NGD: D15

[davenumber2]

I took custody of this D15 earlier this week. Haven't had a chance to take pics yet so these are from the seller. FYI, it's a 1992 WGR model.

A few thoughts:
It's pretty beat to hell but structurally sound. That's kind of what I was going for. It tells me it's been played, not babied.
It plays great with nice low action and plenty of saddle showing. Has a K&K mini installed, so that was a bonus.
The sound is definitely a different flavor than I'm used to. Very mellow, real nice strummer. There's an element of "thunk" to the tone that's different than my spruce tops. It's currently strung with lights but I think it needs mediums. You've got to hit it hard to get the most out of it. It's fairly heavy but not out of line with other older Guilds I've played. I've had hog topped guitars in the past but never a dread so it's a nice change of pace from my other guitars.
I think I'll put some mediums on it this weekend and see what that does. I'm happy with it so far.

 

[GGJaguar]

Congrats! Glad it floats your boat. All-mahogany guitars are definitely in a class by themselves.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Outstanding!

 

[portsider]

Great grab. I love my D15. I’ve always been a 12 string guy, but this one has a full tone that really compliments a lot of things I play.

 

[Boneman]

Awesome, HNGD!

 

[schoolie]

I have a 1990 and play it every day. I think they are great guitars, and look great as they age and get a little wear. HNGD!

 

[davenumber2]

I put a set of .13-56 mediums on her last night and the difference is night and day. Strong, fat trebles with a more pronounced bass. I think it just needed some heavier strings to get the top moving.

 

[GGJaguar]

String experimentation is important as you found out. It can be a lot of work on the front end going through different sets, but once you find those that make the guitar shine, it's worth it in the end. Have fun with that guitbox!

 

[Gdjjr]

I put a set of .13-56 mediums on her last night and the difference is night and day. Strong, fat trebles with a more pronounced bass. I think it just needed some heavier strings to get the top moving.

Do you not concern yourself with gauge strings that heavy? That is a lot of tension, especially on the bridge. Let me qualify a bit. I had an Fender FA 235E and I wanted to try a set of 13-56 gauge strings on it. I didn't even finish tuning it, because I was afraid I was going to pull the bridge loose.

 

[davenumber2]

Do you not concern yourself with gauge strings that heavy? That is a lot of tension, especially on the bridge. Let me qualify a bit. I had an Fender FA 235E and I wanted to try a set of 13-56 gauge strings on it. I didn't even finish tuning it, because I was afraid I was going to pull the bridge loose.

I have mediums on all my dreads, have for years. No issues. This Guild is definitely built heavy enough to withstand the extra tension. I use 12's or 11's on smaller guitars that tend to have lighter bracing.

 

[Gdjjr]

I have mediums on all my dreads, have for years. No issues. This Guild is definitely built heavy enough to withstand the extra tension. I use 12's or 11's on smaller guitars that tend to have lighter bracing.

I use Martin Flex Core 12-54's on the DS240 and Martin Flex Core 11-52's on my D240E. The D240E feels lighter than the DS240 for sure.
I might get brave and try some 13-56's...

 

[wileypickett]

I put a set of .13-56 mediums on her last night and the difference is night and day. Strong, fat trebles with a more pronounced bass. I think it just needed some heavier strings to get the top moving.

EJ17s are pretty much all I use on my many six strings — but I tune way down. I haven’t played a guitar in standard tuning, tuned to pitch, in 40+ years!

 

[Westerly Wood]

EJ17s are pretty much all I use on my many six strings — but I tune way down. I haven’t played a guitar in standard tuning, tuned to pitch, in 40+ years!

I been using DADDAD lately on my dread and the light gauge b/e strings are just too darn thin...I will be hefting up to mediums soon too

 

[davenumber2]

EJ17s are pretty much all I use on my many six strings — but I tune way down. I haven’t played a guitar in standard tuning, tuned to pitch, in 40+ years!

I've tried going down a half step and a whole step. It's fun for a while but I always end up going back to standard.

 

[steverok]

That's a beauty. Would love to try one of these all-mahogany Guilds sometime. I have decided life is too short to worry about string tension, so I use 12s and 13s on all my 6-stringers.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I have decided life is too short to worry about string tension...

This would make a great Hallmark card....

Of course, I live my life totally the opposite lol

 

[davenumber2]

It was a nice day out today so I recorded a couple demos using my iPhone. Sorry about any background noise but I think you get the picture.

 

[beecee]

Sounds great...nice playing. Loved the capo'd clip. Been doing that a lot lately as well.

But if that guitar is "beat to hell" you'd cry if you saw my F30 or F212. Frankly I think yours looks pretty good...especially for it's age.

I think someone here coined the phrase "snotless".