heavily strummed power chords, gentler flatpicked arpeggio sections and legato runs, and even more delicate fingerpicking movements. In these settings, the comfortable neck shape and easy action make it all feel as natural as a first-position E chord.

The guitar is especially impressive in pedal-to-the-metal strumming situations, where the rosewood-and-spruce body kicks out remarkable volume without any appreciable compression or blurring of overtones. And while the F-47R isn’t exactly petite, with a 16-inch body width at the lower bout, it demonstrates projection more akin to a dread or jumbo, with a nice balance between bass and treble tones. That recipe also works in jazzier settings—where complex chords sound harmonically even and silky smooth—and exceptionally well for flatpicked BB King–style pentatonic blues melodies.

On the whole, the guitar’s tone tends toward the midrange. If the available sonic pallette has any deficiency, it’s a slight lack of bite and sustain in the trebles. While this is an issue that could correct itself as the spruce top seasons, it is somewhat surprising given the overall guitar’s balance and robust voice. It also makes it a little harder to imagine the guitar as an ideal fit for a pure fingerstylist.

A Timeless Flattop
The F-47R is a stylish, timeless-looking guitar that can wear a lot of hats. It would look and sound particularly great under the fingers of a rootsy songsmith or rock strummer. The consistency in quality in both the New Hartford–built D-40 (see the October 2009 review) and this F-47R suggests that Guild is on the right track in its new Connecticut home. And given the versatility, playability, and musical qualities of this guitar, Guild will likely be breeding yet another generation of dedicated players in the years to come.

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Buying a guitar can be an intimidating process, especially if you've never purchased one before. There are so many factors to consider, and so many guitars available, novices will surely feel overwhelmed. Fear not - help is available

What makes one guitar different from another? Is a guitar that costs $3,000 better than one that is $500 or $100? Of course it is, but a more basic question to be asked it whether a beginner needs a top-of-the-line guitar.

Every aspiring guitar player fantisizes about playing a classic Martin D28.  However, if the guitarist is a beginner just starting out I don’t recommend spending any more that $500. It is a good idea to first determine if the interest continues and the talent is present before spending a large sum of money on a guitar like those played by the legends. All of the guitars listed below are lower priced acoustic guitars all offer great value for their respective price tags. You will be able to find discounted prices at The Best Guitar Shop at http://www.best-guitar-shop.com

1. Seagull S6

These Canadian-made instruments are terrific guitars - very highly regarded, both for their beautiful sound, and their excellent value. The S6 features a solid cedar top and mahogany back and sides. Although the price may be slightly above what some might be willing to pay for a first guitar, it should be considered an investment.

 2. Yamaha FG700S

Perhaps not in the same league as the Seagull, the FG700S is still a solid beginner instrument, and for the price (significantly cheaper than the S6), it's a good value. Guitar features a solid sitka spruce top, with nato back and sides.

3. Takamine G-340

This beginner model Takamine guitar features a laminated spruce top. Although it clearly isn't on par with some of the higher end Takamine guitars, the general consensus is the G-340 offers a pretty good bang for the buck.

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Takamine G Series G340SC Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $459.00 Sale Price: $239.00 You save: $220.00 (48%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 14 new from Too low to display

Description

Designed and built under the supervision of Takamine’s head luthiers, G-Series guitars are created to serve all players from the hobbyist to professional. The G340C dreadnought features a spruce top for extended dynamic range and a rich harmonic content. Mahogany back and sides enhance resonance. Gloss finish adds durability and enduring beauty.

Features

• Solid spruce top adds increased resonance and tone.
• Dreadnought body size delivers a strong low end with plenty of volume.
• Cutaway body design adds easy playability up to the highest fret.
• One of the few acoustic cutaways on the market today.

Reviews

4. Fender CD-140S

This lower cost Fender acoustic boasts a solid spruce top, with laminated mahogany back and sides. Cheaper Fender products tend to be occasionally guilty of lackluster workmanship, but, considering the solid spruce top, this guitar could be attractive to newbies.

