Fender GUILD User Manual

Owner's Manual

Warranty

OWNER'S MANUAL

WARRANTY

Contents

Page

Contents 1
Introduction 2
Guild's Commitment to Craftsmanship 3
Moisture Content and Humidity 4
Protection from Temperature and Humidity 4
Cracks in the Wood 6
Finish-Checking 6
General Maintenance 7
Tuning Machines 8
Tuning 6-String Guitars 9
Tuning 12-String Guitars 10
Changing Strings 11
Re-Stringing Guitars 12
Truss Rod Adjustment 14
Adjust ment of Ac tion 16
Traveling with Your Guitar 17
Guild Warranty 18
Servicing Yo ur Guitar 22

1

Introduction

Guild's Commitment to Craftsmanship

Thank you for choosing a Guild. We believe this
new instru ment will give you many years of pleasure.
Please take a few moments to read through this
booklet. In it you will find answers to many of your
questions and other invaluable information about care
and maintenance for your guitar.

For detailed specifications of Guild instruments,

please visit our Guild website at:

www.guildguitars.com

2

Guild was established in 1952 by Alfred Dronge.
The first guitars from his small workshop were
handmade with expensive rare woods, costly
lacquers, hand-wound pickups for the electrics, and
the attention to detail that only an experienced
musician could give. The workshop was located in
New York City where most of the top jazz, studio
and touring guitarists were frequently seen. Their
suggestions were always listened to carefully.
The Guild name is derived from the Master Craft
Guilds of the Middle Ages. During that period, only
the craftsmen who had achieved the highest skills
were permitted to join these Guilds. Our policy today
is much like that of yesteryear. The name Guild
expresses the highest standards in the art of wood
craftsmanship and guitar making.
Even today, the woods used in Guild guitars are
selected by hand. Our buyers travel the world
extensively, directly to the sources of the many
different woods we use. There, they carefully select
from opened logs and purchase only the highest­grade woods for creating Guild guitars.
Guild guitars are handmade in Corona, California,
in an environment where quality, innovation and
service are the ultimate goals of the entire Guild staff.
Our highly skilled artisans take extreme pride in
every guitar we produce. A pride that restores
meaning to the words “American Made”. We are
confident you will share this pride in the ownership
of your new guitar.

3

Moisture Content and Humidity

Wood is a porous, organic material, and is affected

dimensionally by changes in the amounts of moisture
it contains. Fine guitars made from solid woods, are
without a doubt, more susceptible to the effects of
changes in humidity than laminated instruments, and
therefore require ongoing attention to their condition.
The moisture content of wood is determined by the
relative humidity and temperature of the surrounding
atmosphere.
Relative humidity is expressed as a percentage of
air's capability to hold moisture. For example, 30%
relative humidity means that the air is holding 30% of
the moisture it could possibly hold at a given
temperature.
The moisture content for wood and the relative
humidity for air are measured quite differently. In
wood, a 6% moisture content is present at 30%
relative humidity and 72 degrees F temperature,
(about 22.2 degrees C).

Protection from Temperature
and Humidity

The greatest threats to a fine wood guitar, are

extremes of, and rapid changes in, temperature and
humidity.
High humidity can cause softening of the glues
used in the construction of the instrument. Also, as
the woods absorb moisture from the air, it can cause
the top and back, especially on flat-top and classical
guitars, to expand and rise - making string action
high.

Conversely, if you l ive in o r trave l wit h yo ur g uitar
to a drier climate, (either hot or cold), there is another
danger. In areas of low humidity, the evaporation of
moisture in the wood can cause shrinkage and
cracking, no matter how long the wood may have
been previously aged. It also can cause the top and
back to shrink, making the string action low.
The collective experience of all of the major guitar
manufacturers today, has demonstrated that the ideal
temperature to preserve the integrity of solid wood
acoustic guitars is room temperature, which is about
70 degrees F (20.5 C). The ideal humidity is about
40% to 50%.
In the winter, the forced air systems used to heat
most homes, can drive temperatures up and humidity
levels dangerously low for guitars. A good measure
of protection against drying out your guitar is to use a
room humidifier.
When the instrument is not in use, we recommend
that you keep it in its case and use one of the small
guitar humidifiers such as "Dampit", available from
many instrument dealers. Do not leave the guitar out
for long periods near a heating vent, radiator or in
direct sunlight near a window.
Do not leave your guitar in the trunk of a car for
long periods and keep it away from excessive heat
and cold. Please note: Damage caused to the guitar

as the result of exposure to temperature or
humidity changes will not be covered under the
Guild warranty.

