Alexandre IV
Junior Member
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2010
- Messages
- 21
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi everyone,
I had the chance to A-B two great guitars, a 1979 D40 and a 1975 D50. I wanted to share my impressions and maybe get some insight from other musicians who know these instruments.
I'm mostly a bluegrass flatpicker. During the test, the D40 had bluegrass 80/20 strings (med bottom, light top) and the D50 had 80/20 light, so the only difference was the smaller bass strings on the D50. I've had the D40 for awhile and it's great, but it seems to lack volume for soloing. Of course, a dread will never cut like a banjo, but still, I was wishing for a bit more zing. It seems the rosewood of the D50 really helps in that regard. The D50 didn't feel as nice in terms of balance, for strumming especially, but it's got a lot more dynamics, so when you dig in, it really comes alive. Although I enjoy the tone color of the D40, especially for rhythm playing, the D50 has that extra punch and volume for solos. The D50 was brighter then I expected and also didn't have as much bass as advertised so I'm looking forward to trying it with the med bottom configuration, or perhaps even with a phosphor bronze set. When played soft, the D50 seemed to be lacking in mids and bass, but once I got going with a thick tortoise pick, it was the gift that kept on giving! I have a feeling the D50 hasn't been played that much recently, so after I wail on it for a week or two it might open up. My D40, even though it was already 31 years old when I got it, only came alive after a few full days of playing.
So those were basically my impressions. I'll probably change my D40 for the D50, which I will use for bluegrass, and keep using my 1969 M20 for rhythm and the more intimate folk stuff. I should also mention that have not played the more recent Guild D40s and D50s.
I had the chance to A-B two great guitars, a 1979 D40 and a 1975 D50. I wanted to share my impressions and maybe get some insight from other musicians who know these instruments.
I'm mostly a bluegrass flatpicker. During the test, the D40 had bluegrass 80/20 strings (med bottom, light top) and the D50 had 80/20 light, so the only difference was the smaller bass strings on the D50. I've had the D40 for awhile and it's great, but it seems to lack volume for soloing. Of course, a dread will never cut like a banjo, but still, I was wishing for a bit more zing. It seems the rosewood of the D50 really helps in that regard. The D50 didn't feel as nice in terms of balance, for strumming especially, but it's got a lot more dynamics, so when you dig in, it really comes alive. Although I enjoy the tone color of the D40, especially for rhythm playing, the D50 has that extra punch and volume for solos. The D50 was brighter then I expected and also didn't have as much bass as advertised so I'm looking forward to trying it with the med bottom configuration, or perhaps even with a phosphor bronze set. When played soft, the D50 seemed to be lacking in mids and bass, but once I got going with a thick tortoise pick, it was the gift that kept on giving! I have a feeling the D50 hasn't been played that much recently, so after I wail on it for a week or two it might open up. My D40, even though it was already 31 years old when I got it, only came alive after a few full days of playing.
So those were basically my impressions. I'll probably change my D40 for the D50, which I will use for bluegrass, and keep using my 1969 M20 for rhythm and the more intimate folk stuff. I should also mention that have not played the more recent Guild D40s and D50s.
