Are new D-55s out there?

[CajunJ]

Hey folks,

I’m in the market for a new D-55. Any idea on the current back order situation? I know most manufacturers are way behind. My local retailers said they’d call Guild and get back to me, but I haven’t heard anything. I know for new Martins they’re looking at a few months.

Also, how does Guild pricing work? You know how Martin retailers do (or used to do) the whole 40% off thing? For Guild, is it what you see is what you pay? Or is there a way to get a discount?

 

[Rambozo96]

I remember an LTG’er mentioning it would take like a year or year and a half before they get theirs. I heard the New Hartford and Tacoma D-55’s were pretty good. Perhaps you could locate one of those to tide you over?

 

[adorshki]

Hey folks,

I’m in the market for a new D-55. Any idea on the current back order situation? I know most manufacturers are way behind. My local retailers said they’d call Guild and get back to me, but I haven’t heard anything. I know for new Martins they’re looking at a few months.

Also, how does Guild pricing work? You know how Martin retailers do (or used to do) the whole 40% off thing? For Guild, is it what you see is what you pay? Or is there a way to get a discount?

Welcome aboard Cajun!

Short answer to the discount question is, "It's a whole different ballgame" today, starting off with the fact that total output is much lower than it was "back in the day", and the guitars have a higher-than-ever degree of quality and individual build attention er since New Hartford.

Any discounting'll be purely at the retailer's discretion.

And it wouldn't surprise me if lead time's stretched 6 months and more, with so many Covid-related hiccups in supply chains still jerking manufacturers around.

If you got plenty of time and want a warranty, just hang in there. Suspect by the time a production run hits market you may find some sellers willing to be more flexible on pricing.

 

[merlin6666]

I think there are new ones out everywhere. Here is one at Sweetwater that was used as demo and has discount

Guild D-55 Acoustic Guitar - Natural

6-string D-55 Acoustic Guitar - Natural

www.sweetwater.com

 

[CajunJ]

Thanks, guys. Looks like I have to be patient!

For background, I have a 2001 D-18 that’s just not cutting it in the depth department. I tried a new reimagined version recently and was shocked at how compressed and sterile it sounded. I was pretty set on buying one till I heard that. Might have just been a bad one.

Anyhow, I’ve been looking and settled on the 55. Now, I’m breaking the acoustic player’s rule by buying before trying, but I think it’s worth a roll of the dice.

 

[adorshki]

Thanks, guys. Looks like I have to be patient!

For background, I have a 2001 D-18 that’s just not cutting it in the depth department. I tried a new reimagined version recently and was shocked at how compressed and sterile it sounded. I was pretty set on buying one till I heard that. Might have just been a bad one.

Anyhow, I’ve been looking and settled on the 55. Now, I’m breaking the acoustic player’s rule by buying before trying, but I think it’s worth a roll of the dice.

With Guilds of that caliber especially, yeah, it's worth it. Can't recall a member ever being disappointed.

Ever since close of Tacoma and the year or so gap in production for New Hartford to get to market in 2010, output's just been too small to find 'em easily for an actual in-hand try-out.

 

[Rambozo96]

I don’t know of many Guild dealers but in my experience it would probably be easier to find a place to try out various acoustics for yourself. It was quite a process finding a replacement for my 1972 Yamaha FG-150 when it was time to retire it that took me a year and a half just buying whatever hoping I would have the same connection which didn’t end until I bought my Guild D-25 and D-35’s last year.

 

[fronobulax]

Pricing depends upon the selling dealer. That said, I would look for another dealer if I couldn't get at least 30% off MSRP. My preferred dealer started negotiations by doing an internet price search or confirming the search I had done. We then looked at the total cost, including shipping and sales tax, to get the internet instrument in my hands and they tweaked prices so that they could beat that by $10 or more. Prices were also lower if I put down a deposit that covered their costs of ordering. When they ordered an instrument that had to pay about 40%-50% of the MSRP up front to place the order. If I paid that with my deposit then it freed up their capital and since they had nothing to do but inspect it when it arrived and give it to me they priced it to cover their costs and not necessarily make a big profit.

 

[adorshki]

Pricing depends upon the selling dealer. That said, I would look for another dealer if I couldn't get at least 30% off MSRP. My preferred dealer started negotiations by doing an internet price search or confirming the search I had done. We then looked at the total cost, including shipping and sales tax, to get the internet instrument in my hands and they tweaked prices so that they could beat that by $10 or more. Prices were also lower if I put down a deposit that covered their costs of ordering. When they ordered an instrument that had to pay about 40%-50% of the MSRP up front to place the order. If I paid that with my deposit then it freed up their capital and since they had nothing to do but inspect it when it arrived and give it to me they priced it to cover their costs and not necessarily make a big profit.

