D-25 LTG Member Review

Scratch

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How long have you owned the D-25:
Year & specific model:
Purchased new or used:
Price paid:

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality
Looks
Projection
Bass
Mids
Highs
Sustain
Playability/comfort
Dependability
Fingerstyle
Flatpick
Strum

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor):

Favorite Strings (one selection only):

Would you buy another if lost/sold:

Overall Assessment:

Most Appreciated Characteristic:
Least Appreciated:
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment:

Other observations/comments:
 

Ross

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Re: D-25 LTG Owner Review

Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25: 27 years
Year & specific model: 1982 SB
Purchased new or used: New
Price paid: $400

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 9
Looks 10
Projection 10
Bass 9
Mids 9
Highs 8
Sustain 8
Playability/comfort Playability 8, comfort 6
Dependability 9
Fingerstyle 7 (this is due to my clumsiness, not any shortcoming on the guitar's part)
Flatpick 9
Strum 9

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): V Good

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Martin Marquis

Would you buy another if lost/sold: No. With increasing age I find the large body more difficult to manage, especially if seated. When I bought the guitar there were few alternatives to dreads, but I'd buy a smaller-bodied instrument if I was in the market now.

Overall Assessment: Love it.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: The fine sound that it produces with the slightest touch.
Least Appreciated: Large body, dead spot on the 6th string, 5th fret.
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: Joining LTG!

Other observations/comments:
 

adorshki

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Re: D-25 LTG Owner Review

Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25:
Year & specific model: '96 D25NT
Purchased new or used: New
Price paid: $799.00 w/case
Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10
Looks 10 in the classic simplicity category. I like the pearloid "Guild" in the headstock with no other bling
Projection 10
Bass 10
Mids 10
Highs 10
Sustain 11 (Seriously, see "comments" below!)
Playability/comfort WAS 10 but I'm gettin' a little old. Now 9.5 on comfort
Dependability 11
Fingerstyle 10
Flatpick 9
Strum 11
Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Mechanically Excellent Cosmetically Fair
Favorite Strings (one selection only): Pre-2002 Guild L350 (current best replacement is Light uncoated PB D'Addario EJ-16 w/ .025 "G" substituted into the set)
Would you buy another if lost/sold: Not sure. I put all the 1300+ hours of playing and "opening up" on it and could never do that again even if I could find an NOS one to start with. Kind of like asking if you'd have another kid if....
Overall Assessment: The single most versatile guitar I own. When you own one you understand why it was Guild's single most produced model.
Most Appreciated Characteristic: Playability
Least Appreciated: Gettin' a little harder to get comfortable with, but that's me, not the guitar
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: The day it "opened up" after a couple of years of ownership, shortly after the first refret. I could literally feel the neck vibrating in my hand 'cause the soundbox was resonating so strongly.
Other observations/comments:
If you hold this guitar 5 or 6 inches of inches away from your mouth and speak or sing into the soundhole it'll resonate just from that input. If you play a harmonic on all 6 strings at the 12th fret and hold your ear a couple of inches close to the soundhole you can still hear the sound fully 30 seconds later. (Timed at 33 seconds two weeks ago)
 

Dubbaround

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Re: D-25 LTG Owner Review

Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25: 3 years
Year & specific model: 1977 D25M
Purchased new or used: Used.
Price paid: $20.oo

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 9.5
Looks 6.5....wasn't ever made to be a looker, boring coloration IMO
Projection 10
Bass 10
Mids 10
Highs 10
Sustain 10
Playability/comfort 10
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle 8
Flatpick 10
Strum 10

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Considering the hell it has been through, it should be a 2, but it's a Guild....it's a solid 8.

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Don't care.

Would you buy another if lost/sold: HELL YES.

Overall Assessment: It will go to my grave with me.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: The way it makes people's jaw drop when I hit the first open chord.
Least Appreciated: The bland color; Cruddy Brown.
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: Replying "$20.00" when asked what I paid.

Other observations/comments: I want more Guild Dreads.
 

kitniyatran

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Re: D-25 LTG Owner Review

Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25: 3 years, 4 months
Year & specific model: 1994-5? D25NT
Purchased new or used: used
Price paid: money+ 2 guitars traded; asking was about $660?

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10
Looks 9
Projection 14
Bass 10
Mids 10
Highs 10
Sustain 10
Playability/comfort 9
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle I'm not really a fingerpicker; it does it better than I. 10
Flatpick 10
Strum 14

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Good to Excellent

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Still looking.
Would you buy another if lost/sold: Yes

Overall Assessment: Great value, great guitar, love it, why pay more for a Martin when this does the same better!