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Fender CD-140S Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Natural List Price: $299.99

Description

Quality and value in a great dreadnought guitar is what the CD-140 S is all about, with a Fender- designed dreadnought body, solid spruce top, mahogany back and sides, gloss-finish body, satin-finish neck and die-cast tuners.

Features

• Solid Spruce Top, Laminated Mahogany Back and Sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Rosewood Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuning keys
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Tortoise Shell Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Tortoise Shell Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays,
• Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Gold Silkscreen Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole and Body Edge
• Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle

Reviews

5. Epiphone DR-100

The DR-100 features a spruce top, with mahogany back and sides. This guitar can usually be found at a rather cheap price, which makes it attractive to beginners. Most consider this a strictly beginner instrument, however, so it may not be long before you'll want to trade up.

6. Fender CD-60

Want features you'd expect in a much more expensive instrument? The CD-60 is your guitar, with features including a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners.

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Fender CD-60 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar, Sunburst List Price: $299.99 Sale Price: $190.99 You save: $109.00 (36%)   Eligible for free shipping! Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 1 new from $190.99

Description

Want features you’d expect in a much more expensive instrument? The CD-60 is your guitar, with features including a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, die-cast tuners and an included hard-shell case. Available in Black, Natural and Sunburst. Specifications Body Body Back: Laminated Nato Back Body Sides: Laminated Nato Sides Body Top: Laminated Spruce Top Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane Finish Bracing: Scalloped X Bracing Rosette: Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette Body Depth: 3.94" (100mm) to 4.92" (125mm) Body Width Upper Bout: 2.25" (57 mm) Body Binding: Black Body Binding Neck Number of Frets: 20 Position Inlays: White Dot Position Inlays Fingerboard: Sonokeling Fretboard: Sonokeling Neck Material: Nato Nut Width: 1.69” (43 mm) Scale Length: 25.3" (64.3 cm) Truss Rods: Dual Action Truss Rod Hardware Hardware Finish: Chrome Bridge: Sonokeling with Compensated Saddle Bridge Pins: Black Bridge Pins w/ White Dots Tuning Machines: Die-Cast Tuners String Nut: Synthetic Bone Miscellaneous Strings: Fender® Dura-Tone® Coated 80/20 Bronze (.012-.052 Gauge) Unique Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Black Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreened Fender Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette, Black Body and Neck Binding, Black Bridge and End-pins Accessories Case Gig Bags: Hard Case Included (USA and Canada Only) Pickguard: 1-Ply Flat Black

Features

• Laminated Spruce Top, Laminated Nato back and sides
• Scalloped X Bracing
• Sonokeling Bridge with Compensated Saddle and chrome die cast tuners
• Additional Features: Dual Action Truss Rod, Black Pickguard, Scalloped X Bracing, Dot Position Inlays, Compensated Urea Saddle, Gold Silkscreened Fender Logo, Multi-ABS Inlays on Soundhole Rosette, Black Body and Neck Binding, Black Bridge and End-pins

Reviews

7. Ibanez AC30NT

The Ibanez AC30NT is another well-constructed instrument with solid Engelmann spruce top and mahogany back and sides. This combination creates a warm, bottom-end tone with bright highs.

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Ibanez AC30NT Acoustic Concert Size Guitar List Price: $342.84

Description

If you've played or even just listened to many acoustic guitars, you know the amazing difference a solid top makes. The Ibanez AC30NT ARTWOOD SERIES Acoustic Guitar features a solid top made of high quality Engelmann spruce. You'll hear warm lows and ringing highs in crisp detail, the way an acoustic is supposed to sound. The grand concert body style is particularly well suited for fingerpicking, but sounds great in any style. Mahogany back and sides, maple body and neck binding, and gold die-cast tuners with brown pearloid knobs are features you normally find on guitars costing far more. If you've been holding back on an acoustic guitar purchase because you haven't found the right features at the right price, your wait is over.

Features

• Acoustic Concert Size Guitar

Reviews

8. Taylor Baby Taylor

This is a 3/4 size dreadnought guitar, making it a good choice for younger guitarists with smaller hands. Taylor has a reputation for being one of America's greatest guitar makers, and although they've cut a few corners here to meet a low-price point, this is still a solid instrument.

