Basses

Constant companion – how Guild’s most affordable acoustics yet are perfect for players of all levels

October 31, 2024

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In the world of guitars, a lot of ink gets spilled about the most glamorous and exciting instruments out there – and understandably so! But it’s also important to remember the joy that can be found at the other end of the budget spectrum – no matter your level of playing experience.
The new 300 Series guitars are Guild’s most affordable acoustics ever, with a US street price of just $299 – making the brand’s guitar-building heritage more accessible than ever. The series consists of four guitars – the D-320, the D-340, the OM-320 and the OM-340, offering spruce and mahogany versions of the classic Dreadnought and Orchestra Model shapes. And they have a lot to offer players of all stripes – whether it’s laying the right foundations as a starter guitar, or giving more experienced guitarists a grab-and-go instrument for everyday use. Let’s explore the joy of a quality affordable acoustic guitar, and how the 300 Series can play that role perfectly.
Made To Be Played
The open-pore natural satin finish gives these guitars a played in look straight out of the box (Image: Guild)
Of course, there’s little joy to be had in any guitar – no matter the price – that doesn’t play, sound or look great. But Guild’s new 300 Series instruments feature some seriously impressive specifications, the most notable being solid spruce tops for the 340 models, and solid mahogany tops for the 320 models. The top of an acoustic is arguably its most important asset, as it’s doing the majority of the work turning string vibrations into moving air. Solid wood tops can really make a huge difference in how lively and enjoyable a guitar is to play, and also allow the sonic character of the chosen top wood to shine.
The solid top also elevates the look of the 300 Series guitars – the deep and complex grain is on full display, framed by the models’ sleek black binding. Completing the look are a stylish black tortoiseshell pickguard and a classic nickel Guild peak logo on the headstock. The finish is also a gorgeous open-pore satin – you might be used to thick gloss coats on affordable acoustics, but these tough finishes can really deaden the sound. The open-pore satin finishes of the 300 Series guitars add to their lively, responsive tone, allowing the guitars body to resonate and breathe. It’s hard to overstate just how unique appointments like this are for $299 guitars – there are few other affordable acoustics out there with solid tops and open-pore finishes.
Solid Foundations
Bridge and fingerboard are both rosewood – adding the the premium feel. (Image: Guild)
Affordable instruments with such great specs, of course, make excellent beginner options. Guild’s most affordable guitars yet have a lot to offer those just starting out – as when you’re learning, laying the right foundations is incredibly important. Having a guitar that doesn’t get in your way when it comes to playability can really make your learning journey much easier, and ensures you don’t develop bad habits just to get around things like high string action – the 300 Series’ balance between affordability and playability lets beginners access the great lineage of Guild acoustics as platform to start on – and that’s a pretty sturdy platform!
One of the most important things when learning is also understanding the relationship between your playing and how a guitar will respond, sonically. Learning on a guitar with deadened sustain or a dull tone can take the wind of your sails just as much as a guitar with poor playability, or even get you in the habit of hammering the strings just to get a satisfying sound. But thanks to their solid tops and open-pore finishes, the Guild 300 Series can provide beginners with a dynamic, natural playing experience straight away.
The fact that the guitars make no compromises across their whole construction also lays down some great foundational understanding of the industry-standard guitar styles, too – with the booming, loud voice of the Dreadnought shape and the more focused, midrange-heavy voice of the Orchestra Model shape.
Everyday, Grab-and-go Guitars
The classic Guild headstock has been seen in the hands of everyone from Nick Drake to Beabadoobee (Image: Guild)
But beginners aren’t the only players who’ll find something to love in the 300 Series. Of course, if you’re a more experienced guitarist you may well have a good few instruments that you already cherish – but your ‘forever guitar’ might not be something you want to leave on a stand in the living room, ready to be crashed into by a dog or a toddler. Similarly, you might not want to have a few beers around a campfire while strumming that forever-guitar – and this is one of the great joys of an affordable acoustic.
A 300 series guitar can be one you’ll be able to pick up whenever you fancy, or just thrown in the back of a car and taken out and about. And that means you can just play more – whether that’s getting some at-home songwriting done at the coffee table, or making music with friends around a campfire.
And for more experienced guitarists the 300 Series instruments aren’t a leap down the specification ladder by any stretch – those industry-standard Dreadnought and Orchestra body shapes will feel perfectly familiar while still sounding great. And their no-compromises approach to aesthetics will make them guitars you’ll still be proud to play in any setting!
Crossing Over
The black binding provides a wonderful frame to the solid top (Image: Guild)
Or perhaps you’re primarily an electric player, and don’t have a wide collection of acoustics laying around – but want to dip your toes into the unplugged world, without a large investment. If you’re tentatively exploring acoustics, you probably don’t want to grab an ultra-premium guitar – but buying an ultra-budget instrument could turn you off the world of acoustics for good. High action and lifeless sounds are hardly enticing invitations into a whole new style of playing! But thanks to the great specifications of the 300 Series, with Guild’s quintessential and characterful acoustic tone on full display, they make great instruments to have as your first bridge over from the world of electrics.
Constant Companion
All 300 Series guitars have solid tops of either spruce or mahogany (Image: Guild)
Of course, all players may have some fond nostalgic memories for their first guitars. But it’s a little rarer to keep that first guitar around as you progress. But the 300 Series instruments have the potential to stay with you as you mature as a player – solid tops famously only sound better with age, and thanks to the great aesthetics and build quality they aren’t instruments many players will feel an immediate need to “upgrade” from. Thanks to their great projection and balanced tone, these are guitars that might well join you as you graduate to the stage – and be a constant companion on your musical journey!
Find out more about the 300 Series Guitars at Guild
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