Most Appreciated Characteristic: value
Least Appreciated: had to buy a case, as none was included.
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: I don't know, but a guy with a couple(or more) thousand dollar Gibson said, multiple times, it sounds GOOD.

Other observations/comments:
Like a Martin D18 on steroids; hog tone with BOOM!
 

GardMan

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How long have you owned the D-25: 4.5 yrs
Year & specific model: 1974 D-25M (spruce top, arched back)
Purchased new or used: Used
Price paid: $565 w case

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:
Build quality: 8
Looks: 8
Projection: 10
Bass: 9
Mids: 9
Highs: 8
Sustain: 11 She rings forever!
Playability/comfort: 9 (a typical full-sized dread)
Dependability: Not rated
Fingerstyle: 8
Flatpick: Not rated
Strum: 8
Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): V. Good. Saddle's a little low... but still has great tone and volume.
Favorite Strings (one selection only): John Pearse 80/20 Bronze light gauge
Would you buy another if lost/sold: Yes.
Overall Assessment: 8.8

Most Appreciated Characteristic: She just "sings" in DADGAD!
Least Appreciated: I'm not terribly fond of the color of the stained spruce top. The incredible sustain can sometimes muddy up the sound when strumming.

Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: I was eBay bidding on the '74 D-25 and G-37 (maple arched back dread) at the same time, and "won" both. Told the wife I'd A/B them, keep the one I liked best, and sell off the other. The sounded so different, I had to keep them both, and started out on a quest to try all the different tonewoods Guild made in the dreadnaught style.

Other observations/comments:
 

ladytexan

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Texas Hill Country
How long have you owned the D-25: Original owner, 38 years
Year & specific model: 1973, all mahogany, arched back
Purchased new or used: New
Price paid: ~$500.00

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10
Looks 9
Projection 10
Bass 10
Mids 9
Highs 10
Sustain 10
Playability/comfort 10
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle Yes
Flatpick No
Strum Yes

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Mint to Excellent

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Variable, but light gauge

Would you buy another if lost/sold: Yes

Overall Assessment: Fell in love with this guitar the first time I played it. This D25 sounds better and better as the years go by. It's not the fanciest Guild model, but it has a loud, warm voice that has stopped quite a few folks in their tracks...it's the double-take when they hear it. And, trust me, it's not my playing....it's the guitar.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: Loud, warm sound and excellent action. It's sturdy.
Least Appreciated: Weight
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: Learning that my particular D25 was somewhat of a small celebrity after I first joined LTG. I had no idea that an all mahogany, arched back D25 was a fairly scarce model. :)

Other observations/comments: If the house was burning, and I could only carry-out two guitars to safety, it would be: #1 my D25, and #2 my Mark V. One can always get another Martin...but, not so with these special Guilds. I've laughed and cried through the years with my D 25. It's seen me through some highs and lows that living life brings us. Would I have gotten through those times without my D25? Sure, but not as well......nope, not as well. ::::softsmile:::::
 
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I'm not sure why, but in 63 years I've never owned a Guild- until now. Picked up a '74 D-25M on Ebay not long ago and I may never buy another guitar. I got a fairly reasonble deal on this one- $525 picked up (didn't trust the mail handlers with an old, fragile mahogany guitar)- but it has a noticeable "whiskey dent" lower right front. Eventually I'll need it fixed but only for cosmetic reasons and to prevent further damage; I can't imagine the sound being any better. Punchy lows, clear mids and highs that continue to ring even after I've left the room. An amazing instrument. Very comfortable to play and does remarkably well with either strumming or finger picking. I'm giving this one a "10" all the way across.

Guild D-25 Mahogany
'77 Telecaster
2000 Mexican Strat
pre-war Regal green label parlor
'74 Harmony H165 Mahogany
'76 Takamine F360S
2002 Tacoma DM-9 (pre-Fender)
'72 Yamaha FG-75 red label
2002 Martin DC-16GTE
 

kitniyatran

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Punchy lows, clear mids and highs that continue to ring even after I've left the room.
That sounds like a normal D25! Not your average guitar!
 

Scratch

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Texasboy said:
I'm not sure why, but in 63 years I've never owned a Guild- until now. Picked up a '74 D-25M on Ebay not long ago and I may never buy another guitar. I got a fairly reasonble deal on this one- $525 picked up (didn't trust the mail handlers with an old, fragile mahogany guitar)- but it has a noticeable "whiskey dent" lower right front. Eventually I'll need it fixed but only for cosmetic reasons and to prevent further damage; I can't imagine the sound being any better. Punchy lows, clear mids and highs that continue to ring even after I've left the room. An amazing instrument. Very comfortable to play and does remarkably well with either strumming or finger picking. I'm giving this one a "10" all the way across.

