Why are Guild 12-strings considered the benchmark?

Guild has specialized in twelve-string guitars for decades and perfected the design: the F-512's jumbo body proportions, bracing pattern, and neck profile create that shimmering, balanced chorus by which the great 12-string sound is recognized. The F-512 is widely considered the genre's benchmark, and Jimi Hendrix famously bought a left-handed F-212 back in the day. The buyer's advantage: thanks to this expertise, even Guild's mid-range twelve-strings (such as the F-2512CE from the Westerly Collection) compete with other brands' premium instruments. If you're shopping for a 12-string, start with Guild.

What does Guild's arched back do?

The arched back is Guild's signature construction, dating back to the first archtops of 1953. The curved back works like a membrane and needs no bracing: the instrument becomes lighter while the sound gets louder, with better projection and a characteristic open resonance. It's what shapes the recognizable Guild voice. In the modern lineup, a whole Archback family in the Westerly Collection is devoted to it — from compact concert bodies to jumbos. When comparing Guild with other brands in the store, notice the tangible difference in volume and response.

What are Newark St. and the Starfire guitars?

Newark St. is the line reviving Guild's classic electric guitars of the 50s–60s (the name references the address of the historic Hoboken factory). The stars are the Starfire semi-hollows: the thin fully hollow Starfire I–III and the center-block Starfire IV–VI, chosen in the 60s by West Coast psychedelic bands. The line also includes the M-75 Aristocrat/Bluesbird single-cuts, the S-100 Polara, and Starfire basses made famous by the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Vintage blues and rock character with modern tuning stability and hardware.

Do you offer delivery and installment payments?

Yes. We deliver across Ukraine via Nova Poshta within 1–3 business days, free from 4,000 UAH; consultation and pickup are available in Kyiv (15 Olzhycha St., Dorohozhychi metro). Before buying, you can play the instruments at our showroom and compare models side by side. Installment payments via PrivatBank and monobank are available with no extra fees. We'll bundle a complete kit with your guitar — case or gig bag, strings, capo, tuner — in one shipment. For music schools and institutions we work through Prozorro tenders and bank transfer. Tel. +380 (73) 060 01 01.

GUILD

Q: What is Guild known for?

The Guild Guitar Company was founded in 1952–1953 in New York by guitarist Alfred Dronge, staffing its first workshop with craftsmen from the Epiphone factory. Guild means the D-40 dreadnought Richie Havens played to open Woodstock 1969, the flagship D-55 that has stood toe-to-toe with the world's best dreadnoughts for decades, the benchmark F-512 and F-212 twelve-strings, and the Starfire semi-hollows chosen by Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead) and Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane). Guild acoustics were played by Paul Simon, Nick Drake, John Denver, Stephen Stills, and Bob Marley. Today the brand is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group. SoundsGood is the official Guild dealer in Ukraine.

Q: How does the Westerly Collection differ from the USA series?

The USA series is the flagship: M, D, and F acoustics and twelve-strings are handcrafted at Guild's Oxnard, California factory from all-solid select tonewoods. The Westerly Collection is named after the brand's golden era (the Westerly, Rhode Island factory, 1967–2001) and is built at partner factories under Guild's control: solid tops, all-solid bodies on the higher models, the signature arched back, and Guild's recognizable aesthetics at a significantly more accessible price. Newark St. electric guitars are made in South Korea, Indonesia, and China depending on the model.

Q: Which Guild should a beginner choose?

Look at the Westerly Collection: the D-120 or the all-solid D-140 dreadnought is the universal choice for strumming and first songs, while the compact solid-mahogany M-120 is more comfortable for smaller players and home practice. If you plan to perform, go for CE versions with a cutaway and electronics. All of them have solid tops, so the sound only opens up over the years. This is the case where a first guitar can stay with you forever. Tell us your height, repertoire, and budget — we'll match a specific model.

Q: How much do Guild guitars cost?

