Clash of the Titans.
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beecee
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I like Guilds...but I'm not myopic. I like all brands...except I've never bonded with a Gibson, (or Fender), acoustic.
My Ibanez 12 string and old Madeira would do me fine if I had to sell all...heck it took almost 30 years before I bought a new guitar I liked better, (the NH D40).
I drive from Albany to Buffalo weekly and stop in quite a few guitar shops and try all price/brands. Bought a few sub $200 guitars that wowed me and put a bunch of +$2,000 guitars back on the rack.
No expert but I know what I like.
I've been so disappointed with rosewood guitars for decades. Resigned myself to the fact that I just don't get it. I have an old beat up 70s D28 that was "worth it" to me but doesn't hold a candle to my D25 or long gone D4. Owned a gorgeous NH F50R, D70, Martin OM 28, afew I'm sure I just don't remember...but I remeber all my past hog guitars with affection.
Well I got this D55 over the summer that just wowed me. Even with a crumbling nut the sound was like nothing I've played before....It's love. And as much as I always think "get rid of the high end stuff" the D55 will go to my daughter....it's that good.
So I have an opportunity to buy this D45 at a good price. Not great but less than anything on Reverb.
Minty 2020. Owner is a perfectionist.
Tuned it up....hmmmm. Not bad! Played a few chords, moved aound the neck a bit then put it down.
An F4ce was close by and of course no comparison. Figured I'd A/B the D45 with my lesser guitars....ok 6-0.
Things got interesting with the maples. I have some of the deepest fullest sounding maple guitars. Ok apples and oranges. But they fought back....hard. That JF 30 makes me smile!
I did not A/B the hogs with the Martin.
Ok....bring in the big guns.
The beat up 70's era D28 was very good but there was something the D45 brought to the table the D28 probably never had and never will.
So I pick up the Westerly D55...quick tune with thumb, pick up a Sweetwater house brand pick....(love them), and jusy ran a nice full Lennon-esque G chord. Something told me to rip into San Francisco Bay Blues...not bad beecee, not bad. Did the same with the D45.
Ever watch Tyson vs. Michael Spinks?
It was over quicker than that.
Asked my wife to listen to a few chords...(forgot I had snuck the D45 in while she was away...quite the hairy eyeball...). She agreed, the D55 was the clear winner.
I know I have a lousy ear for rosewood and I'm guessing my D55 must have had a superior genetic kink in that tree some where in its makeup so take my "take" with that in mind.
I'm sure this D45 will thrill someone somewhere but my D55 crushed it.
As far as looks? I like the block and triangle better...and my old D70 inlays were nicer too.
I enjoy well done bling but ya can't beat a Chesterfield in my eyes. I find the D45 a bit overdone...not to a Gibson level, but this D45 looks more like a Faberge egg.
Ok...gotta go to work and return this guitar.
My Ibanez 12 string and old Madeira would do me fine if I had to sell all...heck it took almost 30 years before I bought a new guitar I liked better, (the NH D40).
I drive from Albany to Buffalo weekly and stop in quite a few guitar shops and try all price/brands. Bought a few sub $200 guitars that wowed me and put a bunch of +$2,000 guitars back on the rack.
No expert but I know what I like.
I've been so disappointed with rosewood guitars for decades. Resigned myself to the fact that I just don't get it. I have an old beat up 70s D28 that was "worth it" to me but doesn't hold a candle to my D25 or long gone D4. Owned a gorgeous NH F50R, D70, Martin OM 28, afew I'm sure I just don't remember...but I remeber all my past hog guitars with affection.
Well I got this D55 over the summer that just wowed me. Even with a crumbling nut the sound was like nothing I've played before....It's love. And as much as I always think "get rid of the high end stuff" the D55 will go to my daughter....it's that good.
So I have an opportunity to buy this D45 at a good price. Not great but less than anything on Reverb.
Minty 2020. Owner is a perfectionist.
Tuned it up....hmmmm. Not bad! Played a few chords, moved aound the neck a bit then put it down.
An F4ce was close by and of course no comparison. Figured I'd A/B the D45 with my lesser guitars....ok 6-0.
Things got interesting with the maples. I have some of the deepest fullest sounding maple guitars. Ok apples and oranges. But they fought back....hard. That JF 30 makes me smile!
I did not A/B the hogs with the Martin.
Ok....bring in the big guns.
The beat up 70's era D28 was very good but there was something the D45 brought to the table the D28 probably never had and never will.
So I pick up the Westerly D55...quick tune with thumb, pick up a Sweetwater house brand pick....(love them), and jusy ran a nice full Lennon-esque G chord. Something told me to rip into San Francisco Bay Blues...not bad beecee, not bad. Did the same with the D45.
Ever watch Tyson vs. Michael Spinks?
It was over quicker than that.
Asked my wife to listen to a few chords...(forgot I had snuck the D45 in while she was away...quite the hairy eyeball...). She agreed, the D55 was the clear winner.