Wonderful insight that also applies to "distressed" (usually meaning "been around too long") inventory.

Also suspect your "preferred" dealer knows you as a repeat customer now and wants to work with you. That my not hold for a lot of folks, but the issue of "turning inventory" so the dollars can be re-invested is universal.

 

[Br1ck]

I remember someone placed an order with Sweetwater the other day and got on a list for a December delivery. Says it all. Market won't correct until stores have guitars they can't sell. Why discount when they can't replace inventory, and don't expect a quick return and maybe the good old days are over.

 

[CajunJ]

I remember someone placed an order with Sweetwater the other day and got on a list for a December delivery. Says it all. Market won't correct until stores have guitars they can't sell. Why discount when they can't replace inventory, and don't expect a quick return and maybe the good old days are over.

Yeah, that’s what I was expecting. Not good. Guess I’ll have to wait it out. I’m pretty set on a D-55. I’ve seen a couple floating around Reverb. But honestly I like the return policy at GC.

 

[fronobulax]

I remember someone placed an order with Sweetwater the other day and got on a list for a December delivery. Says it all. Market won't correct until stores have guitars they can't sell. Why discount when they can't replace inventory, and don't expect a quick return and maybe the good old days are over.

While a dealer who is only motivated by money could certainly rationalize maximizing profits in a time of scarcity ("price gouging"), it might not be the best strategy for a dealer who has a reputation they have built and wish to maintain.

I can make assumptions to support your opinion or mine and that won't really tell us what will happen in six months. If new Guilds can command the kind of loyalty that will have people pay MSRP or more that is a good sign for the brand, if not for buyers.

 

[Br1ck]

No one can predict the future, and the only gouging I see is asking prices for used gear. And you can't protect your reputation if you are not in business. We have been spoiled as consumers. The low price business model we have embraced has severed the personal relationships people had with local merchants, whose taxes supported local schools, who sponsored little league teams, etc. Yes, I'm talking about the good old days. A little local hardware store supported a family. I remember a friend had a birthday party, high school age, the band's guitar amp broke, and both guitarists were using it. One of the moms got on the phone and fifteen minutes later, the local music store owner arrived with a brand new Fender amp loaner. This is the kind of thing that is dead and gone now. Yes, Sweetwater would love to have you think you have your own personal assistant, you and 5000 others.

I've seen the music shop guys answer the phone for the twentieth time today with a guy calling the sixth store for the best price on a D 18, and being irate at the quote. There is little to no product. You can't have it both ways. Discounts in times of plenty, list price when the well is dry.

 

[fronobulax]

No one can predict the future, and the only gouging I see is asking prices for used gear. And you can't protect your reputation if you are not in business. We have been spoiled as consumers. The low price business model we have embraced has severed the personal relationships people had with local merchants, whose taxes supported local schools, who sponsored little league teams, etc. Yes, I'm talking about the good old days. A little local hardware store supported a family. I remember a friend had a birthday party, high school age, the band's guitar amp broke, and both guitarists were using it. One of the moms got on the phone and fifteen minutes later, the local music store owner arrived with a brand new Fender amp loaner. This is the kind of thing that is dead and gone now. Yes, Sweetwater would love to have you think you have your own personal assistant, you and 5000 others.

I've seen the music shop guys answer the phone for the twentieth time today with a guy calling the sixth store for the best price on a D 18, and being irate at the quote. There is little to no product. You can't have it both ways. Discounts in times of plenty, list price when the well is dry.

Maybe it's a coastal thing since in many situations California is about 10 years ahead of the rest of the nation? I can patronize a number of local businesses that still value their participation in the community and can still stay in business in times of scarcity without price gouging. But maybe in 10 years they won't be around?

 

[CajunJ]

Anyone care to comment on the tone? I’ve listened to every video and I’ve searched every possible search term. They sound good to me on most videos and I can identify a distinctive tone. The only negative I can find is an old thread on here that said the new Oxnard 55s sound thin. Well, that specific one at least. Comments regarding low end when compared to a D-18 are appreciated.

It looks like I won’t be getting my hands on one any time soon, so any help is appreciated. I’d use the search bar, but I keep getting back “search too common.”

 

[fronobulax]

It looks like I won’t be getting my hands on one any time soon, so any help is appreciated. I’d use the search bar, but I keep getting back “search too common.”

