‘67 D44

donnylang

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
671
Reaction score
812
Location
Oakland, CA
So ...

I got the D44 and man, it’s great. Really great. I really love both of these guitars.

They are fairly different but I think too similar to keep both. Man, it’s tough to even explain the differences but I will give it a shot:

The D44 feels like it has a very slightly wider fretboard (or maybe slightly more flat?), and though the action is almost the same if not lower than the D40, it feels slightly less easy to play- though both play very easily. Other than that, they feel very similar. They both have a good neck angle and lots of saddle.

The sound is in the same ballpark but fairly different. I would describe the D44 as sounding more “woody” and maybe even mellow but also more airy with slightly more note clarity in some ways. The D40 is a bit more metallic and zingy on the highs, but with more of a stand up bass/punchy quality on the lower notes. The D44 has a bit more definition or pronouncement in the low mids- the D40 is a more direct sound.

I’ll have to change the strings on the D44 for a more accurate comparison, as I’m not sure what type are on here, and I know the D40 is very picky about strings.

Even though there’s only a year or so separating these guitars, the D44 has a more ‘60s sound to me.

I am leaning toward keeping only one at this point- and if I were to make that decision right now, I would keep the D44. But because I have a track record with the D40, I’m gonna give it a little time before deciding.
 

Attachments

  • 7C058B0A-C8E0-45BC-AEA2-5279B070A77A.jpeg
    7C058B0A-C8E0-45BC-AEA2-5279B070A77A.jpeg
    794.5 KB · Views: 156

HeyMikey

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
5,418
Reaction score
4,730
Location
MA
Guild Total
9
I agree that giving it some time makes sense. Don’t rush the decision. Play the 44 exclusively for a week or so. Then go through the songs you typically play on both guitars.
 
Last edited:

donnylang

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
671
Reaction score
812
Location
Oakland, CA
Strings should be the same.

Have you tried the Martin Monels?

I'd keep the natural top but I would do a case swap ;]

Ha- I definitely like keeping guitars with their original cases. The purple interior is more correct for a ‘67, gold for the ‘68 I think.

I have used the Monels on other guitars- I like them in some ways but overall I prefer 80/20. Looks like the D44 has PB on it, so will swap to 80/20 at some point. I’ve used PB on the D40 in the past, so I have a good idea of the sound differences.
 

donnylang

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
671
Reaction score
812
Location
Oakland, CA
Ok. I thought the D40 case was aftermarket. I'm kind of a sucker for yellow linings ;]

These cases appear to be more or less the same case with some slight variations. I believe they are Ess & Ess made. Ess & Ess inside sticker and outer Guild badge are gone in both cases.
 

donnylang

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
671
Reaction score
812
Location
Oakland, CA
I changed the strings to 80/20 on the D44 and did some recording tests with both-

The D40 is a bit easier to record, but the D44 sounds more “right” to me (with a little EQ to reduce the lows) for my music (which is a bit ‘60s pop/acid folk). While both guitars are in the same ballpark, I would ultimately describe the differences as: D40- guttural and bright, D44- folksy and woodsy. The D44 almost has a slight classical guitar sound in some ways, while still sounding like a dreadnought.

I thought of something- I’ve now owned four Guild dreadnoughts, and the order in which I got them - as well as my preference for each - ultimately went in the order of newer year to older + lower model number to higher:

1972 D25
1969 D35
1968 D40
1967 D44

... so if this pattern follows, is it inevitable that I will end up with a 1965 or ‘66 D50 ???

(PS- they were all great guitars ... not sure if I got lucky or if old Guild dreads are that consistent).
 

GardMan

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 5, 2006
Messages
5,359
Reaction score
959
Location
Utah
Guild Total
5
I thought of something- I’ve now owned four Guild dreadnoughts, and the order in which I got them - as well as my preference for each - ultimately went in the order of newer year to older + lower model number to higher:
1972 D25
1969 D35
1968 D40
1967 D44
... so if this pattern follows, is it inevitable that I will end up with a 1965 or ‘66 D50 ???
You'll pay a pretty penny (>$3K?) for a D-50 from 65 or 66, as the B/S will (likely) be Brazilian Rosewood...
 

spoox

Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Dec 3, 2014
Messages
729
Reaction score
1,480
I changed the strings to 80/20 on the D44 and did some recording tests with both-

The D40 is a bit easier to record, but the D44 sounds more “right” to me (with a little EQ to reduce the lows) for my music (which is a bit ‘60s pop/acid folk). While both guitars are in the same ballpark, I would ultimately describe the differences as: D40- guttural and bright, D44- folksy and woodsy. The D44 almost has a slight classical guitar sound in some ways, while still sounding like a dreadnought.

I thought of something- I’ve now owned four Guild dreadnoughts, and the order in which I got them - as well as my preference for each - ultimately went in the order of newer year to older + lower model number to higher:

1972 D25
1969 D35
1968 D40
1967 D44

... so if this pattern follows, is it inevitable that I will end up with a 1965 or ‘66 D50 ???

(PS- they were all great guitars ... not sure if I got lucky or if old Guild dreads are that consistent).
"ACID FOLK"...PLEASE add this to the band names thread!
 

HeyMikey

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
5,418
Reaction score
4,730
Location
MA
Guild Total
9
Sounds great Donny. Balanced and clear. Nice performance!
 

donnylang

Member
Joined
Nov 2, 2017
Messages
671
Reaction score
812
Location
Oakland, CA
UPDATE: Hanging on to the D44, and sent the D40 off to another LTG member who’s been eyeing it for awhile.

Found an NOS old ‘60s flower strap to match too:

5E997D4A-ADDF-40DA-AC00-DF9BACCD0446.jpeg
 
Top