Might be unloading my GAD30R and D25NT

[Ridgemont]

WWWHhhaatttt? Well they are both very nice guitars, but frankly they mainly sit in their cases. I know we have all been there, but this morning I was wondering why I was holding onto them if I do not use them. This is mainly an exploratory/comment thread to help me with my decision. Here are some aspects of each guitar that are making this decision difficult.

The D25 sounds amazing. It has a twangy bite that I haven't heard in many other guitars. If I could get it in a smaller guitar, we wouldn't be having this conversation. The bass is also something that haunts my dreams. It is deep and so prominent that it makes the guitar unbalanced for certain finger picking songs. The guitar has a nice full sound due to it being an archback dread which is a double edged sword because it is an archback dread. I have a personal preference towards tight waisted guitars mainly because of a comfort issue. So it sits in its case. Funny huh? I hold onto it for its tone and ease in playability, but I don't play it because of its size.

Now onto the GAD30R. Well, Guild sent me this guitar as a replacement for my broken GAD30 (mahogany) It is beautiful to look at especially since I recently took off that ugly pickguard. Burst finish...beautiful. Sounds better than most GADs I have played....But like Pascal said (in describing his recently departed Recording King) it just has something missing. It is hard to describe. It is bright and very loud but is a little week in warmth which (I Believe) prevents me from really enjoying its tone. It just has no personality. Good salesman huh? :lol: It is just more of a looker. I have played both Martins and Guilds (both F30R STD and F47s) that have much more personality. Why have I held onto it? It is my only rosewood guitar and it is easy to play. I don't play it for lack of personality and it is not inspirational.

Well what do you think? I am sure most would say to sell both and get something else. I agree. Just wanted opinions.

 

[killdeer43]

Moving briskly forward, I say to follow your heart and look for "personality" like I have found with my converted F112. I can't keep my hands off this thing....for a number of reasons.

Move the merchandise, share the wealth and find guitars that have some special feel/meaning to you. And if I might add, hang 'em on the wall and you'll play 'em more often....I'm just sayin'.

Keep us posted and tell ME more about the D25. :wink:

Best to you, Ridge,
Joe

 

[frettedstrings]

PICTURES PLEASE !!!!

 

[Ridgemont]

Here are some pictures I had on my computer. The wife has the camera right now and will try to post one of the GAD w/o the pick guard.



For the sake of full disclosure, here are some shots of the action/neck and bridge/saddle on the D25. The action is nice and low with no string buzz even with aggressive strumming. The saddle is a little on the low side. Could go a bit lower, but probably not an ideal height. I have had the guitar for 1.5 years and there have been no changes to the saddle or action (i.e. no movement).

 

[evenkeel]

If a guitar does not speak to you, no matter all the other great attributes, it's probably better to sell. I had a Morgan Monroe M30. Built much like a pre-war Martin 000-28. Looked great, sounded good but it just didn't grab me. Much like Bluespicky's Recording King, another vintage inspired, Chinese built guitar. Some are keepers, some are just visitors.

 

[adorshki]

Keep us posted and tell ME more about the D25. :wink:
Joe

:lol: :lol: I was wondering when you'd get to that.

Ridge, that '25 deserves a good home. Only YOU can decide whether or not it's YOUR home. :wink:
Personally I'd opt to keep the availability of that tone monster for those times when you "just gotta have it". Or else don't come crying here on the forum with that old "Gosh I Shouldn't Have Sold That Guitar" song! :lol:
On the other hand Joe's been pining away here for what, at least a couple of months now.
'At's what he gets for sellin' his D-25. !

 

[Ridgemont]

Ridge, that '25 deserves a good home. Only YOU can decide whether or not it's YOUR home. :wink: Personally I'd opt to keep the availability of that tone monster for those times when you "just gotta have it". Or else don't come crying here on the forum with that old "Gosh I Shouldn't Have Sold That Guitar" song! :lol:
On the other hand Joe's been pining away here for what, at least a couple of months now.
'At's what he gets for sellin' his D-25. !

