Day 4: Winter NAMM 2016

Guild Guitars Adds Quintet of Arched-Back Models to the Westerly Collection

Five new affordable arched back models join Guild’s Westerly Collection. Guild’s first arched-back model appeared in the mid-1950s, a feature that’s become synonymous with the Guild brand ever since. Guild’s newest arched-back models are available in four classic body shapes: dreadnought (D-240E), concert (M-240E), orchestra (OM-240CE and OM-240E), and jumbo 12-string (F-2512E Maple). These five guitars feature Guild’s AP-1 pickup, bone nuts and saddles, rosewood bridges, and fingerboards, tortoiseshell pickguards, fully bound bodies, mother-of-pearl appointments, and padded deluxe gig bags.

As renowned for 12-strings as they are for arched-back models, Guild offers the best of both worlds with the F-2512E Maple, built with a solid Sitka spruce top paired with an arched maple back. All other models feature solid Sitka spruce tops with arched mahogany backs. Guild’s signature arched-back design allows for great volume and projection, long sustain, and a lush, full sound. Guild continues to play to its strengths, while upholding the same commitment to quality and sound the brand has always been known for. Street price ranges from $399-$499.

Cordoba Guitars Launches All-Solid Leona Series

Cordoba Guitars continues to push the envelope with the release of the all new Leona Series, featuring two models unlike anything else Cordoba has ever offered. The Leona L9-E and L10-E are Spanish-inspired steel string parlor guitars, targeting the player looking for the feel, comfort, and ease of playability that a slightly smaller instrument provides. The L9-E features solid mahogany top, back, and sides, while the L-10E features a solid Sitka spruce top and solid Indian rosewood back sides. With their 00-body size, the Leona models have the quintessential Cordoba look, complete with colored wood purflings, and mother-of-pearl rosettes and fret markers, and Cordoba’s arches logo inlaid in on their slotted headstocks. The L9-E and L-10E feature 12 frets to the body, a 1¾-inch nut width, and a 24.2-inch scale length that complements its body shape. Cordoba uses its expertise with Spanish heel neck construction, along with a light hybrid fan/X-bracing pattern, to make the Leonas incredibly lightweight and responsive steel string guitars. Both models feature mahogany necks, ebony fingerboards, bone nuts and saddles, flamed maple bindings, Cordoba active piezo pickups, Grover tuning machines, and include a Cordoba poly-foam case.

Leona L9-E: $699 street

Leona L10-E: $799 street

D’Addario Announces Nickel Bronze Premium Acoustic Guitar Strings

D’Addario is set to expand their legendary, industry-leading acoustic string line, announcing the brand new uncoated Nickel Bronze series. Nickel Bronze strings feature an innovated combination of nickel-plated phosphor bronze wrapped around a high carbon NY steel core, engineered to bring out the unique tonal characteristics of any guitar and allow its natural voice to shine.

The nickel-plated wrap wire gives a guitar unprecedented clarity, resonance, and projection, as well as outstanding balance and harmonically rich overtones. Beyond the heightened sound characteristics, players can also expect improved tuning stability and higher break resistance, thanks to the NY Steel core, which was also featured in D’Addario’s highly successful NYXL electric guitar strings. With Nickel Bronze, D’Addario has built a guitar string designed to let musicians re-discover their guitars all over again, giving them all new acoustic possibilities to explore. $17.60.

Nickel Bronze are available in:

• Extra Light (.010-.047)
• Custom Light (.011-.052)
• Light (.012-.053)
• Light Top / Med Bottom (.012-.056)
• Medium (.013-.056)