Madeira A-30M

I bought my A30M in 1974 (I think) from a little shop my dad and I had discovered. I was in love with Guild's and the Madeira had all the sound and quality at a price I could afford as a poor college student. I think I paid $180 at the time. I regularly check out guitars on Craigs List, or at stores, and until you get into spending a whole lot of money, there isn't a guitar that I trade for. Some of my friends have Taylor's that they've bought in the thousand to fifteen hundred range, and I certainly wouldn't trade them. I did pick up a Taylor in the two thousand range last week, that I'd consider...but even then, it would lack the sentimental value. The Takamine's sound good plugged in, but unplugged, they have no depth. Upper end Martin's are great, but it's a completely different sound. So, I have a hard time trying to figure out how I would/could replace my Madeira. As others have said, the A30M has a beautiful blonde body, three piece neck construction, etc. I put a nice pickup in it about 20 years ago and whether plugged, or unplugged, the sound is incredible.

When I bought this guitar, it had the Guild sound, and still does! There's no mistaking the bright and yet full flavor! Over time the sound has aged, and as I've said, there are few guitars I would trade for.

Well, having had the guitar for nearly 35 years, I've messed with the action off and on. The bridge is adjustable, and run all the way down to where the action is the absolute best, there is a bit of buzz. I try to keep the bridge absolutely as low as possible without picking up buzz, and again, the action hard to beat. I picked up Taylors and Martins in the thousand range last week at the guitar store, and none had action that was any better.

A couple of years ago I started having some intonation problems, but didn't want to spend big bucks having someone rework the guitar. I did some study online, put in a new nut and carefully adjusted the notchings, as well as some adjustments on the bridge and truss, and now it's back to perfect up and down the neck. Beyond that, the guitar is still in awesome condition and held up to thousands of hours of playing over the past 34 years.

never needed to

If this guitar were stolen, I would be heartbroken. Really, there is no replacing it! I may end up getting a second acoustic, some day, but it won't be a replacement. It would only be a second. Of course, my A30M has a ton of sentimental value, but it's still beautiful, has great tone and action and you'd have to spend a ton of money to match it.

I bought my Madeira in 1978 to earn some extra cash to save for a house. I think I paid $225. new ! I put a D'Armond pickup on it and had a Plush amp that doubled as a sound system. I put a Humingbird pickguard on it ( a Japanese copy ) . Cost $6.95 .

Since I play soft rock , folk , ballads , etc. it fits fine. It's a hell of a lot lighter than a solid body and I can take it to parties to bore the hell out of anyone who'll listen.

The action is a little high but I got used to it.I was thinking lately that I was going to try to drop it a smidge. Since my callouses are soft from not playing regularly it needs a little tlc.

I must have played as a weekeng warrior for 10-15 years and it still looks and sounds great , maybe better that new.

never called , never needed to

Not constantly playing but I did learn some Gordon Lightfoot on this ax in 1978. Pitty the man who tries to steal my "baby".I went to the Martin factory for a tour and played a few afterwards and have to say my Madeira sounds as good in not better than theirs.... and a lot cheaper too!......

My Madeira A 30 M (JAPAN 20 Fret): Sides and back are maple and I think spruce two piece top and what I thought was a cherry neck and head, rosewood fret board. I think this is an early one with a rectagular head. Later Madeiras had a more stylized shaped head. Purchased in Lincoln Nebraska at a little shop in Uni Place in 1976. It remains a prized posession 30 years later. It was all I could afford and then some as a college student looking to step up from a 5 dollar very used guitar. I think it was nearly 200 dollars but can't remember for sure. One would spend at least $1000 to match it today for sound and playability. Mine needs work as the frets are worn. Tuners are worn and a little tricky to work with. I mostly play with bare fingers so it never worked too hard but this guitar has been played easily more than 20,000 hours without major a breakdown.

Full, rich, well balanced sound. Works well for Ragtime, Country-Folk and Blues.

