1973 Guild D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee

[BigMike85]

Good afternoon,

I just ordered a 73 Jubilee from a well known store. It was listed as in good condition. It arrives tomorrow from PA to GA. I was wondering what common issues are with these older models to look for that I might need to get corrected. I was also wondering if 900 is a good price. I felt like I got a steal for a vintage D40. IT has the silk screen logo on the headstock (They actually transitioned in this year to the Chesterfield I think). Any insight is appreciated. I can't wait to see how this thing sounds.

 

[Br1ck]

Other than the neck angle, checking for loose braces , possible cracks (pickguard shrinkage soundhole area), and fret condition, nothing peculiar to a D 40 I know. Low bridge is likely the most common in a guitar this old. It's a good vintage though, and worth repairing. A good deal if you don't need a neck reset, and an OK deal if you can put that off for a few years. I have three guitars I cycle through one at a time, playing each for a couple of weeks, so it's been a month since I played them. Yesterday, I switched from my 65 Texan to my 70 Guild D 35. I'm always amazed by it's tone and feel. You should like the guitar.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Oh yeah! $900 if it's in good shape, I would say that is a great price for a Westerly RI '70s D40.
You totally scored Big Mike!

 

[BigMike85]

Other than the neck angle, checking for loose braces , possible cracks (pickguard shrinkage soundhole area), and fret condition, nothing peculiar to a D 40 I know. Low bridge is likely the most common in a guitar this old. It's a good vintage though, and worth repairing. A good deal if you don't need a neck reset, and an OK deal if you can put that off for a few years. I have three guitars I cycle through one at a time, playing each for a couple of weeks, so it's been a month since I played them. Yesterday, I switched from my 65 Texan to my 70 Guild D 35. I'm always amazed by it's tone and feel. You should like the guitar.

I heard the pickguards crack shrink and cause cracks. I guess there is no stopping that. I'm hoping it won't need a neck reset. I heard Guilds are tough and will run 500 at least for a good one. Thanks for the info!

 

[Westerly Wood]

I heard the pickguards crack shrink and cause cracks. I guess there is no stopping that. I'm hoping it won't need a neck reset. I heard Guilds are tough and will run 500 at least for a good one. Thanks for the info!

I got a reset on my D25Br in 2015 and it cost $350. I typically do not see them over $400. Even if it needs one, a Westerly D40, '70s, for 1300, is not bad.

 

[BigMike85]

I got a reset on my D25Br in 2015 and it cost $350. I typically do not see them over $400. Even if it needs one, a Westerly D40, '70s, for 1300, is not bad.

Did the reset affect the tone on you D25?

 

[Westerly Wood]

Did the reset affect the tone on you D25?

I did not notice a difference. The tone of this guitar is typically a tad subdued due to the hog top, definitely darker and warmer than a spruce top, and not as much volume. but very sweet sounding.

 

[donnylang]

$900 is a fair price, however IMO 1973 is where you start to see changes from the classic period Guilds ... so I think this would be a fair price, not a "deal" personally.

 

[Westerly Wood]

$900 is a fair price, however IMO 1973 is where you start to see changes from the classic period Guilds ... so I think this would be a fair price, not a "deal" personally.

That’s a good qualification Donny. ‘73 seemed to be a transition year for Martin too. Not just Guild. Interesting.

still, if it’s me, I am ok with $900 especially if it needs like only a setup.

 

[Br1ck]

When pricing a neck reset, I always factor in a refret and nut and saddle work. I've never had a guitar needing a reset that didn't also need some fretwork. And I have a disliking for shaved bridges. Just adds cost for the guy fixing something correctly.

 

[Rambozo96]

I would say it’s a good deal if it plays fine as is. I can’t imagine 73’ was a bad year for Guild as my 74’ D-35 is a perfectly fine guitar but opinions and your mileage may vary. I believe Gotoh built the tuners for this particular Guild. I only seen these types of tuners on some old MIJ Univox Les Paul copies but 72’-73’ seems to be an odd transition period for tuners as I seen D-35’s from this era with Kluson’s, some odd style tuner with a small footprint, and what I suspect is manufactured by Gotoh.

 

[Rambozo96]

I heard the pickguards crack shrink and cause cracks. I guess there is no stopping that. I'm hoping it won't need a neck reset. I heard Guilds are tough and will run 500 at least for a good one. Thanks for the info!

I don’t suspect it would be the end of the world if a pickguard crack was to occur provided you tended to it in a timely manner. I would imagine that is a common repair for any competent luthier. The stickler however is the material guitar manufacturers used for pickguard material is celluloid which is highly flammable So much so that a celluloid fire almost burnt down the Harmony guitar factory in Chicago. Unfortunately modern replacements for the “tortoiseshell” style stuff IMO looks not as aesthetically pleasing as the celluloid material. New stuff is referred to a pepperoni pickguard which a google search will show how it gets the name.

 

[GardMan]

I heard the pickguards crack shrink and cause cracks. I guess there is no stopping that. I'm hoping it won't need a neck reset. I heard Guilds are tough and will run 500 at least for a good one. Thanks for the info!

I've owned 6 Guild dreads from the 70s, two from the 80s, and 4 from the 90s... none have had pick guard cracks.

 

[Cougar]

I was wondering what common issues are with these older models to look for that I might need to get corrected.

First thing I looked at was the height of the saddle, which looks OK. If the action is decent, you're good to go! Could be a big win!

 

[adorshki]

Good afternoon,

I just ordered a 73 Jubilee from a well known store. It was listed as in good condition. It arrives tomorrow from PA to GA. I was wondering what common issues are with these older models to look for that I might need to get corrected. I was also wondering if 900 is a good price. I felt like I got a steal for a vintage D40. IT has the silk screen logo on the headstock (They actually transitioned in this year to the Chesterfield I think). Any insight is appreciated. I can't wait to see how this thing sounds.

Congrats! Common issues?

Inverted Truss Rod Cover, far more common than cracked/shrunken pickguards.

I'd correct that one post-haste before some real damage gets done. Once fixed, regular playing prevents recurrence..

 

[valleyguy]

I recently bought a 1968 D40, and had the neck reset on it, best money I ever spent. Here's a thread on it:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/neck-reset-on-a-68-d40.208630/

 

[Heath]

I recently bought a 1968 D40, and had the neck reset on it, best money I ever spent. Here's a thread on it:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/neck-reset-on-a-68-d40.208630/

Likewise on a ‘66

 

[Br1ck]

If you have a thin bridge from shaving, and a poor break angle over the saddle, you will receive sonic as well as action improvements from a neck reset. It's akin to replacing your tires. You don't realize how bad you worn ones were. People have gotten used to replacing rather than repairing these days.