Wow, lookee here! Guild D-40 Traditional Deluxe from Sweetwater

SFIV1967

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That's interesting! According the neckblock marking a "D-40T DELUXE" ! The first "dealer special" model from the Oxnard factory. (Sweetwater calls her GSR, but GSR is not on the marking).
So what is "Deluxe" here? What I found:

1) Upgraded Rosette (Abalone)
2) Centerstrip on back vs. no on the "standard D-40 Traditional"
3) Bound fingerboard (tortoise) vs. unbound.
4) MOP Block markers vs. MOP dot markers on fingerboard.
5) Headstock veneer Rosewood vs. black
6) AAA Sitka top vs. Sitka.
7) Additional 4 ply black/white body binding

I like it that they didn't go all the way to the "D-55" appointments (G-shield, railroad bound fretboard, triangle markers) but kept the appointments close to the "GSR" tradition from New Hartford.
Looks good to me!

1603549221465.png


1603549267188.png


Ralf
 
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Cougar

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This would seem to be a wicked good buy, if you are into sunburst, AAA-top wood, big markers and all...

Nice! Since when did Guild start/return to the teardrop burst? I heartily approve!
 

FNG

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Soundhole looks bigger, probably the pic.

I like it!
 

Bill Ashton

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Just using a straight-edge on screen images, it appears the sound hole is the same on all the Traditionals...I agree though that at first I thought the Deluxe's was bigger. Looks even bigger than the regular D40. Someone with better screen skills should try to measure them, but I would guess they are all the same...

Another thing I just noticed, although the tuner buttons have that "Waverly" profile, they are not the Gotoh's of the other's...
 
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SFIV1967

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Another thing I just noticed, although the tuner buttons have that "Waverly" profile, they are not the Gotoh's of the other's...
The "normal" D-40 Traditional (as all other 20-40 series US models) have the same 20:1 unmarked "Guild" tuners. No idea who makes those 20:1 versions. Only the 55 series guitars are using 15:1 Gotoh SE700 tuners.
Ralf
 
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Bill Ashton

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Thanks Ralf, I couldn't come up with that Gotoh model number quickly...Gurujr had sent it to me long time ago, but my old emails are somehow corrupted.
 

SFIV1967

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Thanks Ralf, I couldn't come up with that Gotoh model number quickly...Gurujr had sent it to me long time ago, but my old emails are somehow corrupted.
I just looked in the specs on the Guild webpage! Also Oxnard might use different parts compared what Kim knew from NH.
Ralf
 

SFIV1967

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Ooooh, nice hog!
Oh yes! It says: "solid African mahogany back and sides" but the question is which kind of African mahogany. I guess some kind of Khaya (Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis).
Ralf
 

SFIV1967

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If they offered this on a D-55, I'd bite immediately!
Ask Sweetwater! Maybe they can order a D-55 like you want! Seems like they have enough buying power to request custom things. On the other hand it would be interesting to test this D-40TDL against a new D-55 ! I probably would prefer the D-40TDL sound. Who knows.
Ralf
 

rwmct

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Oh yes! It says: "solid African mahogany back and sides" but the question is which kind of African mahogany. I guess some kind of Khaya (Khaya anthotheca, K. grandifoliola, K. ivorensis, K. senegalensis).
Ralf

I would have thought, for a special order, they would use actual mahogany.
 

Br1ck

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Honduran hog would be nice, but then it would be a $3k guitar. A blinged up hog/spruce guitar has a market, I believe. Love the look and the inlay.
 
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