2001 Guild F-47RCE (2)

Yesterday, I was excited to pick up my recent acquisition, a Guild F-47RCE.  I had brought it in to the Music Emporium for professional set-up and maintenance because the action was too high, some trim was unglued, and there seemed to be some buzzing in the body of the guitar.

The Music Emporium in Lexington, Massachusetts, is a Boston-area mecca for high-end acoustic guitars, but you would not know it from the outside.  It's easy to miss its strip mall location on Mass Ave right across the Arlington line next to a bank, a dry cleaner, and a pizza place, among other pedestrian businesses.  Belying its unassuming storefront, however, the Music Emporium is a Santa Clara 2011 Top Dealer and is also well-stocked in new Taylor, Martin, Bourgeois, and other fine guitars. Inside, the store is well-organized with multiple spaces to sit and give the various guitars a try.  A large livingroom-like space up front with a sofa and rug makes the store feel less institutional than most.  It's best to have done a little research prior to your visit so you won't be in complete sticker shock though.  They do carry used guitars as well, but the ones of this caliber that they purchase or take in on trade-ins get snapped up almost immediately so they have few on display.  Best to let them know if you are in the market for a particular used guitar and they can add you to their list of waiting customers.

I was anxious to play the Guild again, this time with a proper set-up, cleaning, and new set of Elixir light medium strings.  The technician had also re-secured some of the pre-amp wiring inside the body and that took care of the buzzing problem.  It played like a dream and it does have a big crisp sound with nice sustain.  One of the other customers who was picking up his new Martin even commented on how great the Guild sounded.  Can't wait to put this guitar up against my brother's Taylor 514CE.  Welcome to the family Guild F-47RCE...