Jeremy, My long-time friend and mentor David Burnett shot most, if not all, of the photographs included with the new Guild. His book Soul Rebel is worth checking out. Best, Tal
Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the review. I may just have to buy one of these guitars. I own a Guild GAD-50 (solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides) and I love it. I bought it 15 years ago as a 50th birthday gift to myself. It's a great guitar.
Here's something about the original guitars ( Bob's would have been one) "Are Madeira by Guild Solid Body or Laminate? Laminates are generally regarded as undesirable in an acoustic top because laminates inhibit resonance. Still, there are some acoustic builds that defy the “tone-killer” rule. The inner ply of Madeira laminates could be solid poplar, soft maple, larch, or alder. The woods Guild used for lamination back in the day certainly were not low quality composites. The Madeira by Guild 1975 catalog does not specifically state whether or not a top is laminate-that goes for the sides and backs as well. For example, the A-30M states “Natural spruce top” and “Maple sides and back.” Does the word “Natural” mean solid and when “Natural“ is not used it means laminate? Probably not. Typically, guitar manufacturers specify when solid wood is used. The “Natural” designation could indicate the inner ply is not a cheap composite material (i.e. all three plys in the laminate are solid wood). It is safe to say that most Madeira guitars used laminate tops unless the suffix of the model designation ends with the letter S. As stated previously, the S at the end of the suffix designates a solid spruce top. There are reports (here and here) that back this up by stating the A-30MS had a solid top. Hans Moust even said that model A-12AS featured a solid spruce top. Terry Allan Hall said he came across some where only the rosette was solid wood. He probably saw what Madeira calls a “semi-solid” spruce top. Solid tops are easily identifiable by examining the edge of the sound hole. The wood grain will travel to the other side if the wood is solid. Sometimes, as is the case with my A-30M Madeira, identification isn’t easy for everyone. A-30M madeira by guild guitar soundhole This A-30M appears to have grain-lines going down although it is laminate. Determining if the sides and back are solid is a bit trickier. A laminate can have thin sheets of tone-wood veneers on either side. The result can be perfectly matched grain, inside and out. Therefore, laminate guitar sides and back can look like solid wood. Here is the trick: solid wood sides will usually have internal bracing. If it lacks vertical bracing going up the sides, it is surely a laminate. Note: Even on laminate sides, you will see vert-pieces at the neck and front because those are joining pieces, etc… If it does have solid wood sides, the back is most likely solid as well. Knowledgeable guitarists on Internet forums say all Madeira’s have laminate sides and backs." Here's a link to the full article: aoxoa.co/madeira-guild-acoustic-guitar/#:~:text=Determining%20the%20exact%20age%20of%20a%20Madeira%20by,name%20was%20also%20resurrected%20in%20the%20early%20%E2%80%9990%E2%80%99s.
I bought one at Guiter Center in Kansas City. I love it! Very affordable and consistent. I don’t like it was made in China, but would want this to be affordable
wow....yes...it's a amazing guitar vor less bucks. Have two of it. One at Germany and one on Tenerife. Both sounding realy cool. And they let play very softly. And verxy cool is, you do goog things, when you by one. The Marley is my guitar, I take everywhere I walk.
Not really a Bob Marley fan but this guitar sounds great! Another great affordable guitar you should check out is the Epiphone Slash J-45. It's really impressive.
3 random thoughts: I listened to Bob Marley when he was still alive (does that mean I am old? ) The gig bag should have been made from hemp How does it smell?
I could never do what you do. I understand it's very important to appreciate the philosophy behind a project like this, and keep the expectations in the framework of the price. I hear this guitar, and all I can think is "sounds cheap". Guitar snobbery is an affliction, and I'm trying to overcome it. I'm just happy that twice in my life, I was able to make the leap and get pretty expensive guitars. I hope somebody will love this instrument for many years.
Oh I get it for sure. I had the same struggle but I have to remember that is guitar is meant to sound like an affordable import owned by Bob Marley when he was still a poor Jamaican making his way in the world. If that's the aim, they nailed it but it's not a big, booming, all solid, American made acoustic.
@@JeremySheppard I do have a super cheap acoustic I love dearly, and I can't put it down. It's a Recording King Dirty 30s. Some cheapos have something special to offer ...
@@JohannesLabusch those cheap little rk 30's are so fun. I have a Sigma DM1 with all the finish taken off and for some reason it's one of the best sounding guitars I have and it's all laminate 😅
Same. My solid wood fills a room and sounds great, but my laminate Epiphone has something to say, too, and so far it's what I've used to record. Check my song "The Lord is Our Banner" to hear the tone it can get - straight into my phone!
If we were all to go listen to the songs that made us want to play the acoustic guitar, we'd be surprised I'm sure at the actual tones we hear in the context of the song. Probably not the complex harmonics of high end boutique builders, but more often the direct sound of simple guitars like this, in the right hands making life changing music.
