Compare DV-6, GAD-50 and DV-52 Rosewoods

[calstang66]

Unless you've already absolutely decided on a dread, do consider the jumbos. Many a dedicated dread-head has gotten one taste of a Guild Jumbo and never looked back...

It's always best to play before you buy, but it's not always possible. I came up against that situation on my last buy and solved it by buying from a small and highly reputable shop... in my case Spruce Tree Music in Madison, WI, but there are many others. The guitar was advertised on their website. I called them up, the guy who answered the phone (Will) turned out to be very pleasant and very knowledgeable, and very patient with repetitive and highly subjective questions. When the guitar arrived it was exactly as described and I was (and am) very happy with it.

I probably spent a little more than I might have from an unknown e-bay seller or a megastore, but I think the extra was money well spent and it wasn't a half bad deal in any case. Knowing the guy you're talking to gets it and has earned a reputation for honest dealing makes a difference. I have no doubt at all that if the guitar had issues of any kind he'd have been completely up front about them.

Thank you dayuhan:
Might you have knowledge or recommendations of a Guild Jumbo spruce top, rosewood guitar new or used for $1300 or less? And also, I will check out the seller you mentioned. I completely agree, that I don't mind paying a little more money for dealing with a trusted and/or recommended seller who I am comfortable with.

 

[bronzeback]

Of the 3, the DV52 without question, if you can find one. For some reason I just can't comprehend why they tend to sell for less than a D50 or D55 from the same era. I've owned all three, and the DV52 I got this week is every bit as impressive as my previous '75 D50 or '08 D55. I've seen several go on Ebay for under a grand in the past few months, and none go over. Being only made for a few years and being such a great guitar I'd think they'd sell for more than the other two. I got lucky, thanks to learnintoplay62 on this board I found one at a great price ($722 with shipping). I haven't played any of the DV6's so no opinion there. I do have a friend here locally in Richmond, VA selling a fine GAD50 I can vouch for...it's terrific for $500. I didn't mind shelling out a little more coin for the DV52 I just bought...and on that note, I am selling my JF30 (a jumbo mentioned earlier on this thread) for $950 which a little less than what I have in her, if you are interested here: http://richmond.craigslist.org/msg/2845188941.html
Choices, choices..shopping is half the fun!

 

[dayuhan]

Might you have knowledge or recommendations of a Guild Jumbo spruce top, rosewood guitar new or used for $1300 or less? And also, I will check out the seller you mentioned. I completely agree, that I don't mind paying a little more money for dealing with a trusted and/or recommended seller who I am comfortable with.

I paid 1500 for the F50R, lot of guitar for the price, especially if you compare to the equivalent offerings from Gibson etc. You might find one for 1300 but that would be a rare deal. I'm not sure if Guild ever did a lower-bling rosewood jumbo, I don't think so but others here will know better.

You'd have to be lucky to find the right Guild at Spruce Tree; they don't have huge stock. There are lots of other similar shops around though... again, many people here will have recommendations. Of course buying from core members here is also a good idea, if you're patient and watch the sale section some very good deals come up!

 

[Ridgemont]

From me the OP...thank you again for your helpful responses......

Yes I am only interested in a rosewood guitar, for mellow singing backup. I am truly tight financially, and wil probably only have 1 or 2 guitars in my home (public school teacher) so it seems that a Guild DV-6 would be risky, compared to a DV-52, because reality is, I will have to buy without playing first. Where and when this or that guitar was made, gets confusing. I can clarify to make sure a DV-6 is not a mahagony guitar, but the DV-52 is only a little more money, for a guitar that generally has quite better reviews, etc., right? And it seems to me that the DV-52 is generally considered to be a notch (or 2?) above the DV-6 also a notch (or 2?) above the GAD-50. I know each guitar is unique, but, most knowledgeable Guild guitar owners would agree that most DV-52s are a notch above most DV-6 guitars, correct? I'm ah thinkin right now to wait for a guitar I really want, a DV-52 Sunburst, what do you think? (I would love to have a D-55 used Sunburst, but....the money ain't there. :shock:

If you search the older threads, you will find that many here find the DV52 to be one of the best Guilds you can buy. That is not always said about the D55 or the DV6. People are nuts for the DV52.

 

[hojo199]

Re: Compare D-50, D-55, DV-6, GAD-50 and DV-52 Rosewoods

If you can find a used Westerly built D-50, that would ... be a good choice.
.