5

4

Cracks in the Wood

Cracks in the wood are typically caused by changes
in temperature and humidity. While a crack may
initially be alarming, if it is taken care of pro mptly it
shouldn't be a cause for undue concern. Cracks may
easily be repaired without compromising structural or
tonal integrity.
If the crack is in the top, near the bridge, loosen all
the strings to reduce tension, (which could potentiall y
exacerbate the problem), and have the crack repaired
as soon as you can. Please note: Cracks in the

wood, which occur as the result of exposure to
temperature or humidity changes will not be
covered under the Guild warranty.

Finish Checking

Finish checking, (very small splits in the finish),
usually occurs in winter and is typically the result of
suddenly expo sing a cold instr ument to the shoc k of
warmer temperatures.
All of the materials that make up a guitar expand
and contract with changes in temperature and
humidity. Wood expands as it warms, and it does so
faster than the finish. When this happens, the finish
may split and fracture in little lines over the wood.
Although it does not affect the tone of the
instrument, finish checking mars its appearance. By
avoiding sudden temperature and humidity changes,
you should not have any fi nish checkin g problems.
When an instrument has been brought into a
building after it has been out in the cold, allow plenty
of time for it to become acclimated to the new
temperature before you open the case. Please note:

Finish checks, which occur as the result of
exposure to temperature or humidity changes will
not be covered under the Guild warranty.

General Maintenance

Clean the instrument after each use, making sure to
wipe the fingerboard and strings, as well as any of the
plated parts, i.e. machine heads, pickups, etc. with a
soft dry cloth.
For gloss finishes, use a non-silicone based guitar
polish. For satin finishes, use only a soft dry
polishing clo th. For hand -rubbed finishes, use a soft,
slightly damp cloth and follow with a dry cloth.
When not playing the instrument, keep it tu ned to
pitch and in its case. However, if you plan to store the
instrument for long periods of time, loosen the strings
a bit to relieve the tension, but do not remove them.
The natural oils in Rosewood and Ebony
fingerboards may dry out over time. Rough, exposed
fret edges are evidence of dry, shrunken wood. It is a
good idea to give your fretboard a drink of raw
linseed oil periodically to preserve its integrity and
natural beauty. Remove the strings first; then apply
the oil to a clean lint free cloth. Rub into the wood,
let it soak in, and then wipe to dry any excess oil.
Be careful when using vinyl, plastic or synthetic
leather guitar straps, guitar stands and wall hangers
using surgical rubber tubing, as these materials may
react with the finish of your instrument. Please note:

Damage caused to the instrument by the use of
non-Guild-approved polishes, cleaning materials
or accessories, will not be covered under the Guild
warranty.

7

6

Tuning Machines

Tuning 6-String Guitars

Guild uses only the finest tuning machines. These
machines are pre-lubricated, die-cast, sealed tuners,
which do not require periodic oiling for smooth
operation.
A small tension adjustment screw is located at the
end of each tuner's button that also holds the button
in place. If the tension is too loose, the machine may
slip and go out of tune easily. If it is too tight, the
button may become very difficult to turn. Make sure
that the adjustment is firm, but not too tight.
The Chrome and Gold plating on Guild tuning
machines may become degraded from the acids and
oils in finger sweat. Wipe the machines off with a
soft dry cloth after each use to preserve their
appearance and function.
Strings that have not been secur ed properly to the
tuning machine post may easily slip and go out of
tune. This problem is commonly misdiagnosed as an
issue with the tuners. Check your string installation
carefully. See illustrations 1, 2, and 3.

8

There are a couple of different methods for tuning a
guitar, de pending on whe ther your gu itar is a coustic,
electric or an acoustic with a pickup. If you don't own
an electronic chromatic tuner with a reference tone,
you may want to purchase one. It will dramatically
simplify tuning your acoustic or electric guitar.
Always tune from below pitch, up to the correct
pitch instead of down from a higher pitch. This will
help eliminate string slack from the tuning machine
and decrease the possibility of slippage and tuning
changes as you play. The strings should be tuned as
follows, starting from the thickest string to the
thinnest: E, A, D, G, B, E.
If you have an acoustic guitar use the A-440
reference t one on your tuner, a g uitar pitch pipe, an
A-440 tuning fork or other pitch reference, and tune
the second string, "A" to pitch.
T hen, depress the second, or "A" string at the 5th
fret, to produce a "D", and tune the "D" string to that
same pitch.
Next, depress the D string at the 5th fret, to produce
a "G", and tune the "G" string until the pitches match.
Next, depress the "G" string at the 4th fret, to
produce a "B", and tune the "B" string until the t wo
pitches match.
Next, depress the "B" string at the 5th fret, to
produce an "E" and tune the thinnest string to a
matching "E".
Finally, go back and play the thickest "E" string
and tune it until the pitch at the 5th fret, an "A",
matches the "A" on the adjacent string.
If using an electronic tuner on your electric or
acoustic/electric, simply plug in your guitar, turn the
volume up and tu ne fro m lo w str in gs to high a s not ed
on the tuner: E, A, D, G, B, E.

