Guild Surfliner Solidbody Electric Guitar - Catalina Blue Reviews
A wallet-friendly offset for the masses! Guild’s Surfliner takes the sleek '60s style of a traditional offset guitar and hot rods it with performance-minded features for guitarists who require an instrument with rock-solid stability. The Surfliner’s lightweight poplar body and offset-waist body shape provide an unmatched comfort — both sitting and standing. The smooth maple-on-maple neck’s Narrow Jumbo frets and 10-inch radius ensure smooth playability for players of all stripes. What about versatility? The Surfliner has it in spades, boasting an HSS configuration comprised of two Aersonic single coils and an LB-1 mini humbucker in the bridge, taking you everywhere from surfy drip to all-out crunch. Finally, the string-through body and the Tune-o-matic bridge are ideal for players who love the offset look, but prefer a more streamlined hardware setup.
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Highest Rated Reviews
Looks great, easy to play, and a very versatile pickup combination.
I thought I had all the guitars I needed-Vintage Gibson J45, Journey carbon fiber travel guitar, and a Taylor 12 string. Famous last words, right? I am 67 years old and have played acoustic guitars for 40 years, but never electric. I was looking for something versatile and within my $ budget. I tried a few budget Fenders that were okay, but did some research and came across the Surfliner. I liked the idea of the 3 rocker switches on the HSS setup that give you 7 pickup combinations to choose from. It was not available locally, so I called Sweetwater, had a great conversation with Stephen who answered all my questions, and ordered it. The Pacific Blue model is a stunner. Everyone who sees it has the same reaction: "Ooh, pretty!". The setup on it was spot on out of the box and i'm having loads of fun playing it. Every time I pass by it I want to pick it up.
Fun Guitar
I was looking for a fun, kooky, side guitar to round out my collection, (like Jimmy Page & his Danelectro) and the Surfliner fits the bill perfectly. It has a snappy, bright, Strat/Tele kind of twang to it that works very well with the finger-picking style that I use. The pickups are made with Alnico 5 magnets and are far better than anything else in this price range, imo. The rocker switches are solid and work well, once you get used to them. Vintage-style tuners are a nice touch and hold a tune beautifully.
It does need a set-up right out of the box but that's to be expected for a $ guitar. The fretboard is unfinished maple and needs oiling immediately. I recommend using Music Nomad F-One Oil as it is the only product that I know of that will not discolor the wood. Once properly oiled, it feels very much like a rosewood fretboard and bends are surprisingly easy for a 25.5" scale.
Overall, this is a really fun guitar for players of any skill level. Ideal for adding some kooky character to your guitar rack.
A Contemporary Throwback
Yes this has all the throwback sounds of the brilliant mid 60's Rock guitar sounds - but it's thrown from a thoroughly efficient, technologically solid and inspired art work of a guitar.
Sounds beautiful.
Looks beautiful.
Easy and natural ergonomically in your hands- it's very responsive to your fingers and touch.
The pickup combinations are numerous and varied thanks to a great switching system. This button pickup selector system is easy, efficient in delivering a great range of twang, sting, jangles and bite - while having the ability to make those sounds become "creamy" at the flip of a switch.
Guild has hit this out of the park with this guitar which is worth twice its price, easily.
The obvious external beauty is matched by the beautiful sounds that come from within it.
Easy, smooth experience with Sweetwater. Set up was perfect, was as ready as I to play right out of the box.
Awesome versatile guitar!
This guitar looks great, feels great, and sounds great. It has the features I want and plays like I want. The switching is intuitive, the tuning stability is great, and the style/image of this guitar is super cool. Thanks guild! New inspiration!
This is a fun guitar.
I found this guitar by clicking on a Sweetwater banner showing new products introduced at NAMM 2022. I was immediately intrigued by the eye catching old school design with reverse headstock, but more for the DeArmond single coils in the neck and middle, and Guild LB-1 Humbucker in the bridge position. I thought I would give it a shot, but had every intention of returning it if I was not 100% happy. I threw the box out 2 days in. The guitar is awesome, and the pickup combinations are absolutely outstanding. There are 7 different combinations available, and they all bring something to the table. Outstanding tonal options. The humbucker sounds rightoeus, especially through my Fuzz and OD pedals. Really tight and crunchy with clarity. It's a really fun guitar. I belive it has more to offer than similarly priced guitars, a couple of which I own. This has quickly become my favorite. The neck is modern C, very playable with a light poly finish. not overly glossed over, which I love. The switching takes a minute to get used to, not your typical toggle's, but no issue once you do. Just one note about them if you are on stage.. don't get caught with all three in the off position, or you will have no sound. You learn not to do that right away. The only thing I find odd is that Guild put out a guitar named "Surfliner" with no tremolo bar. But no biggie, totally happy with my purchase.
I could not end this review without giving a huge shoutout to my man at Sweetwater TJ Jackson! TJ has been my guy for the last 6 years, and from day one has constantly gone above and beyond the call of duty to make sure I am taken care of and happy. And that's the Sweetwater difference. Thanks TJ!
Amazing!
This guitar is extremely versatile, and my favorite feature is being able to activate all three pickups altogether at same time - which is a gorgeous clean tone.
Very underrated model, a work horse if you know how to treat it right.
Great job Guild
