Welcome to a curated collection of Guild Guitar catalogs, a testament to years of dedication and research into the esteemed history of Guild guitars. For enthusiasts and researchers alike, these catalogs offer a unique window into the evolution of Guild’s craftsmanship and iconic models. This compilation is born from a passion for Guild guitars and countless hours spent meticulously gathering and preserving these historical documents.
Each catalog featured here is from my personal collection, representing physical copies that have been carefully scanned or photographed. The images have been painstakingly processed – cropped, formatted, and color-corrected – to ensure they are presented in the best possible quality for your viewing and research needs.
This archive is a living project. If you happen to possess a catalog marked as “Missing” in this collection, your contribution would be invaluable. Whether you’re willing to share a copy or consider selling the original, please reach out. Furthermore, should you identify any date inaccuracies within the catalog listings, your insights are greatly appreciated. Dating these catalogs, many of which were originally undated, can be quite the detective work.
Please note that catalogs from distributors like Targ & Dinner are included here, focusing specifically on the sections featuring Guild instruments.
The 1950s: Guild’s Formative Decade
The 1950s marked the beginning of Guild’s journey, establishing its reputation for quality and innovation in guitar manufacturing. This decade’s catalogs reflect the burgeoning styles and models that would become synonymous with the Guild name.
Missing Catalogs: 1953, 1957 (US), 1958 (US), 1959
1954: A vintage Guild guitar catalog cover from 1954, showcasing Targ & Dinner distributor branding.
1955: The cover of the 1955 Guild guitar catalog, a piece of memorabilia for vintage guitar enthusiasts.
1956: Guild guitar catalog cover from 1956, displaying the classic design aesthetics of the era.
1957: 1957 Guild guitar catalog cover, UK edition, highlighting international distribution in the fifties.
1958: The 1958 Guild guitar catalog cover from the UK, part of the vintage catalog collection.
The Swinging Sixties: Innovation and Expansion
The 1960s were a decade of significant growth and innovation for Guild. Catalogs from this era reveal the introduction of iconic models and the brand’s adaptation to the evolving music scene. From jazz boxes to solid-body electrics, Guild’s offerings expanded to meet the demands of a diverse range of musicians.
Missing Catalogs: 1962, 1963 (US)
1960: Cover of the 1960 Guild guitar catalog, showcasing the brand’s style at the start of a new decade.
1961: Guild guitar catalog cover from 1961, reflecting the design trends of early sixties guitar marketing.
1961: 1961 Targ & Dinner Guild guitar catalog cover, featuring a price list for distributor sales.
1962: Targ & Dinner distributor Guild guitar catalog cover with price list, dated 1962.
1963 (UK): UK edition of the 1963 Guild guitar catalog cover, showing international catalog variations.
1964: The 1964 Guild guitar catalog cover, a snapshot of mid-sixties guitar design and marketing.
1964 T&D: 1964 Targ & Dinner Guild guitar catalog cover with price list, for distributor and retailer information.
1965 T&D: Targ & Dinner Guild guitar catalog cover from 1965, part of the distributor catalog series.
1965-1966: Guild guitar catalog cover spanning 1965-1966, indicating model year transitions.
1966: The 1966 Guild guitar catalog cover, a key reference for guitar models of that year.
1967: 1967 Guild guitar catalog cover, a vintage document for guitar history enthusiasts.
1968: Guild guitar catalog cover from 1968, important for dating and identifying vintage instruments.
1969: The 1969 Guild guitar catalog cover, marking the end of a transformative decade in guitar design.
The Seventies: Adapting to Changing Tides
The 1970s brought new musical styles and market demands. Guild’s catalogs from this period showcase how the company adapted, introducing new models and variations while maintaining their commitment to quality. This era saw the rise of new genres influencing guitar design and marketing.
Missing Catalogs: 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1979
1970: 1970 Guild guitar catalog cover, reflecting the aesthetic of the early seventies.
1971: Guild electric guitar catalog cover from 1971, highlighting the electric models of the year.
1975: 1975 Guild electric guitar catalog cover, showcasing mid-seventies guitar designs.
1976 Acoustic: 1976 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, dedicated to acoustic models for the year.
1978: Guild electric guitar catalog cover from 1978, representing late-seventies electric guitar offerings.
1978 Accessories: 1978 Guild catalog cover for strings and accessories, showing product line diversification.
The Eighties: New Directions and Innovations
The 1980s were a dynamic period for guitar manufacturing, and Guild was no exception. Catalogs from this decade illustrate the brand’s embrace of new technologies and design trends, alongside their continued dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Explore the range of acoustic and electric models that defined Guild in the eighties.
Missing Catalogs: 1982, 1985, 1989
1980 Acoustic: 1980 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, focusing on acoustic guitar models.
1981 Acoustic: 1981 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, continuing the focus on acoustic instruments.
1983 Electric: 1983 Guild electric guitar catalog cover, showcasing electric models in the eighties style.
1983 Crossroads: 1983 Guild Crossroads catalog cover, a special edition catalog from the year.
1984 Electric: 1984 Guild electric guitar catalog cover, highlighting electric guitar innovations of the mid-eighties.
1986 Electric: 1986 Guild electric guitar catalog cover, part of the electric guitar catalog series from the eighties.
1986 Acoustic: 1986 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, dedicated to acoustic guitars of the year.
1987: 1987 Guild guitar catalog cover, a general catalog showcasing the full product line.