Action was a little high but adjusted down no problem. The guitar plays easily and others who have played usually say "plays nice." Looking into the hole towards the bridge you can see some slight imperfections in the bracing alignment and a slightly crossed grain wood brace.

Still has some life in it. It has the sound. Frets very worn should be dressed or may need replacement. Has an ugly crack that appeared years ago on the neck where it attaches to the body on the laminate that curves to the back (has not seemed effect neck function).

This was a great purchase, I never regreted it. About 30 of 35 years of playing have been with this guitar. I would probably drop a bundle to replace it. I am debating presently about replacing it or having the neck worked on.

I bought mine in 1972. Japanese. Beautiful blonde, quilted maple. I suspect it's veneer over solid, or plywood. Solid spruce top. Mahogony neck with rosewood fingerboard. Inlaid rostette, ivroid binding including fingerboard, and inlaid back center seam. Adjustable bridge saddle, with plastic saddle and plastic nut.

When I bought it, friends who had spent three times as much on Guilds, couldn't believe that my axe sounded better and looked better. It boomed and was nicely balanced, with a little more brightness than the Guilds. The neck broke 20 years ago and I haven't been able to get rid of it. I'm planning on getting it fixed. Also replace bridge with non-adjustable bone saddle and bone nut. Can't wait to hear how it's aged.

Action was great. Neck is slim with a low profile; more like an electric. Very comfortable. The binding, purfling, and inlays were stuff you'd have expected on axes costing hundreds more.

Wood screws holding tuners began stripping out of the head stock almost from the day I bought it. The neck break was a bad accident. Otherwise it was rock solid.

N/A

I've been playing for 40 years. I bought when I was 15 with money from my first job delivering groceries. I love it for the hard work it took to get it, for it's great sound, and for the memories it holds of beign an insane teenager obsessed with jamming. I own a Guild D25m which I also love dearly. Also a couple of funky Stellas and Harmonies for bottlenecking. When I bought the Madeira I compared it to the Guild, Gibsons, Epiphones, Sigmas and though it sounded better and played easier. Martin wasn't even an option. My Guild is also about 30 years old and the sound has really opened up -- it sounds better than a new Martin D28. I'm really looking forward to fixing the Madeira, getting bone saddle and nut, replace the tuners and seeing how it's aged.

I have a Madeira A30M that I bought around 1973? god knows what I paid for it then, but I can tell you that it is one of the best stage guitars I ever owned! It has taken a Licken and just keeps on ticken. The action is above average and sound is fantastic! The only complaint I ever had with it was the tuners and adjustable bridge. The tuners are a little on the less expensive side but they still are functioning today? although I will need to change them soon. What the heck? not too shabby after 30 years, eh? As far as the bridge, a non-adjustable WILL raise the quality of sound an least another notch.

What can I say the sound for the price (at that time) was fantastic. Today it would be considered ridicules! If you?re the type that likes acoustic blues or a fingerpicker, you?re gonna love this.

The action is above average and like I said before the only complaint I ever had with it was the tuners and adjustable bridge

It is Reliable and has definitely stood the time test? I wouldn?t do a gig without it!

I have been playing acoustic guitar for 40 years and if it disappeared today I would definitely hunt down another one. If you never had one of these in your hands you don?t know what you are missing. I LOVE IT! for an I have been playing acoustic guitar for 40 years and if it disappeared today I would definitely hunt down another one. If you never had one of these in your hands you don?t know what you are missing. I LOVE IT! For an Overall Rating I give it a ROCK SOLID 9

This was my first guitar,purchased in 1980 for about $275.00.Modeled after a Guild acoustic.Nice light blonde maple top,mahogany neck w/truss rod,rosewood fretboard which was stained black to look like ebony.I bought this new with saved birthday money etc. when I was 12 years old.I still have it and now,23 years later, it sounds much better than when new. As with all acoustics,aging of the wood and thinning of the finish makes it warmer sounding,it was really bright when i first bought it.I used really heavy strings originally, and had a Seymore Duncan humbucker soundhole pickup which was stolen. And then a S.D. tube pickup later.This guitar will be mine forever.

