Contrary to stories of a guild of old world-style craftsmen gathering to build these exceptional guitars, Guild was founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge. Dronge, a Jewish emigrant from Europe, grew up in New York City and took jobs working for various music stores on Park Row. Dronge became an accomplished musician who played both banjo and guitar, and loved jazz music. His experience in teaching music and performing in small orchestras led to the formation of the Sagman and Dronge music store.
After World War II, Dronge gave up the music store in favor of importing and distributing Italian accordions. The Sonola Accordion Company was successful enough to make Dronge a small fortune. It is with this reputation and finances that Dronge formed Guild Guitars, Inc. with ex-Ephiphone sales manager George Mann. Incidentally, the Guild name came from a third party who was involved with a guitar amplifier company that was going out of business. As the plant was closing down Dronge and Gene Detgen decided to keep the name. The Guild company was registered in 1952.
As the original New York-based Epiphone company was having problems with the local unions, they decided to move production down to Philadelphia. Dronge took advantage of this decision and attracted several of their ex-luthiers to his company. Some of the workers were of Italian ancestry, and felt more comfortable remaining in the Little Italy neighborhood rather than moving to Pennsylvania.
The company was originally located in a New York loft from 1952 through 1956. They expanded into a larger workshop in Hoboken, New Jersey, in late 1956. Finally, upon completion of new facilities, Guild moved to Westerly, Rhode Island, in 1969.
As pop music in the 1960s spurred on a demand for guitars, musical instrument companies expanded to meet the business growth. At the same time, large corporations began to diversify their holdings. Most people are aware of the CBS decision to buy Fender in 1965, or Baldwin Piano´s purchase of the Burns trademark and manufacturing equipment in 1967. In 1966 electronic parts producer Avnet Inc. bought Guild Musical Instruments, and Alfred Dronge stayed on as president. Dronge also hired Jim Deurloo (of Gibson and later Heritage fame) as plant manager in December 1969. Deurloo´s commitment to quality control resulted in better consistency of Guild products.
Tragedy occurred in 1972 as Alfred Dronge was killed in an aircraft crash. The relationships he built with the members of the company dissipated, and the driving force of twenty years since the inception was gone. However, Leon Tell (Guild´s vice president from 1963 to 1973) became the company president in 1973 and maintained that position until 1983.
In mid August of 1986, Avnet sold Guild to a management/investment group from New England and Tennessee. Officers of the newly formed Guild Music Corporation included company President Jerre R. Haskew (previously Chief Executive Officer and President of the Commerce Union Bank of Chattanooga Tennessee), Executive Vice President of Plant and Operations George A. Hammerstrom, and Executive Vice President of Product Development and Artist Relations George Gruhn (Gruhn later left the company in early 1988).
Unfortunately, the remaining members of the investment group defaulted on bank obligations in November of 1988, leading to a court supervised financial restructuring. The Faas Corporation of New Berlin, Wisconsin (now U.S. Musical Corporation) bought Guild in January 1989. Solid body guitar production was discontinued in favor of acoustic and acoustic-electric production (a company strength) although some electric models were reissued in the mid-1990s.
Guild was purchased by FMIC in 1995. Guild introduced more solid body electrics and models were based on memorable Guild models from earlier years (i.e. Starfire, X Series, etc). In 1997, Guild opened a new Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2001 production was moved to Corona, CA. By 2006, all electric production was discontinued. Fender decided to use the Guild trademark on a line of acoustic guitars, and production was merged with the newly acquired Tacoma plant. In 2012, Guild introduced their first electric guitar in nearly seven years with the GSR Starfire IV limited edition.
Robert Benedetto signed a formal agreement with the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) on March 5th, 1999 to redesign both the Artist Award and X700 Stuart Models, which were produced in Westerly, RI. While the trademark Guild harp-style tailpiece remains, a mother-of-pearl "Benedetto" logo was inlaid in the 19th fret on both models. FMIC (Guild) and Benedetto parted ways amicably in 2006. (Reference source for early Guild history: Hans Moust, The Guild Guitar Book; contemporary history courtesy Jay Pilzer; Benedetto model information courtesy of Cindy Benedetto).
Electric instruments currently produced in Santa Monica, CA, since 2014. Instruments previously produced in New Hartford, CT 2012-2014, Corona, CA 1999-2005, Nashville, TN 1999-2000s, and overseas. Distributed by the Fender Musical Instrument Corporation (FMIC) of Scottsdale, AZ. Previously produced in New York City between 1952 and 1956, Hoboken, NJ, from late 1956-1968, and Westerly, RI 1969-late 1990s.

GUILD Electric Guitars Models

GUILD CE-100 CAPRI Image

GUILD CE-100 CAPRI

- single sharp cutaway hollow style, arched bound spruce top, raised bound black pickguard, 2 f-holes, maple back/sides/neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge/trapeze tailpiece, blackface...

