next Oxnard model announced ...

I'm on the Guild mailing list and just got this:

Exclusive Guild Insider Tip: The D-40 Traditional, an homage to the historic Guild D-40 of the 1960s featuring gloss nitro finish, tortoiseshell binding, inlaid Chesterfield logo, and dovetail neck joint, is coming up next.

Click to expand...

On the website it says that this is expected in 2017 ....

Cool.

Interesting about the "dovetail neck joint" comment. Does that imply that a different neck joint was used for the F-20/D-20, etc. models that have been available thus far?

Nice to see them confirm that nitrocellulose is coming back.

Quick random veer:

..."trying to make a dove-tail joint"... John Lennon, "Glass Onion"

walrus

wonder what the street price will be 2k?

I like the sound of that!

chazmo said:

Nice to see them confirm that nitrocellulose is coming back.

Click to expand...

Exactly!

If I read correctly, says that they will be making fewer than 100 this year..

chazmo said:

Interesting about the "dovetail neck joint" comment. Does that imply that a different neck joint was used for the F-20/D-20, etc. models that have been available thus far?

Click to expand...

Honestly. That's like throwing out random stuff that .... is a given? Since I've not seen the promo (anyone have a link?) I suppose there's a lot of stuff you could "throw out" to fill up the paragraph..... you know?? LOL!!

Here you go, Tom:

http://guildguitars.com/g/d-40-in-n...il&utm_term=0_233188518b-cb1967e550-257839117

Right, Rick. They list a satin varnish for the current (non-Traditional, apparently) model and now NCL for the Traditional model.

It's a little bit confusing, for sure. I'm interested in the neck joint that they're using on the non-Traditional model. My read from that verbiage is that it's not a dovetail joint at the neck. So what is it? Anyone wanna' cut up a new D-40?

(I'm joking, really).

chazmo said:

Right, Rick. They list a satin varnish for the current (non-Traditional, apparently) model and now NCL for the Traditional model.

It's a little bit confusing, for sure. I'm interested in the neck joint that they're using on the non-Traditional model. My read from that verbiage is that it's not a dovetail joint at the neck. So what is it? Anyone wanna' cut up a new D-40?

(I'm joking, really).

Click to expand...

Maybe that is why they have a thin wooden serial number plate covering the bottom of the neck block on the D20/M20's instead of an actual serial number label? I am wondering if they are going to use Adirondack or Sitka for the top on the "Traditional" D40 and also if the are going to use Adirondack or Sitka for the Bracing? They didn't really clarify that in the press release. At least we know that Nitro is going to make it's way back into the fold.

TX

Could be, TX. I'm not going to guess, though. By all accounts those early instruments are nicely built and sound good. Eventually someone will have a look at the neck and report about it.

I'm crossing my fingers that this Traditional series D-40 is Guild perfection.

chazmo said:

Could be, TX. I'm not going to guess, though. By all accounts those early instruments are nicely built and sound good. Eventually someone will have a look at the neck and report about it.

I'm crossing my fingers that this Traditional series D-40 is Guild perfection.

Click to expand...

Before anyone reads this I want to make the point that this is just something I am curious about and in no way am I a Luthier by any means. This is just something that caught my attention after the latest Guild email.

The only reason I am curious about the Serial number plate on the D20/M20's is from the picture Guild sent in this latest email/ press release. The picture at the top of the advertisement is of a Guild worker holding a body form for what appears to be a M20 shaped guitar with the outer rim, Tail Block, and Neck Block assembly clamped into place. If you look at the Neck Block at the top of the form it is clearly "Bolted" through the Rim into the form with 2 Countersunk anchor bolts that are slightly protruding through the top of the guitar rim itself. The serial plate covers up this area on the finished guitar so there is no way of telling if the neck is a hybrid bolted version or if these holes are used for wood dowels to properly align the neck placement, or possibly just left open. The only reason I even noticed it was their specific mention of a Dovetail Neck Joint in the New Traditional D40. Once again I am not knocking the Quality of the early Oxnard Made Guilds, Just curious about the neck joint construction and why they would specify the "Dovetail" neck joint on upcoming guitars. The Guild site does not list the type of neck joint in the "Specs" area of the D20/M20 pages on their website. Here is the photo I am referring to.



TX

Nice catch, TX. I think you're right. That's pretty strong evidence of a bolt-on neck. Interesting that they didn't mention that.

I don't know... and hesitate to speculate re: the neck joint. But considering that no other clamps are apparent at the neck block and tail block, I wouldn't be surprised if the screws apparent were serving both as clamps and to properly align the neck block (note the aluminum jig in the form at the neck block). I wouldn't be surprised if there was also a screw/bolt thru the tail block to clamp it into the form... of course, this could be disguised later by the hole for the end pin.

In watching videos of neck construction and fingerboard attachment (from the New Hartford plant?) some time ago, I was surprised at the number of times/places dowels and holes were used for proper alignment... IIRC, sometimes the dowels were left in place... sometimes they were just part of the jig, and held the part in the correct alignment (presumably left "empty" after final assembly).

I would expect that Guild-Cordoba would be willing to share the neck construction details with repair techs in the field, who might be expected to reset necks...

chazmo said:

Nice catch, TX. I think you're right. That's pretty strong evidence of a bolt-on neck. Interesting that they didn't mention that.

Click to expand...

Like I said, I'm not saying that it is or isn't a bolt on neck joint, Just an Observation from the photo.

TX

Right on, Dave. Someone needs to talk with them. Interesting picture, though.

Thanks, Rick!! I say we take one APART!! LOL!! :stupid:

GardMan said:

In watching videos of neck construction and fingerboard attachment (from the New Hartford plant?) some time ago, I was surprised at the number of times/places dowels and holes were used for proper alignment... IIRC, sometimes the dowels were left in place... sometimes they were just part of the jig, and held the part in the correct alignment (presumably left "empty" after final assembly).

Click to expand...

Ren utilized dowels & holes for alignment at Gibson, and it's probably a pretty sure bet that Oxnard is doing this as well.

Re the type of neck joint construction utilized, it is not mentioned in the specs on Guild's website for the D-20 & M-20.

I don't want to start a religious debate or anything, but I've owned more than a few vintage instruments that would have been improved by a neck reset, but didn't get them because it's just too costly and, well, invasive. I really believe that a well done bolt-on is a good thing; it's an advancement in technology when implemented properly.

Imagine if we were constructed with knee and hip joints that could be swapped out in just a few minutes at the doctor's office.