9

Tuning 12-String Guitars

Changing Strings

Due to the tremendous amount of tension exerted
on the neck by the 12 strings, we suggest that you use
a light gauge string set, such as the Guild XL-1000 or
L-1250 on your 12-string guitar.
In standard 12-string tuning, the second string in
each pair is tuned to the same pitches, E, A, D, G, B,
E, and using the same methods as the six string guitar
on the previous page.
For the E, A, D, and G strings, the first smaller
string in each pair is tuned to the same note, but an
octave higher in p itch than its p artner. For the B and
E strings, the first string in each pair is tuned in
unison, (exactly the same pitch), as its partner string.
Many players find it difficult to press the strings
down on a 12-string, due to the high tension caused
by the extra strings.
A remedy that some players choose is to tune the
entire guitar to a lower relative pitch, such as E-flat
or D; thereby reducing the string tension. You may
then use a capo on the first or second fret, to bring it
back up to where it plays at standard pitch.
The guitar will certainly be easier to play, and the
reduced tension will put less stress on the neck over
time, but bear in mind that it will also sacrifice a bit
of the tone projection of the instrument.
All Guild 12-strings feature a double truss rod
system for superior strength and improved accuracy
with the adjustments, however, a 12-string tuned at
standard pitch, should be monitored regularly for the
possible need of truss rod adjustments. A guitar in
need of an adjustment that is ignored may develop
permanent problems. (See page 14.) Please Note:

Warpage of the neck, caused by the neglect of
necessary adjustments will not be covered under
the Guild warranty.

A new set of stri ngs can breathe renewed life into
your instrume nt. That i s why man y "tone-co nscious"
touring professionals change their strings before
every performance. While there is no set rule on how
often to change strings, we have found that most
players do not change them nearly as often as they
should.
Body oils, acids from sweaty hands and humidity
all interact with the metals in guitar strings and cause
a corrosion and breakdown of the materials.
Don't wait until your strings break and fall off from
old age before you change them. Worn, oxidized,
pitted and dirty strings will not hold pitch, and simply
sound bad. If you are an average player, playing
several times a week, we suggest that you change the
strings at least once a month.
When cha nging strings, we recommend that you
remove and replace each string one at a time, instead
of all at once. This will prevent sudden and
potentially damaging changes in neck tension. Each
new string sho uld be t uned up t o corr ect pit ch befo re
the next one is removed.
When tuning a brand new st ring, a lways b ring it up
to pitch slowly. Otherwise, the rapid stretching may
cause the string to break.

11

10

Re-Stringing

The procedure for re-stringing acoustic guitars,
electric guitars and basses, is quite similar in the way
the strings are wound onto the tuning machines.
There are differences though, in how the strings are
attached to the bridges of acoustic and electric
guitars.
Guild flat-top ac oust ic s have a pin s t yle br id ge wit h
holes and bridge pins to hold the strings in place.
Guild jazz and electric guitars have a surface
mounted bridge or slotted tailpiece through which the
strings are fed.
To string a flat-top, remove the brid ge pin and the
old string, drop the ball end of the new string into the
hole in the bridge, then re-insert the bridge pin to
keep the string in place. Make sure that the bridge pin
is positioned with the groove over the string. Do not
hammer the bridge pin in. A firm push with the
thumb will secure it in place.
To string an electric, simply feed the string through
the appropriate hole in the bridge or slot in the
tailpiece.
To attach a string to the machine head, thread it
through the hole or slot on the machine head, running
it halfway around the post, then underneath the main
length of the string. Next, pull the string end back
over the main length. See illustrations 1, 2 and 3.
Make sure that each string is seated well, stretched
and snugged down on the tuning machine post. This
will prevent slipping and save you some tuning
frustrations down the road.
Note: Never cut a string to length before putting

it on your guitar and tuning it to pit ch. Pre mature
cutting may cause the string to unwrap and
become useless. Crimp the string first, then clip near

the machine head post.

