Posted 13 years ago
MadeiraMan
(1 item)
My 1970 Madeira Guild A30M (Original Owner). Bought in N.Y. on 45th st. My "Mint" Madeira with a Spruce Top-Maple sides and back-Rosewood Fret Board-Abalone inlays and the deepest sweetest tone and sound I have ever heard come out of an acoustic guitar. This guitar just resonates sound like I have never heard. Every piece is american made then was shipped and put together in Japan. The action is perfect and I know I own a one of a kind as I can't find one like it anywhere in the world. As luthiers say a guitar gets better with age and at 41 yrs. old thats a whole lot better. It is amazing to look at and is easily the best sounding guitar I have ever owned.
I'm original owner of an A30M. All you say is true; mine however needs a bridge replacement (hey that's ok; I needed my knees fixed a few years ago and now I'm as good as new!)
I brought a Guild Madeira model A-32 SB serial number 555576 back in the late 70's early 80's for $149.00 at a Sam Goody Store. I have never played a more crisp guitar and could never give it up. I have now passed it on to my 15 year old daughter who is getting quite good at playing which I have to thank Taylor Swift for! Does anyone happen to know what year this guitar was made. I am just curious because it was used when I purchased it and I have always loved this guitar. I would like a little history which I have found hard to find.
sorry, you don't have the only one , i have one just like it
Just wondering, is the serial number 5 or 6 digits for this guitar?
BEAUTIFUL !!!
I'm not into guitars but have built 2 banjo's(can't play a lick). That maple is incredible! I love working beautiful wood & think whoever built that was probably even surprised when they saw the grain.
Truly incredibly beautiful!
I have this guitar as well, But mine has a story that means alot to me. My father Dean Schaffer was the proud owner of this guitar and I watched and learned on this guitar, it was a little boys dream to be just like his father. Over the years the guitar became old and in need of some T.L.C. and its master was stricken with cancer and my father no longer had the strength to play it so my father gave it to me, it brought him great joy that I didn't just let it collect dust. I restrung it and fixed the bridge and nut and a few other things . This guitar is now mine after my fathers passing and it means the world to me when I play it it sounds so beautiful to me and Its how I get close to god, if that makes any sense I have pic of "dad" playin it when I was a toddler so its gotta be more than 30 years old what caught my eye in the title post was the phrase "the older it gets the better it sounds" its funny because when I talk about it thats the first thing I say. so for fellow owners and inheritors play this guitar and you will get closer to god I know for a fact I do every time I play It. Mothers and fathers pass it on to your sons and daughters and they will be better because of music's gift.
I own an A 30MS Serial No#80222. Purchased in NYC in 1970. It has a very unique sound and is as gorgeous as the model pictured above...It is my oldest and dearest guitar. I usually just look at it...but I'll replace the strings and start playing it again (I own half a dozen guitars and play only a few...but I've got to use this one now that I've heard that tone...)
gatlaw, you sure on the 1970 date? I also own an A30MS, my serial number is also 5 digits and begins with 802. I bought mine in New Jersey, new, in 1980.
Madeira probably came out in 1973. I also have the same guitar and it was in all likelihood from 1975-1979 ('75 is when the curved top came out). See this excellent article about Madeira by guild's steel string guitars: https://aoxoa.co/madeira-guild-acoustic-guitar/ it is likely the best source on the web for Madeira.
Also, this one doesn't get better with age in the same way that all solid or solid top guitars do. The A-30M is not a solid wood guitar, it is laminate (not composite though ;-)---unless you have some rare outlier.
I just bought or should say did some horse trading for a Madiera A-30M...three pedals, a nice case (Acoutic $89.00 new) and a cheapy Johnson guitar I cam out a head because all I had into it was 149.00 for case and the Johnson. The asking was 300.00 it came with the original Fiberboard Case (Nostalgia) and this mondel is Spruce solid top, no laminate your can see the grain wrap the edge of sound hole and it has Maple sides and nicely Match Booked Flame Maple Back. even came with the original Hang Tag...Japan made probably 70-75 era based on Sticker and Label being oval. Deep lush sound, Light Mahogany Neck with RosewoodFinger Board that is bound and yellowed nicely it matches. the body;body is bound front and back.
to JimWXYZ...you are correct! I typed 1970 and I meant to type 1980...I remember buying this guitar at "going out of business" sale from a dealer in lower Manhattan (I think it was on Chambers Street) when I was working at a law firm located at 299 Broadway. I started working at the firm in 1978-79 while I was in Law School. I MAY have purchased it at that time or a little later. I cannot recall that actual date. But you are right it could NOT have been in 1970.
This is NOT a laminate guitar. The grain is clearly visible INSIDE the guitar.
Great sounding guitar! Mine as well is a 1970 model just like this one.I have owned more guitars then i can remember lol, and currently have many guitars,4 of them being acoustics.I currently own a 914ce Taylor and 314ce ,Vintage Yamaha 12 string and the 1970 A30M..Not sure of the later models but the 1970 A30M is most definitely NOT laminate.It won't stand up to the 914ce for many many obvious reasons ( completely different class beast) but it does stand up and shine in it's own much cheaper way. It has that nice sounding bright Maple bold tone that cuts through.Thinking i needed a beater i bought mine from a friend in great condition at a loving price..It's no beater! I had a re fret done and as well switched out the tuning pegs and slapped a fishman pickup in the sound hole.Worth every cent! As well i use Elixer phosphor bronze strings 12 to 53..Plays and sounds like a dream! I have no idea how the newer (mid 70's to mid 80's)models sound but if you see a 1970's model in good condition.Snag it! No regrets!
I bought my A 30M in 1973. Since then it has been my traveling companion, my therapist, my go-to connection to music, and my faithful buddy that never once let me down. Wives & lovers have come and gone, but my Madeira is the constant in my life. I've never seen a more beautiful axe. In direct light the maple stripes actually move. Ah, the sound!
I re-read all the posts and now that I am thinking about it, my A30 MS has a serial number 80222. Is the "80" and indicator of the year? I noticed another post where the first three digits of the 5 digit serial number was "802". Another post had a serial number listed as 555576 (the last 2 digits matched his description of the approx year he purchased his. I probably bought mine in 81...which would make sense. I seem to recall I bought it was a gift to myself for passing the bar and being admitted to practice in...1981. Possible.
I have this guitar also, a 1976 Madeira A30M (the "M" is for Mahogany or, in my case and MadeiraMan's, Maple) purchased in 1977 at the House of Guitars in Rochester NY, SN 760412. I've had to have the top steamed down due to belly bulge and a couple of bridge re-glues over the years, but she is still my go-to writing companion and sounds as sweet as ever at 47 years old. Love, love, love this guitar, and she is ready to have a 2nd life with someone else after I am gone.