Guild GAD 30R

[Justaguyin_nc]

I got a Guild GAD30R used off the bay...
I am very impressed with this guitar!
I only have had Dreadnaught guitars before this and cheaper models.
I had a problem with my arm falling asleep if I sat and played for long periods.
This OM size is just a bit smaller and thinner.. and cured the problem!
Very comfortable in the lap! Just a joy to hold and play!

The Dreads had Laminated or Solid Spruce tops and Mahogany backs/sides.

This is my first Fully Wood SOLID rosewood guitar with spruce top.
The Rosewood as I often read, is warmer than Mahogany, less bassy.
You can hear each string ring out in a nice warm sensed tone.

Really sweet for ballads, finger picking, Willie Nelson, Clapton etc acoustics.
Heck, even heart of gold sounds cool strumming on it!

First, it comes in a nice archtop tweedish case.. classy looking!

The headstock has Abalone Guild markings in a nice classy style.
no stickers here.

The tuners are Grover open butterbeans... nice classy look that works well!

The guitar has One piece solid Mahogany neck 1 3/4 wide.
The neck is not C shaped but rather like a flatted C and thinner than say a sigma, much like Musicman/olp electrics.

A bit wider than a normal Acoustic but not 2 inch classical,
it just all feels right and plays fast.. great looking Mahogany grained backside!

Ebony fret board that has some super looking Abalone Markers.
Snowflake markers under magnify show no filling.. done nicely!

The fret board is not bound nor is it needed. feels great!
Edit:actually, maybe it does have black binding that blends in perfectly!
The Frets are nicely done on the ends with abalone dot side markers.

Truss rod adjustment at bottom inside guitar.

The Rosewood back and sides are solid and glossed over nicely.
It does not look to have to much gloss on it.
with the stripe down the middle again great work!

The binding is not plastic! Also wood..
flame maple binding front and back with a maple heel.

The Bridge, in different articles states Ebony or Rosewood.
This one looks like Ebony to me but I have no sure way of knowing.

The Bridge pins come with MOP dots.

There is only an endpin, no strap pin on the neck or bodysides.
Mine actually has a LRBaggs I-beam inside which works quite well as the endpin.

The top is Solid Spruce with circle markings of white and black for the rossette.

A single layer tortise shell for the pickguard compliments it nicely!

Mine has the Ice Tea Burst which is just amazing in looks! Ab-soul-lutley gorgeous!
Depending on the light, it transforms the guitars looks.
from great to greater!!

Sound is everything I expected and more!
The smaller size still produces a very balanced and robust sound with the character Rosewood provides.

I am in awwww of the sound I can produce with it. especially at my level!
Songs I needed inprovement at sound so much better through the GAD30R!
Notes just seem to jump out, while each string is heard with clarity!

instead of uploading my own picture.. I found one that looks identical to mine
Although mine has a nice pickup for the endpin and does not have the jackstrap button shown on this one's body...
eventually I will get around to taking some pictures.. resizing for the fretnet makes the strings kinda funny looking..
links to fuller size:

http://www.box.net/shared/cjpgxbu0ow

http://www.box.net/shared/hehd3w9s0s


These ICE TEA BURST's are just stunning to say the least!!

I would have to put it down first to take pictures..
it even goes to bed with me at this point..sigh
These sell online for 750.00-799.00 I think.. without pickup..

After getting a great deal on this and something happens to it..
I will buy one new to replace it.. no doubt!!
it is crafted in china.. and THEY know what they are doing!
Ofcourse time will be the judge on quality
but to this rookie..it's 100% quality built!
Don't pass because it said China on the sticker..
if your looking for a OM size Solid wood guitar..have a look!