Illustration 1.

String is passed thr ough
hole near top of string post.

Illustration 2.

String is then wound halfway around post.

Illustration 3.

Prevent string slippa ge by running the short end halfwa y around
the post, then underneath and back over the main length of string
before tightening.

12

13

Truss Rod Adjustment

String tension exerts a tremendous bending force
on the guitar neck. Environmental conditions like
temperature and humidity may also cause bowing of
the neck.
Guild guitars have an adjustable truss rod, (or dual
truss rods on all Guild 12-strings), running the length
of the neck that counteracts this force, strengthens the
neck and insures straightness.
A truss rod that is too loose will result in a concave
neck bow, (action too high) and a truss rod that is too
tight will result in a convex neck bow (low action and
fret buzz).
Should the neck of your guitar require adjustment,
first remove the rod cover located on the headstock
above the nut. (The guitar should remain tuned to
pitch during this procedure.) Then insert a Guild truss
rod adjustment wrench p/n 350-9521-000, (or an
equivalent 1/4" nut driver.) See illustration 4.
If the neck has a concave bow, tighten the truss rod
nut by turning it clockwise.
If the neck is hu mped or has a convex bo w, loose n
the truss rod nut by turning it counter clockwise.
Adjust the rod only a partial turn at a time, allow
time for the wood to settle and sight down the neck
after each adjustment. Be careful not to over-tighten
the rod.
If you meet excessive resistance or if you have any
doubts in your ability to make this adjustment
correctly, take your guitar to an Authorized Guild
Service Center. Please note: Truss rod adjustment s

are considered to be routine maintenance and will
not be covered under the Guild warranty.

14

Illustration 4.

Remove rod cover
from headstock.
Using 1/4 inch nut driver,
turn rod nut gently.

Truss rod cover.

15

Adjustment of Action

String height and tension typically determine the
ease with which the strings can be depressed. This
description of playability is usually called the
"action", and is determined by the distance between
the strings and the frets.
Depending on your tec hnique or style of pla y, high
action can sometimes be difficult to play, and low
action may result in stri ng buzz.
Most e l ectric guitars have height adjustable br i dges
with adjustable saddles that allow you to easily tailor
the action to your needs. On a flat-top or classical
guitar, adjustment is a little more involved.
To lower the action, the bridge saddle must be
removed, cut down to the appropriate height and then
re-installed. To raise the action, the saddle must be
removed and replaced by a new, higher saddle.
Please note: These types of action adjustments

on acoustic guitars, should be performed only by
an experienced and qualified repairman.

A comprehensive Guild guitar setup guide, with
detailed setup specifications, is available on the Guild
section of our F.M.I.C. Customer Service website at
www.mrgearhead.net.

Traveling with Your Guitar

Guild guitars demonstrate the highest standards of
quality in material and craftsmanship, and deserve
only the best in protection. We recommend that you
purchase a Guild factory guitar case that has been
designed and fitted exclusively for your guitar to give
it the utmost protection. *Keep your guitar in a case
when not playing it.
If you plan to travel, carry your instrument in a
hard shell case at all times for protection.
When traveling by air, your guitar may be exposed
to dramatic changes in temperature and pressure. To
help prevent possible damage, de-tune all of the
strings about a whole step, so that the tension is
reduced from the top and neck of the instrument.
Guild offers a variety of Standard and Deluxe cases
for most guitar models. Please contact your local
Guild dealer for more information or to place an
order.
When ordering your factory case please specify the
exact model of your guitar.

17

16

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation warrants
this Guild instrument to be free from defects in
materials and workmanship for as long as it is owned
by the original retail purchaser, except that pickups,
switches, jacks, controls, all other electronic
components, tuning machines, hardware, pickguards,
plated surfaces, cases and case hardware are
warranted for a period of one (1) year from the date
of original purchase. This warranty applies only to
the original retail purchaser when this instrument is
purchased from an Authorized Guild Dealer and is
subject to the limitations set forth herein.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR
ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS YOUR
PROOF OF PURCHASE VALIDATING THIS
LIMITED WARRANTY.

Fender has established a network of independent
Authorized Service Centers for warranty service.
The Guild Dealer from whom you purchased your
instrument may also be authorized for warranty
service and should be the first point of contact when
service of any kind is required for your Guild
instrument. To receive warranty service, return the
complete instrument to an Authorized Fender Service
Center, with your sales receipt as proof of purchase,
during the applicable warranty period.

