Guild's iconic arched back makes its return on the compact Westerly M-240E acoustic-electric. The purpose of this trademark feature is twofold: principally, it reduces weight and increases live projection; but it also pays tribute to some of Guild's popular models, like the D-25 and F-30. The result is a great-playing, easy-traveling guitar with Guild's unmistakable look. The Westerly M-240E harkens back to Guild's golden-era flat tops with some exciting vintage specs, including a concert-sized body made from premium tonewoods, a classic Guild "C"-shaped neck, and a retro red tortoiseshell pickguard. The M-240E includes the DeArmond Tone Boss soundhole pickup for a clean sound for plugging straight into a PA.

Guild Acoustics: a heritage built on great woods and features

Guild's heritage as one of America's premier early guitar makers is acknowledged in the M-240E. Solid Sitka spruce and mahogany meet in a compact concert body with an arched back for a big sound and great playing experience. A real bone nut and saddle deliver golden-era sustain and clarity. And a 1960s red tortoiseshell pickguard gives this guitar a look that was made to be seen.

Comfortable concert body you can't keep your hands off 

Music Experience guitarists love small-bodied acoustics for home recording and playing around the house. The concert-sized Guild M-240E is no exception. This diminutive guitar plays great and knows how to cut through a mix. Its classic mahogany/spruce construction produces a warm, natural tone with complex overtones and surprising projection that can fill a room with music.

What Guild Says...

Meet the M-240E Troubadour, a small-body, sunburst addition to Guild’s acoustic archback line.The M-240E Troubadour is an homage to Guild’s F-20, a small-bodied wonder that became popular during the folk era of the 60’s. This petite guitar is ideal for fingerstyle playing and light strumming. The reduced size is excellent for smaller players or musicians looking for a great sounding travel guitar.The M-240E Troubadour features a solid Sitka spruce top over an arched mahogany back, a classic wood combination that produces a well-balanced voice with plenty of overtones. Other features include a bone nut and saddle, tortoiseshell pickguard, nickel plated open gear tuners, and a thin, resonate satin polyurethane finish with a vintage sunburst top. Completing the Troubadour’s vintage vibe is the DeArmond Tone Boss, a user-friendly humbucking magnetic soundhole pickup with built-in volume control that is compatible with any amplifier.

Learn About The Westerly Collection

The Westerly Collection pays homage to an important period in Guild’s early history, when Guild outgrew the beloved Hoboken, New Jersey factory, and moved production to Westerly, Rhode Island in 1967. Finding a home in a former furniture manufacturing building, Guild took advantage of the additional space the new location had to offer, and improved upon the production layout left behind in Hoboken. With a fresh start, highly skilled employees, and plenty of room to grow, Guild flourished. It was not long before the Westerly factory became renowned for exceptional craftsmanship, quality, and the introduction of many beloved Guild acoustics. The dedication to innovation was apparent, with meticulous attention to detail. Inspired by this golden era, the Guild Westerly Collection carries on the tradition of impeccable workmanship and unwavering excellence by incorporating high-quality materials and classic Guild designs into each instrument.

Learn About The History of Guild Archbacks

Guild began its legacy in 1953 by producing archtop electric guitars for the Jazz market in New York city; these guitars were built with arched backs made from pressed laminate maple, a low-cost alternative to hand-carved maple backs typical in Jazz guitar construction. As the company grew and began offering flat-top acoustics in 1954, the first models such as the F-30, F-40 and F-50 shared this pressed laminate arched back construction, which became a Guild trademark. Other classic Guilds like the D-25 and F-412, icons of the brand’s history to this day, represent this unique combination of acoustic flat top and arched back guitar construction. In addition to its classic look and ergonomic comfort, an arched back design prevents the need for the added support of back braces, reducing weight while increasing projection and volume, contributing to the revered Guild sound for which these historic models are so well loved. We’ve paid homage to this classic Guild design trademark with a full line of affordable Archback models, available now from the Westerly Collection in sizes ranging from Concert to Jumbo.