I now play alot more zeppelin songs in alternate tunings, and use lighter strings. This guitar is so resonant and deep sounding with a well balanced quality that just begs to be played

In the aging process, the maple top has developed a beautiful lightly flamed top which was not apparent when new.The fretboard stain has all but worn off showing the rosewood beneath which gives it a nice aged look.The only thing I plan to change is the cheap tuners. I need to find a light set of sealed tuners to replace them. Otherwise I love this guitar for it's look and sound quality.

I take exceptional care of all my guitars,although I prefer guitars that look used. I own a 1976 Les Paul Custom, a 1996 Strat,and my old charvel Model 4. All well used and beautiful!New guitars show no history and don't reflect any experience.This is my only acoustic and is all I need for the styles I play. It will not ever be replaced and could not be replaced.Owning any guitar for this long is like a marriage. You become so familiar with it that it effects your playing with a great sense of confidence,she knows what to do and you know what to expect from her. You can almost see her wink at you when you hit that augmented chord, or bend that note just enough . PERFECT.

Good cases and luthiers count. Also humidifiers.

I would be heartbroken if it was stolen or broken. There is no replacement for your first guitar, especially after 22 years!New guitarists take heed.Find a good guitar,and never part with it! Don't be afraid to buy a used guitar that has been well used.It generally means that it is really good and well loved, even if dings, scratches and wear are prominent.There is a story behind each one, and that is experience and history.Keep at least one guitar forever, even if you buy one with more goodies on it,in the long run,having a long relationship with one guitar will ultimately pay you back ten fold.Can you really put a price on that? I don't think so....

I don't know what year it was made, it was my mom's in college which was in the 80's. It still looks new.
It's a splitback, pretty yellowish/light brown in color. A pretty design around the mouth of the face.
No pickup in it, but I've thought of putting one in. It has a thin neck with reg. frets.

Depending on the strings, it normally has a sharper sound. The sound is so full! I like to use Elixers, but occasionally, D'Adarrio lights.

It's beautiful! Very durable....I don't play too hard, but certain friends have played it that do. Always gives out a great sound no matter how hard or soft she's being played.
The finish seems to keep away lots of dents because I've had it so long and it still looks fairly new. I don't treat it like glass, but mostly keep it in case when not in use.
No strap buttons! I might put them in someday.
Very dependable.

I've been playing it for about 5 years, and never been disapointed. I've played some Taylors, Alvarez, Takaminis, ect.....I'd like to own a Taylor someday, but it would be hard to part with this. I love how it looks, I love how it sounds. I don't like the cut. I kinda wish it had the cutaway shape to it.

This beautiful blonde dreadnought guitar is made of very flamey maple (hence the "M" at the end of "A-30M"). Assembled in Japan with American parts, just like the the epiphones and sigmas of its day, sometime in the 70's, maybe early 80's. Other than the place of manufacture, there is little difference with the American model Guilds. Mother-of-pearl inlay logo (nice), and it has an adjustable saddle, which I didn't know it had before purchase, and I never heard of before on this model. Also has three piece neck. Tuners seem to be original; there is no sign of replacement, but they hold the guitar in tune surprisingly well considering its age. Already had pin on base of neck for strap. This one also came with hardcase.

The sound is what sold me on it. I play americana/country/rock/folk, and I like to play hard. I love the way this guitar handles the abuse like no Takamine, Ovation, or Taylor could. I'm having electronics put in it and making it one of my main guitars live, alongside a 70's Hummingbird copy (with added features) and a Jazzmaster (for the "plugged" stuff, of course). I gig a few times a month, and also do some session work, and this Madeira does "quiet" just as well. The sound to me is easily as good as a Martin or Guild. Nice bright sound rounded with rich bottom end.

