John Guilford of Guilford Guitars
We frequently dote on our customers and talk about how much we love them. Most companies do this now days, but we really do mean it. Our employees come from a variety of industries and backgrounds, and we frequently comment on how cool and enjoyable our customers are compared to – you know – those we’ve dealt with in our previous professions.
Beyond the standard gratitude that we get from helping builders and shops get the guitar parts they need, we really like to see our customers do great things with their work. Of course we’re pleased to see our customers finished products, but nothing makes us more proud than to see someone do something that is truly extraordinary.
This brings us to today’s customer profile, which tells the story of John Guilford – owner of Guilford Guitars in Glasford, Illinois – and his recent efforts to honor our fallen soldiers.
John graduated from The Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA in the late 80′s. Since then, he has transitioned from player to builder as he has grown Guilford Guitars from the ground up, and we at Allparts are grateful to have done business with him during his journey.
To make a remarkable guitar, you have to know what a musician needs in an instrument and then produce it on a level that is beyond their expectation. Who better to do that than a player turned luthier? – John Guilford
Guilford’s United States Air Force Guitar
On April 27th of 2011, tragedy befell 8 US Air Force members and a civilian contractor in Kabul, Afghanistan. A rogue Afghan military trainee gunned down the servicemen, leaving a total of 32 children fatherless. Major Henry Cecil, who has guitar and music-related connections and friends and who was stationed with the men in Afghanistan, approached John with the story of his friends who had died in the line of duty. John then decided to pay tribute to the men by building a custom Redeemer model with parts donated from Allparts, Floyd Rose, Seymour Duncan, G&G Quality Case, and others.
The result of John’s project is a one of a kind guitar dedicated to the lives lost and altered by the events of April 27th 2011. The guitar features a graphic on the guitar’s front taken from a jacket worn by Major Cecil in Afghanistan, a neck containing mother of pearl inlays arranged to read “US Air Force,” and a back painted Air Force blue and listing the names of the fallen.
The Redeemer will see tour time with Lillian Axe, a band whose members Major Cecil is personal friends with, and will ultimately join the collection of a private owner by way of a raffle that benefits the surviving family members of the airmen.
Allparts is proud to do business with Guilford Guitars and contribute to his efforts to acknowledge our fallen airmen.
Major Henry Cecil with Guilford's USAF guitar
More Sources and Additional Information
If you would like to know more about Guilford Guitars, the Redeemer tribute guitar, Lillian Axe, or how you can help support the family members of the victims of the Kabul shooting of April 27th 2011 – please visit the following pages:
John Guilford’s Redeemer Tribute at the Dallas, TX Guitar Show
The Official Air Advisor Memorial Website
Official US Air Force site article about the incident
Official US Air Force site article on John Guilford’s tribute guitar
Do you want to have your business featured by Allparts? Send us an e-mail at community@allparts.com and tell us about yourself.
