Guild
Guild started in New York in 1952 and spent decades doing two things well: big archtops and jazz boxes, and some of the best-regarded American flat-top acoustics outside the obvious names. The Starfire semi-hollows and the S-100 Polara have had a second life with players who found the Gibson equivalents priced out of reach. Our coverage tracks the reissues and limited runs, including the S-300 revival and the Polara range expansions.
Cult Guitar Reborn: The Legend Returns with the Guild S-300 Deluxe
The cult-classic 1970s icon returns! Check out our review of the new Guild S-300 Deluxe, featuring upgraded hardware, a 2-way phase switch, and killer metallic finishes for under $800.
- Acoustic guitars
- Electric guitars
- Bass guitars
- D-55
- Starfire
- F-512
- Surfliner
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Guild FAQ4 questions
Who owns Guild?
Yamaha, indirectly. The Guild Guitar Company was founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge, a guitarist and music-store owner; the brand sits under Córdoba Music Group, and the Yamaha Guitar Group acquired Córdoba in February 2023.
What is Guild known for?
Acoustics above all — the jumbo and dreadnought flat-tops, and the twelve-strings in particular, have a long-standing reputation. The Starfire semi-hollow electrics are the other pillar, and they have been rediscovered repeatedly by players looking for an alternative to the obvious Gibson equivalents.
Are Guild guitars made in the USA?
Some are. Guild runs a US operation for its higher-end acoustics alongside imported ranges built overseas, and it is now based in Oxnard, California. The series designation is what tells you which, not the headstock.
What is a Guild Starfire?
The company's semi-hollow and hollow-body electric line, dating to the late 1950s. Starfire basses in particular developed a following well outside their original market, and current versions of both the guitars and basses are in the range.