On the fence - 1979 Guild D-50 or Eastman E20D-TC

Hey Guys,

I come to you because I know you're the experts. I have the option to pick up an 1979 Guild D-50 Sunburst (Pictures below), with case, for somewhere between $1000 and $1200 - Says to be in perfect condition - The case handle is falling off but other than that, the guitar seems to be in great condition. He thinks maybe the tuning pegs have been changed but other than that, He cannot find any discernible issues with the guitar. He said it has a baseball bat neck. Which might be a problem as I do have smaller hands.

So, given that information - I don't know a WHOLE lot about that model - I was hoping you guys could shed some light on whether that is a fair price or if you would go towards the eastman - Eastman is solid torrefied adirondack top,solid rosewood back and sides. Going for about $1500 with case, new.

Just curious if it were your money, which would you opt for?

Thanks guys, I have found recordings but its so dang hard because of the variables in recording equipment, the speakers on my TV and the skill of the player.

Here's the Guild


And the eastman:



Thanks for looking and thanks for taking the time to read this! Any advice welcome.

I would encourage you to buy the vintage Guild; if it's in perfect condition like he said, the price is a good deal. If it's not actually in perfect condition, will he take it back? Not sure what he means about "baseball bat neck," I've had a couple dreads from that era and the necks aren't overly fat to me. Any chance you can inspect and play it before buying? I'm guessing that old wood has lots of tone.

I have zero experience with Eastman guitars, so I'm going to be no help with that.

dreadnut said:

I would encourage you to buy the vintage Guild; if it's in perfect condition like he said, the price is a good deal. If it's not actually in perfect condition, will he take it back? Not sure what he means about "baseball bat neck," I've had a couple dreads from that era and the necks aren't overly fat to me. Any chance you can inspect and play it before buying? I'm guessing that old wood has lots of tone.

I have zero experience with Eastman guitars, so I'm going to be no help with that.

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sadly, no, its coming from 4 hours away.

I have a e10d-tc - the mahogany version and im not floored by it ... but I think im a rosewood guy so im attributing it to that more than the guitar.

I have a Yamaha LJ16 - Torrefied engleman \EIR all solid and a Recording king Torriefied ADI \ Solid rosewood back and sides

I've just heard so many good things about these old made in USA guilds, I am on the fence. I had my money saved for the eastman and this popped up.

I suppose, worst case scenario, if I hate it, I can sell it.

Assuming you can return it if for some reason you don't like it, the Guild for sure.

What's the model name/number on the Eastman?

I have a 1976 D-50 and I sold my Martins because I never played them. If I was playing acoustic, it was ALWAYS the Guild. Sold the Martins and got a 74 Bluesbird.

davismanLV said:

What's the model name/number on the Eastman?

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Eastman E20D-TC

Coop47 said:

Assuming you can return it if for some reason you don't like it, the Guild for sure.

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Yeah, its a private seller off craigslist, I dont think that's an option.

Well a Guild D-50 sunburst is a known product. Depending on condition and neck angle and such, it could be a good deal. But that Eastman looks to be a super nice guitar and if it's brand new and you get a warranty that's a good thing too. How they will hold up resale value wise is unknown and import guitars usually don't do as well as USA made. But it still could be a super nice guitar. Most of the big box guitar stores have the Eastman and I'm sure if you disliked it you could return it. Make sure that's the case.

This is tough. It's easy to say Guild because.... well, it's a Guild D-50 with a burst finish and who doesn't like those?? Neck angle and action are needed to know whether it's a good deal or not. If you get it and the action is high and it needs a neck reset then will he take it back and refund you?

Tough decisions.

They might disagree over on the "Let's Talk Eastman" site, but I'd go with the Guild!

D50.

Welcome to LTG. I had a '76 D-50 NT (natural top), and loved the tone. But it had a neck that was narrow side to side (closer to 1-5/8" than spec, which is 1-11/16"), but thick front to back. Not the most comfortable neck in my stable, so sold it to help fund one of my DV-7Xs.

Offer the seller $1000. If the neck doesn't suit your fancy (I don't expect the tone will disappoint!), you can always resell it for AT LEAST that amount, and get the Eastman.

1. It’s generally a better deal to buy used (especially vintage) than new.

2. You can get a new, off the shelf guitar any time you want, whereas a vintage guitar popping up at the right place and time that floats your boat is not super common.

3. This is a Guild forum

So, sad to say - The guy backed out. He messaged me hours later - after we'd negotiated price, figured out the details, figured out the shipping and exchanged venmo id's ... he said he played it and it 'cried to him to let it stay'. DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was super super excited. I should get an excitement refund hahaha $100 for getting me worked up and for wasting your guys' time.

Nah, you didn't waste our time - you got your "leg work" done for the next D50.
There will be others

Stuball48 said:

Nah, you didn't waste our time - you got your "leg work" done for the next D50.
There will be others

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I have a feeling - This is just going to push me towards the Eastman in the meantime - save for the guild down the line. I still want an old D50. Maybe i'll find one closer that I can buy on the spot without giving somebody the chance to back out


Thanks for all the advice guys, I appreciate it.

goodry said:

Yeah, its a private seller off craigslist, I dont think that's an option.

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So, a grand for a used model you’ve never played and can’t return, from someone you’ve never met ... yeah, I think there’s better ways to go about this. You may have dodged a bullet.

Coop47 said:

So, a grand for a used model you’ve never played and can’t return, from someone you’ve never met ... yeah, I think there’s better ways to go about this. You may have dodged a bullet.

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Yeah, I may have - in the process though I started checking out reimagined Martin D-28's. The struggle never ends haha.

goodry said:

Yeah, I may have - in the process though I started checking out reimagined Martin D-28's. The struggle never ends haha.

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a 2014 Guild D50 CE came up for around $800 - with that being said, are the guilds of today anywhere near the quality of the '79 guild I was considering?

YES YES YES from 2014--New Hartford