Guild D-50, D-55 or ? Question

[Old Blue]

Someday I am going to get me a sunburst Guild dreadnought with a Sitka spruce top and rosewood back and sides. (secondhand)

I am wondering if the ones made in Westerly are better than the ones made in Tacoma. Also, are there any other models I should be looking for? It is kind of a "one day" dream guitar, so I definitely want a sunburst, solid rosewood back and sides, and a gloss finish. I don't want an adi top.

What sort of price will I be looking at, if I were to buy one today?

Thanks for any help!

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Both are great guitars.
Westerly Guilds are the most sought after but I have a Tacoma built D-55 that I love!
As I have said before, I would put it up against any Westerly D-55.
You will be happy with a Guild from either place.
One thing that you may want to think about.
The Tacoma built D-50 has an Adirondack Spruce top and the Westerly built D-50 is Sitka Spruce.
Some claim that Adirondack tops need to played harder because it takes more energy to move the top.
Bluegrass players like Adirondack because it is loud and doesn't become muddy when played hard with a flat pick.
These guitars will keep up sonically with Banjos and Mandolins.
So you have a few choices to think about.
Which one will best best for you?
Only you will know.
I hope that you will be able to play a few of the different models before you buy.
If that isn't practical, I can tell you that you will be happy with any of them.

If I were to recommend one over the others, it would be a D-55 from either place.
The price will depend on the condition, of course.
Expect to pay between $1200, and $1800 for a used one.
We have a member here that sells new and used Guilds and he will give you a great price on a new one. He may even have a used one that may interest you.

His name in Bing.
Guitars of Montana, is his store.
Shoot him an email or call him.
http://www.guitarsofmontana.com/

 

[chazmo]

The Tacoma D-55 sunbursts that I've seen are drop-dead gorgeous. They'd probably be a little easier or cheaper to attain than a Westerly version. Not sure.

Really, I wonder if the New Hartford folks have started pumping out any 'bursts...

 

[Old Blue]

Looks like I'll be saving up for a D-55.

If I decided to look for a Westerly one, were any years better than others or are they pretty consistent?

Many thanks!

 

[West R Lee]

I think the D55 is exactly what you describe. The one in my avatar to the left here is one of the last D55's built in Westerly. A burst Westerly D55 ain't too easy to find, but we'll be on the lookout for you Blue. Like these guys said though, I think a Tacoma would be just fine. As far as the Westerly years, I'm a bit biased and think they were all good, but if you want the abalone rosette, you'll be looking for a '95-'01.

West

 

[Old Blue]

Thanks! Although I don't have the money saved up yet...

 

[taabru45]

Some people here, who eat by candlelight, ride a bicycle, chop their own wood, and live on dandelion greens might say that cutting back on some of your extravagant excesses could allow a few more dollars for such necessities. :lol: Steffan
P.S. do you drive a stationwagon or a van?

 

[West R Lee]

Some people here, who eat by candlelight, ride a bicycle, chop their own wood, and live on dandelion greens might say that cutting back on some of your extravagant excesses could allow a few more dollars for such necessities. :lol: Steffan
P.S. do you drive a stationwagon or a van?

So true Steffan, Blue we've never let a small detail like money stop us.

West

 

[cjd-player]

we've never let a small detail like money stop us.
West

Yea, I'm sure that savings and retirement are overrated. :mrgreen:

Blue: I'm biased toward the D-55 'cause I love mine,
but both are great guitars for sure.

Depends on the sound you want.

 

[jazzmang]

+1

I love my D-55s as well. I keep selling my other guitars so that I can buy more of 'em!

 

[6L6]

At 63 I'm old enough to have owned both acoustic and electric Guild guitars built in every factory location. IMO, the quality was great across the board!

You'll hear some folks talk down the Guild acoustics built in Corona, CA, but I don't buy it. I've played numerous Corona-built Guilds that I really loved and I owned/enjoyed a stellar D-50 from there for a number of years. I only sold it to help finance another Guild.

Guild guitars are just a fantastic American product. Everyone involved in building them can truly be proud of their creations.

As the owner of a Tacoma-built D-40BJ I would agree with the post above that they do like to be flatpicked harder than a sitka topped guitar. It's the perfect Bluegrass players' axe for sure.

The good news is that you really can't lose with ANY US-made Guild guitar.

