Considering a change

Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hey all-

I've been playing on a Guild 47m (ATB) from Hartford for the past eight or so years and have started to think about switching it out for a vintage dreadnaught (D40 or D25). Any suggestions about other models I should be looking for - or solid places to shop online?

I'm looking at a D35 right now - but not sold on it yet.
 

Guildedagain

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
8,999
Reaction score
7,165
Location
The Evergreen State
Scored a '73 D35 on a budget last summer. It's featherlight (4lb 5oz) and sounds pretty excellent when required (Folky jams), I like it more everytime I play it.

I actually started a D35 registry on the forum on account of that guitar, and tales of others.

The 1st ones were made in '68, and are reputed to be something of a big deal.
 

dreadnut

Gone But Not Forgotten
Gone But Not Forgotten
Joined
Jun 15, 2005
Messages
16,082
Reaction score
6,442
Location
Grand Rapids, MI
Guild Total
2
If you can find a DV-52, they are great. I can also recommend an arch-back spruce topped D-25.
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,791
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
Hey all-

I've been playing on a Guild 47m (ATB) from Hartford for the past eight or so years and have started to think about switching it out for a vintage dreadnaught (D40 or D25). Any suggestions about other models I should be looking for - or solid places to shop online?

I'm looking at a D35 right now - but not sold on it yet.

I see a first post, welcome aboard Allhands!
Reason for swapping out F47m? Just looking for a different flavor?
Not knowing how familiar you are with Guild history, be aware there are 3 different flavors of D25:
Original version was all-mahogany flatback, transitioned to an all-mahogany archback ca. late '72 thru '74 or even '75, finally completely replaced by arch-back spruce top formula that lasted all the way through close of Westerly in '01, which is the most common by far and probably the one that most folks think of as the definitive D25 for sound.
I'm assuming you're looking for something older than '01-'04 but that was Corona era where they revived the original all-hog flatback formula.
The D35 Guildedagain mentioned was basically a "blinged-down" D40.
There was also a G37 arched maple back dread, revised as the D30 in late '80's, and even an ash-backed D46.
Here's a site to give an idea of the range of offerings from Westerly:
http://www.westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars.html
I'll let others vouch for reliable vendors but can suggest that if you see a specific piece you're interested in, don't be afraid to show us a link and ask for advice about it here, there's a ton of knowledge here and several folks who can advise if a particular seller's a good internet citizen.
There's also a pretty decent gentleman's trust to avoid sniping on a piece a member has expressed serious interest in, we even try to honor calling of "dibs" on a piece while the member's trying to get input about it.
.
 
Last edited:

richardp69

Enlightened Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Aug 11, 2009
Messages
6,007
Reaction score
5,965
Location
Barton City, Michigan
A whole lot to choose from. The D 40 and D 50 continue to be my most favorite model Guilds followed closely by F 50 or F 50R and D 55. All provide different sounds and all make me very happy. And of course the entire DV series is pretty exceptional. You won't have a hard time spending your money, I know I sure don't.
 
Joined
Apr 3, 2019
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I see a first post, welcome aboard Allhands!
Reason for swapping out F47m? Just looking for a different flavor?
Not knowing how familiar you are with Guild history, be aware there are 3 different flavors of D25:
Original version was all-mahogany flatback, transitioned to an all-mahogany archback ca. late '72 thru '74 or even '75, finally completely replaced by arch-back spruce top formula that lasted all the way through close of Westerly in '01, which is the most common by far and probably the one that most folks think of as the definitive D25 for sound.
I'm assuming you're looking for something older than '01-'04 but that was Corona era where they revived the original all-hog flatback formula.
The D35 Guildedagain mentioned was basically a "blinged-down" D40.
There was also a G37 arched maple back dread, revised as the D30 in late '80's, and even an ash-backed D46.
Here's a site to give an idea of the range of offerings from Westerly:
http://www.westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars.html
I'll let others vouch for reliable vendors but can suggest that if you see a specific piece you're interested in, don't be afraid to show us a link and ask for advice about it here, there's a ton of knowledge here and several folks who can advise if a particular seller's a good internet citizen.
There's also a pretty decent gentleman's trust to avoid sniping on a piece a member has expressed serious interest in, we even try to honor calling of "dibs" on a piece while the member's trying to get input about it.
.


Yeah - I've loved my F47m but want to switch to something with mahogany back and sides that lends itself to a little more open tone and clarity. I came across some stuff at Reverb that I've linked below.

[ moderator edit: M.Allhands, welcome aboard... Please note that conversations about other folks' ads is usually kept in the ebay/cl section: http://letstalkguild.com/ltg/forumdisplay.php?143-ebay-craigslist-gbase-offerings ]

https://reverb.com/item/5637099-vin...ar-straight-neck-low-action-big-resonant-tone

https://reverb.com/item/20670119-guild-d40bg-2009-natural-vintage

https://reverb.com/item/21074311-guild-d25-nt-1991-acoustic-guitar-westerly-ri

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/Guild/Vintage-1976-D35NT-Acoustic-Guitar.gc (I've actually been able to play this one)
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Antney

Member
Joined
Feb 15, 2017
Messages
510
Reaction score
176
Hello M.allhands. I am a 1 guitar guy, never really had gas, have the dough to buy whatever I want, in fact my wife has said many times “why don’t you buy another guitar?” I simply don’t need one. I bought a westerly 93 d50 many years ago simply because it was the best sounding (subjective) acoustic I played. It’s so versatile in its tone depending upon picks, strings, and where I’m picking or fingering on the strings. It can sound huge like a jumbo or tight and woody like a small bodied...or it can simply be well rounded and balanced like the dread it was meant to be. In my opinion it’s the most versatile guitar that guild makes. But then again I’m often wrong in my opinion. Good luck.
 

