Best value for a vintage rosewood dreadnaught

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
I thnk the DV52 has to be on the top of the list. Go price out another guitar with these specs and see what you find. Seems to me it's on par with a Martin D-35, with a bit more bling., (headstock inlay, gold plated tuners, abalone soundhole rosette.) They don't give this stuff away!

DCE5 comes in 2nd on my list, pretty much same specs as the DV52 but arched back. Now that I gave my DV52 to my son, I may have to get one of these.
 

Pike

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
836
Reaction score
33
Yes, the earlier version with the herringbone rosette...
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
Two of my friends have DCE5's, both bought from LTG forum members. They are outstanding dreads, would gladly add one to my stable. And they are pretty much still flying under the radar on price too. Think of a rosewood D25M with deluxe appointments.
 

Rambozo96

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2020
Messages
1,659
Reaction score
1,192
Location
Texas
Guild Total
5
I think the same seeing so many DV-52’s up for sale. The same specs from Martin would cost you like $3500* easy. I always wanted one of those or maybe a nice playing D-50. I think the D-55’s look nice but I was never one for super blingy guitars.
 

wileypickett

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2009
Messages
4,964
Reaction score
4,489
Location
Cambridge, MA
I second (or third or fourth) the DV52 nomination. While I prefer the look of the herringbone, I wouldn't characterize it as sounding superior to the MOP. I've owned several of both versions (still have one) and all were / are great.
 
Last edited:

gjmalcyon

Senior Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
4,179
Reaction score
2,417
Location
Gloucester County, NJ
Guild Total
13
They don't come up too often, but keep an eye out for the Tacoma-built DV-6, assuming the Tacoma era falls into what you consider "vintage" territory.

Here's one that was listed on Reverb for $775:

 

Pike

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2005
Messages
836
Reaction score
33
I think the same seeing so many DV-52’s up for sale. The same specs from Martin would cost you like $3500* easy. I always wanted one of those or maybe a nice playing D-50. I think the D-55’s look nice but I was never one for super blingy guitars.
I’m not saying that in general, but out of the ones that I owned the herringbone one sounded better. But I’ve had two D50s, and one sounded better than the other, two D55s and one sounded better than the other. Same with the two D40’s. All great sounding guitars. Out of all the Guilds I’ve owned, I’ve only gotten one dud. In my mind most of the tone comes first from the particular piece of top wood and second how it is braced. Even two consecutive guitars off of any line can sound entirely different.
I second (or third or fourth) the DV52 nomination. While I prefer the look of the herringbone, I wouldn't characterize it as sounding superior to the MOP. I've owned several of both versions (still have one) and all were / are great.
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
I've also got to give a shout-out for the Tacoma-built D50's; fine dreads if you can get your hands on one. Tried to talk my buddy into one but he wanted a Martin, the new D50 was a couple hundred more at Elderly, he got a new Martin D16 which is a really nice playing and sounding guitar too. We picked the nicest D16 from 7 they had in stock, that's one nice thing about Elderly.
 

Rich Cohen

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2015
Messages
3,144
Reaction score
2,273
Location
Charlottesville, VA
I owned a DV-52 and probably because it was my first Guild dred, I didn't realize just how good it was for the price. I think I paid $1,000 for it and it was in excellent condition. Boy was it a solid guitar all around, construction and sound wise.
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,789
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
I think the DV52 has to be on the top of the list.
From the Guild Gallery #2 Winter '97, last sentence in the DV6 &DV52 blurb:
Guild-1997-1998-Gallery-Catalog-pg14_1600-640x856.jpeg


If you can't see it: "The DV52 is widely recognized as the best value in the acoustic realm and it was chosen as the basis for the Guild Custom Shop models."

Good enough for me. :)
 
Last edited:

Heath

Member
Joined
May 29, 2019
Messages
440
Reaction score
555
I must agree with the suggestions of the DV52.
 

D30Man

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2015
Messages
2,949
Reaction score
998
Location
Rockwall, TX
Guild Total
5
DV52 is pretty hard to beat all things taken into account. The DC series is damn nice too and for an even better price. You just have to get past the cutaway mental block.
 

D30Man

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2015
Messages
2,949
Reaction score
998
Location
Rockwall, TX
Guild Total
5
Good point WP. Same here. I have been pleased with fishman components both built in and external.
 

D30Man

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2015
Messages
2,949
Reaction score
998
Location
Rockwall, TX
Guild Total
5
That DCE3 with its fishman electronics along with my body Rez pedal made for sonic goodness at my last gig.
 

twocorgis

Venerated Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
13,922
Reaction score
6,519
Location
Lawn Guyland
Guild Total
18
I'm probably in the distinct minority here, but I've had four DV52s go through here (hey, I kept trying!), and couldn't bond with any of them. I'll admit that I'm more of a hog and maple guy, though.
 
Top