This was my answer. I have played Martin D28's my whole life -- always loved 'em and owned one. When I started being seduced by Guilds, I gravitated toward the maples. Eventually, I wanted a rosewood and bought a DV-52 -- 90's Westerly, exquisite piece. I loved it on recordings, but this particular piece was a little light on volume and overall balls, so I sold it to a LTG member here (and still regret it because her playability and sweet tone WERE remarkable). I then bought a 1980 D50 for under 1000 right here on the forum. After some string experimentation (now using Cleartone 12's), this has become my #1 go to guitar for everything. It is LOUD, ballsy, sweet -- a great picker with fine balance, a great sing-strummer, recorder -- you name it, she does it.

And the Martin stays in the case....

Just my two bits....

 

[adorshki]

Yes I am only interested in a rosewood guitar... but the DV-52 is only a little more money, for a guitar that generally has quite better reviews, etc., right? And it seems to me that the DV-52 is generally considered to be a notch (or 2?) above the DV-6 also a notch (or 2?) above the GAD-50. I know each guitar is unique, but, most knowledgeable Guild guitar owners would agree that most DV-52s are a notch above most DV-6 guitars, correct?

In a nutshell, about DV52 vs DV6 or GAD50, yes.
Here's the deal: It's significant that Guild detailed the special construction characteristics for the DV's when they created the series. They didn't do that with anything else in the catalog, and they also stated that the DV-52 was the basic model for all Custom shop guitars. That's why it's it's one of the best-kept secrets and probably the best overall price-to-quality deal in Guild-dom. Note also that at the time the DV-52 was introduced, The D50 was on temporary absence from the line-up, indicating to me that the DV-52 was filling that slot, much like the DV-6 was filling the D40's slot.
I don't want to rule out that later D50's, like Tacomas, might not have incorporated those build techniques, but I'd like to see it confirmed from a reliable source like one of our dealer members.
But for the moment, we know for sure what made DV52's unique.

 

[roadbiker]

Welcome to the forum and your re-acquaintance with Guild. I can only extol the value of the Westerly-built D-50 because it’s the only Guild I own and by far the best of my guitars. I'm the original owner and have had it for 31 years now. Fortunately, mine has never required a neck reset and it is in incredibly good condition (almost like new, with some very minor and normal wear from 30 years of playing). Personally, I would steer clear of the GAD/Chines series. From what I understand they seem to be pretty decent guitars for the price, but I have also heard that they do not compare to the USA-made Guilds. As previously suggested, you may be able to find a Westerly D-50 in good condition and for a reasonable price. The D-50 that I have has rosewood back and sides, sitka spuce top, and ebony fretboard. It is loud, has a warm tone, and great sustain. The D-50 is kind of a de-blinged D-55. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. It's my life-long guitar, whereas other may come and go. I do want to buy a New Hartford made F-512 when finances permit.
Good luck with your decision.

Jim

 

[calstang66]

Well, I think I'm going to buy what ever is availalbe I find first, used descent price between either the DV-52 and the D-50. I don't need bling (re D-55). The main #1 primary best feature grand selling point secret impressive attractive aspect for these Guilds is the "WARMTH" of their tone, which nothing else comes close to. Combined with a very deep unique great sound bass, it's really a wow. :shock:

Even very expensive guitars, which may be superior in general, according to the most sohpisticated and knowledgeable guitarists / luthiers, still, the warmth of these Guilds is superior and is particularly perfect for backing up my mellow singing oa 60s folk and Christian solos. After a Guild D-50 (or Dv-52) my next purchase will be an F-1512 or F-512 rosewood 12 string.

 

[West R Lee]

Welcome to the forum and your re-acquaintance with Guild. I can only extol the value of the Westerly-built D-50 because it’s the only Guild I own and by far the best of my guitars. I'm the original owner and have had it for 31 years now. Fortunately, mine has never required a neck reset and it is in incredibly good condition (almost like new, with some very minor and normal wear from 30 years of playing). Personally, I would steer clear of the GAD/Chines series. From what I understand they seem to be pretty decent guitars for the price, but I have also heard that they do not compare to the USA-made Guilds. As previously suggested, you may be able to find a Westerly D-50 in good condition and for a reasonable price. The D-50 that I have has rosewood back and sides, sitka spuce top, and ebony fretboard. It is loud, has a warm tone, and great sustain. The D-50 is kind of a de-blinged D-55. I wouldn't trade mine for anything. It's my life-long guitar, whereas other may come and go. I do want to buy a New Hartford made F-512 when finances permit.
Good luck with your decision.

Jim

Man, those are some pretty pictures.

West