Cougar

Enlightened Member
Joined
Nov 28, 2015
Messages
5,322
Reaction score
3,016
Location
North Idaho
Guild Total
5
....have started to think about switching it out for a vintage dreadnaught (D40 or D25). Any suggestions about other models I should be looking for - or solid places to shop online?

Dreads are one thing, but then there are Guild jumbos. F50, F50R... They give the $4,000 Gibson SJ200 a strong run for its money -- at about a quarter of the cost.

reverb.com is the place to check....

And welcome to the boards!
 

adorshki

Reverential Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2009
Messages
34,176
Reaction score
6,791
Location
Sillycon Valley CA
Yeah - I've loved my F47m but want to switch to something with mahogany back and sides that lends itself to a little more open tone and clarity. I came across some stuff at Reverb that I've linked below.
If you plan on recording I'm gonna suggest a flatback as my D40 records the cleanest of my 3 and the other 2 are archbacks.
Having said that, sumpin' funny's goin' on with this one:
https://reverb.com/item/20670119-guild-d40bg-2009-natural-vintage
Don't recall New Hartford ever shipping pieces without pickguards, and be aware that starting in Tacoma ca '07, "Bluegrass" (the "BG" the seller mentions) specifically meant they had adi tops, not sitka.
Some folks like it, some don't. It's said to be tight and take a lot of time to open up, but can be played more loudly before breaking up or choking.
In New Hartford the sitka-topped version was in the "Standard" series.
Sometimes pieces are incorrectly listed as "Bluegrass Jubilee D40" either through seller ignorance or outright misrepresentation since that version carries a price premium.
Tips on how to tell the differences here:
http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?196156-D-40-BG-at-local-GC-different-headstock
Having reviewed that thread, this piece does appear to have tortoise binding and the black faceplate that would be correct on an '09 D40 BJ.
If it's got full gloss finish on neck that'll nail it down but that missing pickguard's still a red flag to me.
Besides which it's in Canada and suspect they won't want to ship to US, as rosewood fretboard would require special paperwork now.
A lot of sellers consider it too much hassle (and they're probably right)
 
Last edited:

gjmalcyon

Senior Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Feb 6, 2011
Messages
4,181
Reaction score
2,419
Location
Gloucester County, NJ
Guild Total
13
Welcome aboard, Allhands.

I'm not sure how that "switching out" thing will go - most of us have gear lists in our signatures that continue to grow.

In addition to D-35's and D-40's, consider DV-6's and D-6's from Westerly - they slotted into the Guild line pretty much the same place as D-40's. A Tacoma DV-4 might be an interesting instrument to try if you can get your hands on one.
 

davismanLV

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
19,198
Reaction score
11,822
Location
U.S.A. : Nevada : Las Vegas
Guild Total
2
Does "switch" mean you'd sell your F47M??? If so, I can't imagine why. What a great guitar that is!! I've never sold a guitar so far. Just acquired. But now I have all these different flavors to choose from. Certainly you mean to ADD to your collection??
 

Br1ck

Senior Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2014
Messages
1,672
Reaction score
1,414
Location
San Jose, Ca
I'm biased toward early 70s D 35 or D40s, provided you want the mahogany back and sides tone. 68-73 would be the range I'd look for. They have a light build that I believe is conducive to superior tone. Because of this and their age, many are needing, have had, or will soon need neck resets. Too much newer, and like all builders, Guilds get beefier as manufacturers combated the warranty issues they were facing. Later guitars can sound good, but give me my 70 D 35 any day. D 35s are, well, utilitarian. D 40s give you an inlaid logo at least.

And if you crave a rosewood dread, look no further than a D 55.
 
Last edited:

Charlie Bernstein

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
1,574
Reaction score
1,170
Location
Augusta, Maine, USA
Hey all-

I've been playing on a Guild 47m (ATB) from Hartford for the past eight or so years and have started to think about switching it out for a vintage dreadnaught (D40 or D25). Any suggestions about other models I should be looking for - or solid places to shop online?

I'm looking at a D35 right now - but not sold on it yet.
I played a real nice D-55 at Mike's Music in Cincinnati. The price is low because someone sanded the finish off the back of the neck. That didn't bother me: the audience doesn't see the back of the guitar, and it played nicely. If you want to check it out, go to [B][U]www.mikesmusicohio.com[/U][/B].

Other than that, I'd just look for something made in Hoboken or Westerly. I had a sixties D-25 that was great, and now I have a seventies D-35 that's also great. I often shop at [B][U]www.reverb.com[/U][/B] because their business model ensures that the transaction will be above-board, honest, and fair.
 
Top