A Westerly D-25 with an unverifiable serial number?

[fleecejohnson]

Hi all. I am writing this as a proud new owner of a made-in-Westerly D-25 (antique burst). I bought it from someone I know and trust, and got a good deal to boot. I have to wait for a few days to take delivery, which is tough, but I won't complain.

In the meantime, I've been trying to establish when it was made, and have had some difficulty. The serial number (AD401873) seems to indicate that it was made just outside the 1997-1999 range (whose numbers end with AD401129). Further complicating matters is my discovery that the D-25 ostensibly has the same range of serial numbers as its less expensive sibling, the D-4. (?!) Does anyone know 1) how I might nail down when it was made, precisely, and 2) how I can be absolutely sure the guitar I'm getting isn't a D4?

Thanks! Here's a picture (first attempt to link an image, so my apologies if it doesn't work):

 

[GardMan]

fleece,
Welcome to LTG! That's a beautiful burst!

The model number will be written on the paper label inside the soundhole... the label is visibly present, so the ID should be absolute once you receive the guitar. Or, ask the seller to send you a pic of the label.

Hans Moust, author of the Guild Guitar Book may chime in with more info on the date... he may even have the model that corrsponds to that SN in his data base.

Again, welcome! Enjoy your new (old) Guild!
Dave

 

[killdeer43]

Welcome to the third new member of the night. Wow! Is there something going on out there?
That's a great looking Guild, and I'll bet it sounds good, too!

Cheers,
Joe

*So much for searching the Guild site for SNs. :?

 

[taabru45]

Welcome to the third new member of the night. Wow! Is there something going on out there?
That's a great looking Guild, and I'll bet it sounds good, too!

Cheers,
Joe

Joe only 'bets' on sure things.... :wink: Steffan

 

[fleecejohnson]

Thanks to all for the welcome and the kind words! I'm excited -- always wanted a Westerly D-25 like the one my brother taught me with back in the mid-80's. Based on what I've seen from lists, I suspect this one to be a '99 or '00 model, but then I could easily be wrong. In any case, the seller is a very upstanding guy with whom I've done business before -- he claims the guitar is "incredible" and I believe him. It's going to be tough waiting till next week. :?

 

[hansmoust]

I've been trying to establish when it was made, and have had some difficulty. The serial number (AD401873) seems to indicate that it was made just outside the 1997-1999 range (whose numbers end with AD401129). Further complicating matters is my discovery that the D-25 ostensibly has the same range of serial numbers as its less expensive sibling, the D-4.

Does anyone know 1) how I might nail down when it was made, precisely, and 2) how I can be absolutely sure the guitar I'm getting isn't a D4?

Hello fleecejohnson,

Welcome!

1) It is not possible to give you the exact day that your guitar was made but it was made during 1998. I would say somewhere halfway the year. There should be an ink-stamped date on one of the beveled edges of the neckblock, which should be visible through the soundhole. These stamped dates can be a little hard to read, so if that's the case, a little flashlight might help.
Anyway, this date is not the manufacturing date of the guitar, but the date that the rim was completed in the 'body shop'. Final completion date of the guitar is usually a couple of months after the ink-stamped date, but sometimes more. At this point I would guess the date would be somewhere around June 1998, but I could be off.

2) You didn't post a photo of the entire guitar but from what I can see of the instrument you bought, I would say it's a D-25.

Tell us the date that's stamped in there when you get the guitar!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[fleecejohnson]

Welcome!

1) It is not possible to give you the exact day that your guitar was made but it was made during 1998. I would say somewhere halfway the year. There should be an ink-stamped date on one of the beveled edges of the neckblock, which should be visible through the soundhole. These stamped dates can be a little hard to read, so if that's the case, a little flashlight might help.
Anyway, this date is not the manufacturing date of the guitar, but the date that the rim was completed in the 'body shop'. Final completion date of the guitar is usually a couple of months after the ink-stamped date, but sometimes more. At this point I would guess the date would be somewhere around June 1998, but I could be off.

2) You didn't post a photo of the entire guitar but from what I can see of the instrument you bought, I would say it's a D-25.

Tell us the date that's stamped in there when you get the guitar!

Thanks Hans -- very good to know. I'll definitely follow up once I have it in hand!

 

[taabru45]

I have a D4 gloss that is stamped August 18 1999. It has a gently curved back and the head stock is the same wood as the neck, mahogany without the black veneer. Because of the gloss and the black binding, its a very class act, and even with that small arch in the back I can feel it vibrating in my chest. Beautiful guitars when they might have been putting out as good as it gets, which would be....spectacular. and agressive, mine forced itself upon me...still haven't recovered. :lol: Steffan

 

[DennisMiller]

What an absolutely beautiful guitar. Use it in good health!!!