A couple months ago one of my students had his violin on the piano and as he was leaving I asked if I could have a look at it. "Sure." Popped the top open and through the bass-side f-hole I could see a small oval label: Cremona, 1921 and a signature.
I asked him how much it cost. $110,000. He said he liked it. He didn't own it; that honor belonged to a bank in Beijing, but he was allowed to keep it as long as it was used productively. (I didn't ask what, exactly, that last word entailed; he probably hadn't either.)
I just put down a guitar I got today, a 1970-something Japanese-built Guild Madeira A30M. It's laminated entire (Spruce/maple), I paid $169 dollars for it, it needed nothing other than new strings, and, of the 600+ guitars I've owned or played in my life, which would include at least 100 or so dreadnoughts, it may well be my favorite--certainly my fave dread.
It is, simply, a cathedral.
So...$110,000 vs. $169. I'm absolutely positive mine will produce as much happiness--if not great music--as the violin from Cremona.
You can learn a lot from instruments.
Dec 18, 2010 Rating
Madeira's Rock by: Wyzrdofahs
ok here's the story on guild Madeira's the early models were made in Japan under guilds strict instructions using parts and wood supplied by guild here in the USA for an imported guitar they were very hard to beat in their day a few years later they moved production to Korea still using parts and wood sent to them by Guild here in the US. the Korean company went on to become Samick the lower end model Madeira guitars suffered a bit from the Korean change over but the higher end models remained quite good and were the best bang for your buck back in their day! I had a 1975 Madeira A-40 until just recently (damn this economy) and it was my pride and joy. many friends had fancy name brand guitars and there wasn't a one I would have traded my Madeira for.
Oct 29, 2009 Rating
how many by: cesar arellano
yo tengo una a30m y no sabia su valor real, pero la ulma persona que la tubo, la compro por $500.00 dolares, y posteriormente la trajo a mexico, suena increhible,en consideracion con cualquier otra guitarra que posseo
Jun 19, 2009 Rating
Madeira A30MF by: Glenn
I recently after oh 10 years was able to by my friends Madeira A30MF it is a blond dreadnut with the mother of pearl inlay for the name. The guiter was purchased in the med '70s for appox. $100. It plays well, it sounds great..and the, it looks like wood to me smells amazing. It was the 41055 one made. Yes there are better guitars for much more money. So if you find one, and the price is $300 or hopefully less..buy it! I love this guitar.
Apr 16, 2009 Rating
madeira mod A30M by: stan
I also have a blonde madeira accoustic that I bought back in 1999 ( used ). It plays & sounds great. I keep thinking maybe I'll upgrade to something else that sounds better , but you'd have to spend a lot of money to find it. I play music with lots of folks and the old madeira keeps hanging in there. I don't know anything about whwn or where they were made.
I received my Madeira A30M as a gift from my then girl friend about 14 years ago. She bought it from an old guy that use to own a bar and had a country western band. He always told me he could kick himself in the ass for ever getting rid of it. he wanted to upgrade but said he could not find anything close to the tone and sound quality it had unless he would have spent mucho dinero. anyway I am more than happy with it. It holds a tune even after setting in the case for weeks at a time. It is easy on the fingers when you play.I have had gibsons,epiphones,alvarez,and countless others and i'm still impressed with my old madeira. I've tried to find out info on it also and have had very little luck. I'ts almost like Guild is ashamed to admit that they had these imported.They ought to be happy that their name is on this instrument.
