I am interesting in dipping my toe into the Guild water. I have been looking for a vintage D25 but they seem to be a little beyond the budget. I am currently considering a GAD-50 versus a D4. Any thoughts on which one would be the better choice? I picked up guitar again a year or so ago after about taking about 15 years off. I would classify myself as a somewhat advanced beginner. Mainly strumming, no fingerstyle. Thanks!
GAD-50 or D4?
- Thread starter dmw
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killdeer43
Reverential Member
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dmw,
First of all, welcome to the Guilded crew.
You are certain to get a ton of responses here about which guitar to buy, and you might end up more confused than before, but it's worth checking in to hear the opinions offered.
If the D4 was made in Westerly, there would be no contest for me. I have an affinity for the Westerly Guilds and not-so-great experiences with the Chinese-made GADs.
There's my 2 cents....spend it wisely. :wink:
Cheers,
Joe
First of all, welcome to the Guilded crew.
You are certain to get a ton of responses here about which guitar to buy, and you might end up more confused than before, but it's worth checking in to hear the opinions offered.
If the D4 was made in Westerly, there would be no contest for me. I have an affinity for the Westerly Guilds and not-so-great experiences with the Chinese-made GADs.
There's my 2 cents....spend it wisely. :wink:
Cheers,
Joe
Bill Ashton
Senior Member
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- North Central Massachusetts
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Of course it would all depend on how long you have to sit and lurk and wait...but it would seem to me that an older D25 should be around or less than the price of either the DV4 or the GAD-50.
I do like the GAD series and have a GAD-30PCE myself which I love to bits. Store had a GAD-50 which I did not care for sound-wise, ditto on the new DV4. That said, there appears to be some inconsistancy with the GAD series, so I would encourage you to try several.
Be careful over the internet, as there are an awful lot of unwaranteed "seconds" out there.
Enjoy the hunt!
I do like the GAD series and have a GAD-30PCE myself which I love to bits. Store had a GAD-50 which I did not care for sound-wise, ditto on the new DV4. That said, there appears to be some inconsistancy with the GAD series, so I would encourage you to try several.
Be careful over the internet, as there are an awful lot of unwaranteed "seconds" out there.
Enjoy the hunt!
GardMan
Enlightened Member
Welcome to LTG! I am a big fan of the Westerly arched back D-25s... they have a voice far and above their status as an "entry-level" model. With a little searching, you should be able to find a good one for $450-$650. On the other hand... their arched maple back cousins, the G-37s and D-30s, from the same period can often be found for about the same price, and also have lovely voices (tho' different than the mahogany D-25s).
A D-4 is similar i structure to the D-25... but less bling (not that a D-25 has much). They should be somewhat similar in tone.
Again, "welcome aboard!" Dave
A D-4 is similar i structure to the D-25... but less bling (not that a D-25 has much). They should be somewhat similar in tone.
Again, "welcome aboard!" Dave
geoguy
Senior Member
He seems to be thinking about a D4, not a DV4 . . . [begin shameless plug] as in the one that I just happen to be selling:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17422
[end shameless plug] :mrgreen:
I guess the standard advice is to try to play both. Or at least play one, & see if you like it, before buying either.
If you are near eastern Mass., you're welcome to stop by my office & play my D4 whether or not you are interested in buying it. IMO the D25 has a fuller sound than the D4, but the D4 would make a fine first Guild for roughly $100 to $300 less. Sorry, I haven't yet played any GAD Guilds.
- Mark
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=17422
[end shameless plug] :mrgreen:
I guess the standard advice is to try to play both. Or at least play one, & see if you like it, before buying either.
If you are near eastern Mass., you're welcome to stop by my office & play my D4 whether or not you are interested in buying it. IMO the D25 has a fuller sound than the D4, but the D4 would make a fine first Guild for roughly $100 to $300 less. Sorry, I haven't yet played any GAD Guilds.
- Mark
It depends on what kind of sound you want. The GAD 50 has rosewood back/sides and the D4 (yes similar to the D25) is mahogany. Rosewood will give you a full deep bass and have piercing highs. Mahogany will focus more on the midrange and have a distinct hog twang to it. With the archback, you should get a deep loud bass in the D4. If it is anything like my D25, it will project. I have found that with my voice I prefer mahogany for singing, while rosewood is great for instrumental pieces. If you really want a D25 (which should be just a little more than a D4) then I would wait. They pop up quite a bit and you should be able to get one in a D4 type of price range. I would caution you to ask the right questions in searching to avoid getting one that requires a neck reset or some other major repair.
GADs are good but an old D25 has mojo!
GADs are good but an old D25 has mojo!
plaidseason
Senior Member
The D4 is structurally the same as the D25, with the only difference being the the finish, gloss vs satin. So if you're looking for D25, but can't afford one, but can afford a D4 . . . um you're still basically getting a D25.
I have a DV4 (which is basically a D4 with a solid back, or a budget D35) and I absolutely love it. It's a great sounding, well made guitar.
If I'm picking - I'm going with the American-Southern New England made D4 over the D50.
But with that said, I have a friend who owns a high end guitar store and he speaks very highly of the quality of GAD Guilds (as well as the Epiphone Masterbuilt series).
-Chris
I have a DV4 (which is basically a D4 with a solid back, or a budget D35) and I absolutely love it. It's a great sounding, well made guitar.
If I'm picking - I'm going with the American-Southern New England made D4 over the D50.
But with that said, I have a friend who owns a high end guitar store and he speaks very highly of the quality of GAD Guilds (as well as the Epiphone Masterbuilt series).
