Just got a D55***UPDATE***

[SuperSonic]

Hey all new member here. My son just got a D55 TL190003 picked it up used on ebay. It came in looking real nice. The neck relief was huge but we were able to bring it in with the truss rod. I have a question the truss rod route is bulging a little right at the the headstock curve. I can't say I remember this before the truss rod adjustment. You cant feel it up and down the neck but you can feel it slightly across the neck. It is above the first fret about at the nut. The finish is not cracked. The guitar plays incredible. The reason I ask is we have 7 days to decide to keep this guitar. I think we got a good deal on it and my son is already in love but I don't want to have an expensive repair put us near the price on a new one. I plan on taking it to my local shop and have them look at it. I would guess this may have been a shop worn guitar new/used guitar as I have seen worse at Guitar Center. The relief currently is between 12 and 13. I did not want to turn on it anymore until I was sure the route was sound. The other issue is very slight chipping of the neck binding on the bottom of the neck where is meets the body "very hard to see". The shape the guitar is in suggests it may have sat in its case awhile. Top is still arched and back to, don't think it is dry. It is now in Florida so if it is dry it will not be for long.

I don't want to sound to critical it is a very nice guitar I think we can live with it but would like a little comfort from the Pro's around here.

 

[Ian]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome all the way from NZ !!

Cant help too much with your D55 question, but my thoughts are unless you got it for a killer price and/or it's an especially rare one, then I'd be sending it back. Shouldn't be too difficult to find a really nice D55 ?

Cheers, Ian

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Payed 1500.00 for it. A new one is around 2400 local

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome to LTG SuperSonic!
Where about in FL? (In case I could recommend someone good to look at your D55)
The type of issue you describe is really hard to comment and advise on without seeing the guitar, which is why the best way to approach it is to have a tech look at it as you plan on doing.
I'd say you had a fair price for a D55 assuming the truss rod issue is not of a nature to jeopardize the neck integrity, I must say I have a hard time figuring the "bulging" issue you describe....
Please keep us updated on the outcome!..... And pics are always welcome around here!! :wink:

 

[john_kidder]

Re: Just got a D55

A good luthier will tell you in a heartbeat if you have serious issues. If there is a reputable vintage guitar store near you with a good repair person, your answer will be there.

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Palm Beach County. The bulging is where the "skunk stripe" is not flush right at the nut for about a half inch. It would be almost impossible to take a picture of but I will try.

 

[killdeer43]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome to the fold SuperSonic.
We used to have a basketball team in Seattle by that name. I think they're somewhere in the wilds of Oklahoma now..... :wink:

To your question about the D55, I would treat it like a prospective used car purchase, for example, and take it in to a pro for a hands-on "inspection" of all the parts that matter. We can speculate here about how to fix it and tell you what a great Guild you have but without the hands-on....we can just speculate.

Use the 7 days to have it checked out, and best of luck. Hope it works out for you and your son. Good bonding time ahead!

Joe

 

[GardMan]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome to LTG... a D-55 is hard to beat as a first Guild!

It's hard to say anything about your neck issue w/o holding the guitar in hand. But, it's hard for me to imagine any major bulge as you describe, separation of the neck lamination, or major flex of the neck w/o the nitro finish cracking. I just don't think nitro is that flexible. In some of the Guild 12ers we have seen, overtightening of the dual truss rods has caused two parallel cracks down the back of the neck... with very obvious chipping/cracking of the nitro finish.

I would definitely recommend taking it in to someone with more experience for an evaluation. However, one thing you might try is to relieve the neck tension by loosening the truss a bit... and seeing if the "bulge" goes away. Do you remember how much you had to tighten it to bring the relief into an acceptable range? You could try backing off that much again... or even half that much. If the "bulge" goes away (the laminated neck now feels flush), and then comes back when you tighten her back up... I would say there is an issue to worry about. But... a competent luthier/guitar tech would know a lot more than me.

Good luck! Enjoy!
Dave

 

[southernGuild]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome Sonic, GREAT guitar,.....and great advice youre getting there above....hope it all works out well for you and your son. That is likely to be an excellent guitar...just be sure to get it all checked out asap....then you can relax and ENJOY! Let us know how it all goes for you two there, and again, welcome in Florida!

 

[evenkeel]

Re: Just got a D55

From another Florida LTGer, Welcome Supersonic. Great Guild you've got. You've already got some great advice. Gardman easing the truss rod suggestion seems very much on point. If you were on this side of Florida I've got a great luthier for you. Probably to far for what you've got going on.

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice I will let you guys know what happens today.

 

[fronobulax]

Re: Just got a D55

Thanks for all the welcomes and advice I will let you guys know what happens today.

Belated welcome and good luck.

 

[JerryR]

Re: Just got a D55

Welcome to the crew Supersonic - and I hope the D55 checks out OK - it's a guitar I want to acquire to compliment my D35 (to have Rosewood and Mahogany dreads)

 

[chazmo]

Re: Just got a D55

Just a ditto on what the other guys said. Absolutely bring it to a trusted luthier/tech for an inspection. You have a valid concern there, so definitely get some expert advice.

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Man,

Very disappointed she is going back. I am thinking of biting the bullet and going new. No more used ones for me.

 

[JerryR]

Re: Just got a D55

Many used ones are excellent - don't give up, but by all means check out the new :!:

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: Just got a D55

Man,

Very disappointed she is going back. I am thinking of biting the bullet and going new. No more used ones for me.

Sorry to hear that.... so what is the full verdict on the neck issue?

 

[Ian]

Re: Just got a D55

Man,

Very disappointed she is going back. I am thinking of biting the bullet and going new. No more used ones for me.

Sorry to hear that, but it's probably for the best if it's got issues (voice of reason there...). I know how it is when you get emotionally attached like that, but you need to chalk that one up to experience and move on. Lot's of great Westerly D55's about, why not post in the FS/FT column and see what pops up ? I'd certainly be looking second hand rather than new, to me old guitars have got a certain Mojo that new ones just dont have.

I dont know how old your boy is, but how about looking round for a birth year model for him ?

Good luck in your hunt !!

Cheers, Ian

 

[GardMan]

Re: Just got a D55

Man,

Very disappointed she is going back. I am thinking of biting the bullet and going new. No more used ones for me.

Bummer! What was the problem? Delamination of the neck? Certainly your odds are better buying new... there are still some Tacoma D-55s floating around, and we hear great things about the New Hartford Guilds. I will say, tho', that you can save substantial $$$ on the used market (as much as 30-60%)... at the risk of getting one that needs work, or is unacceptable. I have only sent one back in 4 years... it wasn't in the condition described, so talked the seller into refunding my shipping, so was only out $30. I do always factor in the cost of a setup when bidding on eBay (3 years later, I still haven't taken my D-55 in for its first!)...

Good luck in your search!
Dave

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Re: Just got a D55

Give forum member Bing, a PM.
See if he has what you are looking for.
By the way the D-55 and D-50 Guilds are also great guitars.
Bing owns a guitar shop and he will treat you right.
http://guitarsofmontana.com/.