looking for a companion for my D25

[fergi]

In an earlier post I was told that the DV-52 would be a good companion for my D25. I was just wondering if someone could give a comparison between the DV-52 and the D50 and D55.

Thanks in advance.

John

 

[southernGuild]

Good to see this one posted fergi....I too have wondered the same,... but i am going about it in the reverse. I love my '93 DV52 for all the right reasons..rich ...ALIVE..balanced sound, fine quality but simple, (elegant to me ) appointments....everything I wanted in a dread..... A Ive said even my WIFE LOVES HER! but, also for ME the d25 held a certain place of honour. There is sentiment, but beyond that....their SOUND! I want that TOO! Buying my beauty, a'77 fiddleback, from Dadthrash, having her set up and sent over, ( THANK YOU DADTHRASH!!!) well I could not ask for more......When she arrives then I can well and truely answer that question according to my experiences. I shall be one fingerpickin Fool! might even disappear for DAYS! :shock: For now, i am with you, wondering the same thing.
i know the new D50's differ from the older ones at one point (at least)..their spruce tops. ..two different types, ( my memory cant retrieve the names of the two now :roll the d55 are lovely too...best described by those who have them....but I believe the DV52 is very similiar to the 55, just without the fancy bits and inlay. I am saving all THAT for the furure F50!.....just dont tell my wife !!! ALL are better than good...not to mention the D40's! no wonder we love these things! lets see what info you get here. Southern :wink:

 

[Pike]

Hi John, I've owned a Tacoma D55, a Westerly D50, a Corona D50, two DV52s and still own a Westerly D55. I've kept the Westerly D55, its the best sounding of the lot. One of the DV52's was second best. But none of this really means anything though, any one of these models can sound better or worse than any other, depending on the individual guitar. Except for maybe the Westerly D55 which is a tone monster and one of the best spruce / rosewood dreadnaughts I've ever played.

 

[Tunes]

fergi -

Here is what little I know about these guitars (mostly courtesy of westerlyguildguitars.com):

D50 - one of the first dreads produced by Guild in 1963. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, "X" bracing and dot fret markers. Binding all around except on fretboard. I am not sure if only the early D50's were called Bluegrass Specials, or if there is another model with slight differences.

D55 - originally made as special order only, became a regularly produced item around 1968. Spruce top, rosewook back and sides, scalloped bracing and "fancy" square fretmarkers with pyramid inlay. Some models also had additional abalone inlay around the soundhole. Binding all around including the fretboard, with double-line overlay of some sort on the fretboard, top and bottom. Special G shield logo on the headstock. So-called "flagship" dread, although there are D60's and 70's out there that some may argue are more worthy of flagship dread status.

DV52 - as the "V" indicates, this was designed to provide a "vintage" sound, primarliy through scalloped top bracing. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and dot inlays up the fretboard. Additional abalone inlay around the soundhole. Binding all around except the fretboard.

So all the D5X's seem to be basically the same, with largely cosmetic differences, and maybe some differences in interior bracing. I could be off as I am no expert, but this is what I can provide.

 

[fergi]

Thanks All,

That helps alot. I'm not much on fancy, at least for now, I just want good sound and easy play. Sounds like the DV-52 or a D50 is more my style.

I think this is the first hobby I've ever gotten into that the "toys" acutally might increase in value.

John

 

[kostask]

fergi -

Here is what little I know about these guitars (mostly courtesy of westerlyguildguitars.com):

D50 - one of the first dreads produced by Guild in 1963. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, "X" bracing and dot fret markers. Binding all around except on fretboard. I am not sure if only the early D50's were called Bluegrass Specials, or if there is another model with slight differences.

D55 - originally made as special order only, became a regularly produced item around 1968. Spruce top, rosewook back and sides, scalloped bracing and "fancy" square fretmarkers with pyramid inlay. Some models also had additional abalone inlay around the soundhole. Binding all around including the fretboard, with double-line overlay of some sort on the fretboard, top and bottom. Special G shield logo on the headstock. So-called "flagship" dread, although there are D60's and 70's out there that some may argue are more worthy of flagship dread status.

DV52 - as the "V" indicates, this was designed to provide a "vintage" sound, primarliy through scalloped top bracing. Spruce top, rosewood back and sides, and dot inlays up the fretboard. Additional abalone inlay around the soundhole. Binding all around except the fretboard.

So all the D5X's seem to be basically the same, with largely cosmetic differences, and maybe some differences in interior bracing. I could be off as I am no expert, but this is what I can provide.

Fergi:

The earlier DV-52s have herringbone rosettes. Hans can definitely be more accurate than I, but I think the change over to an abalone happened in 1994 or 1995. I have a 1993 DV-52 with a herringbone rosette; my 1997 DV-6 has a herringbone rosette, too.

Kostas

 

[Tunes]

Thanks All,

That helps alot. I'm not much on fancy, at least for now, I just want good sound and easy play. Sounds like the DV-52 or a D50 is more my style.

I think this is the first hobby I've ever gotten into that the "toys" acutally might increase in value.

John

John - I am sure I am not out of line by saying that you really can't go wrong with a clean 5-series dread - several LTG'ers seem to have one or other of the 5 series, and indicate they are among, if not "the" best playing / sounding Guild's they have in the corral.

 

[dreadnut]

Don't forget the DCE-5! Nice cutaway rosewood dread with built-in electronics...

 

[fergi]

Thanks for the responses,

I’m definitely looking for a 50 series Guild and will take my Fender to the Arlington guitar show (and some cash) to attempt a trade.

So far the offers from places like Guitar Center have been very disappointing.

John

 

[killdeer43]

In an earlier post I was told that the DV-52 would be a good companion for my D25. I was just wondering if someone could give a comparison between the DV-52 and the D50 and D55.
Thanks in advance.
John

John,
I've been away for a bit and this is a perfect post for me to get back into the LTG flow.
The perfect companion for MY D25 has proven to be my D50. Not only do they look good side by side on the wall, but they complement each other quite well as far as the sound goes. A 'trusted' friend and I switch the two on occasion and they sound great together. Of course, they both stay here with me when the 'trusted' friend goes home. :wink:

I'll vote for a D50 as a companion,
Joe