2018 D55 vs 2021 D55

[PhillyD55X79]

Have there been any changes to the specs or build quality of the D55 from 2018 to 2021? Is there any reason someone would want a 2021 D55 over a 2018 D55?

Thanks!

 

[geoguy]

The only difference I can think of is the benefit of a warranty, if the 2018 was a used instrument and the 2021 was new & sold by a legit dealer.

 

[adorshki]

Have there been any changes to the specs or build quality of the D55 from 2018 to 2021? Is there any reason someone would want a 2021 D55 over a 2018 D55?

Thanks!

HI Philly, welcome aboard! Like Geoguy, I'm not aware of any spec or build quality changes, although it occurs to me they must have the process down by now if there were any "tricky spots" in construction those first couple of years.

 

[chazmo]

Can't imagine any difference, Philly. Agreed with geoguy on the warrantee issue if one is used vs. new.

Having said that, a used D-55 from ANY era is a gem. The New Hartford shop built them as their first model in 2009 when they went to production. Anyway, it all depends on what you're looking for.

 

[fronobulax]

You are dealing with the same factory. Since we don't know of any spec changes I believe you should not be able to tell the difference between a 2021 and 2018 model unless you are looking at playwear or serial numbers. Many years ago someone at LTG looked at what they thought were comparable new and used prices and decided a warranty was worth $300-$500 (in general). So assuming there is no significant difference in when the guitar is in your hands if you order tomorrow and assuming they both have cases, buy new unless the price difference is more than $500. IMO. YMMV.

 

[PhillyD55X79]

So full disclosure, I bought a D-55 from my local Sam Ash 2 weeks ago. The sales guy (who I know from buying other guitars in the past) told me they had just got it in that day. I asked him directly if it was a new 2021 model because I thought the new ones had build in humidifiers in the case (this one did not). Anyway, I don't see many D55's anywhere around me and I've been looking for a while so I bought it for $3K. It is "new" and has a blank warranty card ready for me to fill out and send it for (I'd assume) full factory warranty.

The guitar plays amazing and I don't have any issues with the instrument itself. However, I'm trying to decide if I raise a stink with Sam Ash because they sold me a guitar I thought was a 2021 but I come to find out it's a 2018 (based on the serial #). It is the model without electronics built in but even so I don't think I could find another for $3K new, even if it is an old-stock 2018.

 

[Cougar]

So I'm assuming the serial number and date are etched into the neck block inside the guitar, right? I see Sweetwater has new ones for $3899, but 15% off used to be fairly typical if you asked for it, so that brings in a new 2021 for $3314, meaning your deal for $3K was pretty good for a "new" D55. As mentioned, I doubt there's any difference between a 2018 and a 2021. Still, you might get back with your salesman and say "Hey, you said this was a 2021 but it's a 2018! How about another hundred or two off?" Might work. Worth trying.

Major congrats on a spectacular guitar, by the way! And welcome to the forum!

 

[JohnW63]

Yep. he the sales guy said " We just got it in. " and it was a 2018, I would call the a bit of false advertising. They didn't just get one that old in unless... the just got it in from another Sam Ash who couldn't sell it. Maybe some inventory trade. Even still, from a customer point of view, I would say they were kinda' misleading you. See if you can haggle.

 

[fronobulax]

If they said it was 2021 then you can complain that they did not properly describe the instrument they sold you. If they said "new" then you got a new guitar. "new" means not sold previously at retail, factory warranty, etc. It isn't just about age. If you try and argue that three years old is not new you are going to lose if they decide to actually fight and not just say "whatever". "New old stock" is "new".

If you need to argue and think they are wrong that is your choice but wouldn't you rather just start bonding with your instrument?

If the sales guy really said 2021 why don't you just tell them that, say you were misled (not that it makes any difference as far as the guitar) and see if they will throw in a new set of strings or swap the case for a humidicase at no cost when they get one in?