9. Martin LX1

One of the most highly esteemed guitar makers has provided this 3/4 size guitar, designed for guitarists with small hands and small pocketbooks. The LXI features a solid sapele top, back and sides.

What is the soundboard?
The soundboard is the top of an acoustic guitar, and plays the most critical role in determining the overall tone and projection qualities of the instrument. Though there are many available materials suited to satisfy the structural requirements of a soundboard, none have been found to match the acoustic properties of wood.

How soundboards are built
Traditionally, soundboards have been made from high-quality, quarter-sawn spruce planks that have been carefully seasoned to remove moisture and ensure structural stability. Higher quality instruments use two 'book-matched' pieces of wood, butted together to avoid warping caused by differential shrinking.

On the back of soundboards is a pattern of struts and braces that provide stability to the soundboard, while allowing it to vibrate as uniformly as possible. The choice of wood used for these struts and braces is much less critical than it is for the soundboard. However, the bracing pattern can have a significant impact on the sound of the instrument. Guitar makers have tried many different bracing patterns in attempts to add distinctive tonal qualities to their instruments. In addition to bracing patterns, hardwood plates designed to add support to the bridge and soundhole areas are also commonly attached to the underside of soundboards. Though the acoustic impact of these plates are minor compared to the bracing patterns, their size, shape and wood type can also affect the tone of the guitar.

Best woods for soundboards
Spruce has historically been the wood of choice for acoustic flat-top guitar soundboards. However, Luthiers and other large guitar manufacturers very often choose more economical and readily available woods rather than top-quality spruce. Redwoods and cedar, for instance, are often used in soundboards by American guitar-makers to great effect. In some cases, two different woods are used together to give the guitar a distinctive appearance and tone.

The following is a summary of woods commonly used in soundboards, and the characteristics of each:
• Spruce: Crisp high end. Big bottom-end. Lots of volume.
• Cedar/Redwood: Brilliant, "bell-like" tone.
• Mahogany: Warm, sweet tone. Tends to make quieter guitars. Generally used in less expensive instruments.
• Koa: Soft, warm, sweet tone. Strong midrange.

Soundboards in cheap guitars
In low-end instruments laminated or plywood soundboards are often used. Although these materials often impart great strength and stability to the instrument, via layers of perpendicular grains, they do not vibrate the same way that natural wood does, generally producing an inferior tone with less amplification. Instruments with laminated or plywood soundboards should be avoided if possible.

Local instrument experts say you should consider these things whether you're buying a guitar.

Whether your son or daughter is trying to shred like Metallica or play Bob Dylan covers, here's what to look for:

In general
For beginners, many guitars come in packages that include everything you need to start learning to play.
Electric guitar packages come with the guitar, an amplifier, a strap, extra strings, picks, a carrying bag and an instructional DVD or book or both.
Acoustic guitar packages come with the guitar, bag, strap, strings, picks and instructional material. Some stores also offer another acoustic package that comes with an amplifier for an additional $30.
Packages come from a multitude of manufacturers and cost at least $200 for an electric guitar and $149 and up for an acoustic.
Individual instruments can be had for less than the price of the packages. An acoustic guitar will cost at least $100. An electric guitar will cost around $110 and up.

Acoustic or electric?
What's better for a beginner: an acoustic guitar or an electric guitar?
It's one of the most commonly asked questions at guitar stores, but the answer isn't clear cut.
One isn't necessarily better to play or easier to learn than the other. It's a stylistic choice.
If the person playing the instrument wants to learn country, folk, worship or other music, an acoustic guitar is generally the better choice. For rock 'n' roll, an electric is generally better, said Dan Sullivan, pro shop manager at Dietze Music.
And for those parents worrying that the noise from an electric guitar will shake the walls, be not afraid. The amps in the starter packages mentioned above are usually only a meager 10 watts.
“They're not that loud. And they all come with headphone jacks,” Sullivan said.

