Hello to all-I'm a new member and I'd like to get some feedback (pun intended) from anyone about a D-55 I just got a few months ago.
First I'll give you the specs-A 1977 D-55 from the Westerly R.I. factory. Sunburst, overall
condition is A-. It has the usual nicks and scratches for it's age. Serial # is 182348 - Label gives
model # as D-55SB. I'm guessing the SB is for "sunburst". I've had the frets dressed and the neck
had a lot of "sticky spots" from age and dirt in the lacquer finish on the back of the neck. I sanded
all the lacquer off the neck and applied Thompson's water seal to the raw wood. I started with 200 grit paper and finished with 600 till it was very smooth. A guitar tech at the store told me to try this and He was right on the money. I'd recommend this to anyone who has a neck with dirt and decayed lacquer on older models. Especially in the "first position" area. I live in Atlanta GA and the humidity and heat in the summer does it's job on everything that's susceptible to damage and fatigue-including people, from that sticky, stagnant, oppressive heat! I paid 1400.00 with a HSC that says Martin on it.
What can I say? life isn't perfect. I was thinking about a different case, but this thing is a "bomb-shelter" so as long as I know what's on the inside, who gives a %$#@!!
This model has what I call the older pickup that's mounted under the bridge. I'm not sure what the difference is with the newer models and when it was changed. Anyone who has info on this I would ask pass it along to me. If I plug it in directly to an amp I have to dime the volume on most amps to get a decent audible level. I started using a Presonus pre-amp that has a 12AX7 tube along with a gain knob and a drive knob. This unit gives me the volume I need and it's got a good tone to it. Right now I don't have a "dedicated" acoustic amp. The amps I own are-a 2010 Fender Superchamp XD, A Vox VT-15 Valvetronix that's 2 years old. The big boy in my collection is an Ampeg Reverbrocket which is a '90's reissue with 50 watts and a 12" speaker. The Vox is 15 watts/8" speaker and the Fender is 15 watts/10 inch speaker. The Best sounding amp for the D55 is the Fender. It has an "acoustic" setting on the modeling circuit that disables the gain control and gives a very clean tone. I also have a Weber 10" speaker with an Alnico magnet that has a very sweet tone and breaks up later than the stock speaker. I have Tung-sol tubes in both the power and pre-amp slots. I understand the differences between regular amps and acoustic amps and I'll get a dedicated amp at a later date when the $$$ is available. I've heard very good things about the Kustom sienna model. Anyone who has an amp recommendation, please pass it along. I'm not a pro and I jam with friends at small clubs occasionally on open mike nights. I'd also like to hear from anyone that has info on pickups and/or pre-amps they have used that work well. I want to keep it as original as I can, so I'm not looking to cut holes or drill here or there.
So that's what's on my mind today and I welcome all responses or questions and I'll answer anyone that's requires an answer as soon as I can. We all share the same passion for the brand and I've been looking for a Guild "D" size for a while. I walked in the store and as I was asking if they had any D models............my eyes fell on this beauty hanging from it's peg and I knew it was going home with me. The owner said when he saw that look in my eye, he knew it was sold. I've been doing business with this store for a few years and it's a cool neighborhood type place. I avoid the "BIG BOX" stores at all costs because I'm a former small business owner and I know and support small business people when I can.
Time to sign-off and I thank all of you for your help!!!
First I'll give you the specs-A 1977 D-55 from the Westerly R.I. factory. Sunburst, overall
condition is A-. It has the usual nicks and scratches for it's age. Serial # is 182348 - Label gives
model # as D-55SB. I'm guessing the SB is for "sunburst". I've had the frets dressed and the neck
had a lot of "sticky spots" from age and dirt in the lacquer finish on the back of the neck. I sanded
all the lacquer off the neck and applied Thompson's water seal to the raw wood. I started with 200 grit paper and finished with 600 till it was very smooth. A guitar tech at the store told me to try this and He was right on the money. I'd recommend this to anyone who has a neck with dirt and decayed lacquer on older models. Especially in the "first position" area. I live in Atlanta GA and the humidity and heat in the summer does it's job on everything that's susceptible to damage and fatigue-including people, from that sticky, stagnant, oppressive heat! I paid 1400.00 with a HSC that says Martin on it.
What can I say? life isn't perfect. I was thinking about a different case, but this thing is a "bomb-shelter" so as long as I know what's on the inside, who gives a %$#@!!
This model has what I call the older pickup that's mounted under the bridge. I'm not sure what the difference is with the newer models and when it was changed. Anyone who has info on this I would ask pass it along to me. If I plug it in directly to an amp I have to dime the volume on most amps to get a decent audible level. I started using a Presonus pre-amp that has a 12AX7 tube along with a gain knob and a drive knob. This unit gives me the volume I need and it's got a good tone to it. Right now I don't have a "dedicated" acoustic amp. The amps I own are-a 2010 Fender Superchamp XD, A Vox VT-15 Valvetronix that's 2 years old. The big boy in my collection is an Ampeg Reverbrocket which is a '90's reissue with 50 watts and a 12" speaker. The Vox is 15 watts/8" speaker and the Fender is 15 watts/10 inch speaker. The Best sounding amp for the D55 is the Fender. It has an "acoustic" setting on the modeling circuit that disables the gain control and gives a very clean tone. I also have a Weber 10" speaker with an Alnico magnet that has a very sweet tone and breaks up later than the stock speaker. I have Tung-sol tubes in both the power and pre-amp slots. I understand the differences between regular amps and acoustic amps and I'll get a dedicated amp at a later date when the $$$ is available. I've heard very good things about the Kustom sienna model. Anyone who has an amp recommendation, please pass it along. I'm not a pro and I jam with friends at small clubs occasionally on open mike nights. I'd also like to hear from anyone that has info on pickups and/or pre-amps they have used that work well. I want to keep it as original as I can, so I'm not looking to cut holes or drill here or there.
So that's what's on my mind today and I welcome all responses or questions and I'll answer anyone that's requires an answer as soon as I can. We all share the same passion for the brand and I've been looking for a Guild "D" size for a while. I walked in the store and as I was asking if they had any D models............my eyes fell on this beauty hanging from it's peg and I knew it was going home with me. The owner said when he saw that look in my eye, he knew it was sold. I've been doing business with this store for a few years and it's a cool neighborhood type place. I avoid the "BIG BOX" stores at all costs because I'm a former small business owner and I know and support small business people when I can.
Time to sign-off and I thank all of you for your help!!!