-Chris
adorshki
Reverential Member
HI DMW, Welcome aboard! Another vote for the D4. As mentioned these are simply a total economy model D25. There are 2 here on the forum seeking good homes. I have no prejudice against GAD's but I've never had a chance to play one either. From what I've seen though, you couldn't get a GAD for the price of the D4 geoguy has mentioned here, or this one either:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18540
If you place a value on future desirability, I have very little doubt that any guitar with a Westerly label will always be more desirable than a guitar with a GAD label. I also have a suspicion that the playabilty will not be the same as a late Westerly. Everybody who touches my '96 D25 is simply amazed.
More Guilds were built in Westerly than anywhere else, and that's the location probably most associated with the reputation.
That's my pitch and I'm stickin to it!
:wink:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18540
If you place a value on future desirability, I have very little doubt that any guitar with a Westerly label will always be more desirable than a guitar with a GAD label. I also have a suspicion that the playabilty will not be the same as a late Westerly. Everybody who touches my '96 D25 is simply amazed.
More Guilds were built in Westerly than anywhere else, and that's the location probably most associated with the reputation.
That's my pitch and I'm stickin to it!
:wink:plaidseason
Senior Member
adorshki said:HI DMW, Welcome aboard! Another vote for the D4. As mentioned these are simply a total economy model D25. There are 2 here on the forum seeking good homes. I have no prejudice against GAD's but I've never had a chance to play one either. From what I've seen though, you couldn't get a GAD for the price of the D4 geoguy has mentioned here, or this one either:
viewtopic.php?f=23&t=18540
If you place a value on future desirability, I have very little doubt that any guitar with a Westerly label will always be more desirable than a guitar with a GAD label. I also have a suspicion that the playabilty will not be the same as a late Westerly. Everybody who touches my '96 D25 is simply amazed.
More Guilds were built in Westerly than anywhere else, and that's the location probably most associated with the reputation.
That's my pitch and I'm stickin to it!
I'll also add that when downsizing my gear collection a while back I actually sold a Nashville Custom Shop guild and went and bought DV4 . . . that's how much I love Westerly Guilds. You can't put a price on mojo!
I have a D4 and I'm very pleased with it. It plays and sounds great. A couple of points to consider based on my experience...
It's my understanding that the D4s are a little bit more sensitive to humidity because they don't have a heavy gloss coating. I think this makes them easier to fix if they crack, too. Also, the natural finish guitar has a distinct feel when played. I like it, but it took a little getting used to.
I really like the sound from a natural finish. It's brighter or something. Hard to put in to words.
You got the message on Westerly already. If I can answer any questions about the d4, just let me know.
It's my understanding that the D4s are a little bit more sensitive to humidity because they don't have a heavy gloss coating. I think this makes them easier to fix if they crack, too. Also, the natural finish guitar has a distinct feel when played. I like it, but it took a little getting used to.
I really like the sound from a natural finish. It's brighter or something. Hard to put in to words.
You got the message on Westerly already. If I can answer any questions about the d4, just let me know.
Dadaist
Senior Member
If you keep your eye on the classifieds on this board, I'm sure that a D25 will surface in your price range. You should also
include D15, D16 and D17s, as they're basically the same guitar.
Another thing to consider is that the Westerly guitars will hold their value and when (or if) you decide to upgrade (so to speak) to say a D40 or something in Rosewood, your D25 will still be worth the same or more than you paid for it.
David
include D15, D16 and D17s, as they're basically the same guitar.
Another thing to consider is that the Westerly guitars will hold their value and when (or if) you decide to upgrade (so to speak) to say a D40 or something in Rosewood, your D25 will still be worth the same or more than you paid for it.
David
Taylor Martin Guild
Senior Member
Not only are the D4 and the GAD D50 different woods, they are different guitar builders.
GAD guitars are nice, well built guitars but they are not American made Guilds.
I say this because there are a lot of other Chinese guitars that are as good or even better than GADs.
If you are looking to choose a guitar that is a Guild guitar, stay with the American build line. The resale on these will also be better.
You will be buying used though, so try to be sure that the guitar is in sound mechinical shape.
Some older guitars will need a neck re-set.
GAD guitars are nice, well built guitars but they are not American made Guilds.
I say this because there are a lot of other Chinese guitars that are as good or even better than GADs.
If you are looking to choose a guitar that is a Guild guitar, stay with the American build line. The resale on these will also be better.
You will be buying used though, so try to be sure that the guitar is in sound mechinical shape.
Some older guitars will need a neck re-set.
chicagowineguy
Member
Good thinking. Be patient and a Westerly D25 in solid shape (they're all dinged up) can be had for around 500. And when you have it in your hands and hear it...man...it is great!
Well that didn't take long
I bid on a 1973 D-25 on Ebay. It did not meet reserve but I was the high bidder. The shipping cost was low and there is a 7 day return policy, so if it doesn't work out I'm not out much. It's in transit now. I'm really looking forward to it.
I bid on a 1973 D-25 on Ebay. It did not meet reserve but I was the high bidder. The shipping cost was low and there is a 7 day return policy, so if it doesn't work out I'm not out much. It's in transit now. I'm really looking forward to it.
D4 without a doubt. I have played a few GADs and like them but just one look at the abundance of GAD's for sale on Ebay lets me know they aren't exactly in that high demand. I would always go for a Corona or Westerly Guild over a GAD if the condition is the same.
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Look in the FS/FT section to see if Joe (Killdeer) still has his D25.....can't go wrong. Its beutiful, I've been trying to sell my body to raise the funds, but so far......no takers.... :lol: :lol: Steffan
The D25 I won was not refinished. I got it about a week ago and it is in transit. There were only 3 hard to see pictures but it looked in good shape. Most importantly, it had a 7 day return policy. If it's a lemon I can send it back.