D40 and D25M advice

[Alexandre IV]

Hey guys, someone in my area is selling a 1976 D25 mahogany and a D40 antique sunburst. Here are a few random questions.

Aside from the specs, how does the M20 and D25M compare. Both are all hog, but do they have the same kinda vibe? Which would you prefer to have and why?

The D40 serial is CVM0001xx. What year is that? Everyone seems really big on the red spruce top but I have a 1980 D40 and I really like it. Is this newer D40 that much better in terms of wood, build, etc?

On either of these, what should I look for if I get around to trying them?

Cheers!

 

[Dadaist]

Hey guys, someone in my area is selling a 1976 D25 mahogany and a D40 antique sunburst. Here are a few random questions.

Aside from the specs, how does the M20 and D25M compare. Both are all hog, but do they have the same kinda vibe? Which would you prefer to have and why?

The D40 serial is CVM0001xx. What year is that? Everyone seems really big on the red spruce top but I have a 1980 D40 and I really like it. Is this newer D40 that much better in terms of wood, build, etc?

On either of these, what should I look for if I get around to trying them?

Cheers!

As you probably know, the M20 is a parlor sized guitar, whereas the D-25 is a Dread...so you're talking about two different types and sizes.

If you haven't already, can check out the serial numbers at westerlyguildguitars.com and not only will it answer most (unlike your namesake, the Pope ..it is not infallible!) of your questions regarding serial numbers, it has a lot of useful information.

Your '80 D-40 is a nice guitar.....don't know if you looking to own a pair of them.

David

 

[Alexandre IV]

As you probably know, the M20 is a parlor sized guitar, whereas the D-25 is a Dread...so you're talking about two different types and sizes.

If you haven't already, can check out the serial numbers at westerlyguildguitars.com and not only will it answer most (unlike your namesake, the Pope ..it is not infallible!) of your questions regarding serial numbers, it has a lot of useful information.

Your '80 D-40 is a nice guitar.....don't know if you looking to own a pair of them.

David[/quote]

Hi Dave,

Yes, I looked at that website and others but I can't for the life of me find anything that matches this serial number (CVM00001xx). The Antique Sunburst D40 is a pretty good bargain at 850$ and I would probably keep the pair for awhile and then keep only the one I prefer. I'm very curious to compare the sitka and the red spruce, and I have to say I'm seduced by the burst.

As for the D25, I guess I'm wondering if it's as good as the D40 in terms of build. Can't see how I could part with my M20 but you never know. For sure I need to have at least one all-hog acoustic!

 

[poser]

The 1976 D-25M would have a spruce top that has been stained to a mahogany shade of color and a mahogany back and sides. Since it's not all 'hog, then you could keep it AND the M-20. :mrgreen:

 

[Alexandre IV]

The 1976 D-25M would have a spruce top that has been stained to a mahogany shade of color and a mahogany back and sides.:

Really? Does that apply to a 1978 D25 as well? Or rather, are there any D25 that are all hog?

 

[Alexandre IV]

Hey Poser, you might want to tell this guy too!

http://cgi.ebay.com/1976-D25-GUILD-D-25 ... 3548053129

 

[Scratch]

Is there a taped strip covering the serial number on the back of the headstock and/or attached to the soundhole label? If so, an educated guess is that the CV number relates to a 'blemish/used' D40 from Corona. Probably 2002 0r 2003 origin.

 

[Dubbaround]

The 1976 D-25M would have a spruce top that has been stained to a mahogany shade of color and a mahogany back and sides.:

Really? Does that apply to a 1978 D25 as well? Or rather, are there any D25 that are all hog?

There are some, in the 1972-74 era I think. If there are newer all hogs, they are some scarce.

 

[poser]

There was a thread recently about this subject over on the FS/FT board. http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23590

I think the consensus was that most of the all mahogany arched back D-25s were made in '73 and '74. More recently some all mahogany D-25s were made in the Corona California plant, but these had a flat back - not the arched back of the old Westerly D-25s.

If you compare the woods on the top and sides of the 1976 D-25M in the link that Alexandre posted, you can see the coarse grain of the mahogany on the side and the much finer grain of spruce on the top.

 

[GardMan]

Really? Does that apply to a 1978 D25 as well? Or rather, are there any D25 that are all hog?

Flat-backed D-25s from 1972-73 and earlier are all mahogany. During the transition to arched backs in 1973-74, there were some all mahogany arched back D-25s made. From '74-75 until ???, D-25s had spruce tops, often stained to look like "mahogany" (the D-25M). AT some point, the all mahogany-flat back model was re-introduced... but I don't know when that occurred. There was some overlap in the production of these different morphs... from '73 you can find all-mahogany D-25s with flat or arched backs. From '74 you can find arched backs tht have either mahogany or spruce tops. I don't know if you could find all three morphs from one year...

 

[poser]

Thanks, GardMan for the authoritative word. I'm still a little fuzzy on my guild history.

 

[adorshki]

Is there a taped strip covering the serial number on the back of the headstock and/or attached to the soundhole label? If so, an educated guess is that the CV number relates to a 'blemish/used' D40 from Corona. Probably 2002 0r 2003 origin.

"CVM" is a legitimate Corona s/n prefix for a D40. If it's "CVM0001xx" it's probably first year ('02). Mine's "CVM0008xx", Hans thinks it's probably a late '03 from the info he had when I asked him.
Alexandre, note "red spruce" ("adirondack") is not formally spec'd until the Tacoma D40 "Bluegrass" models. Richie Havens models still get sitka.