I don’t think the used market is to blame. If so that would be true for other manufacturers as well. Plenty of people buy used Martin’s, Taylors, Eastmans, and plenty buy new. There are a lot of players who don’t want the “hassle” or risk of buying used.
Check my tagline: "All bought new!". Yep, when I was looking for what turned out to be my D25, I didn't want any risk and I wanted a warranty.
Now, on this forum, if my dream guitar (F45ce w/ a 1-11/16 nut, not currently available new, even MIC, IIRC) popped up from a trusted member I'd buy it with confidence. But my dream guitar's a unicorn so I gotta hope Oxnard'll get around to building it eventually if there's any hope at all.
Very true. A lot of folks want to put their own wear and tear on their guitars. I have a buddy who refuses to buy used guitars.
Oh yeah, that too. I wanted to see what happened to a good guitar's sound after 20 years of listening to it grow myself.
I didn't realize there was contention with CMG and Oxnard. As someone new to Guild, I don't have any issues other than as the thread stated I was hoping they would make the F-30. My guitar is a 2020 and I find it exceptional, I've been playing trying out so many other guitars the last 5 weeks and once I'm home and play my D40T I confirm again that I can't find a guitar I prefer more yet. I think they're doing something right, I'm glad they bought the company as opposed to it potentially disappearing.
My own D40 was the 3rd and I bought it without even playing it based on my experience with the first 2. Didn't even know Westerly had closed and started getting a clue when I saw the Corona label. Not that it mattered to me, I actually thought it had to be the Fender Custom Shop and thought it was way cool.
Later on after joining here I find out what had happened, not actually built in the Custom Shop but a new dedicated shop built by Fender in Corona.
By then I'd started bonding with the D40.
I expected it to be louder than my own D25 based on the Richie Havens connection but was kinda disappointingly surprised that it wasn't. Actually called it the sonic runt of the litter for 3 or 4 years but noticed it was improving, just needed some playing time. Had also started adjusting to the neck which was a pretty fat "C" compared to the thin flat ovals of my Westerlys.
It also probably exemplifies Guild's "built like a tank" rep of the late 70's because
it is, compared to the 2 Westerlys.
Took about 7 years to really find its voice, partly because I was playing a lot less during that time, and it's
still improving some.
Definitely not the runt anymore, love 'er madly every bit as much as the other 2.
And the Corona's have a bit of a stigma themselves, but that's another story.
I also know now that topwood and bracing are critical to tone and I trust Oxnard to at least have gotten that right in their builds.
Guild has always paid special attention to bracing, suspect it's one element of the consistency of sound from factory to factory.
Imagine the fun that lies ahead for you sir. There is nothing like owning from new. And have we discussed "the Honeymoon Moment" yet? Ah but again, that's another story.
Let's just say I spent about 20 minutes just looking at the silking on the D40's top last night. I bet yours is real nice too.
