I'd say our guild has about 10 people but around 30 characters.

And of those 10...we have four who are 50+ (including me) that play on a regular basis (read: everyfreakinday.)
And no, we always welcome new players. In fact, some of our guys are starting up new characters. I probably won't myself since I want to be as badass as possible...
I'm a Shaman but I'm a shitty, shitty healer. I regularly group with a priest I met in the game and he outheals me like crazy. I'm a agil spec shaman, meaning I wear hunter gear.

I don't see all that many of us on our server but on a regular basis, I can damage harder than a warrior (maybe not a rogue) because I crit at 23% (although CTmod stats tell me it's closer to 30%) and when Windfury hits, that's 1000-1500 damage in an instant at my level with my Tooth of Eranikus.
Mainly, I've built this character to solo but I will probably respec at 60 and go for the new Earthshaker set and be a normal shaman. For soloing, this spec is awesome. At 55, I took on three 57-59 chimeras in Winterspring and made it out alive. Granted I did have to Nature's Swiftness myself, heal, and despell myself a lot but I kicked those fucker's asses.
....but at 60, I'm guessing I'll do a LOT less soloing and a lot more group work or PVP.
I can't wait for this honor system. I'll raid IF every night to get that set...