Guild OM-140CE ATB Westerly

After having played and learned much on my Cort dreadnought for a couple of years, I wanted to upgrade to an all solid wood guitar. After trying a few in the shops around Berlin, such as a Takamine, an Eastwood, and others, it came down to a choice between a Guild and a Yamaha. While needing a pickup as well (with my jamming buddies I always feel that I'm struggling to have myself heard), I didn't want the usual gross pickup control on the upper side (some even use 4 AA batteries). I also finally decided on an OM size, partly because while sitting down I was getting a sore shoulder, but also for developing better my finger-picking. Around the same price range, the Yamaha LS 16 and Guild 140 are comparable, though the Guild has bone nut and sattel.
So, went for the Guild OM-140, and had to get the cutaway (which I didn't want), because it was available at Thomann. I have to say that I was a bit apprehensive about mahogany, and wasn't sure if I'd prefer Rosewood back and side, although that was over 100 Euro more.
The guitar came last Thursday, and what a guitar it has turned out to be. Absolutely flawless, the set-up perfect, and as they say, playable straight out of the box, the lovely Guild case the guitar comes in. It wasn't in tune, but each string was identically out of tune.
With the C-shape neck, if that is what one is used to, it is very easy to play, and barre chords just ring out at the fifth and seventh frets.
Intonation up to the twelfth fret is spot on, better than my other guitars (Squire vibe tele, and epi les paul tribute).
For those worried about changing the battery, it is a bit like the TT Takamines, and you can get away with just loosening the high three strings to get your hand in (maybe the d as well if you have big hands)
The guitar is supposed to have a slightly wider nut that my 42.5mm Cort, but they feel pretty much the same.
The guitar has a surprising amount of sustain, and just sounds amazing, a bit like a high end Eastman.
Guild's westerly collection must surely be one of the best outside of north America. As usual, Thomas delivered quickly and a great product.

Ich wollte neben meiner Dreadnought eine kleinere Gitarre fürs Fingerpicking und habe in Treppendorf manches durchprobiert. Am Ende sollte es ein Instrument sein, das preislich nicht durch die Decke geht, aber sxchon für eine lange "Liebschaft" geeignet ist. Es reduzierte sich auf ein Duell zwischen einer Taylor Mini eKoa plus und der Guild. Die Guild fühlt sich für mich wertiger an und ist ein wenig größer, was mir besser liegt. Als Reisegitarre ist die Taylor sicher schön und gut, allerdings suchte ich einfach auch einen Allrounder.Am schwierigsten ist der Klang zu beurteilen, weil hier viel persönlicher Geschmack ist. Beide klingen zauberhaft, die Guild etwas kräftiger. Die Saitenlage könnte bei beiden etwas niedriger sein. Von einer 1100.- Taylor hab ich da mehr erwartet. Die Guild ist eine wunderbare Gitarre, mit der es Spaß macht zu spielen, Wertigkeit ausstrahlt und gut klingt. Nicht ausschlaggebend in der Wertung aber für mich sind solche Details auch wichtig. Der Halsschlüssel und die Gebrauchsanleitung sind nicht wie oft in einem Plastiktütchen, sondern in einem schönen Baumwollsäckchen, dazu 2 Plektren und ein Ersatzpin.