1988: 1988 Guild guitar catalog cover, featuring new electric models from Guild.
The Nineties: Diversification and Modernization
The 1990s saw Guild further diversify its product line, catering to niche markets and modern playing styles. Catalogs from this era showcase a wide range of models, including jazz guitars, acoustic amplifiers, and even apparel, reflecting Guild’s expanding vision.
Missing Catalogs: 1991, 1993, 1995
1990: 1990 Guild guitar catalog cover, ushering in the nineties with a fresh catalog design.
1992 Electric: 1992 Guild jazz guitar catalog cover, focusing on electric jazz guitar models.
1992 Acoustic: 1992 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, showcasing acoustic models for the year.
1992 Acoustic Amps: 1992 Guild Timberline acoustic amps catalog cover, featuring amplifier products.
1992 Japanese: 1992 Guild Japanese catalog cover, indicating models manufactured in Japan.
1994 Electric: 1994 Guild electric guitar catalog cover, highlighting the electric guitar lineup.
1996: 1996 Guild guitar catalog cover, a comprehensive catalog from the mid-nineties.
1997 Electric: 1997 Guild electric catalog cover, focusing on electric guitar models for the year.
1997 Acoustic: 1997 Guild acoustic guitar catalog cover, dedicated to acoustic guitars.
1997-1998: 1997-1998 Guild Gallery catalog cover, a combined catalog for these years.
1998: 1998 Guild guitar catalog cover, a standard catalog format from the late nineties.
1998 Apparel: 1998 Guild apparel catalog cover, showcasing Guild branded merchandise.
1999 Winter: 1999 Guild Winter catalog cover, a seasonal catalog release.
1999 July-December: 1999 Guild July-December catalog cover, a bi-annual catalog release.
The 2000s: Guild in the New Millennium
Entering the 21st century, Guild continued to evolve, navigating the changing landscape of the guitar industry. Catalogs from the 2000s reflect a blend of classic designs and modern adaptations, showcasing Guild’s enduring appeal and commitment to quality in a new era.
Missing Catalogs: 2007, 2008
2000: 2000 Guild guitar catalog cover, entering the new millennium with updated designs.
2001: 2001 Guild Fender FrontLine catalog cover, reflecting the Fender era of Guild.
2002: 2002 Guild catalog cover, continuing under the Fender FrontLine distribution.
2003: 2003 Guild guitar catalog cover, part of the early 2000s catalog series.
2004: 2004 Guild guitar catalog cover, showcasing the models available that year.
2005: 2005 Guild GAD catalog cover, featuring the GAD series of guitars.
2006: 2006 Guild guitar catalog cover, a catalog from the mid-2000s period.
2009: 2009 Guild catalog cover, nearing the end of the decade with updated models.
The 2010s: A Decade of Revival and Legacy
The 2010s marked a period of resurgence and renewed focus on Guild’s rich heritage. Catalogs from this decade highlight both reissues of classic models and the introduction of new lines, demonstrating Guild’s commitment to honoring its past while looking towards the future. This era celebrated the legacy of Guild guitars.
2010: 2010 Guild guitar catalog cover, beginning the decade with a new catalog design.
2011: 2011 Guild guitar catalog cover, continuing the catalog series into the early 2010s.
2012: 2012 Guild guitar catalog cover, showcasing models from the year.
2013: 2013 Guild guitar catalog cover, part of the ongoing catalog collection.
2014: 2014 Guild guitar catalog cover, a catalog from the mid-2010s.
2015: 2015 Guild guitar catalog cover, showcasing the standard product line.
2015 Westerly: 2015 Guild Westerly Collection catalog cover, featuring the Westerly series guitars.
2016: 2016 Guild guitar catalog cover, continuing the yearly catalog releases.
2017: 2017 Guild guitar catalog cover, a more recent catalog in the collection.
2018: 2018 Guild guitar catalog cover, a part of the late 2010s catalog releases.
2019: 2019 Guild guitar catalog cover, the last catalog of the 2010s decade.
2020s and Beyond: Continuing the Guild Story
Note: No Guild catalogs were produced in 2020, 2021, or 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This collection represents a significant effort to preserve the history of Guild guitars through their catalogs. These binders house not just catalogs, but also a wealth of research material related to Guild, offering a comprehensive resource for anyone delving into the brand’s rich past.
Finally, heartfelt appreciation goes to Meghan Donahue for her extensive work in scanning the majority of these catalogs. Her dedication to scanning over 1,200 pages was invaluable to this project. Special thanks also to Colleen for her help in photographing pages from larger catalogs. Their contributions were essential in bringing this digital archive to life.
If you have information or catalogs that can help complete this collection, please do not hesitate to get in touch and contribute to preserving the legacy of Guild guitars.