In there lies the conflict Al. It does have superb tone, one that I certainly cherish when I hear it. But over the last year, I opt to play other guitars due to ease and comfort. Sometimes I feel guilty not sending it to a better home. I have to say that it has the best sounding G-chord I have ever heard in a guitar. The bass just rumbles in your chest.

 

[Treem]

Hola Ridge,

I agree with you! Been there and have done it! :mrgreen:

Treem 8)

 

[Ridgemont]

Hola Ridge,

I agree with you! Been there and have done it! :mrgreen:

Treem 8)

AAhhh Treemy, we meet again. I may need to have you help me find something with a little rosewood and a lot of burst. :mrgreen:

 

[bluesypicky]

Hi Ridge!
I kinda agree with Al here, I would hold off on the D25, that said, if it is that uncomfortable to you, then let it go, rather than staring at it, remember: Made to be played" :wink: . Nothing wrong with moving the equipment until you find the Holy Grail like Joe said... that's what it's all about, I just unloaded 2 of mine and it feels good actually, when you realize you have dead weight laying around, let someone else handle it!
Now I'm itching for an archtop... I keep going back to the Starfire ad on Ebay, put forth by none else than "Prince enabler" Qvart.... (The King title being still officially held by Treem) :lol:
Good luck, and whatever you decide don't sweat it: Tons of them for sale out there! :wink:

 

[killdeer43]

Hola Ridge,

I agree with you! Been there and have done it! :mrgreen:

Treem 8)

We've ALL been there before and we will ALL do it....again.
We are the afflicted! :wink:

Joe

 

[Ridgemont]

Hi Ridge!
I kinda agree with Al here, I would hold off on the D25, that said, if it is that uncomfortable to you, then let it go, rather than staring at it, remember: Made to be played" :wink: . Nothing wrong with moving the equipment until you find the Holy Grail like Joe said... that's what it's all about, I just unloaded 2 of mine and it feels good actually, when you realize you have dead weight laying around, let someone else handle it!
Now I'm itching for an archtop... I keep going back to the Starfire ad on Ebay, put forth by none else than "Prince enabler" Qvart.... (The King title being still officially held by Treem) :lol:
Good luck, and whatever you decide don't sweat it: Tons of them for sale out there! :wink:

Hey Pascal, Well having the D25 as a "rainy day" guitar and taking it out every once in a while is definitely an option. Heck that is what it has been for a while. I do take it out every once in a while to tinker with it and am pleased when I do. But it is also hard not to imagine all the other guitars attainable if I unloaded a little dead weight. :?
Speaking of dead weight, anybody want a crappy plywood Sigma classical and an old Washburn electric? :lol:

The GAD will definitely go, so at least I will have that to work with.

 

[jcwu]

Good salesman huh?

From the way you described the D25, yes!!!

From the way you described the GAD30R... honest salesman is the better term.

 

[Ridgemont]

Good salesman huh?

From the way you described the D25, yes!!!

From the way you described the GAD30R... honest salesman is the better term.

I do not mean to discredit the GADs. For what they are, they are great. I find them to be very efficient. Lacking in personality, but efficient. They are well built and flawless in construction. They are loud and stay in tune. They are affordable and get the job done. For me, the GAD was my first Guild and introduced me to the world of quality guitars. For that I am grateful. If it weren't for my GAD I couldn't say I would have other Guilds today. It is a great introduction to the brand and it does a great job at that. The GAD is ready to be passed on to someone else who needs an introduction to Guild.

 

[adorshki]

I have to say that it has the best sounding G-chord I have ever heard in a guitar. The bass just rumbles in your chest.