I know I have a lousy ear for rosewood and I'm guessing my D55 must have had a superior genetic kink in that tree some where in its makeup so take my "take" with that in mind.
I'm sure this D45 will thrill someone somewhere but my D55 crushed it.
As far as looks? I like the block and triangle better...and my old D70 inlays were nicer too.
I enjoy well done bling but ya can't beat a Chesterfield in my eyes. I find the D45 a bit overdone...not to a Gibson level, but this D45 looks more like a Faberge egg.
Ok...gotta go to work and return this guitar.
Rayk
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Nice guitars , Ah the D55 again this model has been coming around this last years more and more it seems or it’s just in my head . Lol
I know it’s in in my head .
Ah Albany my old stomping grounds . I can’t imagine what NY likes now I’ve been away so long I’m sure I’m wouldn’t recognize anything. My dad built the old golden Fox restaurant though I believe it’s gone now and I doubt anyone even remembers it .
Darn it Beecee now I’ll be thinking about D55’s all day !
I know it’s in in my head .
Ah Albany my old stomping grounds . I can’t imagine what NY likes now I’ve been away so long I’m sure I’m wouldn’t recognize anything. My dad built the old golden Fox restaurant though I believe it’s gone now and I doubt anyone even remembers it .
Darn it Beecee now I’ll be thinking about D55’s all day !
jedzep
Senior Member
Lots of variables guide our ears, but I like the honest analysis. I'm curious about the strings you have on each, another debatable factor. New vs. 'broken in' guitars? More weighing and comparing.
That's a helluva weekly drive. I've never bought a guitar after an in shop tryout, probably never will, but I do know the tone of a brand new one is usually a bit annoying to my 'vintage oriented' ear.
That's a helluva weekly drive. I've never bought a guitar after an in shop tryout, probably never will, but I do know the tone of a brand new one is usually a bit annoying to my 'vintage oriented' ear.
My, simple, take on the D55 - any Guild year - is:
You put it with with any other 4 brands of high-end acoustic guitars in a blind test (you are doing the playing) and it will not be in last place. My money is on top 3.
I have owned two and sold them to get DV72 and DV73 which I love but if a good D55 came available, locally, pretty sure I would try to but it.
Loved your recap BeeCee.
You put it with with any other 4 brands of high-end acoustic guitars in a blind test (you are doing the playing) and it will not be in last place. My money is on top 3.
I have owned two and sold them to get DV72 and DV73 which I love but if a good D55 came available, locally, pretty sure I would try to but it.
Loved your recap BeeCee.
davismanLV
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I'm loving the shell work on the D45!! Really makes a statement. I've played exactly two of those and it was sequential serial numbers, one right after the other. One sounded like HEAVEN, and it's sister sounded like someone shoved an entire blanket into the sound hole. It was shocking!! They're expensive, too. I totally understand the draw of a D45. They're beautiful!!
As far as the D55, imagine how much better it would sound if the TRC was properly positioned!!
These are good choices to have. I love rosewood guitars. More rosewood than any other in this house. Some of it is just chance. Some is premeditated. Thanks for the review!!
As far as the D55, imagine how much better it would sound if the TRC was properly positioned!!
These are good choices to have. I love rosewood guitars. More rosewood than any other in this house. Some of it is just chance. Some is premeditated. Thanks for the review!!
Can't say I love one specific tone wood heads and shoulders above the others. It seems to me they all have a place in the arsenal and all bring something different to the party. If I were forced to choose I'd have to go with Maple but I love my RW, Mahogany, KOA and other exotic woods guitars as well. As an old girlfriend told me once, "I'm just too easy"
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
TRC is up-side-down on the D-55!
[EDIT] Oops! I see Tom already got it!
[EDIT] Oops! I see Tom already got it!
Last edited:
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Yeah, that's pretty awesome. I was thinking, Where did beecee get THAT??
I can appreciate the artistry of the D-45 design, but it's way too over the top for something for me to be seen with on stage. I think -42 appointments are much more attractive.
A -55 is classy without being over the top as well.
A -55 is classy without being over the top as well.
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OMG! They can almost eradicate Polio, but upside down TRCs are like the common cold -- no cures yet.
davismanLV
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The Guilds of Grot
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Nope. I thought I scanned all the threads looking for it but somehow I missed it in yours even when it was it's own line of text. Shame on me!
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I like it upside down. I'm thinking of buying Guild and implementing that change.
Something more elon than elan.
beecee
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I'm ashamed to admit I did not notice that.
I will accept my penalty with no complaints....loss of Points?
Friend of a friend, looking for $7,500.
EDIT: I did not have huge inclination to buy this when offered, and allowed to stay with me for a few days, but never say never I guess.
Trying to guess just how great it would have had to have sounded to keep.
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A few years back I posted a pic of my D-55 here, and it had the TRC on upside down as well (not my doing). I'm beginning to suspect that they may not be upside down after all!