Guild Serial Number Formats
Sequential digits(1952-2001)Guild used sequential numbering for USA production.
KS/KP/IC/CY + digits(2000s-present)Import models with country prefixes.
Where to Find Your Guild Serial Number
- ▶On the back of the headstock
- ▶On the label inside acoustic models
Tips
- ▶Westerly, RI era Guilds (1968-2001) are particularly prized for their acoustic guitars.
Spotting Counterfeit Guild Guitars
Guild counterfeits are less common than Gibson or Fender fakes, but vintage Guilds from the Westerly era command high prices and have attracted some counterfeiters.
Serial Number & Labels▼
- ▶Verify the serial number falls within known Guild ranges for the claimed era and factory. Inconsistencies between the serial number and the guitar's features are a red flag.
- ▶Westerly-era Guilds have specific internal labels and stamps. The absence of proper internal branding on a claimed vintage Guild is suspicious.
Build Quality & Features▼
- ▶Guild acoustics are known for their distinctive arched backs and robust construction. Flat backs on models that should have arching are a concern.
- ▶Check the Chesterfield headstock inlay — it should be clean and properly positioned. Poorly executed inlays indicate a fake.
- ▶Guild's hardware (especially DeArmond pickups on vintage models) should be era-appropriate. Modern generic hardware on a claimed vintage Guild is a red flag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were Guild guitars made?▼
Guild has manufactured in several locations: New York City (1952-1956), Hoboken, NJ (1956-1968), Westerly, RI (1968-2001), Corona, CA (2001-2004), New Hartford, CT (2004-2008), and more recently in Oxnard, CA and overseas. The Westerly era is widely considered the golden age of Guild acoustic production.
What is a Westerly era Guild?▼
Westerly-era Guilds (1968-2001) are the most sought-after modern Guilds. The Rhode Island factory workforce developed deep craft expertise over three decades, and Guild acoustics from this period — particularly the D-40, D-50, and F-512 twelve-string — are frequently compared to pre-war Martins in quality and tonal character.
Are Guild guitars still made in the USA?▼
Yes. Cordoba Music Group acquired Guild in 2014 and relaunched USA production at a facility in Oxnard, California. The USA-made Newark St. Collection and all-solid American series are built there. Import models in the Westerly Collection are made in China and offer accessible price points while maintaining Guild's acoustic heritage.
Guild Links & Resources
Guild Gallery
More About Guild
Guild Guitar Company was founded in New York City in 1952 by Alfred Dronge, a jazz guitarist and music shop owner, and George Mann, a former executive at Epiphone. Several skilled craftsmen from Epiphone joined the new company, giving Guild an immediate foundation of expertise. The New York factory produced archtops, thinlines, and flat-tops that competed directly — and favourably — with Gibson and Epiphone.
Guild relocated to Hoboken, New Jersey in 1956 and then to Westerly, Rhode Island in 1968. The Westerly era, lasting until 2001, is considered the golden age of Guild acoustic guitar production. The D-40, D-50, and F-512 twelve-string from this period are particularly prized by collectors and players. The Westerly workforce developed a deep craft identity, and Guild acoustics from this period are frequently compared to pre-war Martins in their build quality and tonal character.
Guild has changed hands several times since the 1960s. Avnet acquired the company in 1966, followed by a series of corporate owners including U.S. Musical Instruments, Fender, and Cordoba Music Group, which currently owns the brand. Production shifted to Oxnard, California in 2014 and a new USA-made line was launched there, returning Guild to American manufacturing after a period of import-only production.