Greetings, with a question about D-55's.

[jmm55]

Hello to all Guild aficionados. I have played guitar for many years, but have never owned a Guild. I have one higher end Taylor, and a whole bunch of other guitars of mid quality. I recently decided to get myself a new number one guitar, as the Taylor is just not inspiring me any more, as pretty as it is.

In any event, in my online research of highly regarded acoustics, I happened to discover the D-55. For many reasons, it looks like the right guitar for me. Now I know that many newer ones (Tacoma, Corona, etc.) are well appreciated by their owners, but I have my mind set on a mid or late model Westerly, perhaps with factory pickup. I did scout out two D-55's just recently, one brand new one at a store, and one private sale used. The private sale did not turn out because the guitar had issues.

My question is, what amount should I expect to pay for a well maintained used mid to Late model Westerly with pickup? For the record, I have seen posts in various forums that do mention market prices, but many of the posts are well out of date, and I need a more current estimation to help me in my hunt for a D-55.

 

[West R Lee]

Hello to all Guild aficionados. I have played guitar for many years, but have never owned a Guild. I have one higher end Taylor, and a whole bunch of other guitars of mid quality. I recently decided to get myself a new number one guitar, as the Taylor is just not inspiring me any more, as pretty as it is.

In any event, in my online research of highly regarded acoustics, I happened to discover the D-55. For many reasons, it looks like the right guitar for me. Now I know that many newer ones (Tacoma, Corona, etc.) are well appreciated by their owners, but I have my mind set on a mid or late model Westerly, perhaps with factory pickup. I did scout out two D-55's just recently, one new one at a store, and one private sale used. The private sale did not turn out because there were red flags and issues.

My question is, what amount should I expect to pay for a well maintained used Late model Westerly with pickup? For the record, I have seen posts in various forums that do mention market prices, but many of the posts are well out of date, and I need a more current estimation to help me in my hunt for a D-55.

For a late mdel Westerly....say 1995-2001, probably in the $1400-$1800 range. I've got a '97 Westerly D55 I'm selling for a friend, it's had some work that was very well done, but is a fabulous guitar. We'll let her go for $1050 and shipping. PM me if you're interested.

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=20828&start=0

West

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

jmm55 - Welcome to LTG!!

West - 3 minutes! Very impressive reflexes, sir. :shock:


~nw

 

[yettoblaster]

Welcome.

I think everybody sorta has to compete with Ebay anyway. Ebay will get you into the ballpark on what "street price" is on various models and eras.

Westerly made Guilds are well thought of, but so are Tacoma, Corona, and the new New Hartford Conn. -made guitars.

I know where there is a NOS Tacoma D-55 Brazillion for sale at a store near here, but you wouldn't even want to know what they're asking! :wink:

 

[jmm55]

Thank you for the informative reply West, and offer. I will pm you after I finish this post, although I must be candid in admitting that I will probably have to continue hunting for one locally or semi locally, because I am pretty sure I will need to play it before committing. At this point in my guitar acquisition phase, I really need the right guitar, and I am aware that there is subtle variation in one unit to another. However, I should add that my test of the two so far told me I am in the right neck of the woods with the D-55.

And thank for the other greetings too! Talk about a clever board admin. that has a function to review your post in light of new unread posts.

 

[West R Lee]

jmm55 - Welcome to LTG!!

West - 3 minutes! Very impressive reflexes, sir. :shock:


~nw

Ah, I was lurking and happened by. :wink:

West

 

[West R Lee]

Thank you for the informative reply West, and offer. I will pm you after I finish this post, although I must be candid in admitting that I will probably have to continue hunting for one locally or semi locally, because I am pretty sure I will need to play it before committing. At this point in my guitar acquisition phase, I really need the right guitar, and I am aware that there is subtle variation in one unit to another. However, I should add that my test of the two so far told me I am in the right neck of the woods with the D-55.

And thank for the other greetings too! Talk about a clever board admin. that has a function to review your post in light of new unread posts.

Yeah, our admin has set up some really neat features here....who's online, unread posts, search tools.......first class operation.

West

 

[cjd-player]

Hi jmm
Welcome to LTG.

D-55's are fabulous guitars. I had a 2007 Tacoma that had an awesome sound, but ended up selling it because of playability issues. I prefer smaller body guitars and short scales.

I suggest that you not get concerned about the guitar having a pickup when you buy it. That will severely limit your choices. I and others on this forum really like the K&K Mini Western pickups, which can be easily added. I had one in my D-55 and it was great.

 

[evenkeel]

I suggest that you not get concerned about the guitar having a pickup when you buy it. That will severely limit your choices. I and others on this forum really like the K&K Mini Western pickups, which can be easily added. I had one in my D-55 and it was great.

Another welcome to LTG land.

I'll echo cjd sentiments. I'm another fan of the K&K. I've installed a bunch. Very easy to do and the sound is terrific. I'd also suggest that if you do find a 70's-80's vintage D-55 with a factory or period correct pickup you might be dissapointed with the amped sound. Pickup technology has gotten a lot better.

 

[bluesypicky]

Welcome jmm!
If you are attracted to the D55 just by looking at it (and it is very understandable, beautiful guitar with a class A reputation), now wait until you play one! :wink:
Good luck in your hunt and keep us updated...

