NGD-1967 D 40

[richardp69]

The D 40 is one of my most favorite Guild models but I've never owned a Hoboken D 40. I took an Ebay flier on this one. It had no case and came wrapped in bubble wrap but I see no damage from that. It's actually in decent shape for it's age. Also had 5 very rusted strings.

There is a center seam separation below the bridge that looks like it's been glued (possibly cleated (can't tell). The bridge has been off and possibly replaced. No cracks, breaks or separations I can see. Tuning machines look fine. I hear/see no loose braces.

The bottom of a straight edge comes to the top of the bridge but I'm not sure if that's because the bridge was shaved or not. Hans mentioned these electronics are pretty bad (he has it on a M 20) but that's o.k., I didn't buy for the electronics. I'll be playing this one unplugged..

I'm sending it down to Tom for a wellness check and to clean up a few things like where the bridge was removed. I have high hopes for it. Here's a few pics.

 

[twocorgis]

Good luck with it Richard! I thought about this one because it was local to me, but bailed when the price got that high. The pictures were so bad that I wasn't comfortable, and I couldn't get the seller to send more, or allow me to see it in person. Looks like it's in better shape than I thought.

 

[HeyMikey]

Yea sir! That’s a cool one. I’d see if Tom can get the electronics in top shape or try to retain the original controls but with modern innards.

 

[Br1ck]

Yet another Guild I wasn't aware of. Very interesting.

 

[adorshki]

The D 40 is one of my most favorite Guild models but I've never owned a Hoboken D 40. I took an Ebay flier on this one. It had no case and came wrapped in bubble wrap but I see no damage from that. It's actually in decent shape for it's age. Also had 5 very rusted strings.

There is a center seam separation below the bridge that looks like it's been glued (possibly cleated (can't tell). The bridge has been off and possibly replaced.

Definitely a replacement, and I can still see outline of original bridge's "belly" and "points" peeking out at bottom edge of this one. Otherwise looks sweet!

 

[Stuball48]

Way to go Richard! You will enjoy it because you had your .ind made up that you would - before you bought it.

 

[davismanLV]

With the birth date of 1967 might it have been made in Westerly and just got a Hoboken label? By 1968 they were moved, unless I'm trippin' again. Could be either. I'll bet it sounds amazing!!

 

[twocorgis]

With the birth date of 1967 might it have been made in Westerly and just got a Hoboken label? By 1968 they were moved, unless I'm trippin' again. Could be either. I'll bet it sounds amazing!!

That one is probably made in Hoboken Tom. IIRC, the first models that were made in Westerly were M20s, and the easier models to build.

 

[chazmo]

Awesome, Richard. Keep us posted.

 

[adorshki]

With the birth date of 1967 might it have been made in Westerly and just got a Hoboken label? By 1968 they were moved, unless I'm trippin' again. Could be either. I'll bet it sounds amazing!!

Westerly started production in late '67, "The first guitar that came from Westerly was an M20 in August of 1967. For some time the Westerly plant produced M20's and Mark I classical guitars only"" per the GGB . If "some time" is even only 3 or 4 months I think it's a pretty safe bet this one's a Hoboken although I'm sure Hans can verify. I suspect Richard may have already asked him.

'68 was a year of dual production I think, as "It would take until 1969 before the whole operation was transferred from Hoboken to Westerly."

 

[Ncrews]

I have one of these; mine's a '67 too. I bought it from a friend for a song. I think I got it so cheap because he was playing it at an open stage and some guy in the audience started heckling him mid-set about the placement of the knobs. After that, my friend -- totally demoralized -- couldn't get rid of it fast enough, which was good for me because the guitar was in outstanding condition and sounded really, really good not plugged in. As for me, I don't worry about getting razzed in public about how my guitar looks, because it's usually my playing that earns me ridicule!

Also, I rather like the electronics; I play it sometimes through a Fender Deluxe Reverb 1965 reissue tube amp and a bunch of pedals and loops and it sounds pretty wild, although admittedly doesn't come close to replicating an acoustic sound.

Does anyone know if Guild made these as occasional production models or were the electronics added as a special-order feature?

RichardP69, I hope you dig your new guitar as much as I do mine.

 

[walrus]

Whatever the year, that's very cool! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[SFIV1967]

Does anyone know if Guild made these as occasional production models or were the electronics added as a special-order feature?

Hans had previously mentioned: "The 'electric' option was first offered on the D-40 and F-212 in the Nov. 1966 price list...The option became soon available on other models as well."

November 1966 pricelist:



Example from 1969 catalog:



And what Richard already partially mentioned, Hans previously said. "That particular pickup was obtained from Hagstrom, who supplied Guild with several other pickups and hardware during the '60s and early '70s." And: "Like most magnetic pickups for acoustic flat top guitars from that period, it didn't sound all that good."

Ralf

 

[walrus]

And, of course, Ralf essentially beat me to it, but here's the LTG thread that discussed this guitar before it landed in Richard's capable hands:

https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/electrified-60s-d-40-on-ebay.209153/

walrus