Guild: Handcrafted Legacy, Timeless Tone

Guild Guitars was founded in 1952 by Alfred Dronge (a guitarist and music-store owner) and George Mannon, as a brand rooted in a passion for jazz guitar and high-quality craftsmanship. Their first instruments were full-depth hollowbody electrics, catering to guitarists seeking tone and style beyond the burgeoning solid-body market.  

Over the years, Guild expanded into acoustics and archtops, becoming known for its signature “arched-back” acoustic backs, which allowed for greater projection and lighter weight without heavy internal bracing. Some of Guild’s most beloved models include the D-series dreadnoughts (like the D-55), the F-series flat-tops, and the Starfire line of semi-hollow electrics.  

Guild’s journey included several relocations and ownership changes. Production moved from New York to Hoboken, New Jersey, then to Westerly, Rhode Island, where the company built much of its acoustic legacy. In 1995, Fender acquired the brand and later shifted Guild’s production across various U.S. facilities. In 2014, the Córdoba Music Group purchased Guild, and under their leadership the brand began re-establishing U.S. production in Oxnard, California, with a renewed focus on quality and legacy models.  

Throughout its history, Guild has been associated with notable musicians such as Jerry Garcia, Kim Thayil, John Denver, and Tom Smothers, helping to cement its reputation in rock, folk, jazz, and more.  

Today, Guild continues to merge tradition with modern innovation, producing acoustic, electric, and bass guitars that honor the brand’s heritage while embracing newer design and construction techniques under its renewed U.S. operations.  

More info from the Web:

Dating your Guild (Guild website)

GAD's Guilds