1966 D-50. What's it worth?

[Taylor Martin Guild]

While picking up a non-Guild guitar that had just had some work done, I decided to bring in my D25 to have it evaluated. Its an 87 and has been in need of some work for an embarrassingly long time. Apparently it needs to have the fret-board re-planed and new frets put on (needing new frets was the only obvious issue, to me anyway). I mentioned that I was glad that it didn't need a neck reset and his response was that it will probably never need a reset, that Guilds are over-built and rarely need to have their necks reset. He also recommended that I use medium gauge strings instead of lights because in his opinion, due to the amount of mass on the top, I'm not getting the full tone that the guitar is capable of by trying to drive it with light gauge strings. Any thoughts?

Regards,
Kevin

I agree. Try some mediums.
You will love the tone and volume but the strings will be a bit harder to bend.
I use mediums on all my dreds. It helps then achieve their full potential.

 

[West R Lee]

Allow me to very respectfully disagree. Virtually all Westerly built acoustic Guild guitars were sent from the factory with light gauge strings. I definately agree that medium or for that matter heavy gauge strings are louder than lights, but disagree that mediums are needed to reach a Westerly's full potential sonically, otherwise, the factory would have shipped them with mediums.

Furthermore, the laws of simple physics make it a fact that the more string tension applied to the neck, top and bridge, the more likelihood of bowing, cracking and pulling of the bridge, neck and top over time. The heavier the string, the more tension on the guitar's components.

Having said that, I don't think using a set of mediums for a while wouldn't hurt a thing, but over a long period of time, it's asking for trouble......especially on an older guitar. I also believe that unless you play in front of audiences, there really is no need for medium or heavy gauge strings. If you do use lights and volume is a problem, Guilds sound fabulous through a microphone or with a pickup.

West

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Any well built guitar should be able to handle medium strings. They ship them with lights because that's what most people play. I have had mediums on my D17 for about a year now, a tremendous difference in tone and volume. I tried them on the D40, not so much difference. If string tension is a big worry, why play lights, go for extra lights. :wink:

On a 12 string or a very lightly built guitar mediums may be a problem, but I don't see a cause for concern on the majority of guitars regardless of brand.

 

[West R Lee]

Why not play extra heavy gauge? :?

West

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Why not play extra heavy gauge? :?

West

Because they don't make such a thing, and if they did, they would be too darn heavy. :wink:

 

[FNG]

It depends on the top of the individual guitar. Some tops are pinched by the extra tension of medium strings, and will not sound as good. Some are built or braced for mediums. Nothing wrong with trying mediums, but I've gone back to lights on my Guild dreds, since I can't tell that much difference with mediums, and the lights are more playable.

 

[West R Lee]

[quote="West R Lee":2260rehq]Why not play extra heavy gauge? :?

West

Because they don't make such a thing, and if they did, they would be too darn heavy. :wink:[/quote:2260rehq]

:lol: But the point should be taken. Personally I don't give a hoot what kind of strings anyone uses, but the man asked about strings for an '87 D25. Just an opinion....and several facts.

West

 

[Dr. Spivey]

Yep, the heavier the string gauge, the more tension. At some point there is too much, that is probably why almost no one manufacturers heavy gauge (14-59) strings anymore. Almost every manufacturer makes mediums (13-56). I guess it all depends on how much is too much for any guitar.

It depends on the top of the individual guitar. Some tops are pinched by the extra tension of medium strings, and will not sound as good. Some are built or braced for mediums. Nothing wrong with trying mediums, but I've gone back to lights on my Guild dreds, since I can't tell that much difference with mediums, and the lights are more playable.

That's why I play lights on one, and mediums on the other. On the D17 the tone is worth what I loose in playability, on the D40 it's not. When the D17 was my only axe, I played lights on it.

As far as the mechanical stress on the guitar, I don't think it is enough difference to worry about. Some people do. If that is a concern, then lighter strings would be better.

 

[Mica]

Wow, I didn't expect this to turn into a debate. I should also mention that I thought I was in the discussion on neck resets when I posted this, so sorry as I am way off topic here. On shipping from the factory with light gauge strings, do you know of any guitar makers that ship with anything other then light? I don't believe I have ever picked up a guitar, from Samash to Mandolin Brothers, without light gauge strings on them. So should I conclude that no guitars can handle medium gauge strings? On the Physics, yeah, more tension, but I doubt that it is enough to cause any problems. Anyone out there experience any issues that could be directly attributable to medium strings? I also wonder what Guild has to say on this. Anyone know? Back to physics, I believe there's more going on then just increased volume. The additional energy transferred to the soundboard will excite more harmonics and should produce a richer sound. Too much energy and things will start to break up. If you think you have hit the sweet spot with light gauge strings then great I'm sure your instrument really sings. I've never tried mediums on mine & unless someone convinces me that I'm compromising the integrity of my guitar I'll probably give it a try & will let you all know how it works out. That will probably be awhile as my guitar repair budget was just recently depleted...

Regards,
Kevin

 

[taabru45]

I use lights quite a lot...also like 'bluegrass' strings which are medium on the bass 3 and light on the top 3....kind of the best of both worlds...and I think Larrivee guitars may have mediums on them...also a lovely guitar.....Steffan

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Most Martins are shipped with mediums.
I agree that many guitar makers ship with lights because the guitar is easier to play with lights.
That is a fact.
I like the extra punch that medium gauge strings give me.
I tried lights on my D-55 right after I got it.
They sounded wonderful at home but I could not hear my guitar at the jam.
You know, banjos and mandolins.

I agree with West that if you don't need mediums for the extra punch, why use them.I just happen to need the extra.
By the way I have a 1980 Yamaha and a 1981 Martin that have been strung up with mediums their entire lives and the guitars are structurally great.
No signs of any stress related issues from using mediums.
If I ever see issues starting to show up, I'll switch to lights and be happy with them.

I guess that one way to look at it is, not if it will happen but when will it happen.
Wood and glue will only last for so long.
This won't cause me to worry about it and go to extra light gauge strings.

Wow, now this is a veer isn't it.

 

[adorshki]

It depends on the top of the individual guitar. Some tops are pinched by the extra tension of medium strings, and will not sound as good. Some are built or braced for mediums. Nothing wrong with trying mediums, but I've gone back to lights on my Guild dreds, since I can't tell that much difference with mediums, and the lights are more playable.

This is the correct answer, and I agree with Wes, if they needed mediums, Westerly would have shipped 'em with mediums. Personally I think you can play lights harder and they'll have a bigger oscillation, thus giving the volume back. 8)

 

[thynquer]

Here are some pictures of the 1966 Guild D50. The shadow on the front shot of the body is a reflection of the sheet on the bed the guitar is resting on, and the darkness on the shot of the back is a reflection of my camera and tripod.

The guitar is as it was the day I bought it. I haven't had any adjustments or any other work on it other than changing strings...

Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for your help!

 

[twocorgis]

Here are some pictures of the 1966 Guild D50. The shadow on the front shot of the body is a reflection of the sheet on the bed the guitar is resting on, and the darkness on the shot of the back is a reflection of my camera and tripod.

The guitar is as it was the day I bought it. I haven't had any adjustments or any other work on it other than changing strings...

Let me know if you have any questions and thanks for your help!

Yikes, those are way too big! I use 1024x768 pixels, some here prefer smaller than that. You can batch resize in programs for Windows like the free Irfanview.

Nice guitar, though. 8)