Is this DV-4 any good?? (guild newbie)

[Grunf]

Hi

I'm willing to become a proud Guild owner - I found a 1994 (westerly) DV-4 priced 400 $, but what bothers me is this "crack" on it's body, under the bridge.
If you can see from pictures if this crack affects structural stability, durability or tone, or is it just cosmetical?? I can live with it as long as it plays and feels well.

Crack









Guitar








Thanks

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome, but I can't offer you an informed opinion about the guitar's top. Someone who can will be along soon, I'm certain.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Hard to tell by the photo, but is it a crack in the wood or a split between the bookmatched where they're glued together? I don't know if it makes any difference in the performance or repair of, I'm just curious.

 

[killdeer43]

My F-112 came to me with multiple cracks on the top that were properly cleated/repaired by a talented luthier. While the blemishes are still there, it sounds great in its new life as a six string and it exudes warmth.
It might be hard to sell, but who's selling? :wink:

Katrina

BTW, welcome to your new habit....LTG!
Joe

 

[dane]

What a shame! It appears to me that this crack is not on the seam where the top was bookmached, but next to it. The crack under the bridge is very concerning as it runs through the bridge plate making me wonder of that too isn’t cracked. The shameful part of this is that all that damage could have been avoided simply by keeping the guitar properly humidified. Can the damage be repaired? Yes. The guitar will have to be re-humidified to close the cracks and cleats installed to stop further cracking due to vibration. If the bridge plate is also cracked, it would be cheaper and much easier to install a “Plate Mate” then to remove and replace the existing plate. Will it affect the sound? To a small degree, yes. But if properly done the change of tonal quality will be minimal to the point where you’ll not really hear the difference. Bottom line is if you can get the guitar for the right price it may be worth the repair. My guess, (and that’s only a guess) is that the repairs and very basic set up afterwards, could run around the $350 mark. Keep that in mind when discussing price.

 

[jgwoods]

Not a good looking crack. I think you are looking at a $150 guitar for $400.

 

[taabru45]

The crack might be stable, but......that sure doesn't look like the bridge on my D4, or any other Guild I've seen.....Steffan

 

[markus]

Welcome neighbour!

This crack doesn't look good to me, but (as Steffan) I'm quite sure this is no original bridge;
Might be a nice player, might be more or less easy to repair, but $400 seems a bit steep to me (even in Europe and considering repair cost).
Markus

 

[dane]

Steffan,

Nice catch on the bridge. I was concentrating so much on the cracks that I totally missed that. I may have to make you my GAS buddy before I buy any guitar. :wink: :lol:

Dane

 

[taabru45]

Steffan,

Nice catch on the bridge. I was concentrating so much on the cracks that I totally missed that. I may have to make you my GAS buddy before I buy any guitar. :wink: :lol:

Dane

It'd be a pleasure to oversee any of your Guild purchases...and to be sure I'd be willing to keep them under personal observation for a few months to make they're totally authentic and behaving properly....hey, we do watch out for each other around here... :lol: Steffan

 

[GardMan]

Welcome!
As pointed out, that is NOT a Guild bridge.

I see two cracks... one might be the seam separation, the other is not... it's a crack along the top grain.

Although one crack does appear to run under the bridge, I doubt that the bridgeplate underneath woud be cracked. Usually, the grain on the bridgeplate is at right angles to the top grain, and the plate would not likely crack across the grai. A plate mate really isn't designed to stop bridge plate cracks... it just keeps the ball ends of the strings from digging into the plate. A cracked bridge plate either needs a thin reinforcing plate/shim of wood glued on to stabilize it, or it needs to be replaced. Not an easy job when working through the soundhole, from what I hear...

IF that's all there was, I would say the cracks could be glued and cleated for <$200 US... perhaps converting a $500-600 Guild into a $300-400 Guild.

However, the non-original bridge is a deal killer for me...
D

 

[beinhard]

Hi, and welcome to LTG!

You have already been given some good advice, let me just add my 2 cents worth:

From the pictures I can not tell if this is a real problem or not. Would have to look inside.

Could it be that this guitar has already been repaired, and that the bridge was replaced as part of the repair?
If that is the case, and if the repair was done properly, it might be a reasonably good buy.
How are Guild prices and availability in Croatia?
Around here a well used DV-4 could easily cost twice as much or more, if you could find one at all.

Cracks, repaired or not, will affect resale value, but on the other hand, let it accumulate some more cracks, some scratches and a little dirt, and you have a "relic". :wink:

beinhard

 

[Grunf]

huh, you sure gave me a second thought...
No, seller didn't point me out that it was repaired nor the bridge isn't original...

However, the non-original bridge is a deal killer for me...
D

Unfortunately I must agree...not because of the crack, but because of fishy circumstances and non-original bridge...

@ beinhard
Prices are way high here for guilds comparing to US, so i thougth this was good deal... until I came here


Thank you all for your replies... I'll try to find another representative Guild axe, and than report it here

Good luck and keep playing
Grunf

 

[taabru45]

Grunf....Let me know if you want a sweet deal on a stellar guitar....D4 1999 August 19...perfect shape, Virtually like new, has a high gloss finish and sounds great too.. I could get a Trick case for it, and get it off to you for $650 plus postal shipping....The Trick case is amazing and gives great all around protection including thermal...I guarantee you'll not find a nicer guitar...I paid around $450 for it with taxes but without case, I think the case is around $100, and the rest is for running around money, and a bottle for when the sellers remorse sets in. :lol: Steffan

There are Pictures in the link below and this may be off the table in a day or two, when I come to my senses :? :wink:


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