Cordoba readies NAMM launches

Cordoba has revealed a clutch of new models which will be showcased at the upcoming NAMM show next month.

It is introducing a new ukulele series  – the 21 Series  – which feature solid spruce tops and exotic striped ebony back and sides for a guitar-inspired look and sound. The aesthetic includes a satin finish, hand-inlaid wooden rope rosette, and matching purfling. Striped ebony features a high-contrast wood grain pattern, making each ukulele unique. They are available in four sizes from soprano to baritone, with a tenor cutaway-electric option.

21S (Soprano): $179.99 • $235

21C (Concert): $189.99 MAP • $245

21T (Tenor): $199.99 MAP • $260

21T-CE (Tenor with Electronics): $229.99 • $300

21B (Baritone): $209.99 • $270

The firm is also expanding upon its best-selling 200 Series with the D-240E FM. The new limited edition model features the same full-bodied and powerful tone of the D-240E, but with exotic flamed mahogany back and sides and a solid spruce top. The dreadnought shape provides guitarists with a classic acoustic sound and balanced voicing, and Guild’s historic archback design offers improved bass response and projection. The D-240E FM also has Guild’s AP-1 preamp system with soundhole mounted controls and a deluxe padded Guild gig bag.

D-240E Flamed Mahogany – $449.99 Street • $625 MSRP

The F-40 jumbo acoustic that made Guild a staple in so many singer-songwriters’ careers throughout the 60s and 70s returns. The guitar gets its clarity, balance and volume from a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides. The jumbo frame makes it ideal for players searching for improved projection and enhanced bass response. Finishing touches such as an East Indian rosewood bridge and fingerboard, premium 20:1 open-gear tuners, and a hand-cut bone nut and saddle all add to the F-40’s classic vibe. A satin varnish finish gives the guitar its familiar broken-in look and feel, while allowing the tone woods to “breathe”.

Features include a vintage style rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard, white ABS binding, and Guild’s peak logo inlaid on the headstock. Each F-40 ships with a Guild archtop wood case with a built-in Humicase humidification system. Finish options include satin varnish in Natural, or Antique Burst with Cabernet back, sides and neck. A discreet, USA-made LR Baggs Element VTC pickup is also available.

F-40 Natural – $1,599.99 Street • $2,000 MSRP

F-40 Antique Burst – $1,699.99 Street • $2,125 MSRP

F-40E Natural – $1,799.99 Street • $2,250 MSRP

F-40E Antique Burst – Street $1,899.99 • $2,375 MSRP

Guild is also re-releasing of its flagship US-made jumbo acoustic, the F-55. Formerly known as the F-50R, the new F-55 is built in Southern California and features a tight-grained solid AAA Sitka spruce top, solid Indian rosewood back and sides, and scalloped Adirondack braces.

Finishing touches include Guild’s classic “V-block” and G-shield mother-of-pearl inlays, bound fingerboard and headstock, “railroad track” fretboard purfling, gold Gotoh hardware, a beautiful nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Natural or Antique Sunburst, and a sleek humidified case. It is available with LR Baggs Electronics.

F-55 in Natural – $3,499.99 Street • $4,380 MSRP

F-55 in Antique Burst – $3,599.99 Street • $4,500 MSRP

F-55E in Natural – $3,799.99 Street • $4,750 MSRP

F-55E in Antique Burst – $3,899.99 Street • $4,870 MSRP

Lastly after more than a year of development, the Guild Jetstar is back in three finishes (Black, White and Seafoam Green), and remains faithful to the first iteration of the S-50 Jetstar with a solid mahogany body and set neck. Further period-correct details include six inline tuning machines and Guild’s rare pearloid pyramid logo on a scroll-shaped headstock. The Jetstar features a shallow C shape mahogany neck and pao ferro fingerboard with simple pearloid fret markers. Instead of its original shortened neck, the modified Jetstar has a 25 1/2” scale length for faster feel and improved response. Dual Guild LB-1 Little Bucker pickups bring a usable array of tones from sparkly clean single coil tones to thicker humbucker sounds. It comes inside a Guild deluxe padded gig bag.

Jetstar Black – $599.99 Street • $840 MSRP
Jetstar Vintage White – $599.99 Street • $840 MSRP
Jetstar Seafoam Green – $599.99 Street • $840 MSRP