GUILD CHRIS HILLMAN SIGNATURE BYRDS BASS Image

GUILD CHRIS HILLMAN SIGNATURE BYRDS BASS

- double rounded cutaway semi-hollow laminated maple body, ivory white binding with black/white purfling, two f-holes, two finger rests, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 21-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard with pearloid dot inlays and Byrds...

GUILD A-150 SAVOY Image

GUILD A-150 SAVOY

- single rounded cutaway hollow-style body, arched solid spruce top, laminated flame maple back and sides, ivory with black/white purfling body binding, two f-holes, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 20-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard with...

GUILD ARTIST AWARD Image

GUILD ARTIST AWARD

- carved spruce top, solid maple back, figured sides, DeArmond 1100 pickup, available in Blonde or Sunburst finish, case included, mfg. 2014 only.

GUILD STARFIRE BASS I Image

GUILD STARFIRE BASS I

- double round cutaway semi-hollow bound maple body, thumb/finger rests, two f-holes, three-piece maple neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, pearl Chesterfield/logo peghead inlay, two-per-side tuners, chrom...

GUILD SB-201 Image

GUILD SB-201

- offset double cutaway ash body, set-in maple neck, two-per-side headstock, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard, Chesterfield logo, split coil pickup, volume/tone controls, mfg. 1982-83.

GUILD PRO 4 Image

GUILD PRO 4

- offset double cutaway asymmetrical maple body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, four-on-one-side tuners, black hardware, two J-style active EMG pickups, two volume/tone controls, active...

GUILD ASHBORY Image

GUILD ASHBORY

- small curved teardrop body, neck-through design, four-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, piezo pickup under bridge, volume/tone controls, mfg. 1986-88.

GUILD X-79 SKYHAWK Image

GUILD X-79 SKYHAWK

- offset double cutaway asymmetrical mahogany body with fin like bottom bout, black pickguard, mahogany neck, 24-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, th...

GUILD T-250 Image

GUILD T-250

- single cutaway ash body, black pickguard, controls mounted on metal plate, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret maple fingerboard with black dot inlay, fixed bridge, six-on-one-side tuners, gold hardware, two single coil EMG pickups, volume/tone c...

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT Image

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT

- single rounded cutaway hollow mahogany body, bound spruce top, raised black laminated pickguard, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay, adjustable metal bridge/harp tailpiece, blackface peghead with pear...

GUILD S-25 Image

GUILD S-25

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, set neck, unbound top, two humbuckers, two knobs (v, tone), mfg. 1981-83.

GUILD NIGHTBIRD Image

GUILD NIGHTBIRD

- single cutaway bound chambered mahogany body and carved Sitka spruce or maple top, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound ebony fingerboard with diamond shaped inlays, finetune bridge/stop tailpiece, mfg. 1985-87.

GUILD M-80 Image

GUILD M-80

- dual cutaway bound mahogany body, raised black laminated pickguard, mahogany neck, 22-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/fixed tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl Chesterfield/logo inlay, three...

GUILD LIBERATOR Image

GUILD LIBERATOR

- offset double cutaway poplar body, bolt on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black hardware, six-on-a-side headstock, two single coils/one humbucker DiMarzio pickups, Guild/Mueller locking vibrato, mfg. 1988 only.

GUILD STARFIRE I Image

GUILD STARFIRE I

- single sharp cutaway thin hollow bound maple body, arched top, f-holes, raised black pickguard with star/logo, maple neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge/harp trapeze tailpiece, bound b...

GUILD DETONATOR (1ST SERIES) Image

GUILD DETONATOR (1ST SERIES)

- offset double cutaway poplar body, bolt-on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black hardware, six-on-a-side headstock, two single coils/one humbucker EMG active pickups, Floyd Rose locking vibrato, mfg. 1987-88.

GUILD BRIAN MAY Image

GUILD BRIAN MAY

- offset double cutaway bound mahogany body, black laminated pickguard, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/Brian May vibrato, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware,...

GUILD X-50 GRANADA Image

GUILD X-50 GRANADA

- hollow style body, arch spruce top, f-holes, raised black pickguard, bound body, mahogany back/sides/neck, 14/20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, adjustable rosewood bridge/trapeze tailpiece, blackface peghead with screened...

GUILD CE-100 D Image

GUILD CE-100 D

- similar to CE-100, except has 2 single coil pickups, 2 volume/2 tone controls, 3-position switch, mfg. 1952-1975.

GUILD M-85 BASS Image

GUILD M-85 BASS

- single rounded cutaway semi-hollow body, arched laminate spruce top, laminated maple back and sides, ivory white binding with black/white purfling, two finger rests, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 21-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard wit...

