1987 D 55

mclkar54

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getting ready to go for a 3 hour drive on sunday, to peruse a 1987 guild d 55 antique burst. asking price is 1900.00. . Cant really find any consistant pricing on these. any info appreciated
 

Stuball48

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That may be the most rewarding drive you take this Fall. Have, only, good to say about the D55. All and all one of Guilds best all round guitars.
The price seems fair to me. If I didn't have one and found a nice one, I would pay that. Would not sale mine for that.
Keep us posted and pictures, of course.
 

mclkar54

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i did make the trip. however after examining guitar,and playing, i made an offer of 1600.00.Only because imo, its going to need a neck reset,and a refret. I still thought that i was offering a good price, but the lady respectively declined.Im a luthier , so the job would not have cost me ,perse. i was transparent with the woman and tried to show her the areas that needed attention. We had a decent conversation and i came home .
 

D30Man

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Don’t know a D-55 owner that doesn’t love theirs regardless of factory. That was a wise move and generous I think considering the work needed. Resets can either really well or not. Yet they are seldom cheap.
 

mclkar54

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ive done my share of resets,. They really only get hairy if the neck has been glued all the way around, or if it was previously done with obscure glues. Guilds ,and gibsons are pretty much simple.Normally there is a good hollow pocket under the 14th fret.
 

Westerly Wood

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ive done my share of resets,. They really only get hairy if the neck has been glued all the way around, or if it was previously done with obscure glues. Guilds ,and gibsons are pretty much simple.Normally there is a good hollow pocket under the 14th fret.
wow, this is interesting and good news, as the word on the street forever is most luthiers do not like doing resets on Guild acoustics as it's really hard to get the neck off due to the glue they used back then. guess that is an old wives' tale?
 

Cougar

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...its going to need a neck reset,and a refret.
Yeah, that's definitely a potential problem with older guitars. Good that you checked it out -- sometimes you get lucky and they're in great shape; other times, not so lucky. Good luck on your continuing hunt! In my experience, Guilds are great!
 

mclkar54

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wow, this is interesting and good news, as the word on the street forever is most luthiers do not like doing resets on Guild acoustics as it's really hard to get the neck off due to the glue they used back then. guess that is an old wives' tale?
dont know if its a wivestell or not. ive done 3 guild resets , not really any harder. They do use a different glue, that seems to take a bit longer to heat and release ,but i havent encountered any extremely difficult ones
 

Br1ck

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I think the reluctance comes from never doing it. Because of the flatness of the heel, they might be more prone to needing finish work. Seek out someone who has experience with them. You will feel better about it. I think people that don't understand guitars think they might be being taken advantage of. Upfront and honest can be hard to get across to some people, and who knows, thay might get their price from someone not knowing better.
 

D30Man

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wow, this is interesting and good news, as the word on the street forever is most luthiers do not like doing resets on Guild acoustics as it's really hard to get the neck off due to the glue they used back then. guess that is an old wives' tale?
I know my guy couldn’t get the neck off my ‘79 D25.. he tried and tried.
 

wileypickett

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Recommend checking out the video link in this recent thread on the subject of Guild neck removals:

 

valleyguy

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Ah, keep looking, D55s are a nice guitar. I bought my "76 for $2k 2 years ago, but it was a store, so slightly higher. It is on the cusp of needing a neck reset, and I am debating whether to have it done, it is still playable, but has intonation issues on the higher frets. I suspect it has had the bridge shaved.
 
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