Guild traditionally gives you more guitar for the money compared to bigger-name American brands. The Westerly Collection starts with accessible solid-top models (D-120, M-120) and goes up to all-solid dreadnoughts and acoustic-electrics. Newark St. is the mid-range category for semi-hollows. The handcrafted USA series (D-55, F-512, M-20) is premium, yet usually noticeably more affordable than direct competitors of the same class. Price depends on the series, solid-wood construction, electronics, and country of manufacture. Prozorro tender supplies are available. Check current prices with our manager.

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Guild — the American Acoustic Legend Since 1953

The Guild Guitar Company (New York, since 1953) is the brand whose D-40 dreadnought opened Woodstock in the hands of Richie Havens, and whose F-512 twelve-strings defined the sound of the genre. The catalog includes the legendary D Series dreadnoughts (up to the flagship D-55), F Series jumbos and 12-strings, compact M bodies for fingerstyle, the accessible Westerly Collection with the signature arched back, and Newark St. electrics with the Starfire semi-hollows. Guild was played by Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Bob Marley, and the musicians of the Grateful Dead. SoundsGood is the official Guild dealer in Ukraine: genuine instruments, manufacturer warranty, delivery across Ukraine, and Prozorro tenders.

🎸D dreadnoughts
The guitar of Woodstock

✨F-512 12-strings
The genre benchmark

🏛️Westerly Collection
Signature sound, accessible

🎷Starfire
Legendary semi-hollow

🎸 Types of Guild Guitars

🎸 D Series dreadnoughts

The guitar of Woodstock — from Richie Havens' D-40 to the flagship D-55. Powerful strumming sound.

✨ F Series jumbos & 12-strings

The genre benchmark — the F-512 and F-212 defined the big 12-string sound. A shimmering string chorus.

🎼 Compact M Series

Fingerstyle & recording — Nick Drake's M-20: clarity, note separation, a comfortable body.

🏛️ Westerly Collection

Accessible classics — solid tops and the signature Archback at a fair price, with CE and 12-string options.

🎷 Newark St. electrics

Starfire I–VI, Polara, Bluesbird — vintage 60s semi-hollows and single-cuts, built for today.

🇺🇸 USA Series

Handcrafted in Oxnard — the flagship D-55, F-512, and M-20 in select solid tonewoods.

🆚 Guild Series

The series defines the body, tonewoods, and purpose of the instrument. Here's a guide.

Series	Body	Best For	Key Point
D (dreadnought)	Dreadnought	Strumming, stage	The Woodstock D-40, flagship D-55
F (jumbo/12)	Jumbo	The 12-string sound	F-512 — the genre benchmark
M (compact)	Concert	Fingerstyle, recording	M-20 — Nick Drake's guitar
Westerly Collection	All shapes	Starter & mid-level	Solid tops, Archback, price
Newark St.	Semi-hollow	Blues, rock, indie	Starfire, Polara, basses

Not sure? Tell us your repertoire and budget, and we'll recommend the right Guild series and model.

🔍 What to Look For When Choosing

🪵 Solid woods

A solid top opens up over the years; all-solid bodies come on higher Westerly and USA models.

🌉 Arched back

The signature Archback: a lighter instrument, louder sound, and better projection with no bracing.

📏 Body size

D dreadnought — powerful bass; F jumbo — volume and 12 strings; compact M — comfort and clarity.

🔌 Electronics

CE versions with a cutaway and pickup — for the stage; pure acoustics — maximum resonance.

⭐ Guild Categories

Dreadnoughts

D Series

From the Westerly D-120/D-140 to the legendary USA D-55 — the sound of Woodstock.

Learn more →

12-strings

F Series

The F-512, F-212, and acoustic-electric F-2512CE — the benchmark string chorus.

Learn more →

Compact

M Series

The M-20 and M-120 — fingerstyle, recording, and comfortable home playing.

Learn more →

Accessible

Westerly Collection

Solid tops, the Archback, and Guild's signature aesthetics at a fair price.

Learn more →

Electric

Newark St.

Starfire semi-hollows, the S-100 Polara, and basses — vintage character.

Learn more →

Check exact stock and models with our manager — we'll match a Guild to your style and budget.

