Rich Cohen
Senior Member
Here are pics of my most recent acquisition, courtesy of Richard Peterson, a fellow LTGer and first class collector, business man and all around gentleman.
https://imgur.com/a/rtTKo
https://imgur.com/a/rtTKo
Seems to me to be like a DV-52 but with more elegance and "finesse." It's a custom shop production out of Nashville in 1999. Probably supervised by Bob Benedetto. Can't wait to turn the electronics on. Playin' it tonight at an open mic in Waynesboro, VA. Has unusual bracing, right up to the sound hole. Will post another pic tomorrow showing the bracing, at least as it appears from the sound hole. Guild always keeps us guessing, ya' know. The Westerly Website says that it has hand sculpted "floating X bracing." Does anyone know what that is exactly?
Thanks,
Rich
Charlottesville, VA
IIRC, the Guild "floating" bracing didn't refer to it not be fixed firmly to the soundboard (top)... if it wasn't glued to the top, it wouldn't brace the top against the pull forces of the strings. I believe it refers to the fact that the braces didn't extend all the way to the EDGES of the soundboard, but rather ended somewhat short of the sides (how short of the sides, I don't know).
And what would be the advantage of such a technique?
From the Westerly Guild Guitars site...
Doesn't really explain the advantages of "floating" bracing, but my understanding was that it allowed the top to vibrate more freely...
Wow that is one cool headstock and cool guitar what else does he want to sell ? Lol
Congrats !