Guild D-25 Mahogany
'77 Telecaster
2000 Mexican Strat
pre-war Regal green label parlor
'74 Harmony H165 Mahogany
'76 Takamine F360S
2002 Tacoma DM-9 (pre-Fender)
'72 Yamaha FG-75 red label
2002 Martin DC-16GTE

Welcome aboard. Where 'bouts in Texas??
 

ML1B1D

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Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25: 18 yrs and a bit. First owner from new.
Year & specific model: '93 - 25th anniversary edition
Purchased new or used: New (GC-Orlando, FL)
Price paid: $1299.00 - (I remember that day when $=£ conversion was something like 2-1!

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10 - Guild guitars are quality
Looks 10 - it is a thing of a beauty
Projection 10 - she's a real cannon.
Bass 10 - big bass without being boomy
Mids 9 - clear and resonant
Highs 10 - shimmering and balanced
Sustain 10 - I have upgraded the bridge pins to buffalo bones. I'm not too sure if nut and saddle are made of plastic though. If so, I might have to do the same on both.
Playability/comfort 9 - a lil buzzing on low E string when pressed on 5th fret. A good "buzz" though ;)
Dependability 8 - needs retuning on the 1st and 2nd strings after 3-4 sets of hard strumming
Fingerstyle 9 - width or gaps between strings are ideal
Flatpick 9 - sweet sounding when using a wooden pick eg Timber Tone picks
Strum 10 - very at home on strumming side specially on open tunings

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Excellent

Favorite Strings (one selection only): John Pearse phosphor bronze 12-54

Would you buy another if lost/sold: If lost? Definitely. But will it sound the same... Sell? Never.

Overall Assessment: I've been happy with my 25th anniversary edition since time of purchase. And the tone just seems to keep getting sweeter.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: The arched back. So sexy!
Least Appreciated: End pin. It should be brass instead of plastic. I might replace it in near future.
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: I play this geetar longer than any one in my collection.

Other observations/comments: Sometimes when I'm not playing, I just love to ogle it.
 

bek

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Location
California
How long: original owner, 37 years
Year/model: 1973 (or was it 1974?), D25, archback, hog-top, cherry finish
Purchased: new
Price: traded in a cheap acoustic and paid $400 to a friend-of-a-friend's shop
Ratings:
Build quality: 10-- total tank
Looks: 9-- stunning top, but a painted headstock logo
Projection: 10-- monster
Bass: 10-- ridiculous
Sustain: 10-- huge
Playability: 8-- fine, but a slightly high action -- I like it that way, since I can slam it hard
Dependability: 10-- Only thing I've ever done is change strings and the old tuners to a set of Grovers; never adjusted anything. Period. Amazing.
Fingerstyle: 9-- beautiful
Flatpick: 10--even better
Strum: 12--Enormous; its true strong suit
Condition: 8--a little dented and scratched, but fine, thanks
Strings: Martin Marquis Lights
Buy another: Where?
Most appreciated: gorgeous top, arched back
Least appreciated: plastic end pin, bridge and nut

Overall: Terrific. Of all my guitars, I'd keep this one. Even over the 1935 Regal dobro roundneck.
Favorite story: a friend tried to swap me his Guild D44 straight across. No, thanks.
 
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How long have you owned the D-25: 1 month
Year & specific model: 1977 D-25m
Purchased new or used: Used
Price paid: $500 W/ a new case

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 9
Looks 9
Projection 10
Bass 10
Mids 10
Highs 9
Sustain 10
Playability/comfort 8 the action is a little high but i dont want to mess with it
Dependability i have only had it for a month
Fingerstyle 8
Flatpick 8
Strum 10

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): good

Favorite Strings (one selection only): lights

Would you buy another if lost/sold: yes

Overall Assessment: great,

Most Appreciated Characteristic: The tone, warmth, sustain, projection, stock open tuners
Least Appreciated: action, but the tone is worth it
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: the day i bought it

Other observations/comments:
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
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Scratch said:
How long have you owned the D-25: 36 years, original owner
Year & specific model: '76 D-25M
Purchased new or used: New
Price paid: $300 whsc

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10
Looks 10
Projection 10
Bass 10
Mids 9
Highs 8
Sustain 10 all the way into next year
Playability/comfort 10
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle 10
Flatpick 10
Strum 10

