newbie here

[davenumber2]

Hi guys and gals,

I'm new to the board and this is my first post. I'm looking at picking up a rosewood dread in the somewhat near future. I was curious as to the differences between the D-50, D-55, and the DV-52. I'm not as familiar with Guilds as I am with Martins and Gibsons but would like to be. Thanks for any help.

Dave

 

[killdeer43]

Welcome Dave!
I have experience with only one of your trio....the D50. I've had it for 21 years and I confess to loving it.
As far as comparisons go, you will soon be inundated with replies so I'll just sit back and wait here with you.

Stay in tune,
Joe

 

[GardMan]

Welcome to LTG!

I have a '76 D-50 and '92 D-55... so can give you a bit of a comparison.

The D-55 was introduced as Guild's "top" production model in the late '70s. Sitka spruce top, rosewood back/sides. Bound neck and headstock, pearloid block/abalone wedge fret markers, with pearloid "G-shield" logo on the headstock. Sometime in the 90s, rec'd scalloped bracing (mine is scalloped) and pearl rosette inlay (mine doens't have pearl rosette inlay). Mine has a maple bridgeplate, and a thin "fast" neck, with wider, but lower (?) "jumbo" frets. Tone is rich, fat, and smooth, with gut rumbling bass. Reminds me of a big grand piano. Some would call it "majestic tone"... can't say I disagree.

The appts of the D-50 are a little more spartan. Again, sitka over rosewood, but with unbound neck, dot fret markers, and "Chesterfield" headstock logo. Mine does not have scalloped braces (they appear to be shaved), but later ones are scalloped. Mine has a rosewood bridge plate, and a beefier neck (tho' still very comfortable). Tone is also very rich with gut rumbling bass... but mixed in with more mids and trebles that give it more jangle... mine is louder and more "in your face" than my D-55.

I've never heard the DV-52... but know that it is very highly though of in these parts. I'd love to A/B/C 'em all, sometime.

Good luck in your search,
another Dave

 

[stclrob]

I'm surprised there aren't more posts.

Here are the specs for the D50, D55, and DV52. DV52 has either satin or high gloss. I can't really shed much light on the subject, but from what I've gathered on some of the threads, the Tacoma D50 is supposed to be very nice and may be the cheapest of the three with the recent move to CT. I have a DV72 so I'm biased towards the DV series. :wink:

 

[Ian]

Hi Dave number two,

Welcome from New Zealand. Cant help you with the D50 or DV52 as I've never even seen them let alone played them !! However at the time I bought my D55, the other guitars under consideration were the Gibson J45 and the Martin D28. The Gibson had a mahoghany back though I believe they are available in Rosewood ?

I truly love my D55, they are really wonderful guitars, softly spoken but resonant, like a choir of angels. I still have a hankering for a J45 somewhere along the line, and I've sort of gone off Martins in general, so I dont know if this advice helps or not !!

Good luck in your search, play as many as you can and keep an open mind.

Cheers, Ian

 

[davenumber2]

Guitardude,
My main guitar currently is a J-45 and I love it. Standard hog/sitka variety. Very distinct tone. I love it but I really want a loud booming dread and want a rosewood companion for the mahogany J-45. If you have the chance at a good J-45, I highly recommend picking one up.

 

[evenkeel]

Can't offer any advice, so I'll just say Welcome to LTG land. :wink:

 

[bluesypicky]

Hi other Dave!

As I stated previously here, the DV 52 has become my favorite dread so far, and I've owned a few dreads. Best sounding rosewood box in my view.
Since you mention Martins, the DV52 has the great tone/balance/power combo and the brilliance in the treble range that reminded me of the HD28 Martin. (Except you can find one with a little research and patience for a third of the Martin's price tag)....
The D55 is an awesome guitar, but I just fail to catch that "brilliance" in the sound (when played finger style).

Welcome and good luck with your next one, whatever it is!!

BP

 

[GardMan]

d#2,
Are you thinking new or used? There have been quite a few positive comments about the new Guilds coming out of New Hartford. There are still some Tacoma Guilds floating around the market... and the adi-topped D-50 got some rave reviews.

The DV-52 is only available used... and hails from Westerly. Lots of folks consider the DV-52 to be the 'hands down" best deal ever on a rosewood dread. Examples in good shape can be found for $750-1200 on eBay, etc.

