My Guild D40

[mjk6string]

Back in February of 1987, I had a Guild D40 NT made for me by Guild. My Guild dealer didn't have one in stock, so he ordered one from Guild directly. The Serial number on the back is D400009, yet I cannot find ANYTHING on line verifying it's make date. Does anyone know why this would be? I mean, I know it was made in 2/1987 because who can forget the first day they owned a Guild Guitar. lol.

Any feedback would be great.

I also just recently purchased a D55 (my Dream guitar) and would love to get some feedback on how I can get both of these appraised for insurance purposes.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, mjk!!! Well, Feb. 1987 may when you got it, but it probably was completed earlier than that. I.e., the neck block says 1985 on it. Does the stamp on the back of the headstock match the D400009 that's on the label? @hansmoust can you advise?

Pretty Tacoma-build D-55. For the record, that was built late in 2007 (Aug. 8th, that is).

 

[mjk6string]

Welcome aboard, mjk!!! Well, Feb. 1987 may when you got it, but it probably was completed earlier than that. I.e., the neck block says 1985 on it. Does the stamp on the back of the headstock match the D400009 that's on the label? @hansmoust can you advise?

Pretty Tacoma-build D-55. For the record, that was built late in 2007 (Aug. 8th, that is).

Yes, I back of the headstock matches what is on the label. See attached photo - And the D-55 - It is pretty, I wish it was as Easy on the fingers as the D40. - It's a Heavy Guitar.

 

[mjk6string]

Yes, I back of the headstock matches what is on the label. See attached photo - And the D-55 - It is pretty, I wish it was as Easy on the fingers as the D40. - It's a Heavy Guitar.

And, yes, I was able to determine the 8/2007 Build date of the D55 - I understand ow the serial numbers work on the later years and was able to figure out the day month and year based on the Serial number as well as determining it was the 25th D-55 made that day. lol. I wish it were as easy to determine all of that with my D-40

 

[davismanLV]

The date is stamped on the back of the headstock. They only did that in late 1986 into early 1987. But it's right there to read. The neck block stamp is when the rim was completed, but not when the guitar was actually finished. I'd say your date is 2-87.

 

[fronobulax]

it was the 25th D-55 made that day

No. It was the 25th guitar finished on that day and assigned a serial number. There is nothing about the serial number that says whether the previous 24 instruments were D55's or some other model.

 

[Westerly Wood]

A Guild D40 and a D55. Well, you really don't need another acoustic guitar...

Nice!

 

[mjk6string]

No. It was the 25th guitar finished on that day and assigned a serial number. There is nothing about the serial number that says whether the previous 24 instruments were D55's or some other model.

Oh, Gotcha - Thanks for that clarification!

 

[mjk6string]

A Guild D40 and a D55. Well, you really don't need another acoustic guitar...

Nice!

The D-25 - That is the one with the Bowed Back, right? - I played one once, it was a beautiful piece of art!.

 

[Westerly Wood]

The D-25 - That is the one with the Bowed Back, right? - I played one once, it was a beautiful piece of art!.

Well, the original D25s were flatbacks and all hog. Starting around 1973, Guild started to embark on the arched back D25 era.
I agree, an arched D25 would be a great add to your quiver, however, you might prefer the sound of your D40, so it might be redundant. But the arched D25s are cool. And relatively affordable...

Of course, my comment above re you now being totally sate for acoustics, that is more me talking to myself, "Oh man, if only I had just bought a D40 and a D50 or 55...I'd be set..."

 

[mjk6string]

Well, the original D25s were flatbacks and all hog. Starting around 1973, Guild started to embark on the arched back D25 era.
I agree, an arched D25 would be a great add to your quiver, however, you might prefer the sound of your D40, so it might be redundant. But the arched D25s are cool. And relatively affordable...

Of course, my comment above re you now being totally sate for acoustics, that is more me talking to myself, "Oh man, if only I had just bought a D40 and a D50 or 55...I'd be set..."

Very true, the D-25 is much like my D-40, My brother in law owns it, and has had it since 1975. It is his warhorse and has been through it, but still sounds and plays so beautifully, much like my D-40 - Sadly, my D-55 is quite a bit rougher on my fingers, but the amount of sound it produces offsets any discomfort. I even took it to a Luthier who designed and built Taylors (for Taylor Guitar) so I know for sure that it is set up correctly. But still, not as comfortable as my D-40.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Very true, the D-25 is much like my D-40, My brother in law owns it, and has had it since 1975. It is his warhorse and has been through it, but still sounds and plays so beautifully, much like my D-40 - Sadly, my D-55 is quite a bit rougher on my fingers, but the amount of sound it produces offsets any discomfort. I even took it to a Luthier who designed and built Taylors (for Taylor Guitar) so I know for sure that it is set up correctly. But still, not as comfortable as my D-40.

I had a Guild D50 that was like that. My D25 flatback is more comfy and easier to play, and I attributed that to the ebony fretboard vs the softer rosewood fretboard of the D25. Not sure if that is it, but ebony is a hard hard wood.