Guitar stand
Those nifty packages come with everything. Everything but somewhere to put your guitar when you're not using it. You can pick up a simple guitar stand anywhere for under $20.

Size
Sometimes kids need small-sized guitars because they're not big enough to comfortably play a full-size guitar.
Children can benefit from playing a smaller guitar, but it depends on the child's height. Someone at a store can help you pick the right size, said Hoyle of Russo's.
At age 11 or 12, it might be a good idea to buy a full-size guitar even if the child isn't quite big enough to play it yet since they'll quickly outgrow a small-size guitar.

Strings and picks
Guitar strings come in all kinds of styles and from many manufacturers.
For a beginner, it's best to use a light to medium gauge string. The lighter strings are easier for a beginner to press down and play notes.
As for picks, they come in countless shapes, sizes and thicknesses. Again, it's better for a beginner to use a thinner, lighter gauge pick. They're easier to use and require less finesse than a thicker pick, Hoyle said.

Amplifiers and pedals
The Foo Fighters might have them, but a beginner doesn't need an enormous amplifier.
If you're not buying as part of a package, a 10- or 15-watt amp is perfect for a beginner. Many by Marshall and Fender have both clean and distorted channels in order to play a variety of different styles.
For a higher price, some amps have multiple effects that can make a guitar sound like practically any guitarist you admire.
“You want to be Eddie Van Halen on the spot? Just push a button,” Hoyle said.

Lessons
It used to be that you had two options: Take lessons or fumble around and try to teach yourself.
“I'm self-taught,” Hoyle said. “When I started, I watched people play or listened to the album and pulled the needle back and listened again to figure out a part.”

A few more options exist today on the Web. Many sites are dedicated to teaching guitar with videos, sheet music and tablature that can help you learn a plethora of songs.

Still, the experts say getting one-on-one time with an instructor and being able to ask questions is important.
“There's a lot of cool stuff on the Internet. There's a treasure trove of information,” Sullivan said. “(But) lessons are the optimum way to do it.”

Teachers can give students direction and guidance and teach them a guitar philosophy that you can't get from a computer, Hoyle said.
Instructors at local stores teach on acoustic and electric guitars in a variety of styles and offer lessons to almost any age. Children can start as young as 6 years old.

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With a lineup of classic flattop models including the F-30, F-50, F-412, and D-55 and a league of devotees that has included Nick Drake, Tim Buckley, Ralph Towner, Richie Havens, and Ryan Adams, Guild is among the most loved and respected acoustic-guitar companies. But while rightly regarded as an institution, Guild has had several homes, counting New York City; Hoboken, New Jersey; Westerly, Rhode Island; Corona, California; and Tacoma, Washington, as headquarters during its 57-year history. Late last year, Guild’s parent company, Fender Musical Instruments (who acquired the brand in 1995), announced that Guild was on the move again—this time back east to the New Hartford, Connecticut, factory that is home to Ovation production. (Fender also owns Ovation’s parent company, Kaman Music.)

Our review specimen of Guild’s stalwart D-40 dreadnought is among the first to emerge from the new facility. The quality, timeless style, and vibe that has always made Guild guitars special was evident the minute I took this guitar out of the case, and it only took a little picking and strumming to discover that the D-40’s tone and versatility are worthy of the Guild legacy.

A MAHOGANY LEGEND
The D-40 first appeared in 1963 along with the rosewood-and-spruce D-50. The two guitars were critical to Guild’s growth as it transitioned away from jazz archtops, and they were well timed to coincide with the acoustic guitar boom of the 1960s.
Except for a few noteworthy exceptions, the Connecticut-produced D-40 is faithful to the design and spirit of its 1960s forebears. It’s built around a lovely Adirondack spruce top with subtle bearclaw figuring and rich, chocolatey mahogany back and sides and finished with a flawlessly applied nitrocellulose lacquer that gives the guitar a mirror-like depth and shine. Guild’s trademark art-deco headstock—capped here with ebony—looks as sharp as a bespoke suit, sporting deco-inspired Gotoh 700 tuners, a pearl “Chesterfield” inlay (named for its similarity to the Chesterfield cigarette logo), and a pearl Guild logo that lend the guitar a distinctly American elegance. Among the changes to the original design are details such as a slightly tighter 30-foot top radius (earlier versions had a 40-foot radius), which Guild says increases the guitar’s sustain and projection, and a dual-action truss rod, rather than the older single-action type.

