What is the primary wood used for the top of the Guild P-240?

The P-240 features a solid Sitka spruce top, which provides a bright and clear sound. This solid wood construction is a key factor in the guitar's tonal definition.

Where does the neck join the body on this model?

The neck joins the body at the 12th fret. This is a traditional design choice that influences both the feel of the instrument and its resonance.

What type of headstock does the P-240 Memoir have?

It features a slotted headstock, a design characteristic commonly found on vintage parlour guitars and early twentieth-century instruments.

What is the neck profile of the P-240?

The guitar has a mahogany neck with a comfortable C-shaped profile. This shape is intended to support the hand during long playing sessions.

What kind of finish is applied to the Guild P-240?

The guitar is finished in a gloss natural polyurethane. This finish provides a protective layer while highlighting the natural grain of the spruce and mahogany.

Is the Guild P-240 suitable for fingerstyle players?

Yes, its parlour size and clear note definition make it highly suited for fingerstyle techniques. Songwriters also find the compact size ideal for intimate writing sessions.

What materials are used for the back and sides?

The back and sides of the P-240 are constructed from mahogany. This wood choice complements the spruce top by providing a balanced, warm foundation to the sound.

What visual details give the P-240 its 'vintage' look?

The guitar includes a vintage-style Guild Script logo and a mother-of-pearl rosette. These elements are inspired by early acoustic guitar aesthetics.

How does the size of the P-240 affect its portability?

As a parlour guitar, it has a significantly smaller footprint than a dreadnought or jumbo guitar. This makes it a popular choice for travelling musicians and players who prefer smaller instruments.

What is the typical price for a Guild P-240 Memoir?

The typical price range for this model is approximately £505. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current market conditions.

Does this guitar use synthetic materials for the rosette?

No, the Guild P-240 Memoir features a rosette made from mother-of-pearl. This adds a premium decorative touch to the instrument's soundhole.

What is the difference between a 12-fret and 14-fret neck join?

A 12-fret join, like that on the P-240, places the bridge further back on the body compared to a 14-fret join. This often results in a warmer tone and a shorter overall length, making the reach to the lower frets easier.

Gear article

Guild P-240 Memoir 12 Fret Natural

The Guild P-240 Memoir is a compact parlour-sized acoustic guitar designed for fingerstyle playing and songwriting. It features a solid Sitka spruce top combined with mahogany back and sides, following a traditional 12-fret neck-to-body construction that echoes early twentieth-century instrument designs.

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Background and Design

The P-240 Memoir is part of Guild's efforts to recreate the aesthetics and tonal qualities of instruments from the early 1900s. The 'Memoir' designation refers to the vintage-inspired appointments, such as the slotted headstock and the Guild Script logo. Unlike modern standard acoustics that join the neck at the 14th fret, this model utilizes a 12-fret join, which alters the bridge position on the soundboard for a more traditional response.

Construction and Materials

The guitar is built with a solid Sitka spruce top, a choice known for its clarity and dynamic range. This is paired with mahogany for the back and sides, a combination that provides a balanced tonal profile. The neck is crafted from mahogany with a comfortable C-shape profile, designed to reduce hand fatigue during extended playing sessions. The instrument is finished in a high-gloss natural polyurethane, which protects the wood while maintaining a classic look.

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Tonal Character

Due to its compact parlour body and solid spruce top, the P-240 delivers a clear, bright sound with high levels of note definition. The 12-fret construction typically results in a warmer, fuller mid-range compared to 14-fret parlour guitars, as the bridge is situated closer to the centre of the lower bout. This makes it particularly suited for intimate performances and acoustic sessions where clarity is prioritised over sheer volume.

Playability and Ergonomics

The smaller body dimensions make the P-240 a highly portable instrument, suitable for travel or home practice. The C-shaped neck and 12-fret design provide a different feel to modern dreadnoughts, often preferred by fingerstyle players who require a more intimate connection with the strings. The mother-of-pearl rosette adds a touch of visual sophistication without compromising the instrument's utilitarian design.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the primary wood used for the top of the Guild P-240?: The P-240 features a solid Sitka spruce top, which provides a bright and clear sound. This solid wood construction is a key factor in the guitar's tonal definition.
Where does the neck join the body on this model?: The neck joins the body at the 12th fret. This is a traditional design choice that influences both the feel of the instrument and its resonance.
What type of headstock does the P-240 Memoir have?: It features a slotted headstock, a design characteristic commonly found on vintage parlour guitars and early twentieth-century instruments.
What is the neck profile of the P-240?: The guitar has a mahogany neck with a comfortable C-shaped profile. This shape is intended to support the hand during long playing sessions.
What kind of finish is applied to the Guild P-240?: The guitar is finished in a gloss natural polyurethane. This finish provides a protective layer while highlighting the natural grain of the spruce and mahogany.
Is the Guild P-240 suitable for fingerstyle players?: Yes, its parlour size and clear note definition make it highly suited for fingerstyle techniques. Songwriters also find the compact size ideal for intimate writing sessions.
What materials are used for the back and sides?: The back and sides of the P-240 are constructed from mahogany. This wood choice complements the spruce top by providing a balanced, warm foundation to the sound.
What visual details give the P-240 its 'vintage' look?: The guitar includes a vintage-style Guild Script logo and a mother-of-pearl rosette. These elements are inspired by early acoustic guitar aesthetics.
How does the size of the P-240 affect its portability?: As a parlour guitar, it has a significantly smaller footprint than a dreadnought or jumbo guitar. This makes it a popular choice for travelling musicians and players who prefer smaller instruments.
What is the typical price for a Guild P-240 Memoir?: The typical price range for this model is approximately £505. Prices may vary slightly depending on the specific retailer and current market conditions.
Does this guitar use synthetic materials for the rosette?: No, the Guild P-240 Memoir features a rosette made from mother-of-pearl. This adds a premium decorative touch to the instrument's soundhole.
What is the difference between a 12-fret and 14-fret neck join?: A 12-fret join, like that on the P-240, places the bridge further back on the body compared to a 14-fret join. This often results in a warmer tone and a shorter overall length, making the reach to the lower frets easier.