🚚 Delivery, Warranty & Installments

📦

Delivery across Ukraine

Via Nova Poshta; free from 4,000 ₴

🏪

Try it in Kyiv

15 Olzhycha St., Dorohozhychi metro

🛡️

Official Guild dealer

Genuine, manufacturer warranty

💳

Installment payments

PrivatBank, monobank — no extra fees

🎵

Advice from musicians

Matched to your style and budget

🏛️

Prozorro tenders

Supplies for schools and institutions

🔗 Related Categories

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guild known for?

The D-40 dreadnought that opened Woodstock, the flagship D-55, the benchmark F-512/F-212 twelve-strings, and the Starfire semi-hollows (Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane). Founded in New York in 1953, now part of the Yamaha Guitar Group.

Why are Guild 12-strings the benchmark?

Decades of specialization: the F-512's jumbo proportions, bracing, and neck created the genre's model chorus. Even mid-range models (F-2512CE) compete with other brands' premium offerings.

Westerly Collection or USA?

USA — handcrafted in Oxnard from all-solid woods. Westerly — the signature construction (solid top, Archback) at partner factories at accessible prices. Newark St. — the electric guitars.

What does the arched back do?

The signature Archback since 1953: with no bracing the instrument is lighter, the sound louder with better projection. It's the foundation of the recognizable Guild voice.

Which Guild should a beginner choose?

The Westerly D-120/D-140 is the universal dreadnought; the M-120 is more compact for home. For the stage — CE versions with electronics. The solid top will open up over the years.

What are Newark St. and Starfire?

Guild's classic electric line: Starfire I–VI semi-hollows, Bluesbird single-cuts, the S-100 Polara, and basses. Vintage blues-rock character with modern reliability.

How much do Guild guitars cost?

Guild gives you more guitar for the money: Westerly — the accessible start, Newark St. — mid-range, USA (D-55, F-512) — premium, more affordable than direct competitors. Check prices with our manager.

Delivery and payment?

Nova Poshta across Ukraine in 1–3 days, free from 4,000 UAH; try-outs and pickup in Kyiv (15 Olzhycha St.). PrivatBank and monobank installments. Prozorro tenders for institutions. Tel. +380 (73) 060 01 01.

📞 Order a Guild Guitar

📱 Phone

+380 (73) 060 01 01

✉️ E-mail

info@soundsgood.kiev.ua

📍 Address

15 Olzhycha St., Kyiv, 04116
Metro: Dorohozhychi

🕐 Hours

Mon–Fri: 11:00–18:00
Sat–Sun: closed

🎸 Official Dealer in Ukraine

Guild — the American Guitar Legend Since 1953

The Guild Guitar Company is one of America's most respected guitar brands, founded in New York by guitarist Alfred Dronge. A Guild D-40 dreadnought opened Woodstock in the hands of Richie Havens, the F-512 twelve-strings are considered the benchmark of the genre, and Starfire semi-hollows were heard with the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane. Guild was played by Paul Simon, Nick Drake, Bob Marley, and John Denver. Every instrument comes with an official warranty at SoundsGood.

🏭 USA, since 1953 🎯 Acoustics & Semi-hollows ✅ Genuine with Warranty

✅Official manufacturer warranty

🚚Free delivery from 4,000 UAH

💳Installment payments, no extra fees

🎸Try before you buy at our Kyiv showroom

The Guild Story: From a Manhattan Workshop to Woodstock

Guild was founded in 1952–1953 by New York guitarist and music-store owner Alfred Dronge. The first workshop on Pearl Street in Manhattan gathered experienced craftsmen from the Epiphone factory, and Guild's earliest archtops quickly won over jazz guitarists. In 1967 production moved to Westerly, Rhode Island — the 34 "Westerly years" are considered the brand's golden era.

That's when Guild became the voice of the folk and rock generation: Richie Havens opened Woodstock 1969 on a Guild D-40 dreadnought; Paul Simon, Nick Drake, John Denver, Stephen Stills, and Bob Marley played Guild acoustics; and the Starfire semi-hollows were chosen by Jerry Garcia and Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead and Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane. Guild's signature features are the arched back, which adds volume and projection, and the "Chesterfield" headstock inlay.

