Just got a D55***UPDATE***

[Bill Ashton]

Re: Just got a D55

OK now, don't keep us in suspense...how did you decide that it was time to send back?

BTW, January 30 is the "big" (??) guitar show in Kissimmee...I'll be coming down from the not quite frozen North to visit the show, hopefully some of the flock here from LTG, and then a friend in Del Ray Beach. The show might be a place to find another Guild.

Best regards,

Bill

 

[Bill Ashton]

Re: Just got a D55

Another thought just occured to me, too late for you but info for the next time you are shopping...

The spec for relief on a D55 neck is pretty flat, .006" +/- .002" if I am not mistaken (and I could be ). A typical electric guitar, if not a "shredder," is usually about .010" or so.

I bought my Tacoma D55 new from a shop locally last summer, and as it was a June of '08 manufacture I would suspect that it had been hanging there for a while...Chaz might be able to verify that, as he has each piece at Union Music cataloged in his mind (!! !!) In any event it was hanging there long enough so there were a couple of finish bruises on each side of the headstock from the hanger. The relief on the neck was perfect, exactly at spec, and there is no indication that the plate had been removed to tweek it.

Of course, all of their acoustics are in a separated and seemingly humidified room, so that may have played into the condition...

If you are able to get to the Kissimme show, and you see a bunch of guys walking around with fake beards, that might be the South Florida contigent... :lol:

 

[capnjuan]

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...

Hi SS, welcome, and congratulations on your new guitar. The nut inside the body may be seized onto the truss rod and you may (or may not) have bowed it. If it's bowed and the nut is stuck, it won't work again and trying to make it work will do real damage. If it needs to be replaced, it's not a particularly expensive fix.

If you live mid- or south-county, take it to The Amp Shop off Congress several blocks below SR80. If you live north, let me know; another member and I have a repairman 'stashed' in Jupiter - good work, reasonable rates and will keep you from driving up and down I-95 ... I live in Juno Beach ... and avoid I-95 every chance I get :evil: :wink:.

Again welcome, good luck with your guitar. CJ

 

[twocorgis]

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.

Sounds like the safest thing to do. The good news is that at least you got a guitar from an eBayer that had a seven day return policy (most of them sell "as is") like my new to me F-50R. Luckily mine passed the vet with flying colors, and is absolutely stunning.

Don't give up on used, either. The Westerley Guilds from the '70s were the best acoustics of their era, according to my luthier. Better workmanship than the Martins and Gibsons of that decade, in his opinion. They're not common, but they're out there. As others have said, consider a D-50. I own one and really like the 'plain jane" look better than the D-55.

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Well let me explain. I took it to the Amp Shop and both the owner and the luthier thought the neck had a few issues. One the neck was starting to bow up after the body. Two they thought the saw a slight twist. Three the skunk stripe was beginning to pop out. Four the action was very high no one wanted to push the truss rod with the skunk stripe (truss rod route) starting to pop. The way it sat the relief was very high. The combination of things was just to much for what I payed. These are good people at the Amp Shop and I trust Tom for the No Crapper. I am not sure it wasn't damaged in shipping as there is a big hole in the side of the box but the case showed no damage. The person I got it from has been honest and helpful with the return. I looked at new Connecticut today and it is awesome. Once the refund is back we will be shopping again.

Thank you all for the advice this is a friendly forum.

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: Just got a D55

The Amp Shop hmmm? So you ARE in my neck of the woods..... (Actually I can see the South Fl. in your profile now) :mrgreen:
Better luck next time! Do you plan on visiting the Orlando guitar show?

 

[adorshki]

Re: Just got a D55

HI SuperSonic, WELCOME ABOARD! Man what a story I just read here, are these guys great or what? I'm sympathetic to both sides of the new/used question. I just loved knowing that all mine weren't harboring any hidden issues cause I got 'em new, and I got to "test drive" each one. There's also what I call the "virgin bride" effect, when you open up the case and see that beautiful brand new unblemished guitar...that lasted with my D25 until its first fret job. It STILL happens with my F65!
On the other hand if I ever want another Westerly Guild, or even a Corona or Tacoma (what you got), I don't have any option but to shop for a used guitar. For that purpose I would still prefer to deal with a real music store I can go to myself because there are intangible benefits in dealing with someone who's got a vested interest in his business, as you saw by being able to have a real expert look at the instrument for instance, or else with a member here. For that you've already found the motherlode of leads. I'm sure you'll find the right guitar pretty quickly, sometimes they're just sitting there waiting for their owner to arrive. I think it was that way with all of mine, they'd been in the shop for a while before I found 'em. Helps with price too, hint hint. And "good on ya" for helping out your son. It's good to learn about these structural things as early as possible. I had to learn it all on my own. :wink:

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Let me restate, I would gladly buy used just not from ebay. I have had many great transactions on TGP and AGF. Is it the Vintage show? If it is cool, I will go and take my son. I have been reluctant to give his age as he is 13 and I am sure there are those who would wonder why I would be considering a 2000 dollar guitar so here have a listen. He has sold all our inexpensive guitar acquisitions and pooled all his Christmas and other funds to get the "One" guitar. It is a bit of a quest and we have made some mistakes but with mistakes comes knowledge. So when this guitar came along at 1500 I thru some money in and we gave it a shot. He he is finger pickin the blues.

http://www.youtube.com/user/Vapor40#p/a/u/0/VkrkQTQYxdo

 

[Ian]

Re: Just got a D55

Good on ya Dad !! I dont see anything wrong with buying a 13 year old a really good guitar, my only thought would be that it might be a bit big for him ?