Sometimes going to Google and using site:www.lettalkguild.com to restrict the search results to LTG will be helpful.

 

[CajunJ]

Sometimes going to Google and using site:www.lettalkguild.com to restrict the search results to LTG will be helpful.

Thanks, I’ll try that.

 

[valleyguy]

For background, I have a 2001 D-18 that’s just not cutting it in the depth department. I tried a new reimagined version recently and was shocked at how compressed and sterile it sounded. I was pretty set on buying one till I heard that. Might have just been a bad one.

Anyhow, I’ve been looking and settled on the 55. Now, I’m breaking the acoustic player’s rule by buying before trying, but I think it’s worth a roll of the dice.

I used to have a 70s D18 and sold it many ears ago, loved that guitar. In 2014 I bought the reimagined D18. At the time I was playing in some bluegrass jams and it worked with medium strings. I progressed beyond that to mostly singer-songwriter playing and subsequently bought a 1976 D55. The D18 went in the case and was rarely played. Note, these are two very different guitars. The D55 has tons of sustain and harmonic overtones, I like to say the sound of a chorus of angels. It is not loud like a D18. It has good bass, but Martins do have that gut swelling bass.....

Just recently I had the opportunity to (and did) buy a Tacoma 2005 D55. Much woodier and sweeter than the 1976, which is a much brighter guitar, but has the same sustain and wonderful harmonics. I'm debating whether to sell the 1976 D55, but they are different enough to justify keeping both. The D18 Martin will be sold soon. As an aside I just spent $400 having the bindings glued back on. It should have been a warranty fix, but the luthier sent Martin some measurements, and they responded that the guitar had been OVER humidified and would not be covered under warranty. I can count on the fingers of two hands how often that guitar went into a case with a humidifier, and, I live in Los Angeles, where humidity RARELY gets above 45%. I'm not a happy Martin camper......

All that said, the D55 cannot be beat. If you want a GENERAL idea of what they sound like, go play a HD28, Martin's rosewood with forward shifted braces that has some nice harmonics and sustain that is not quite up to the D55.. That was my plan to buy a HD28, until I played the D55, much better. Good luck.

 

[CajunJ]

I used to have a 70s D18 and sold it many ears ago, loved that guitar. In 2014 I bought the reimagined D18. At the time I was playing in some bluegrass jams and it worked with medium strings. I progressed beyond that to mostly singer-songwriter playing and subsequently bought a 1976 D55. The D18 went in the case and was rarely played. Note, these are two very different guitars. The D55 has tons of sustain and harmonic overtones, I like to say the sound of a chorus of angels. It is not loud like a D18. It has good bass, but Martins do have that gut swelling bass.....

Just recently I had the opportunity to (and did) buy a Tacoma 2005 D55. Much woodier and sweeter than the 1976, which is a much brighter guitar, but has the same sustain and wonderful harmonics. I'm debating whether to sell the 1976 D55, but they are different enough to justify keeping both. The D18 Martin will be sold soon. As an aside I just spent $400 having the bindings glued back on. It should have been a warranty fix, but the luthier sent Martin some measurements, and they responded that the guitar had been OVER humidified and would not be covered under warranty. I can count on the fingers of two hands how often that guitar went into a case with a humidifier, and, I live in Los Angeles, where humidity RARELY gets above 45%. I'm not a happy Martin camper......

All that said, the D55 cannot be beat. If you want a GENERAL idea of what they sound like, go play a HD28, Martin's rosewood with forward shifted braces that has some nice harmonics and sustain that is not quite up to the D55.. That was my plan to buy a HD28, until I played the D55, much better. Good luck.

Thanks, valleyguy. That’s what I was looking for. I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to the HD28 and D55. I play some bluegrass right now, and I’ll probably always play some, but I definitely enjoy playing many other genres. If I was a straight up bluegrass player, I’d probably stick with a Martin. Regarding the D28, I’d have to get an older one because I really don’t like the MLO necks and the nut on the new Martins.

Do you think the 55 can hold its own against the Martin bass wise?

 

[chazmo]

This is my one-man's-opinion... The Martin HD-28 I used to have (and several that I tried) was a bit more like the Guild D-50 models I've played. I.e., "boomier" than the Guild D-55. IMO, the D-55 is a more balanced instrument, but I've always been a bigger fan (personally) of the D-50 and the HD-28. Anyway, I think the HD-28 against the D-50 is a closer comparison.

Don't get me wrong; I love all of these instruments!!!!