There are some minor dings in front and back of finish on body, not too terrible or noticeable. Great action, but I recently screwed around with the adjustable saddle, because it's too low where high E string rests, so that string sounds dull. Nothing my old luthier friend can't fix.

This guitar withstands my playing very well. Heck, it's already withstood at least 20 yrs. of life and it's in near mint condition. Previous owner must have taken good care of it. When I got it, no immediate adjustment was needed, and no screw needed to be tightened. However, when I get a guitar, or when I come off tour, I always take the guitars to my luthier for adjustments. I believe the Madeira will last me a lifetime with the proper maintenance and care. Everything holds extremely well so far. I usually have a back up guitar with me, but I'm confident that this one would get me through the end of the night on its own, no problem.

Apparently, this company was not very organized back then, so there's not much Guild could really do right now concerning Madeira. They don't make them anymore, anyway.

I've been playing guitar for 14 yrs, and professionally for 6. I have 7 guitars right now and the A30-M is at least on my top 3 right now, possibly top 2, alongside a 70's Hummingbird copy (customized, of course) and a Yamaha classical which is perfect for the jazzy/classical stuff (that I'm getting away from). Out of all my guitars, there are only two that I wish to keep forever, and the Madeira's one of them. If this guitar was stolen I would definitely miss it and would try to find another one like it, but could settle for something that I found to be of equal value. That been said, a guitar this good is REALLY hard to find for the price. Good deals are not hard to find if you know where to look, but this one I think was especially good. Anyone who owns a Madeira should treat it like at least an 800.00 guitar. If you know someone who can work on guitars, get them to work on this one; I guarantee it'll become one of your favorites

As far as features go, the guitar is fairly simple. It has numerous dings and scratches from my playing of it(though many already were there), but is in good condition otherwise.

Nice to know it was hand-made, as all Guild's back then.

I have to agree with the rest of the ratings. A full, rich sound that gives the guitar a boost unlike the more expensive brands. It's better than my friend's multi-grand guitars... and they said that themselves.

Though I was suprised by its amazingly good action and ability to stay in tune despite me playing it all day in any weather. The neck is straight as it can be, which has suprised me so far. The tuning pegs are loose, but only slighty, and this is going to be fixed soon.

This guitar has withstood everything I've thrown at it. And many times this is quite literal. I've played it in -30F all the way to +92F... No signs of wear or tear from weather. No warping at all.

What company?

Well... I've been playing 4 years now. This is the first guitar I got. I needed a guitar and remembered a neighbor who had tried to sell a guitar at a yardsale for $190. I didn't get it then, but for my 13th birthday, my parents called the couple up and offered less. Bingo. We got the guitar.

I don't think I'd sell this guitar. Perhaps only for the fact that it was the first guitar I've had. But then again, it's lasted against all odds and has become a friend who listens to everything I have on my mind. I'm never letting this one go.

It is all blonde made of maple with an inlaid back. Few features to speak of but a nice fretboard..easy to play with a thin neck, but wide frets.

Thats the main things about all the madeira's I own. Its the sound I like so much. I have an a-30r, a-9, and an a-11. All have lovely sound.

These guitars are usually set up very well with great action. One of mine had been redone with the action set higher and I amhaving it redone. They are nice wood and solidly made.

All of mine are close to thirty years old and the tuners are all original. They are extremely sturdy guitars. I can definitely depend on the guitar.

never used them

I have been playing for over 20 years and these little japanese guitars are my favorites. I have played them all, over the years and I do love gibson and martin, and of course guild themselves, but the madeiras just seem to fit me and that is why I have several. I had my first madeira in 1976 and have been hooked ever since. Obviously I would buy another, in fact I am looking for a new a30m now, because this one was my favorite and it was stolen. I have gained a lot of information on them if anyone has a question I can answer for them. Including some about the original prices in the 70's. One f the best investments ever for the money.