What can You tell me about a 80's D35

[c70man]

I'm looking at a one owner D35 with original case. I haven't played it, but the photos look good. All hog with spruce top. I have never played this model and was wondering what people have and what they think about it. I have played and owned any number of Guilds, lately a D50, D25, and an F30. How does it compare? I would like to know your opinions before I pull the trigger....
Thanks

 

[killdeer43]

I just acquired my 4th D35 and it might well be the best one so far (maybe I play better, now?). This one is an '82 one-owner gem in pristine condition, except for a 'UPS crack' on one side (repaired).
With an overall cleaning and new strings, this guitar sings. And it feels good, just like every Guild I've had.
*The case is also in superb condition.

As far as comparisons go, it holds its own with my 25 and 50, and that's saying a lot!

Cheers,
Joe

 

[GardMan]

Hey c70man,
I think you would find that an 80s D-35 would hold its own, volume/projection-wise with your D-25 and D-50. I had both '72 and '78 D-35s, along with '74 D-25 and '92 D-55 (plus a '74 G-37), at one time. The '78 D-35 certainly could match the 25 and 55 for volume. The '72 D-35 was/is a bit quieter (tho' still plenty loud). Both D-35s have/had a more balanced but "brighter" sound than either the D-25 or D-55, tho... the arched back of the D-25 and rosewood of the D-55 emphasize the bass end more than the flat mahogany backs of the D-35s. The voices of my two D-35s also were different... the '72, tho' not as loud, seemed more balanced, had better bass, and seemed a bit more mellow to me, while the '78 tended to emphasize the mids, and was a bit more "brash" and "in-your-face." The '78 was also built substantially heavier than the '72. I preferreed the tone of the '72 (plus, I had bought it new when I was 17), so kept it and sold the '78 when I got my D-46.
Dave

 

[killdeer43]

Dave,

Not to get too far off track here, but I always enjoy visiting your "All My Guilds" site. You did a great job on the layout, and I'd like to think that I can figure out the how-to for my own herd.
And now, I'm curious about how that hanger's working out in the basement "studio." Looks good!

Best to you,
Joe

 

[GardMan]

Thx Joe,
I can't take much credit for the layout of the photosite... it's one of the standard templates for my photo host (pbase.com). One of these days I will shoot some new "family photos" that include the D-44 with her black-horn/pearl Orth pins (one of the last sets made before Gordon's untimely passing earlier this year)...

After 9 months, the (Hercules) hangers are working great... I have much more floor space, while keeping the Guilds all accessible. A room humidifier keeps the room between 40-45% RH. I keep the two most-played on the floor stands (the D-46 lives in one stand... the D-44's on the other stand right now), but all get played a couple times each week. Everything seems to be holding tight. After discussions here, I did drive half a dozen 3" screws thru the backboard into the wall studs (in addition to the ten toggle bolts used initially).

Thinking ahead, there might be room for one more floor stand on the right side....
Dave

 

[killdeer43]

Dave,

The cabinetmaker in me remembers offering that 3" screws into the studs would help you sleep at night! :lol:
Whatever you did, it all looks great and has me sitting here looking at the wall to my left as a likely target.
I'll let my wife know that you "encouraged" me.

Take care,
Joe

 

[c70man]

Hey c70man,
I think you would find that an 80s D-35 would hold its own, volume/projection-wise with your D-25 and D-50. I had both '72 and '78 D-35s, along with '74 D-25 and '92 D-55 (plus a '74 G-37), at one time. The '78 D-35 certainly could match the 25 and 55 for volume. The '72 D-35 was/is a bit quieter (tho' still plenty loud). Both D-35s have/had a more balanced but "brighter" sound than either the D-25 or D-55, tho... the arched back of the D-25 and rosewood of the D-55 emphasize the bass end more than the flat mahogany backs of the D-35s. The voices of my two D-35s also were different... the '72, tho' not as loud, seemed more balanced, had better bass, and seemed a bit more mellow to me, while the '78 tended to emphasize the mids, and was a bit more "brash" and "in-your-face." The '78 was also built substantially heavier than the '72. I preferreed the tone of the '72 (plus, I had bought it new when I was 17), so kept it and sold the '78 when I got my D-46.
Dave

Any comparison between the D35 and a D40?

Just wondering.......thanks.

 

[killdeer43]

I'd be happy to do the comparison testing if I could just add a D40 to the flock. If you have one handy....
I've been searching and remain unsuccessful to this point, but I continue to scour the countryside for THE one.

Joe

 

[GardMan]

I don't think I've played a D-40 since I tried one out in '73, when I bought my D-35... There was a D-25 (flat back, all mahogany) D-25, D-35, and what I recall was a D-40 hanging on the wall at a hole-in-the-wall shop on N Burnside in Portland, OR, and I played 'em all. At the time, I loved the sound and look of the spruce-topped D-35 and D-40, which I recall as sounding very similar. But I couldn't afford the D-40, so I paid $265 for the D-35, and had to wait for my next paycheck to go back and get a hard case (the shop loaned me a pasteboard case for a month). As it was, I caught some h*ll from my Dad for spending as much as I did.

 

[lone eskimo]

This is my first post here so go easy (lol)...
I have both a D-35 (sunburst) and a D-40C (cutaway) and both from the mid 70's. I also have several other nice acoustics : '75 Martin D-28, '08 Larrivee OM-O3, '08 Taylor 110ce, and a beautiful mid 70's Fender F-95 (really!). Anyway, I mentioned those as I gig alot and my main guitar is the D-40C. I love the cutaway as I solo often in an acoustic trio. This guitar does everything great- massive strummer (no compression here), great flatpicker, and very sweet fingerpicker. Funny thing though- when I'm home and I pick up the D-35- it just about smokes all of my guitars in one strum! What a great sound- all of the Spruce/ Mahogany adjectives you can dream of- woody and punchy, bright but not harsh. BTW this one was given to me by a friend who hadn't played in 30 years and wanted to give it a life (it lived under her bed...) lucky me!

Mike

 

[kitniyatran]

Lucky, indeed; oh to have such a friend. :wink:
Welcome aboard, lone eskimo.