Yamaha buys Guild

[Dave W]

Yamaha Guitar Group acquires Córdoba and Guild Guitars

[Rob]

I think that is good news.

[uwe]

So do I. A legacy is preserved.

[Basvarken]

Agreed. Yamaha makes great instruments.

[uwe]

They do. With zero coolness mystique, but well-made. Sort of like BMW motorbike riders.

[Dave W]

They do. With zero coolness mystique, but well-made. Sort of like BMW motorbike riders.

Hopefully they won't make major changes to Guild's product line. I doubt that they will.

[Basvarken]

Their build quality is unsurpassed.
For example their grand pianos are always flawless.
Lots of concert pianists demand a Yamaha grand piano because they know the quality is always consistent.
I doubt if they care about any cool factor

[Pilgrim]

They do. With zero coolness mystique, but well-made. Sort of like BMW motorbike riders.

I think the lack of attempt to be cool makes them very cool.

And I'm delighted to hear about the acquisition.  Yamaha seems to make (or have made) just about every thing that one can use, but always with quality.  I recall seeing Yamaha downhill skis a few years ago.

[gearHed289]

Hmm, probably good news, yes. They rescued Ampeg from LOUD not too long ago. I've got a soft spot for Guild. Kinda jonesing for a 12 string jumbo acoustic.

[4stringer77]

Cordoba? I thought Fender owned and produced Guilds lately? Will be interesting to see how a Yamaha produced Starfire will differ from the most recent versions.

[uwe]

Their build quality is unsurpassed.
For example their grand pianos are always flawless.
Lots of concert pianists demand a Yamaha grand piano because they know the quality is always consistent.
I doubt if they care about any cool factor

Just like BMW, yes, thinking man's motorbike.

I still have that Billy Sheehan 10th Anniversary Signature I bought from John Fertig/Barkless Dog, he found the neck too thick (sissy!). It's a great instrument and a real weapon. Have actually played it quite a bit lately. Dialed correctly, it sounds like you're playing a Fender and a Gibson bass at the same time.

In popular music, their acoustic pianos are certainly a benchmark (Sir Elton swears by them and he doesn't need the money from an endorsement). I've heard from classical pianists that their sound can be a bit harsh, but it is exactly that edge you need to get yourself heard if you play acoustic piano with electric instruments. I bought my first wife a Yamaha piano 30 years ago - no issues with the quality, very tuning-stable too, but that 'attack' in its sound never went away, unlike other pianos it never mellowed. Or maybe we have to wait another 70 years for that. 

I checked, people who know their stuff seem to think so too.

https://socalpianos.com/why-pianos-sound-different-from-one-another/#:~:text=A%20specific%20brand%20makes%20each,sound%20characteristics%20of%20their%20pianos.

Finally, this thread wouldn't be complete without this piece of linguistic dadaism ...

[Dave W]

Cordoba? I thought Fender owned and produced Guilds lately? Will be interesting to see how a Yamaha produced Starfire will differ from the most recent versions.

Cordoba bought Guild from Fender about 2014-2015.

[Basvarken]

I have always liked Jimmy Bain's tone on his Yamaha BB (3000?)

[morrow]

Yamaha is the largest instrument manufacturer in the world.

They seemed to leave Ampeg pretty much alone , I expect Guild to get the same treatment.

[uwe]

Ok, he's Billy Sheehan, he does this for a living! You try looking like Charlton Heston and playing like
this at the same time!


That much for Michael Anthony not being a good bass player! Great shoes too!