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Good, one repaired top crack by pickguard

Favorite Strings (one selection only): D'Addario PB Mediums

Would you buy another if lost/sold: Absolutely

Overall Assessment: A real workhorse but sings like an angel

Most Appreciated Characteristic: Tone/sustain

Least Appreciated: the funky purple lining in the carry case

Favorite D-25 Story/Moment: Practicing with the church band one day, standing next to the Music Director with his Taylor 800 series, when we were done the bass player (a music professor at a local college) strolled across the stage, came up to me and said "That guitar has a really beautiful tone, I could hear it way across the stage!" The Music Director, who had recently spent over $2K on his Taylor, just shook his head and smiled. :D

Other observations/comments:
Went out shopping for a Martin in '76, played a D-18, a 'hog Gibson, and the D-25M, bought the Guild because it was clearly superior in tone and beauty of the wood; it just looked and felt most like a fine handcrafted instrument than the others.
 

marcellis

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redneck riviera
How long have you owned the D-25: 1973-present
Year & specific model: 1972 D-25 (flatback)
Purchased new or used: New
Price paid: (I forget - $250 or $400)

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality: 9
Looks 10
Projection 7
Bass 7
Mids 10
Highs 8
Sustain 8
Playability/comfort 9
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle 8
Flatpick 8
Strum 8

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor):
(When I bought it or now?)

Favorite Strings (one selection only): I don't know.

Would you buy another if lost/sold: Yes - used, not new.

Overall Assessment: A classic.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: I love it all.
Least Appreciated: N/A
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment:

I gave it to one of my sons in 2003. He lived in New Orleans.
He abandoned it during Katrina. He came back & it was out on
a porch.

Other observations/comments:
 

phinegan

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How long have you owned the D-25: It's new to me
Year & specific model: 1981 D-25 Cherry Top
Purchased new or used: very used!
Price paid: $430, inclsuing a brand new case

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 10
Looks pretty dinged up, lots of mojo
Projection 10, a boomer
Bass 8, maybe a little bass heavy
Mids 9
Highs 10
Sustain 8
Playability/comfort fine with cowboy chords but the neck gets pretty chucky with barre chords
Dependability 10. It's survived a lot of abuse
Fingerstyle n/a
Flatpick 9
Strum 9

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): structurally 9, appearance 5.The saddle slot may need to be re-cut

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Bluegrass

Would you buy another if lost/sold: maybe

Overall Assessment:A fine example of the classic American dreadnaught. The tone is pretty impressive for a laminated back.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: Tone, value
Least Appreciated: It feels BIG!
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment:

Other observations/comments:
 
Last edited:
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My first "real" guitar. it's a keeper!

Year & specific model: 1972 D-25 all mahogany w/ arched back
Purchased new or used: new
Price paid: $275 w/ hardshell case

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 9
Looks 9
Projection 9
Bass 9
Mids 9
Highs 9
Sustain 9
Playability/comfort 9
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle 7
Flatpick 9
Strum 9

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Good

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Elixir

Would you buy another if lost/sold: Yes. In fact, I did. I sold the original for $400 in 1988, then found an identical one 9 years later. Spent $400 for it and put another $600 of work into it. Had the neck dressed, a new bridge installed w/ under saddle transducer, and finally a Bridge Doctor to fix the bowed front.

Overall Assessment: Outstanding guitar for the money. Not fancy, but it plays well and projects very well.

Most Appreciated Characteristic: That you can take it everywhere with you. Always a player.
Least Appreciated: Rosewood fingerboard and soft frets.
 

fredpamm

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D25m

Here you go everyone

How long have you owned the D-25:
Year & specific model: 1975 D25M
Purchased new or used: Used in 2002
Price paid:350

Owners rate 1 (least appreciated) to 10 (most appreciated) in following categories with comments as desired:

Build quality 9
Looks 10
Projection 9
Bass 9
Mids 9
Highs 9
Sustain 8
Playability/comfort 10
Dependability 10
Fingerstyle 10
Flatpick N/A (dont ever play with a picK)
Strum 8

Condition (Mint/Excellent/Good/Fair/Poor): Excellent

Favorite Strings (one selection only): Martin Acoustic SP

Would you buy another if lost/sold: Absolutely

Overall Assessment: Beautiful Guitar

Most Appreciated Characteristic: The tone, warmth, sustain, projection, stock open tuner
Least Appreciated:None
Favorite D-25 Story/Moment:

Other observations/comments:
 
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