Today Guild is part of the Yamaha Guitar Group (via Córdoba Music Group). Flagship M, D, and F models are handcrafted at the Oxnard, California factory; the Westerly Collection delivers the signature Guild sound at accessible prices; and Newark St. revives the brand's classic electric and semi-hollow guitars.

Main Guild Series

D Series — Legendary Dreadnoughts

From the D-40 that rang out at Woodstock to the flagship D-55, which has competed with the world's best dreadnoughts for decades. Powerful, deep sound for strumming and the stage.

F Series — Jumbos & Benchmark 12-Strings

Big jumbo bodies and the legendary F-512 and F-212 twelve-strings — instruments that defined the sound of the genre. A shimmering, chiming string chorus you can't mistake.

M Series — Compact Bodies for Fingerstyle

The M-20 is "that" Nick Drake guitar: a small body with clarity and note separation. The perfect choice for fingerstyle, recording, and home playing.

Westerly Collection — the Signature Sound at Accessible Prices

A tribute to the golden Westerly era: solid-top models with Guild's arched back (Archback) — from compact concert bodies to jumbos, including acoustic-electrics and 12-strings.

Newark St. — Classic Guild Electrics

The legends reborn: Starfire I–VI semi-hollows, M-75 Aristocrat/Bluesbird single-cuts, the S-100 Polara, and Starfire basses. Vintage character with modern reliability.

USA Series — Handcrafted in Oxnard, California

Flagship M, D, F acoustics and F twelve-strings, handmade in the USA from select tonewoods. Lifetime instruments for the most demanding players.

Who Are Guild Guitars For?

Level	Recommended Series	What You Get
Beginners	Westerly D-120, D-140, M-120	A solid top and the signature Guild sound at first "serious guitar" prices
Experienced players	Westerly OM/F, CE acoustic-electrics, F-2512CE 12-strings	All-solid bodies, stage-ready electronics, the arched back
Professionals	USA D-55, F-512, M-20, Newark St. Starfire	US handcraft, benchmark 12-strings, vintage semi-hollow tone

Guild is the choice for folk, country, indie, blues, and rock accompaniment. And if you're after a 12-string guitar, Guild has been considered the genre's leading specialist for decades — even mid-range models compete with other brands' premium instruments.

SoundsGood — Official Guild Dealer in Ukraine

When you buy a Guild guitar at SoundsGood, you get a 100% genuine instrument with the official manufacturer's warranty and a full set of documents. We work directly through official supply channels — no grey-market instruments.

✅ Genuine products — official warranty and documents with every instrument
🎸 Try before you buy — visit our Kyiv showroom and play the instrument yourself
🎵 Advice from musicians — we'll help you choose a model for your playing style and budget
💳 Installment payments — PrivatBank and monobank plans with no extra fees
🚚 Delivery across Ukraine — Nova Poshta in 1–3 days, free from 4,000 UAH
📦 Everything for guitarists — strings, cases, capos, and accessories in one place

Guild — Frequently Asked Questions

What is Guild known for?

Legendary American acoustics: the D-40 opened Woodstock, the D-55 is one of the world's benchmark dreadnoughts, and the F-512/F-212 twelve-strings are considered the best in the genre. Plus the Starfire semi-hollows chosen by musicians of the Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane.

How does the Westerly Collection differ from the USA series?

The USA series is handcrafted in Oxnard, California from all-solid woods — that's the flagship. The Westerly Collection is built at partner factories under Guild's control and brings the signature construction (solid top, arched back) into an accessible price range.

What does the arched back do?

Guild's signature construction since 1953: the arched back needs no bracing, so the instrument is lighter while the sound is louder with better projection. It's what shapes the recognizable Guild character.

Is there a warranty and delivery?

Yes, every Guild guitar at SoundsGood is covered by the official manufacturer's warranty. We deliver across Ukraine via Nova Poshta in 1–3 days, free from 4,000 UAH; pickup is available in Kyiv (15 Olzhycha St.).