Since we have established that there is no discernable difference between a 2021 and 2018 this is not about the guitar but about your relationship with the salesperson and the shop.

If you are in the greater Philly area stick around and if there is ever a planned LTG meetup in New Jersey come join us. Maybe you'll find out that I am not the jerk I sometimes sound like when folks are face to face

 

[adorshki]

So full disclosure, I bought a D-55 from my local Sam Ash 2 weeks ago. The sales guy (who I know from buying other guitars in the past) told me they had just got it in that day. I asked him directly if it was a new 2021 model because I thought the new ones had build in humidifiers in the case (this one did not). Anyway, I don't see many D55's anywhere around me and I've been looking for a while so I bought it for $3K. It is "new" and has a blank warranty card ready for me to fill out and send it for (I'd assume) full factory warranty.

Philly, have I said "welcome aboard" yet? I get a little bit lost sometimes.
Anyway, you should be able to confirm warranty status w/ Oxnard, but it sounds legit to me. My own F65ce was an NOS when I bought it but still had warranty, and I believe Oxnard's got similar rule.

BTW from what I've read so far, yes you got a good deal assuming it's got warranty, year of build regardless.

The guitar plays amazing and I don't have any issues with the instrument itself. However, I'm trying to decide if I raise a stink with Sam Ash because they sold me a guitar I thought was a 2021 but I come to find out it's a 2018 (based on the serial #). It is the model without electronics built in but even so I don't think I could find another for $3K new, even if it is an old-stock 2018.

I'm sure you meant "raise a stink" as a figure of speech but warranty also says contact seller first when having warranty questions, and I'm sure you'd do that diplomatically seeing as how you know the sales guy....

And when it comes to Guilds listed for sale in particular, dating is, uh, "frequently erroneous".
So I could see Sam Ash making an honest mistake about that detail.

The case humidifier thing is an anomaly, but I could see a case getting switched, or maybe an older OEM NOS case, New Hartford maybe?
I assume it's logo'd correctly?

But overall if you're satisfied build quality is equal between '18 and '21, and it's got the warranty it's represented as having, I'd take that bird-in-the-hand and run, baby! I think ya done good. Maybe you could even tease 'em into some free strings for getting the year wrong.

Keep us updated!

 

[Wellington]

I'd just keep it, it will likely be identical (as far as that goes with guitars) as the 2021, though I use my humidifier thing in the case all winter, it's not hard to use the other type. Your call!

 

[chazmo]

So full disclosure, I bought a D-55 from my local Sam Ash 2 weeks ago. The sales guy (who I know from buying other guitars in the past) told me they had just got it in that day. I asked him directly if it was a new 2021 model because I thought the new ones had build in humidifiers in the case (this one did not). Anyway, I don't see many D55's anywhere around me and I've been looking for a while so I bought it for $3K. It is "new" and has a blank warranty card ready for me to fill out and send it for (I'd assume) full factory warranty.

The guitar plays amazing and I don't have any issues with the instrument itself. However, I'm trying to decide if I raise a stink with Sam Ash because they sold me a guitar I thought was a 2021 but I come to find out it's a 2018 (based on the serial #). It is the model without electronics built in but even so I don't think I could find another for $3K new, even if it is an old-stock 2018.

New old stock is still new, Philly. It's completely plausible that the guitar sat in Oxnard for a few years unsold. Or, perhaps it came from a different Sam Ash store that had it sitting around. Try confirming this, as Al said, by giving CMG a call and making sure the warrantee is valid! Of course, if the sales guy lied to you and the case wasn't a Humicase, then I think you should talk to the store manager. That's not right! You should definitely have one of those. Perhaps they sold it to you with an old TKL case? That's somewhat fraudulent. In that case, I'd ask them for a grand or a new Humicase .

 

[valleyguy]

I've never played a D55 that didn't sound wonderful. Enjoy the marvel, was a great deal.