A single tree seems a bit "lazy." I'm not sure of an appropriate word. I guess it's more than anyone else. I will say this has the most mojo of any of their overseas built guitars.
@@youkilledkenny85 🤣 You think you said something? I didn't even know you commented. I've probably planted a few trees in my lifetime from seeds. Pines, peaches, eucalyptus (those are planted using branches). Not really enough to do much, but I'm also not using planting a single tree to claim sustainability and using that as a selling point. Also, are they replanting any of the three they use, or just common trees? For it to be sustainable, they should be planting pao ferro, spruce, or mahogany.
Jeremy, I enjoy your stuff but your channel is turning into an infomercial for Guild, Gallagher and any other guitar related business looking for bandwidth and endorsements. I know it's feeding you and your family, nit it doesn't help your credibility.
Jeremy, My long-time friend and mentor David Burnett shot most, if not all, of the photographs included with the new Guild. His book Soul Rebel is worth checking out. Best, Tal
Love everything about this guitar and the history of bob marleys legacy
Bob's music is great and instills happiness. Glad to see his legacy still going strong.
Hi Jeremy! Thanks for the review. I may just have to buy one of these guitars. I own a Guild GAD-50 (solid spruce top, solid rosewood back and sides) and I love it. I bought it 15 years ago as a 50th birthday gift to myself. It's a great guitar.
Amazing sound and special tone balance for an affordable guitar! Sweet stuff Jeremy
wow I still have my Madera A-20 from 1975... needs some work but still plays well!!
Here's something about the original guitars ( Bob's would have been one)
"Are Madeira by Guild Solid Body or Laminate?
Laminates are generally regarded as undesirable in an acoustic top because laminates inhibit resonance. Still, there are some acoustic builds that defy the “tone-killer” rule. The inner ply of Madeira laminates could be solid poplar, soft maple, larch, or alder. The woods Guild used for lamination back in the day certainly were not low quality composites.
The Madeira by Guild 1975 catalog does not specifically state whether or not a top is laminate-that goes for the sides and backs as well. For example, the A-30M states “Natural spruce top” and “Maple sides and back.”
Does the word “Natural” mean solid and when “Natural“ is not used it means laminate? Probably not. Typically, guitar manufacturers specify when solid wood is used. The “Natural” designation could indicate the inner ply is not a cheap composite material (i.e. all three plys in the laminate are solid wood).
It is safe to say that most Madeira guitars used laminate tops unless the suffix of the model designation ends with the letter S. As stated previously, the S at the end of the suffix designates a solid spruce top. There are reports (here and here) that back this up by stating the A-30MS had a solid top. Hans Moust even said that model A-12AS featured a solid spruce top.
Terry Allan Hall said he came across some where only the rosette was solid wood. He probably saw what Madeira calls a “semi-solid” spruce top.
Solid tops are easily identifiable by examining the edge of the sound hole. The wood grain will travel to the other side if the wood is solid. Sometimes, as is the case with my A-30M Madeira, identification isn’t easy for everyone.
A-30M madeira by guild guitar soundhole
This A-30M appears to have grain-lines going down although it is laminate.
Determining if the sides and back are solid is a bit trickier. A laminate can have thin sheets of tone-wood veneers on either side. The result can be perfectly matched grain, inside and out. Therefore, laminate guitar sides and back can look like solid wood.
Here is the trick: solid wood sides will usually have internal bracing. If it lacks vertical bracing going up the sides, it is surely a laminate. Note: Even on laminate sides, you will see vert-pieces at the neck and front because those are joining pieces, etc… If it does have solid wood sides, the back is most likely solid as well.
Knowledgeable guitarists on Internet forums say all Madeira’s have laminate sides and backs."
Here's a link to the full article: aoxoa.co/madeira-guild-acoustic-guitar/#:~:text=Determining%20the%20exact%20age%20of%20a%20Madeira%20by,name%20was%20also%20resurrected%20in%20the%20early%20%E2%80%9990%E2%80%99s.
Thank you for your helpful video. I’ll buy one,
I bought one at Guiter Center in Kansas City. I love it! Very affordable and consistent. I don’t like it was made in China, but would want this to be affordable
Sounds really good for the money. I’m amazed really. This would be great for open mics or busking especially if you added an L.R. Baggs Lyric pickup.
Great review. Thank you
Nice! Currently below my price level, but I'm still curious to play one. I play a Guild D-140.
My absolute dream guitar…
wow....yes...it's a amazing guitar vor less bucks. Have two of it. One at Germany and one on Tenerife. Both sounding realy cool. And they let play very softly. And verxy cool is, you do goog things, when you by one. The Marley is my guitar, I take everywhere I walk.
That guitar sounds great!
