NGD - unexpected great deal edition

Aahzz

Aahzz

Habanero Evangelist
So, after seeing the sale on Reverb, I couldn't resist the siren song of $269 for a new Guild Surfliner. I went with the Canyon Dusk. After the traditional frustrating wait for UPS today (estimated delivery between 2 and 6, eta changed to "by 7" at 10 after 7) it arrived at 8:45. Not a lot of time to check it out as yet, but man - my initial impressions is that this is a nice guitar. Neck is smooth, action is great, and it sounds wonderful. It's got a nice, bold, bright sound, but not strident.

More impressions and better lit pics tomorrow, should have some good time to play tomorrow.

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I got some pics in better light:
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Also, to highlight a couple interesting features - first, a tiltback headstock, which I don't remember ever seeing previously on a bolt-on guitar. Tuning stability is excellent.
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The other odd thing is that it's a 23 fret neck. I've had 22 and 24 before, never 23.

Spent a good while with it this morning, and to use the cliche, this thing punches well above its price range. Stable, great action, great fretwork, quiet electronics, good range on both tone and volume controls, push-pull coil splits that work well. My only complaint is that I'd love a rolled fretboard edge, but don't expect that at this price point, and it's still a very comfy neck.
 
Even better - was just looking at the little accessory bag that came with it, and if you register the warranty and leave a review, Guild will send a free clip-on tuner, capo, or 12 picks. If you do the review and follow their Facebook or Insta, you can get 2 of those items.
 
It's pretty cool and like the color (do you have an overwhelming desire to play "Mr. Jones" now?) My only concern would be the rocker switches. Be curious to see how durable those prove to be.
 
bsman said:
It's pretty cool and like the color (do you have an overwhelming desire to play "Mr. Jones" now?) My only concern would be the rocker switches. Be curious to see how durable those prove to be.
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They feel solid, but yeah, only time will tell on those. Never have I had an overwhelming, or even slightly whelming, urge to play "Mr. Jones".
 
Had the house to myself this afternoon and got to crank things up to unreasonable volume levels :grin:. I love this guitar - I'd be happy with it if I had paid a grand. For the ridiculous low price they're going for, it's the best steal I've ever gotten.

Also, since I'm the kinda guy that names his guitars, she's Annette. I figure a Surfliner should be named after the queen of 60s beach movies :)
 
FYI - I’ve had a few bolt-ons with a tilt back headstock, starting with my late, lamented Route 101 Solimar.
 
Aahzz said:
I got some pics in better light:View attachment 93428View attachment 93429View attachment 93430

Also, to highlight a couple interesting features - first, a tiltback headstock, which I don't remember ever seeing previously on a bolt-on guitar. Tuning stability is excellent.
View attachment 93431

The other odd thing is that it's a 23 fret neck. I've had 22 and 24 before, never 23.

Spent a good while with it this morning, and to use the cliche, this thing punches well above its price range. Stable, great action, great fretwork, quiet electronics, good range on both tone and volume controls, push-pull coil splits that work well. My only complaint is that I'd love a rolled fretboard edge, but don't expect that at this price point, and it's still a very comfy neck.
Click to expand...

"Tuning stability is excellent"

I'm still in shock at how well this stays in tune. Never had a guitar with bass-like tuners, split shaft with a hole to stick the end of the string in. Super clean look. What I'm curious about, whoever strung this one... On a normal tuner, the string wraps around the part of the string that goes straight up and down, to lock it in. On son's, they wrap around the tuner, below the hole in the side of the post. Thought the wraps would be above hole in side of post, going over the part of the string that goes from hole in side of tuner to the top of the tuner. Is that how yours was?

Also, the more I use the split on volume knob, the easier it moves.
 
You could always roll those edges yourself. There is plenty how to info around the net. It does not seem like a difficult do it yourself task to roll edges.
 
Bob411 said:
"Tuning stability is excellent"

I'm still in shock at how well this stays in tune. Never had a guitar with bass-like tuners, split shaft with a hole to stick the end of the string in. Super clean look. What I'm curious about, whoever strung this one... On a normal tuner, the string wraps around the part of the string that goes straight up and down, to lock it in. On son's, they wrap around the tuner, below the hole in the side of the post. Thought the wraps would be above hole in side of post, going over the part of the string that goes from hole in side of tuner to the top of the tuner. Is that how yours was?

Also, the more I use the split on volume knob, the easier it moves.
Click to expand...

I'm not quite understanding your description...on vintage style tuners like these, when I string them, I put the end of the string in the hole in the shaft, then start winding, and the wraps go from top down - usually 2-3 wraps if I've trimmed the string right.
 
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