I think that's too simplistic and probably not exactly correct.
Better to think of it as an evolution of the D50.
From the '97 catalog (
Guild Gallery #1):
"The DV series guitars are the product of research in how to tune the bodies and tops of these guitars too sound like vintage guitars.
The
DV6 has a
solid mahogany back and sides that have ben sanded down. The mahogany neck and end block have been specially selected for light weight and superior strength.
The top is double-A graded sitka spruce and has shaved braces....
The DV52 is built to same exacting standards, with solid rosewood back and sides....the solid spruce top has Guild scalloped bracing."
So 2 differences from D55 right off the top:
D55's got AAA tops.
Lots of folks would consider that a cosmetic upgrade only but that's one difference.
Also, D55's were ALWAYS gloss finish, whereas early DV52s were only available in satin.
I don't remember when the gloss option was introduced.
I don't recall if there's been discussion abut whether or not the satin has equal tone to the gloss finish, but I can't recall anybody ever faulting a DV52 for tone.
And while that same '97 catalog shows D55's getting scalloped braces, that has varied over the course of production.
Gruhn was long gone when the first DV, the DV52 showed up.
But wouldn't surprise me if Kim Walker had a big hand or at least planted the seeds that finally sprouted, since he's been cited as the guy who started "lightening up" the builds after Gruhn left.
Walker was Gruhn's protégé, actually built the Nightbird prototype while working at Gruhn's shop, "IIRC", and went to Guild with him, and stayed on after Gruhn left, think that was '87 or '88.
I forget his exact title.
Don't recall when he departed, if I ever knew.
We've discussed in past but I'm too lazy to search right now.
Search "Gruhn", you'll get a lot of hits, but my favorite's this one:
https://www.vintageguitar.com/3275/1985-guild-nightbird-prototype/
:friendly_wink:
Gruhn WAS directly responsible for the F44, and F46, and a couple of dreadnoughts which model numbers I forget now; D64 and D66?
There's also a "Walker D60"
And the S4ce/Songbird is a direct derivative of the Nightbird, so
that one's a "Gruhn-Walker" baby.