Official Luthiers Forum!

Hello again... sorry but I don't have any pictures of my first timer classical build - summer got in the way. I do, however, have a question regarding classicals. I have the opportunity to buy an older Gibson classical, or a new Guild classical. Both are very nice and both are straight acoustic. My question relates to which way I should go.

On one hand, the Gibson is an American made workhorse, thats survived and matured nicely, and should have a better tone, and overall value due to the manufacturer.

On the other hand, the Guild (GAD C-3 with solid spruce top and solid rosewood sides/back) is brand new. The braces, neck joint and bridge are newly glued and won't (hopefully) fall apart - there is no guarantee with the Gisbon due to it's age.

I dont have much money, so I can't really afford to buy, and then repair if need be in the future. I'm also looking for straight acoustic, with the possibility of researching and adding electronics later for amplification.

What are the suggestions regarding the Gibson?? What are the suggestions regarding the Guild?? I know Guild sold off and is a Fender product out of the country now, but Korea, China, Japan and Indonesia are doing a good job with the newer guitars, and this Guild is all solid wood and looks to be nicely done. Are there any other recommendations regarding newer classicals that are below $1000??

Thanks!!

Depends on how much they are asking for the Gibson -

are you looking for something with an American name ? There are plenty of great guitars for under a $1000 - Orpheus Valley from eastern Europe is making nice guitars - there are quite a few Spanish makers that are putting out nice guitars at that price - Classicals were never a strong point for Guild or Gibson - you can pick up some really great guitars used for under a $1000 as well -

If you can wait a little bit - I would just concentrate on finishing your build - and you won;t have to buy anything. Sink your money into tools and supplies - like a prefretted fret board, premade bridge - etc

good luck !

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It's this new idea from recent decades that everyone gets a participation award. - MUX

I'm not necessarily looking for an American name, but it would be nice to have something from the past that was Amaerican made. Both are about the same price, so I'm torn. I've heard good comments about the newer Guilds, but have also heard the bad about both. I know Gibson, Martin and Guild weren't highly thought of - must not because they no longer make classicals - but I do like the tone.

I haven't heard the Gibson yet, but would imagine it has the matured, vintage woody vibe to it. I was thinking about the Taylors crossover nylons, but I have an attitude regarding Mr Taylor, and they have more of the dreadnaught style necks which may be harder to play, and none have a full body. Sometimes they look nice, but I'd like to have the full body to get the most tone possible.

Thanks!

Got to agree with John A
Better put that thousand bucks in wood and supplies - All it takes is a bit of patience. -
Mature, woody vibe - try cedar tops, Torres bracing type - my bought one settled in really fast
Then you can become totally addicted like us!!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Well, the Gibson has left the building. Evidently the sister was interested because the strings didn't hurt her fingers. So I'm looking seriously at the Guild. I've only seen the C2 (cedar top, rosewood sides/back) but would like to buy a C3 which has the spruce top and rosewood body. Guild states on their website it is all solid wood, which is more than some of the other brands in that price range. The only down side is it's a plain acoustic. I've preferred the full sized body to the cutouts, so the plain acoustic is the only choice - and then add in some kind of pickup. I love the sound of Willie Nelsons Martin, but obviously have a tough time finding one, and can't afford one if I do.

Does anyone know how different the bracing patterns are from Gibson and Martin?? Martin states N Style bracing, which from what I've seen is similar to a light cross bracing pattern, but they changed throughout the years. Gibson seems to have some kind of fan bracing... but yet the tone is different than other guitars.

If I were to prefer the tone of Willie Nelsons Martin, which of todays version would be the most similar? I've heard the Cordobas, Takamines, Orpheus, Yamaha, La Patries, etc. I haven't heard the Guild, but am praying it's somewhat close. Most of the cheaper classicals are so hollow, it's like they are a black hole, and the tone is so mellow it makes my stomach ache. Their necks are also so bent up it's almost impossible to play - and I mean that!! It's like they have set the dovetail joint too far down, and the fingerboard ends up with a "step" onto the body which makes higher chords almost impossible, even if you were to file the frets all they way down!!

In that way, the current production guitars are a horrible choice. But short of having a custom guitar built, whats the best choice for me??

Thanks!!