Why Is the Modern D50 So Heavy?

[count savage]

The weight issue may be one of the things people hold against Guilds. But from the postings here, it sounds like the heavier weight is not affecting the sound of the guitar or people's love for playing and owning them. And in the end, that's what it's all about. As long as Guild can deliver a great product with their signature sound, that's all I can ask for....

 

[adorshki]

As long as Guild can deliver a great product with their signature sound, that's all I can ask for....

Our work here is done...you're one of us now. By the way I'd start avoiding the sun and garlic if I were you... :lol:

 

[Scratch]

[.,. I think there is something to the lightweight acoustic thing, though.

The few Tacoma built D40's I've seen were universally light, nimble feeling guitars.

+1 The '05 Tacoma-built D40 is the lightest guitar I have even with the Fishman preamp & battery...

 

[shepke]

I think we discussed this weight issue in a thread sometime last winter, and, if I recall correctly, there was a lot of consensus then that Corona D40s are surprisingly light guitars. It's the first thing I noticed when I initially picked mine up. The light build of this guitar reminds me of Hobokan era instruments (my favorite Guilds).

 

[bluepen]

'81 D55 6 lbs 1 oz
'89 D50 5 lbs 7 oz
'94 GV 70 5 lbs 8.5 oz

David

My Tacoma 2008 D-50 also weighs 5 lbs 7 oz. (no electronics).

That 81' D55 must be a back-breaker at 6+ pounds!

 

[hansmoust]

When Frank showed us some of the old Tacoma body molds in the New Hartford plant, it appeared that there was almost an eight of an inch difference between the shortest and tallest (same model guitars). The sides stayed in the molds while the edges were sanded to receive the back and top, so that body depth difference translated directly to the guitars. I was quite shocked that there would have been that much dimensional difference between guitars.

Actually, the differences in depth between two similar models could be much more than 1/8" since the height of the molds was not the only reason for the guitars being different. I went into that a little bit in this older thread a little over two years ago:

http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7696&p=80280&hilit=collars#p80280

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[bluesypicky]

Actually, the differences in depth between two similar models could be much more than 1/8" since the height of the molds was not the only reason for the guitars being different. I went into that a little bit in this older thread a little over two years ago:
http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7696&p=80280&hilit=collars#p80280
Sincerely,
Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Yet another testimony to the efficiency of your memory and archiving process Hans, in addition to your infinite Guildophile knowledge....
Are you a computer disguised in a human shape? :lol:
Seriously though, you never cease to impress me, so thank you for keeping us in check with "The Truth" on our beloved guitars.
Much appreciated.

 

[cjd-player]

Actually, the differences in depth between two similar models could be much more than 1/8" since the height of the molds was not the only reason for the guitars being different. I went into that a little bit in this older thread a little over two years ago:

http://www.letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=7696&p=80280&hilit=collars#p80280

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

The body depth difference is still amazing to me, even though I now understand how it happened. It certainly gives another explanation (in addition to general wood properties differences) as to why two of the "same" guitar can sound so different when being played in a music store. I would have never thought of measuring the guitars to see if they were the same size. I always just assumed that they were. Makes me wonder about other manufacturers besides Guild.

Size does matter. :shock:

Guess now we'll be seeing posts like:
"My D-50 is bigger than yours!" :mrgreen:

 

[bluesypicky]

Guess now we'll be seeing posts like:
"My D-50 is bigger than yours!" :mrgreen:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Dadaist]

'81 D55 6 lbs 1 oz
'89 D50 5 lbs 7 oz
'94 GV 70 5 lbs 8.5 oz

David

My Tacoma 2008 D-50 also weighs 5 lbs 7 oz. (no electronics).

That 81' D55 must be a back-breaker at 6+ pounds!

That's interesting. Nineteen years, the move across the Country to California and then up to Washington....and the guitars still weigh the same? That's consistency. Valleyguy has a Tacoma D50....we'll have to weigh it to see how it compares to both guitars.

David

 

[adorshki]

I think we discussed this weight issue in a thread sometime last winter, and, if I recall correctly, there was a lot of consensus then that Corona D40s are surprisingly light guitars. It's the first thing I noticed when I initially picked mine up. The light build of this guitar reminds me of Hobokan era instruments (my favorite Guilds).

That's funny, my Corona D40 absolutely outweighs my Westerly D25 and I'm sure it's not just the electronics, but I wonder how much that Dtar package does weigh?
I'm gonna have to measure the body depths too.

 

[twocorgis]

I think we discussed this weight issue in a thread sometime last winter, and, if I recall correctly, there was a lot of consensus then that Corona D40s are surprisingly light guitars. It's the first thing I noticed when I initially picked mine up. The light build of this guitar reminds me of Hobokan era instruments (my favorite Guilds).

That's funny, my Corona D40 absolutely outweighs my Westerly D25 and I'm sure it's not just the electronics, but I wonder how much that Dtar package does weigh?
I'm gonna have to measure the body depths too.

Al, I'm not sure what DTar weighs, but their detractors often cite weight as one of the things they don't like about them, and how it throws the balance of the instrument off at times. I have guitars with K&K, DTAR, and Fishman. I'll have to do a weigh off. I know the D18DC will win though; it's by far my lightest guitar.

 

[onewilyfool]

The Tradition continues!!!! I find vintage Guilds heavy also. But that's what I like about Guilds....built like a tank and STILL sound great....