After having played and learned much on my Cort dreadnought for a couple of years, I wanted to upgrade to an all solid wood guitar. After trying a few in the shops around Berlin, such as a Takamine, an Eastwood, and others, it came down to a choice between a Guild and a Yamaha. While needing a pickup as well (with my jamming buddies I always feel that I'm struggling to have myself heard), I didn't want the usual gross pickup control on the upper side (some even use 4 AA batteries). I also finally decided on an OM size, partly because while sitting down I was getting a sore shoulder, but also for developing better my finger-picking. Around the same price range, the Yamaha LS 16 and Guild 140 are comparable, though the Guild has bone nut and sattel.
So, went for the Guild OM-140, and had to get the cutaway (which I didn't want), because it was available at Thomann. I have to say that I was a bit apprehensive about mahogany, and wasn't sure if I'd prefer Rosewood back and side, although that was over 100 Euro more.
The guitar came last Thursday, and what a guitar it has turned out to be. Absolutely flawless, the set-up perfect, and as they say, playable straight out of the box, the lovely Guild case the guitar comes in. It wasn't in tune, but each string was identically out of tune.
With the C-shape neck, if that is what one is used to, it is very easy to play, and barre chords just ring out at the fifth and seventh frets.
Intonation up to the twelfth fret is spot on, better than my other guitars (Squire vibe tele, and epi les paul tribute).
For those worried about changing the battery, it is a bit like the TT Takamines, and you can get away with just loosening the high three strings to get your hand in (maybe the d as well if you have big hands)
The guitar is supposed to have a slightly wider nut that my 42.5mm Cort, but they feel pretty much the same.
The guitar has a surprising amount of sustain, and just sounds amazing, a bit like a high end Eastman.
Guild's westerly collection must surely be one of the best outside of north America. As usual, Thomas delivered quickly and a great product.