I was, of course, comparing my Westerly-built D-50 and D-55. Westerly D-50s in VG-E condition go for $900-1500 (or higher; mine was ~$1000, in E condition). Even D-55s in good playing condition can be had for under $1500... depending on cosmetics (mine was ~$1100 with some finish checking and a few dings). Older ones, or an exceptionally nice one will run higher ($1500-1800+).

Good hunting,
Dave

 

[davenumber2]

Definitely used. I have heard very good things about the Tacoma Guilds. I would prefer a more recent model. What were the exact years of production there? I have also heard that the Coronas can be hit or miss. Any thoughts?

 

[Ian]

Guitardude,
My main guitar currently is a J-45 and I love it. Standard hog/sitka variety. Very distinct tone. I love it but I really want a loud booming dread and want a rosewood companion for the mahogany J-45. If you have the chance at a good J-45, I highly recommend picking one up.

Hi Dave,

...oh there's definately a slope shouldered J45 in my future somewhere !! Unfortunately that isn't even close to now as I'm broke !! Maybe in a couple of years time though. I'm thinking that a J45 and a D55 would cover the dread bases pretty neatly...

Why don't you pop over on Tuesday night with your J45 and we'll swap guitars and tunes for a bit ? :lol:

Cheers, Ian

 

[stclrob]

Definitely used. I have heard very good things about the Tacoma Guilds. I would prefer a more recent model. What were the exact years of production there? I have also heard that the Coronas can be hit or miss. Any thoughts?

I would be more concerned with anything stamped 2nd or "USED". Those can be very hit or miss.

 

[JerryR]

Hi Dave #2 - welcome. My own ambition is to add a D55 to compliment my D35 - I wish you luck in your quest

 

[GardMan]

Definitely used. I have heard very good things about the Tacoma Guilds. I would prefer a more recent model. What were the exact years of production there? I have also heard that the Coronas can be hit or miss. Any thoughts?

The two issues I have heard re: the Corona models was lifting bridges and finish issues (including tendancy to check badly). Folks that have gotten "good" Corona models praise them highly for both fit and finish and sound. It just seems there's a bit more risk involved...

Someone else will have to chime in with the Tacoma dates (it was somewhere around 2004 or 2005 to sometime in '08 or '09?).

I would be more wary of any models stamped with a red 2 on the label, or having the headstock/label SNs marked out and stamped used. This is how Guild marked there seconds. Although some have very minor imperfections in finish, there have been some Tacoma leftovers/seconds that have had some pretty serious issues (mostly the neck of the "contemporary series," as far as I can tell).

I wouldn't discount the older Westerly models... you can find some very nice instruments for very good prices.

 

[davenumber2]

When did they start using adi tops on the D-50?

 

[jazzmang]

When did they start using adi tops on the D-50?

It was officially advertised when Guild moved to New Hartford, IIRC. So 2009 and beyond...

 

[davenumber2]

Thanks to everyone for all the useful info and the warm welcomes.

 

[Bikerdoc]

Welcome Dave2. I've been enjoying Hogs myself. Rosewood hasn't been something I've even considered since my last fiasco a couple of years back. Maybe one day I'll get lucky when I actually learn to play.

Peace

 

[JerryR]

Welcome Dave2. I've been enjoying Hogs myself. Rosewood hasn't been something I've even considered since my last fiasco a couple of years back. Maybe one day I'll get lucky when I actually learn to play.

Peace

I said much the same Doc - I'll get a decent guitar 'when I learn to play', but realized I never would learn so got the Guild anyway :roll:

 

[CelticJam]

It was officially advertised when Guild moved to New Hartford, IIRC. So 2009 and beyond...

I don't believe this is correct my Tacoma D50 definitely has an adi top and it was built in 2006. It is a truly great guitar with a quality to it's tone that I have never heard before.

I had the chance to A/B a DV52 and a Tacoma D50 burst (not mine) at a Music Go Round in Littleton, Colorado this week. The DV52 is mighty fine with a nice chest rattling bass. The D50 seemed to have more balance and power even though it seemed to be a little tight, it had not opened up like the 52....yet. The neck on the DV52 seemed to be a little thin, with the D50's slightly chunkier neck more to my liking.

Kevin