Anyway that would place his birthday as 1996, which is bang in line for the last period of the Westerly's, abalone rosette, shaped braces. Mines a 2000 which is right at the end of this period, and is a great guitar.

Good luck and do let us know what you end up getting !!

Cheers, Ian

 

[Treem]

Re: Just got a D55

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

Welcome Supersonic!

Don't loose hope on a use Guild on Ebay! Here is one good reason why!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-D-55-Acou...QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item2304dd400a

Hopefully, you'll get your money back in time to get this one!!!!!!!!

Blessings,
Treem 8)

 

[Bill Ashton]

Re: Just got a D55

I can agree with guitardude about buying a youngster a good guitar...

As a case in point, here is my son at 12 1/2:

And then fronting his own horn-band at 18:

He is now in the UMass-Amherst "hoop" band which plays all the basketball games, first-call guitarist, has played the TD Garden in Boston ('GEEZ!) and is that soaring guitar you hear behind the "color men" talking during the time outs...not bad for kid that only listened to '60's music around the house 'cause I did...

I am sure there are other stories like this about the board, give your young man all the encouragement that you can!

 

[capnjuan]

Re: Just got a D55

... I took it to the Amp Shop and both the owner and the luthier thought the neck had a few issues ... These are good people at the Amp Shop and I trust Tom for the No Crapper. I am not sure it wasn't damaged in shipping as there is a big hole in the side of the box but the case showed no damage.

Hi SS; I don't think a ski-slope neck is a shipping problem. It sounds like you have a responsible seller ... a little good luck to go along with the bad. Hope it works out. CJ

 

[taabru45]

Re: Just got a D55

I can agree with guitardude about buying a youngster a good guitar...

As a case in point, here is my son at 12 1/2:

And then fronting his own horn-band at 18:

He is now in the UMass-Amherst "hoop" band which plays all the basketball games, first-call guitarist, has played the TD Garden in Boston ('GEEZ!) and is that soaring guitar you hear behind the "color men" talking during the time outs...not bad for kid that only listened to '60's music around the house 'cause I did...

I am sure there are other stories like this about the board, give your young man all the encouragement that you can!

Simply... E X C E L L E N T....Steffan

 

[Bill Ashton]

Re: Just got a D55

Thanks, Steffan.

However, I just used that as an example, thinking better of it after posting. Should not have hijacked the thread.

This is about Supersonic's son...what a great player at such a young age. HE is the one who is excellent! C'mon Super', spring for that guitar!

Hey, how about one of those GSR F-40's ? :lol:

 

[drive-south]

Re: Just got a D55

$1500 is a pretty fair (not great but fair) price for a D55, but for that much it has to be 100% mint. I bought my 1998 D55 for $900 plus shipping and mine looked like new, still does.

drive-south

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Looks like we may be going with a brand new Conn. D55. I will let you guys know.

 

[twocorgis]

Re: Just got a D55

$1500 is a pretty fair (not great but fair) price for a D55, but for that much it has to be 100% mint. I bought my 1998 D55 for $900 plus shipping and mine looked like new, still does.

drive-south

I think the main thing about being safe buying on eBay is to only buy from sellers that have some kind of return policy. That way you won't get stuck with a bad one.

 

[chazmo]

Re: Just got a D55

In all honesty, I think buying on eBay is a crap shoot. Of course, a return policy is nice, but ultimately you do it because you're speculating that you might like something and you're paying a cheap price (hopefully!!) for taking the risk. Getting "stuck" with something -- whether it's got problems or whether you just don't like it as much as you thought you would -- is inevitable if you buy on eBay a lot. You rarely get full disclosure, and often that's because the sellers are ignorant (or feign to be so).

I much prefer buying from people I contact on the guitar boards, particularly here of course!

 

[adorshki]

Re: Just got a D55

Let me restate, I would gladly buy used just not from ebay. many great Is it the Vintage show? If it is cool, I will go and take my son. I have been reluctant to give his age as he is 13 and I am sure there are those who would wonder why I would be considering a 2000 dollar guitar http://www.youtube.com/user/Vapor40#p/a/u/0/VkrkQTQYxdo

There's another reason to buy local: it helps your friends and neighbors, the money stays in your town. Just sayin'... And I don't think ANYBODY here is gonna question why a great axe for a young guy. If I'd had a better one at that age I'd probably be miles ahead of where I am now. The better the guitar the faster he'll progress, especially if he's already committed. Nothing but respect for that attitude here.

 

[SuperSonic]

Re: Just got a D55

Bill that is awesome you must be proud. I get to listen to Hendrix cause my son wants to. I simply have a deep admiration for his work now, mostly because of my son. You guys are very nice here thanks. I am leaving it up to him since he is the one that plays it. The way the guys are handling it I am rethinking my words about Ebay. The return has gone off with out a hitch. So I can honestly say we are no worse for the wear. As far as buying local it is a toss up for me but I will say that my local shop does huge mail order business. I notice places like guitar center have sales sometimes and sometimes not. I mean you could literally save 4 or 5 hundred dollars or not depending on the week.