6

'74 D-40
'06 D-40BJ
'06 D-55
'06 F-412

 

[dreadnut]

Blue, sounds like you're talking about a DV-52, don't overlook this model. Sitka top and more deluxe appointments than the D-50, they were only built for a few years in Westerly and it's the only one that was ever "in between" the D-50 and the D-55. Many of us here have DV-52's and love them

Here's a photo of one that was on the 'bay awhile back. Keep looking, you'll find one.

 

[JerryR]

This thread is NOT helping alleivate my D55 GAS

 

[taabru45]

You were expecting..........w h a t ? Did you forget where you are Jerry? If thats happening, then its good to know that if you are in a shopping mall, there is usually a map, and there is a red dot that says 'You are here'. I get gassed all the time at this site. I think that West, and a few others get off on watching us squirm... :? I mean, how many D55s are out there? Steffan

 

[JerryR]

You were expecting..........w h a t ? Did you forget where you are Jerry? If thats happening, then its good to know that if you are in a shopping mall, there is usually a map, and there is a red dot that says 'You are here'. I get gassed all the time at this site. I think that West, and a few others get off on watching us squirm... :? I mean, how many D55s are out there? Steffan

More specifically - SUNBURST D55s :roll:

 

[Old Blue]

Blue, sounds like you're talking about a DV-52, don't overlook this model. Sitka top and more deluxe appointments than the D-50, they were only built for a few years in Westerly and it's the only one that was ever "in between" the D-50 and the D-55. Many of us here have DV-52's and love them

Here's a photo of one that was on the 'bay awhile back. Keep looking, you'll find one.

Wow. That is the prettiest burst I have ever seen. I like the plainer fretboard as well. I'm going to write down that model #, it's gorgeous.

How do the DV-52's sound?

 

[cjd-player]

This thread is NOT helping alleivate my D55 GAS

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[West R Lee]

Blue, sounds like you're talking about a DV-52, don't overlook this model. Sitka top and more deluxe appointments than the D-50, they were only built for a few years in Westerly and it's the only one that was ever "in between" the D-50 and the D-55. Many of us here have DV-52's and love them

Here's a photo of one that was on the 'bay awhile back. Keep looking, you'll find one.

Wow. That is the prettiest burst I have ever seen. I like the plainer fretboard as well. I'm going to write down that model #, it's gorgeous.

How do the DV-52's sound?

How do they sound? .......absolutely incredible. Biggest mistake I ever made guitarwise was selling mine. The only one I regret getting rid of. All upper end DV models thereafter were modeled after the DV52. The DV62, DV72, DV73 the Deco and Finesse, all based on the DV52.

West

 

[Paddlefoot]

Late to the discussion here but here's my ante. As all have said you won't go wrong with any US made Guild. If $ is an issue don't cheat yourself out of years of enjoyment, go grab a D-40 or a good old D-35 and make some music. Save your bucks and when you run across the right D-50/52/55 you'll be ready to really kick it into gear. As far as the Westerly/Corona/ Tacoma thing I have played some great Guilds from all three places. In my experience the Westerly and Corona instruments seem to be the most consistant in sound and feel. Of the Tacoma made guitars that have passed through my hands I would say the necks had the most variation and were somewhat thinner and flatter than typical of the Westerly and Corona guitars. That's only really a problem if you are picky about the necks feel or are expecting it to feel like an older Guild you liked. Seems like there were more finish issues with the Tacoma instruments too. The ones I have owned showed more grain texture on the tops and several of them had marks under the curve of the peghead where the finish reacted to being against a hanger. I am interested to see if anyone else had a similar experience. I mentioned tone consistency too. That's no cut on the Tacoma guitars. I have had two D-55s, a Richie Havens D-40, and an F-50R and all were good but the F-50R and D-40 were just killer good. Very loud and well balanced. That F-50R would just slaughter my Gibson SJ200. Twice the guitar at half the price. Happy hunting.

 

[Old Blue]

I have some nice guitars at the moment, my favourite is an early 70's lovely MIJ D-18 copy, it sounds better than many older D-18's I've played! (but not the D-18V.) It's a keeper because it sounds great and is built like a tank, for very little money. It's the perfect flatpicking festival/beater guitar. In general I prefer the more lush tones of sitka spruce over EI rosewood though.

I am in the UK but will be moving back to Canada next year. Prices are crazy here so I will wait until we are settled over there before looking around for a Guild.

Does anyone know how many of the sunburst DV52's were made, or how often they come up for sale? Anyone remember how much the one in the picture sold for? I like to be prepared! :wink:

Many thanks again for all your help!