Mountain Dog, I think your Guild back is laminated. Most "arched" or "sculpted" backs on instruments that don't cost a fortune are. They can get veneer as wide as they want.

That doesn't mean it's not a good instrument, although you'll find a lot of people who claim it does. I still miss my D-1R. But it avoids the problems of getting wood in big enought pieces that determine how solid wood backs are made.

Peter.