Reminds me of a old Taylor 110 from the sound of my phone speakers. Not bad for just over half the price.
Not really a Bob Marley fan but this guitar sounds great! Another great affordable guitar you should check out is the Epiphone Slash J-45. It's really impressive.
Slash?! How dare you. Haha. That dead horse.
@@JeremySheppard haha I never even knew he played a j-45 but it’s probably the best Epiphone version I’ve played ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You are not a Bob Marley fan.........yet.
Sounds awesome. Doesn't sound laminated at all!
Just FYI. Nylon was invented by DuPont who then lobbied for Hemp and Cannabis to become illegal in order for their nylon to become the main rope
Very cool guitar!
it is my understanding that sapele is a different species from african mahogany aka Khaya.
3 random thoughts:
I listened to Bob Marley when he was still alive (does that mean I am old? )
The gig bag should have been made from hemp
How does it smell?
Nice review! For what it's worth, would have been a great idea to also demo/ play a Bob song on it :)
If I do it would get a copyright strike. When demonstrating I can't play copywritten songs. I snuck a little riff in the beginning.
Wowowowoowow
Comfortable neck? On slender or thick side? Thanks.
Do these Marley guitars have them arched back?
Nope
How do you use a shoulder strap on this guitar?
can I buy the demo?
I didn't get to keep this one, sadly.
What a shame they've changed the headstock design and put Guild on it ,the original had Madiera on,
How about for bluegrass, it being a dreadnought...would it fit the bill..?
It would be similar to an Eastman E1D. Fairly thin sounding.
@@JeremySheppard thx
How was the action on it out of the box?
Very good. We didn't tweak it at all.
What is the guitar's real scale length? Guild has 2 different numbers on its site. Thanks!
I believe it's 25.5" but I didn't measure it before it left. What does the website say?
@@JeremySheppard the write up says 24 and 3/4", but the specs page says 25 and 1/2"
I could never do what you do. I understand it's very important to appreciate the philosophy behind a project like this, and keep the expectations in the framework of the price. I hear this guitar, and all I can think is "sounds cheap". Guitar snobbery is an affliction, and I'm trying to overcome it. I'm just happy that twice in my life, I was able to make the leap and get pretty expensive guitars. I hope somebody will love this instrument for many years.
Oh I get it for sure. I had the same struggle but I have to remember that is guitar is meant to sound like an affordable import owned by Bob Marley when he was still a poor Jamaican making his way in the world. If that's the aim, they nailed it but it's not a big, booming, all solid, American made acoustic.
@@JeremySheppard I do have a super cheap acoustic I love dearly, and I can't put it down. It's a Recording King Dirty 30s. Some cheapos have something special to offer ...
@@JohannesLabusch those cheap little rk 30's are so fun. I have a Sigma DM1 with all the finish taken off and for some reason it's one of the best sounding guitars I have and it's all laminate 😅
Same. My solid wood fills a room and sounds great, but my laminate Epiphone has something to say, too, and so far it's what I've used to record. Check my song "The Lord is Our Banner" to hear the tone it can get - straight into my phone!
If we were all to go listen to the songs that made us want to play the acoustic guitar, we'd be surprised I'm sure at the actual tones we hear in the context of the song. Probably not the complex harmonics of high end boutique builders, but more often the direct sound of simple guitars like this, in the right hands making life changing music.
Good playing. But DJ Khaled's a legend.
Seriously! All hail the 👑!
A single tree seems a bit "lazy." I'm not sure of an appropriate word. I guess it's more than anyone else. I will say this has the most mojo of any of their overseas built guitars.
thought the same thing.
How many trees you planted?
That’s what I though
@@youkilledkenny85 🤣 You think you said something? I didn't even know you commented. I've probably planted a few trees in my lifetime from seeds. Pines, peaches, eucalyptus (those are planted using branches). Not really enough to do much, but I'm also not using planting a single tree to claim sustainability and using that as a selling point. Also, are they replanting any of the three they use, or just common trees? For it to be sustainable, they should be planting pao ferro, spruce, or mahogany.
Madeira was Guild cheap guitar and now Fender is reintroducing a cheap guitar.
Guild is owned by Cordoba now. Fender sold them.
All that work just for that guitar model to be terrorized by DJ Khaled. 😢
😂 I'm pretty sure that this guitar is the one that got sent to DJ Khaled. If not, I still choose to believe that it is.
Not a good enough sound that i want
Damn sounds nice. I could do without all the Bob Marley bs though. Not a big fan
Jeremy, I enjoy your stuff but your channel is turning into an infomercial for Guild, Gallagher and any other guitar related business looking for bandwidth and endorsements. I know it's feeding you and your family, nit it doesn't help your credibility.
I receive that. I'm trying to find a balance. I ran out of money to buy crazy stuff. Hang in there. Working on it.