Played a NH D-50 Today...

[6L6]

I played a NH D-50 today at Gelb Music in Redwood City, CA. This is the first NH product I've played and I'm happy to report that all is well with Guild. In fact, all is VERY WELL with Guild NH!

The fit and finish were first rate. I liked the lighter weight of the headstock with the new tuners. The neck profile was different from other D-50's I've played made elsewhere, but still very comfortable. The ebony on the fretboard was deep and just beautiful looking.

The action on this guitar was near perfect right out of the shop. I played it both open and with a capo on all frets up to the 7th. Perfect tone and excellent sustain everywhere! NO deadspots.

If I do say so (patting self on back), I predicted that the NH Guilds would continue the outstanding reputation of Guild and if this example is any indication, MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

The ONLY thing I'd change about this new D-50 is I'd prefer a black pickguard to the tortoise one it has. The sale price on the D-50 I played was $1899.00. Worth every penny!

Try these babies when you can!

6

'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'74 D-40

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Great news, indeed! Thanks for the report, Six.

How did the quality of wood in the top appear?? If I remember correctly, the NH D-50 uses Adirondack spruce.....

~nw

 

[6L6]

The top was first rate quality with very close grain.

If this one is still around after I sell one of my axes (a '66 Ricky 360-12), I'll be grabbing it.

6

 

[Frosty]

...Adirondack spruce.....The top was first rate quality with very close grain.

Sure it was Red Spruce? The Adirondack topped guitars I have sport a noticeably wider grain than the Sitka.

 

[6L6]

ure it was Red Spruce? The Adirondack topped guitars I have sport a noticeably wider grain than the Sitka.

Yep, it was definitely Adi. I was surprised too, Frosty! Compared with my '06 D-40BJ, I was surprised at how tight the grain was.

FWIW, the Fender website for Guild says all these D-50 Bluegrass Specials are red spruce topped.

6

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

....I was surprised at how tight the grain was..........Guild says all these D-50 Bluegrass Specials are red spruce topped.
....

That's very encouraging! Perhaps, they found a *special* batch of Adi' spruce that being used for the NH D-50s...


~nw

 

[Frosty]

Yep, it was definitely Adi.

Among everything I read (or see) about Adirondack I do not encounter "tight grain" as a characteristic. So if it is Red Spruce, it is a rare sample!

 

[Firebird]

I too, recently played a NH D50 and my observations were spot on with 6L6. This guitar was one of the very best newer Guild acoustic dreds I ever played. The grain spacing on this one was very wide but I kind of liked the look. I know my ears loved the sound. It was loud and had a great bottom end. Perfect for my bluegrass!

I AB'd the D50 next to a D55 and a Martin D28 and I would of come home with the D50. To my disappointment, the guitar was very expensive at over $2k. Worth it though.

If you thought the Tacoma Guilds were nice, do yourself a favor and play one of the Connecticut models.

 

[chazmo]

First, that's good to hear, 6. This confirms my observations of a couple of weeks ago as well when I spent time in the acoustic room of my local store. The NH guitars are yummy!

Second, I thought Adirondack actually is (a species of?) red spruce. Do I have it wrong, guys?

 

[Frosty]

Second, I thought Adirondack actually is (a species of?) red spruce. Do I have it wrong, guys?

Different names, same thing as I understand it. Generally does not look as smoothly elegant to the eye as other spruce. More info: ...The cosmetic quality of these tops is not quite equal to Engelmann and Sitka Spruce at the AAA grade as far as evenness of color, tightness of grain etc. is concerned...

 

[chazmo]

OK, that's what I thought, frosty. IN any case, I agree... wide grain (relative to Sitka, for example) is the norm. Maybe these red spruce trees aren't as old as the Sitka that we see so much?

 

[bluepen]

Yep...as I understand it "Adirondack Spruce" is Red Spruce that is grown in upstate New York. Red Spruce grows over a wide geographic range but the Adirondack Spruce was prized for guitar tops back in the Martin heyday. The supply of these trees was decimated by overlogging, but now through forest management, mature trees are being harvested again. As I understand it, the term "Adirondack" is often MIS-used now by some guitar makers to represent Red Spruce from anywhere (i.e. outside of the Adirondack Mountains), because of the market appeal of the name.

Not sure where Guild's wood stock comes from...no pun intended (get it? "Woodstock"....New York).

BTW, for those of you that like to hike/canoe...the Adirondacks are simply amazing. The park is enormous (bigger than the State of Connecticut) and the "high peaks" region offers some of the best hiking east of the Rockies.

I got one of the last Tacoma D-50s and love it, and anxiously await the opportunity to by a new NH D-50.

 

[Frosty]

A local guitar shop has two new CT Guilds in stock - one is a Sitka topped D-55, the other is an Adirondack topped D-50. The difference in the width of the grain is evident. (Cell phone photo quality)

 

[killdeer43]

Is that a 'ding' on the top of that new guitar in the bottom photo? If that IS a new guitar. I hope not.

Joe

 

[Frosty]

No dings, Joe. Just a quick snapshot photo with my phone and some glare from the overhead lights. Two brand new CT Guild guitars. The shop sold a new D-55 last month and just got this replacement.

 

[killdeer43]

No dings, Joe. Just a quick snapshot photo with my phone and some glare from the overhead lights. Two brand new CT Guild guitars. The shop sold a new D-55 last month and just got this replacement.

Good to hear. Of course, if there had been a 'ding,' maybe the price would have come down a bit. :wink:

Thanks,
Joe

 

[CelticJam]

The grain width looks very similar to the pattern on my Tacoma-built D-50.

Anyone know if Fender sent the Adirondack stock from Tacoma to NH?

Kevin

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

No dings, Joe. Just a quick snapshot photo with my phone and some glare from the overhead lights. Two brand new CT Guild guitars. The shop sold a new D-55 last month and just got this replacement.

Thanks for posting these pictures, Frosty. My local Guild dealer does not seem to carry much in stock, so I appreciate you sharing these.

~nw