So much it can make me cough when I'm tryin' to sing! :lol: But I really do know what you mean about comfort..the F65ce gets a whole lot more playing time recently due to that. And a little bit because the frets on the '25 are virtually brand new, want to conserve it as it is now, save it for those special "gotta have it" moments.
D40 gets a lot more work 'cause of that now too, and I'm starting to understand why Bluesy actually preferred his flatback '25 when he had 2 of 'em to A/B last year. (hear that, Pascal? )

 

[Ridgemont]

I have to say that it has the best sounding G-chord I have ever heard in a guitar. The bass just rumbles in your chest.

So much it can make me cough when I'm tryin' to sing! :lol: But I really do know what you mean about comfort..the F65ce gets a whole lot more playing time recently due to that. And a little bit because the frets on the '25 are virtually brand new, want to conserve it as it is now, save it for those special "gotta have it" moments.
D40 gets a lot more work 'cause of that now too, and I'm starting to understand why Bluesy actually preferred his flatback '25 when he had 2 of 'em to A/B last year. (hear that, Pascal? )

Al, for fingerstyle, I find there is better note articulation and separation in my F30 as opposed to the D25 especially in the midrange. This is especially noticeable on up tempo stuff such as "Don't think twice, its all right" by Dylan. I am pretty sure this is due to the added sustain on the D25 from being both a bigger guitar and having an archback. I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between similar sized guitars such as a D40 and an archback D25.

 

[southernGuild]

I do not mean to discredit the GADs. For what they are, they are great. I find them to be very efficient. Lacking in personality, but efficient. They are well built and flawless in construction. They are loud and stay in tune. They are affordable and get the job done. For me, the GAD was my first Guild and introduced me to the world of quality guitars. For that I am grateful. If it weren't for my GAD I couldn't say I would have other Guilds today. It is a great introduction to the brand and it does a great job at that. The GAD is ready to be passed on to someone else who needs an introduction to Guild.

Good salesman huh?

Very well said Ridge, in fact I think the whole thread is very interesting. You make some very thoughtful, honest , and helpful observations. Perspectives that would be very useful for someone considering purchasing either guitar.( not just from you, but in general)
Haveing both, I agree with you, and I feel you really nailed it in describing them. I Love my D25 too much to part with it, She's a keeper. That guitar has a Full , rich, deep sound that I enjoy very much. I dont get any discomfort from player her for hours, BUT. that said, the Gad30 and F20 are SO much more comfortable to curl up with and play.
The Gad 30 is much as you describe it. Mine is on the list for culling this year. time to pass this one on too! Was thinking to hold on to it for my daughter......'IF' she takes up playing, but if so, there are better Guilds at hand here for that too.
Enjoyed your insightful observations. :wink: Good luck with you decision Ridge.

 

[Ridgemont]

Thanks SG and everybody for the help. This weekend I pulled out the D25 and played her for a while. The D25 was the most convincing of all...the tone, the power, the sustain...that almost mouth puckering mahogany bite. You can't get that in most dreads. I kept asking myself, "now that I have it, why would I get rid of it?" Well, she may not get played that much but she is something just too special to get rid of. So as of now I am going to hang onto the D25.

Now as for the GAD, I have the rosewood itch BAD and the GAD is not satisfying it. It is time for this one to move on. I very much doubt I will be able to unload it on LTG, but if anybody is actually interested, pm me. I will post in FS/FT and on local CL first.

 

[adorshki]

Al, for fingerstyle, I find there is better note articulation and separation in my F30 as opposed to the D25 especially in the midrange. This is especially noticeable on up tempo stuff such as "Don't think twice, its all right" by Dylan. I am pretty sure this is due to the added sustain on the D25 from being both a bigger guitar and having an archback. I wonder if there is a noticeable difference between similar sized guitars such as a D40 and an archback D25.

Absolutely, I've posted to that effect before. It took me a while and some focused A/B'ing to figure that out. The clincher is that the F65 exhibits the same sustain characteristics as the '25 with just a small loss of volume; the D40 has better separation than 2 completely different archbacks.