 

[jmm55]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. My hunt is not going so well. For some strange reason, the D-55's I have come across so far are grossly overpriced. To elaborate, the seller wanted $2200 for the 97 I mentioned in my first post. He described it as in "immaculate condition" but when I got there, the bridge was lifting and the saddle was poorly cut and uncompensated, which caused concern. I offered an amount in the range West suggested, and was declined. The seller was so unreasonable, I then offered full price, contingent upon having the bridge re-glued and new saddle installed, and at my cost if I buy the guitar after hearing it in proper working order (it was certainly shy on power compared to the new one I scouted, and I put this down to the bridge and saddle issues).

This was an outrageously good offer, since he would either get his full asking price, or at least then have his guitar in proper working order to play or sell much more easily. His response was deep annoyance with my many good faith efforts to find a clever way to get a deal done, ending with a strange warning to not contact him further. He also expressed some contempt by saying "go buy the $1600 guitar with no issues." I had told him there was another D-55 for sale in the area, and that D-55's should be selling for about $1600, which he mistakenly construed as my having said that D-55 was $1600. Even if I would have said the other one was $1600, in the scope of untruth's, it would have paled in comparision to being told the guitar was in immaculate condition, when it actually had issues that I had to discover.

Another 98 D-55 is selling around here for $2500, which is just way out of line when those in the know say $1400 to 1800 is the current range for D-55's without issues.

I would love to have that guitar West, because the price is right, but I will have to play any guitar I buy. It is just too worrisome to me otherwise. If you and your friend decide at some point that it might be worth discussing the idea of selling the guitar with a short return window, I might be willing to give it a go, but I trust you will continue to work towards a firm sale, and I fully understand.

I will keep up to date here with details of the pursuit.

 

[chazmo]

jmm,

I realize you're new to LTG, but our long-term owners/participants (like West) are awesome about doing the right thing. If he says that guitar is great, you should grab it because I'm sure it is! We trade instruments here on a regular basis.

Just giving you my $0.02... Don keeps a tight community around here, and our marketplace is rather active.

 

[taabru45]

I'd trust West with my wife.....err..life........if I hadn't recently gotten a D50 I'd have gotten that one from West in a NY minute....and would bet double the asking price that if you werent happy he'd arrange the refund upon return, right West?.... Steffan

 

[valleyguy]

Thanks for the warm welcomes. My hunt is not going so well. For some strange reason, the D-55's I have come across so far are grossly overpriced. To elaborate, the seller wanted $2200 for the 97 I mentioned in my first post. He described it as in "immaculate condition" but when I got there, the bridge was lifting and the saddle was poorly cut and uncompensated, which caused concern. I offered an amount in the range West suggested, and was declined. The seller was so unreasonable, I then offered full price, contingent upon having the bridge re-glued and new saddle installed, and at my cost if I buy the guitar after hearing it in proper working order (it was certainly shy on power compared to the new one I scouted, and I put this down to the bridge and saddle issues).

This was an outrageously good offer, since he would either get his full asking price, or at least then have his guitar in proper working order to play or sell much more easily. His response was deep annoyance with my many good faith efforts to find a clever way to get a deal done, ending with a strange warning to not contact him further. He also expressed some contempt by saying "go buy the $1600 guitar with no issues." I had told him there was another D-55 for sale in the area, and that D-55's should be selling for about $1600, which he mistakenly construed as my having said that D-55 was $1600. Even if I would have said the other one was $1600, in the scope of untruth's, it would have paled in comparision to being told the guitar was in immaculate condition, when it actually had issues that I had to discover.

Another 98 D-55 is selling around here for $2500, which is just way out of line when those in the know say $1400 to 1800 is the current range for D-55's without issues.

I would love to have that guitar West, because the price is right, but I will have to play any guitar I buy. It is just too worrisome to me otherwise. If you and your friend decide at some point that it might be worth discussing the idea of selling the guitar with a short return window, I might be willing to give it a go, but I trust you will continue to work towards a firm sale, and I fully understand.

I will keep up to date here with details of the pursuit.

What area do you live in? These prices might be legitimate if you lived in the middle of Alaska.....

 

[jmm55]

...............

 

[jmm55]

I live near the town of Punta Arenes, on the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. It is no more than a thirty mile trek into the foothills, and with the express Donkey service that finally arrived last year, it can be accomplished in about four hours.

 

[jmm55]

O.K. , I am just kidding. I am in Canada, about an hour from Toronto. The Horseshoe area of Lake Ontario encompasses many good sized cities, and should be respectably populated enough not to drive prices up that much.

 

[taabru45]

Good one...I am somewhat familiar with the area and a good donkey should take about 2 hours off the delivery time....eh! :lol: Steffan

 

[capnjuan]

I live near the town of Punta Arenes, on the southern tip of Chile and Argentina. It is no more than a thirty mile trek into the foothills, and with the express Donkey service that finally arrived last year, it can be accomplished in about four hours.

Jeez; with a sense of humor like that :wink: , pull up a chair ... one way or the other, this crowd will get you fitted with a D-55. Welcome to LTG!

You may have already mentioned but are you talking $C or $US ... or Pesos?

 

[taabru45]

Aren't they all about the same these days, Cptn.... Steffan