18

Defective components that qualify for coverage
under this warranty will be repaired or replaced (at
Fender's discretion) without charge. Remedies
beyond normal service repair of any Guild instrument
require both an evaluation and confirmation of the
defect and a direct recommendation to Fender from
an Authorized Fender Service Center for alternative
considerations.

All transportation, insurance and freight charges
associated with warranty service and repairs on Guild
instruments are the responsibility of the purchaser, as
is any service initiated for the purpose of customizing
setups or adjustments beyond factory specifications.
Initial standard setup and adjustment of the
instrument and its components at the time of
purchase are considered normal Dealer product
preparation, and are not covered by this warranty.

Limitations and exclusions

The following items are not covered by this warranty:

1.

Fret wear, saddle wear, nut wear, strings and
batteries.

2.

Setups, adjustments or routine maintenance of
any kind.

3.

Damage to finishes or cracks, splitting, or
warpage of wood due to changes in temperature
or humidity, exposure to or contact with sun,
fire, moisture, perspiration, body salts and acids,
guitar straps, guitar stands/hangers made from
vinyl, plastic, rubber or other synthetic materials,
any other chemicals or non-Fender-approved
polishes.

4.

Damage, corrosion or rusting of any hardware
components caused by humidity, salty air, or
exposure to the moisture, body salts and acids of
perspiration.

19

5.

Any damage to an instrument resulting from
customization or modification.

6.

Normal wear and tear on any part of the
instrument or case including jacks, controls,
switches, plated surfaces, tuning machines,
pickguards, handles, latches, case hardware etc.

7.

All other damage and deterioration due to normal
usage, wear and tear, aging, accidents, neglect,
abuse, or Acts of Nature.

8.

Any instrument, whose serial number is missing,
altered or tampered with in any fashion.

9.

Any instrument purchased from anyone other
than an Authorized Guild Dealer.

10.

Instruments that have been serviced by
unauthorized persons (any person other than a
Fender Certified Technician at an Authorized
Fender Service Center).

THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTE S THE ONLY
WARRANTY MADE BY FENDER WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS AND IS MADE
EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. Any
implied warranties, including without limitation, any
implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for
any particular purpose, imposed under state law are
limited to the duration of this limited warranty. Some
states do not allow limitations on how long an
implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may
not be applicable to you.

FMIC ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR
PROPERTY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM
FAILURE OF THIS PRODUCT NOR ANY LOSS
OF INCOME, SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES
ARISING FROM THE LOSS OF USE OF SAME
DUE TO DEFECTS OR AVAILABILITY OF
SAME DURING SERVICE.

*This warranty applies only to Guild instruments
purchased and serviced within the U.S.A. and
Canada. Warranties outside these countries are as
defined by the authorized Fender/Guild Distributor
for your country or region, and may vary from the
above in terms and/or length.

Guild is a Division F.M.I.C.

GUILD GUITARS
8860 EAST CHAPARRAL ROAD, SUITE 100
SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85250-2618, U.S.A.

Phone: [phone]

We cannot guarantee top performanc e of your
instrument if strings other than Guild, or their
equivalent, are used.
Upon request, we will be happy to send you a full
catalog of all available Guild products.

21

20

Servicing Your Guitar

New guitars typically have a settling in period
where adjustments may be necessary to compensate
for the tension of the strings. Many experienced
guitar players ha ve learned to adj ust the truss rod o r
“action” of their own instruments.
If you do not feel comfortable making these
adjustments to your new guitar we recommend that
you return the instrument to your Guild Dealer or to
an Authorized Fender Service Center within 90 days
of the purchase, for an inspection and truss rod
adjustment if needed. This precaution should identify
and prevent potential damage to the neck.
If major servicing is required, please contact your
local authorized Guild service center. If you need
assistance locating an authorized Guild service
center, please contact your Guild dealer, visit our
Guild website at www.guildguitars.com, or call our
Consumer Relations Department at: (480-596-7195).
For comprehensive Guild setup specifications,
wiring diagrams, pre-amp manuals and other support
documentation, visit the Guild section of our F.M.I.C
Customer Service website at: www.mrgearhead.net.

Please note: Truss rod adjustments and action
adjustments are considered to be routine
maintenance and will not be covered under the
Guild warranty.

22

© 2002

GUILD GUITARS

8860 EAST CHAPARRAL ROAD, SUITE 100

SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85250-2618, USA

Printed in U.S.A, p/n 3511075108 Rev..B