The three-piece neck (which has a slightly smaller heel than most older Guilds) is made from mahogany with a walnut “skunk” stripe at its center, and the rosewood bridge is cut in Guild’s signature twin-peaked shape. As on so many Guilds, there are plenty of small luxuries that make the guitar feel like some¬thing more than an ordinary factory ax: black-and-white rosette with a delicate ring of tortoise; tortoise binding and heel cap; and bone nut, bridge, and bridge pins.

FAT, WARM, AND LOUD
I’ve played a lot of D-40 dreadnoughts (as well as all-mahogany D-25’s and spruce-topped D-35’s) over the years, and I’ve always loved their playability, punch, and warmth. They’re like the guitar equivalent of a 30-year-old baseball glove—supple, responsive, and ready to go. Tuning up and laying into some first-position chords, I found that this D-40 displayed much of the power and glow that I remembered in those old Guilds. Like a new baseball glove, it felt a little stiff at first, but a fresh set of strings brought the D-40 to life—making the guitar feel a little faster under the fingers and adding a little extra shimmer to its kick and warmth.

Eager to break in the D-40, I had a go at my favorite Fred Neil vehicle for fast and heavy strumming, “Looks Like Rain.” The Guild’s warmth and clarity made me feel right at home, and I was impressed with the D-40’s responsiveness and tone under both a light and heavy touch. This is a dynamic and touch-sensitive guitar—not prone to harshness or harmonic blur when you push it, as some mahogany guitars are, nor apt to lose bass or high-end when you take your foot off the gas.

My interest piqued by the D-40’s sparkly, high-mid voice, I snapped a capo onto the third fret and improvised around the chord melody to “Shady Grove.” In this context the Guild was as responsive to delicate arpeggios as muscular, staccato picking—again demonstrating a wide dynamic range that will delight flatpickers and vocal accompanists. And I couldn’t help but think how much I’d value this guitar if I played in a band that worked in a wide range of styles. This guitar has a considerable presence that would find a place in any mix.

Fingerstyle explorations, in this case, improvisations in D A D G A D and C G C G C Eb, benefited from the D-40’s impressive range, too. The lower tunings showcased the D-40’s formidable low-end sustain, color, and overtones, and a driving, uptempo original tune in D A D G A D that relies on a droning sixth string sounded orchestral thanks to the D-40’s bottom-end muscle and high-end detail. Changing strings yet again—this time switching to light-gauge strings to facilitate faster bends—made the guitar feel even livelier for fingerstyle workouts. And though it took slightly more effort to summon the same low-end thump, the guitar remained balanced, responsive, and full of character.

NO-NONSENSE STYLE, RICH TONAL PALETTE
Over the course of the month I spent with this Connecticut-bred D-40, it became an ever more-rewarding companion. Though I enjoyed the guitar’s warm, boisterous voice most when strumming with a heavy, percussive, Neil Young–style attack (especially with the sixth string dropped a step or more), the D-40 was a great companion for delicate, late-night fingerpicking sessions, where I could appreciate its sustain and rich palette of overtones. It’s also a subtly gorgeous instrument, built with all the style and attention to detail that has made Guild a favorite of no-nonsense guitarists. If this D-40 is typical of the Connecticut factory’s work, it bodes well for Guild’s continuing legacy as a guitar maker for serious players who value utility and timeless style over flash.

At a Glance: Guild D-40 THE SPECS
Solid Adirondack spruce top. Solid mahogany back and sides. Three-piece mahogany and walnut neck. Dovetail neck joint. Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Bone nut, saddle, and bridge pins. 25.63-inch scale. 111/16-inch nut width. 21/8-inch string spacing at the saddle. High-gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Gotoh 700 tuners. D’Addario EXP 17 medium-gauge phosphor-bronze strings. Made in USA.

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