GUILD CE-100D CAPRI Image

GUILD CE-100D CAPRI

- single sharp cutaway hollow-style body, arched laminated maple top, laminated maple back and sides, ivory with black/white purfling body binding, two f-holes, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 20-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard with pearl...

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT Image

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT

- single rounded cutaway hollow arched select laminated spruce top, laminated mahogany sides, solid mahogany back, white with multiple black/white purfling body binding, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 22-fret indian rosewood fingerboard w...

GUILD SB-202 Image

GUILD SB-202

- similar to SB-201, except features two pickups, four knobs (two v, two tone), phase switch, mfg. 1982-83.

GUILD PRO 5 Image

GUILD PRO 5

- similar to the Pro 4, except in five-string configuration, 4/1-per-side tuners, disc. 1995.

GUILD B-301 Image

GUILD B-301

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, black laminated pickguard, mahogany neck, 20-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, fixed bridge, blackface peghead with pearl Chesterfield/logo inlay, two-per-side tuners, chrome hardware, si...

GUILD X-79-3 Image

GUILD X-79-3

- similar to the X-79, except features three single coil pickups, volume/tone controls, three mini switches, mfg. 1981-85.

GUILD NIGHTBIRD I Image

GUILD NIGHTBIRD I

- similar to the original Nightbird design, except has spruce top, unbound rosewood fingerboard, and unbound headstock, two DiMarzio pickups, separate coil tap and phase switches, and chrome hardware, mfg. 1987-88.

GUILD LIBERATOR II Image

GUILD LIBERATOR II

- offset double cutaway poplar body, bolt on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black hardware, six-on-a-side headstock, two single coils/one humbucker EMG active pickups, Floyd Rose locking vibrato, mfg. 1987-88.

GUILD Detonator (2nd Series) Image

GUILD Detonator (2nd Series)

- offset double cutaway poplar body, bolt on maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, black hardware, six-on-a-side headstock, two single coils/one humbucker DiMarzio pickups, Guild/Mueller locking vibrato, mfg. 1988 only.

GUILD BRIAN MAY SIGNATURE Image

GUILD BRIAN MAY SIGNATURE

- offset double cutaway bound mahogany body, black laminated pickguard, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/Brian May vibrato, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, three-per-side tuners, chrome hardware,...

GUILD STUART (BENEDETTO, NO. 360-9500/9501) Image

GUILD STUART (BENEDETTO, NO. 360-9500/9501)

- single smooth cutaway hollow body,carved hand-graduatedspruce top, solid carvedfigured maple back and sides, two bound f-holes, body and neck binding, five-piece curly maple neck, 20-fret ebony fingerboard with MOP block inlays and 19th f...

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT Image

GUILD M-75 ARISTOCRAT

- single rounded cutaway chambered body, arched laminated spruce top, solid mahogany back, laminated mahogany sides, ivory body binding, three-piece mahogany/maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearloid block inlays, three-per-sid...

GUILD X-500 STUART Image

GUILD X-500 STUART

- single round cutaway, hollowbody arched spruce top, laminated maple back and sides, white with multiple black/white purfling body binding, two f-holes, three-piece maple/walnut neck, 20-fret Indian rosewood fingerboard with vintage two-to...

GUILD X-100/X-110 Image

GUILD X-100/X-110

- non-cutaway hollow maple body, laminated spruce top, two f-holes, laminated maple/walnut neck, 20-fret fingerboard with large block inlays, bound headstock, three-per-side tuners, adj. bridge, trapeze tailpiece, raised pickguard, single p...

GUILD Starfire II Reissue (No. 360-7200) Image

GUILD Starfire II Reissue (No. 360-7200)

- single Florentine cutaway thinline hollow body, raised black pickguard, two Guild SD-1 humbuckers, adjustable rosewood bridge/harp tailpiece, chrome hardware, four knobs (two v, two tone), three-way toggle switch, available in Antique Bur...

GUILD BRIAN MAY PRO Image

GUILD BRIAN MAY PRO

- offset double cutaway mahogany body, bound mahogany top, black multilaminated pickguard, 24-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/Brian May vibrato, mahogany peghead with pearl logo inlay, three-per-side Schalle...

GUILD S-50 JET STAR Image

GUILD S-50 JET STAR

- offset double cutaway mahogany body with concave bottom bout, black pickguard, built-in stand, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, adjustable metal bridge/vibrato tailpiece, three-per-side tuners, chrome hard...

GUILD DUANE EDDY 400 Image

GUILD DUANE EDDY 400

- single round cutaway semi-hollow body, arched bound spruce top, f-holes, raised black pickguard with Duane Eddy´s signature, maple back/sides, mahogany neck, 20-fret bound rosewood fingerboard with pearl block inlay, adjustable bridg...