Guild F40 Valencia vs Martin 00015-s

[JPSpecial]

Hey guys. First post here.

I've owned a Martin 00015-s for about seven years, and it's my main gigging guitar equipped with a K and K Pure Western Mini. For recording purposes, though, I've found it difficult to capture the sound I'm looking for. For a while I thought it might be the microphones and techniques I'm using, but I've been recording a friend's D16GT, and the sound is great. Surprisingly, my little Martin produces a low frequency boom that must be eq'd quite a bit. Additionally, the trebles are just too sharp (metallic) from my tastes.

I'm wondering about the Tacoma and New Hartford Guilds. As someone who does a lot of fingerstyle, I'm gravitating toward the F40 Valencia, but I'm also drawn to the D40 BJ. To those of you familiar with the all hog Martins and Guilds like the F40, could you describe the differences in tone? I know this stuff is highly subjective, and I would gladly audition one of the Guilds, but I can't find any local store in Pittsburgh, PA that features the Guilds right now. The closest thing that one of the stores has is a D50, but I'm looking for mahogany back and sides.

I'm also wondering about the Guilds' playability. Years ago I auditioned a DV52 that was a cannon and quite easy to play. Should have bought it, but my attention was swayed by an HD28, which I've since sold. Martins are in my opinion not that easy to play, even after saddle adjustments. I do like the 1 and 3/4" neck on my 00015-s, but am wondering how comfortable the 1 and 11/16" Guild necks are, especially for fingerstyle.

Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I appreciate it.

 

[JPSpecial]

By the way, I've seen a number of used Tacomas for sale. Like this one at a place called Streetsounds NYC. Is $1300 for a mint condition F40 Valencia a good price? Has anyone ever dealt with this store? Thanks again for any feedback you guys can provide.


http://www.streetsoundsnyc.com/servlet/ ... AND/Detail

 

[shepke]

Have you considered an F30? It's closer in size to the 000-15S than the F40 and is great for fingerstyle playing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oouHPLxOdpk

 

[killdeer43]

Hey guys. First post here.
I do like the 1 and 3/4" neck on my 00015-s, but am wondering how comfortable the 1 and 11/16" Guild necks are, especially for fingerstyle.

Welcome JP.
All the Guilds that I've owned since my first in 1976 have been 1 11/16 at the nut and all have been very comfortable for fingerstyle and/or flat picking.
Enter my converted F112-6, which has become a big favorite for fingerpicking. The comfort/playability factor is very high with the 1 13/16 nut. The subsequent string spacing up and down the neck works very well.

Hang around, you'll like it here, :wink:
Joe

 

[JPSpecial]

Thanks for the welcome.

I'm also considering the D40 Bluegrass Jubilee as a complement to my little Martin.

The sunburst one is especially lovely, and I've read some good reviews of its tone. I wonder if ironically the dread would record better than the 000 slothead. My friend's Martin D16GT sounds great with very little eq'ing necessary.

 

[Graham]

Welcome to LTG JP, I would audition an F-47 if you play fingerstyle. My mahogany F-47CE is fantastic for picking, sounds great strummed and is the best, IMO, sounding mahogany guitar I have ever played.

The rosewood ones are fine too.

Comfortable size, great neck reasonably priced.

Best of luck and when you get the time, post a clip or two.

 

[Ridgemont]

Welcome JP,

I have played all guitars in question (000-15s, F40, and D40) but actually own a 000-15 and an F30. There are definitely differences between the -15 and an F30/F40. The mahogany top is much more stiff than a spruce top and will not vibrate as much. The result is a guitar that is slightly brighter. As you mentioned, the high notes will sound very metallic and twangy and there is a distinctive echoy/hollow low end. I love the sound but sometimes it does not pickup well over a mic. ESPECIALLY when I have PB strings on it. I get a duller sound with 80/20s but still a distinctive twang in the upper end.

The F30 is not like this. Definitely smoother and warmer of a tone. The highs are not as metallic and not much of that hollow bass sound. I can sum it up as a balanced smooth sound all around with any type of string. The -15 and the F30 are a great pair to have.

I have played the F40 (Tacoma) and the F30 (New Hartford) and the tone is similar to my '97 F30 although the newer ones have some differences. The new ones will have a 25.5' scale (similar to your -15s/my F30 is 24.75') and tops of red spruce instead of sitka. Also, the nut width is 1&11/16' as opposed to the 1&3/4' on your -15s. I would consider an orchestra style such as these over the D40 if you want something balanced and not heavy in the bass.

I have heard great things about Streetsounds and maybe they could cut you a deal. PM Bing K (a member here and Guild dealer) about NOS Tacoma F30s and F40s. He has the best reputation as far as Guild dealers go. Also, check the FS/FT section as someone is currently selling a Tacoma F30 for a little under $1K.

 

[Scratch]

FYI, Twocorgis and I both had post-sale issues with Streetsounds. There may be others here who have purchased from them, but as for me as a returning customer.... Fagedaboudit...

Bing at Guitars of Montana (member here) is a very reliable source...

 

[twocorgis]

FYI, Twocorgis and I both had post-sale issues with Streetsounds. There may be others here who have purchased from them, but as for me as a returning customer.... Fagedaboudit...

What Scratch said. Rocky seemed completely uninterested in doing the right thing with the issue we had with "Amigo" (a Tacoma F40), and that's enough to keep me from doing business with him again. And BTW Ken, the proper Brooklyn spelling is "fuhgeddaboudit", just like the sign says :lol:

Bing at Guitars of Montana (member here) is a very reliable source...

So far all I've bought from Bing was a strap, but were I in the market for a new Guild, he'd be at the head of my list.

 

[geoguy]

FWIW, I had a fine purchase experience from Rocky at Streetsounds, but never needed any attention after the sale.

 

[JPSpecial]

Thanks for all of the responses, guys, and for making me feel welcome.

Ridgemont, you perfectly articulated exactly what I think the shortcomings are to my 00015-s! A biting high end and somewhat hollow low end. I don't mean to slam the guitar since there are plenty of things I love about it, but I have to admit for recording it just hasn't produced the tone I'm looking forward. With a K and K as the pickup, though, it's perfect for live work.

Since it sounds like the F30 or 40 would offer simply a different flavor, what are the major differences between those two models? I know the 40 has a wider lower bout, but in terms of tone do any of you perceive a major difference?

Thanks again, guys. Happy playing!

 

[Ridgemont]

One could argue that the F40 is louder, but I did not notice much of a tonal difference. Of coure I have never had the opportunity to try them side by side.

 

[Bill Ashton]

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