Hello,
I joined awhile back and don’t post often. I have been searching for a D55 for about a year. About 1.5 years ago, I was looking for a nice guitar and didn’t know anything about Guilds. I ran into a Used D55 and it blew me away. Didn’t buy it on the spot because I knew nothing about them. Came home did some research and went back but it was gone. Such started the obsession.
I ended up buying a Taylor 814CE and I love it but couldn’t get that guild out of my mind. Finally, last week, I bought a used Westerly Late 90s D55 at guitar center online. My thinking was that it wouldn’t be in great shape - but that I would play it a bit and validate that I do still love them (as I have had a bear of a time finding any to play and only had that one short experience in the local guitar store).
Well, it came in the mail. And, 1) it is not in as good condition as it was described, but 2) I freaking love the way it sounds. Sounds better than the Taylor and all my other guitars. Amazing sustain, beautiful tone, comfortable to play - it sucks me in, can’t put it down.
Here’s the thing ... I am leaning towards returning it and continuing the hunt for the right one. I guess my question is should I expect to fall in love with every D55 I encounter - I’ve now played the Tacoma built one in the store and this westerly model. I’m nervous about giving this one up, unless you guys tell me they are all just that darn good - like the two I have played at this point?
This one has a few dings and finish cracks - I’m ok with that, but on the high E side of the neck the finish is worn away and the binding on the neck is lose and will likely get worse - looks a little rough in particular near the nut.
Again the guitar sounds great - best I’ve ever played - BUT, I’m not sure the condition is worth the $1900 I paid given that for this price occasionally there are nicer ones and for a few hundred more, it seems there are often D55’s on reverb in the low 2ks. If I can expect all D55’s to consistently be this awesome - I feel like I should return it and keep the hunt going. What do you think? Would you return it?
Second, as I am leaning to return, I have a question. Aesthetically, I like New Hartford D55 (based on pictures) - I think the open tuners are sharp. But I understand that they are a lot lighter? One thing I like about this westerly compared to the Taylor is the Taylor is so light it feels like a toy - I love the heft of this westerly and the way it thumps me when I play it. Just love the way it feels. Would I be disappointed with a New Hartford in this regard? Would you expect a New Hartford to be different Tonally?
So, I guess to summarize my question to the experts is, which should I do ...
1) keep this westerly and have someone fix it up a bit. I will be into it for as much as I could by a better
Condition one, but I know I love this one’s sound.
2) return it to GC, and search for a better condition New Hartford, because I love their look and tonally they will feel and sound the same as the westerly.
3) return it to GC and search for a better condition westerly, Tacoma, or other plant before they (seem to have been to my novice eyes) were redesigned a bit at New Hartford.
Thanks to all - I appreciate all of your thoughts and experience.
I joined awhile back and don’t post often. I have been searching for a D55 for about a year. About 1.5 years ago, I was looking for a nice guitar and didn’t know anything about Guilds. I ran into a Used D55 and it blew me away. Didn’t buy it on the spot because I knew nothing about them. Came home did some research and went back but it was gone. Such started the obsession.
I ended up buying a Taylor 814CE and I love it but couldn’t get that guild out of my mind. Finally, last week, I bought a used Westerly Late 90s D55 at guitar center online. My thinking was that it wouldn’t be in great shape - but that I would play it a bit and validate that I do still love them (as I have had a bear of a time finding any to play and only had that one short experience in the local guitar store).
Well, it came in the mail. And, 1) it is not in as good condition as it was described, but 2) I freaking love the way it sounds. Sounds better than the Taylor and all my other guitars. Amazing sustain, beautiful tone, comfortable to play - it sucks me in, can’t put it down.
Here’s the thing ... I am leaning towards returning it and continuing the hunt for the right one. I guess my question is should I expect to fall in love with every D55 I encounter - I’ve now played the Tacoma built one in the store and this westerly model. I’m nervous about giving this one up, unless you guys tell me they are all just that darn good - like the two I have played at this point?
This one has a few dings and finish cracks - I’m ok with that, but on the high E side of the neck the finish is worn away and the binding on the neck is lose and will likely get worse - looks a little rough in particular near the nut.
Again the guitar sounds great - best I’ve ever played - BUT, I’m not sure the condition is worth the $1900 I paid given that for this price occasionally there are nicer ones and for a few hundred more, it seems there are often D55’s on reverb in the low 2ks. If I can expect all D55’s to consistently be this awesome - I feel like I should return it and keep the hunt going. What do you think? Would you return it?
Second, as I am leaning to return, I have a question. Aesthetically, I like New Hartford D55 (based on pictures) - I think the open tuners are sharp. But I understand that they are a lot lighter? One thing I like about this westerly compared to the Taylor is the Taylor is so light it feels like a toy - I love the heft of this westerly and the way it thumps me when I play it. Just love the way it feels. Would I be disappointed with a New Hartford in this regard? Would you expect a New Hartford to be different Tonally?
So, I guess to summarize my question to the experts is, which should I do ...
1) keep this westerly and have someone fix it up a bit. I will be into it for as much as I could by a better
Condition one, but I know I love this one’s sound.
2) return it to GC, and search for a better condition New Hartford, because I love their look and tonally they will feel and sound the same as the westerly.
3) return it to GC and search for a better condition westerly, Tacoma, or other plant before they (seem to have been to my novice eyes) were redesigned a bit at New Hartford.
Thanks to all - I appreciate all of your thoughts and experience.