Corona era D-25 solid wood?

[Larry Mal]

Hello, I saw a guitar recently that is a made in Corona D-25 (I saw the label) but it has bracing in the rear of the guitar so I'm guess it's not a rounded back like all the D-25s I'm familiar with are (never owned one). I can only think it's solid mahogany back and sides.

I was not able to tell what the top is behind the finish but it was said to be mahogany.

Anybody know anything about these particular guitars?

 

[chazmo]

Larry, you hit it on the head. All (solid) mahogany body. The GAD and 100-series followed suit with Asian-built versions as well as the current Westerly D-1xxx series. Only since the Westerly D-240 was introduced has there been a spruce-topped, arched-mahogany-backed version of the D-25

Oh, and forgot to mention that the all solid mahogany formula was what the first D-25s used. By the mid-1970s, D-25s had migrated to spruce tops and arched-mahogany bodies.

So, really, it's all about when they were made.

But, again, right on about Corona-era

 

[Larry Mal]

I see. I did not know what about the D-25 being all mahogany back in the day. I guess I've been told to be leery of the Corona era but it looks like a nice guitar.

Thanks for the info!

 

[chazmo]

Absolutely not, Larry. The only thing to note about the Corona D-25s is that (I think) they were poly finished, not nitrocellulose. I'm not sure if that's true for all of them, but that is a difference. Buy with confidence, though. There was never a "bad" era in Guild history, although there are some particular things we'd warn you away from if it was relevant.

Having said that, it's still true, even today, that Corona-built guitars do sometimes fetch less in the marketplace than the other sites. It remains unclear if the used market will ever get over that bias.

 

[jeffcoop]

Absolutely not, Larry. The only thing to note about the Corona D-25s is that (I think) they were poly finished, not nitrocellulose. I'm not sure if that's true for all of them, but that is a difference. Buy with confidence, though. There was never a "bad" era in Guild history, although there are some particular things we'd warn you away from if it was relevant.

Having said that, it's still true, even today, that Corona-built guitars do sometimes fetch less in the marketplace than the other sites. It remains unclear if the used market will ever get over that bias.

Which, of course, creates a buyer's opportunity. I have two Corona Guilds. One of them, the 50th Anniversary D55, is a limited edition, so you'd expect that it would receive special attention, but the other is a regular D50, and they're both terrific. I've thought about the Corona D25s in the past, and although I'm not in the market now, the factory of origin would not in any way deter me if I were.

 

[Larry Mal]

Thanks everyone. It's a tempting guitar. I've owned two New Hartford Guilds, love them, and did buy a Westerly and liked that but it didn't work out. Maybe I'll make a move on this.

Oh, I also bought an M-20 and it was also great, ultimately kind of similar to other guitars I have. But they've all been very good.

Thanks again.

 

[plaidseason]

I've only played one Corona era D25, because I just happened to be in my local shop when the Guild rep came around with one before they were even on the market. It was great, and every bit as good as Martin D15s I've played. As we always say, each individual guitar should be judged on its own merits.

 

[SFIV1967]

The only thing to note about the Corona D-25s is that (I think) they were poly finished, not nitrocellulose.

The 2003 catalog called all D-25 colors as "Satin Acrylic Lacquer".





Ralf

 

[chazmo]

The 2003 catalog called all D-25 colors as "Satin Acrylic Lacquer".





Ralf

Thanks for clarifying that, Ralf. I believe that means it's polyurethane. I'm never sure if these non-nitro finishes are polyurethane or polyester.

 

[SFIV1967]

I believe that means it's polyurethane. I'm never sure if these non-nitro finishes are polyurethane or polyester.

"Acrylic urethane is typically water-based, while traditional polyurethane is oil-based. Acrylic finishes are typically made with resin and acrylic urethane and sometimes marketed as water-based urethane. Acrylic finishes may have differing levels of acrylic and urethane. Typically, the more urethane a finish has, the harder and more durable the finish is. The addition of urethane makes the resin more durable and more resistant to scratches. Acrylic is actually a version of polyurethane without oil.
Acrylics are thinner than oil-based polyurethane, and require one to two hours to dry between coats. Polyurethane requires 12 to 24 hours to dry between each coat, and sanding is typically required between coats. Acrylics, even though more coats are needed, are faster to apply overall."

A lot of info about the typical products is also here:

Lawrence-McFadden Fretted Musical Instrument Finishing Products

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Acrylic urethane it is, Ralf! Tnx.

 

[Larry Mal]

Well, I ended up waiting too long, and it sold for around $700. A great price. The seller was taking offers and I was debating offering $600, which would have been a tremendous deal.

However, I ended up finding another New Hartford D-40, which I owned one of previously and stupidly sold. So I'll talk about that when it comes. I missed that guitar a lot.

 

[adorshki]

Absolutely not, Larry. The only thing to note about the Corona D-25s is that (I think) they were poly finished, not nitrocellulose. I'm not sure if that's true for all of them, but that is a difference. Buy with confidence, though. There was never a "bad" era in Guild history, although there are some particular things we'd warn you away from if it was relevant.

Thanks for clarifying that, Ralf. I believe that means it's polyurethane. I'm never sure if these non-nitro finishes are polyurethane or polyester.

"Acrylic" is water based by definition, an is insoluble in water once cured. -9th grade art class, where we painted the teacher's VW bus with acrylic paints.
@Larry
And all of the Corona D25's were finished that way. And personal opinion, you're way better off with the D40.
Nothing against Corona, my own D40's a Corona.

 

[Larry Mal]

My introduction to Guilds was a New Hartford D-40, and you might have been among those recommending it to me. I loved it, and now love Guild, and while I've had Guilds from other eras I really seem to like those New Hartfords- I have an F-30 now also from that factory.

I went through some life changes and thought I had to sell the D-40, and I even tried to buy it back, but never found one again until today. So I'm glad I passed on the D-25, although I am sure it would have been great and I am not all that familiar with all mahogany guitars. I did buy a Cordoba era M-20, thought it was very good, ultimately I didn't think it offered anything that my other guitars didn't do (my Gibson L-00 mainly).

Maybe one day I'll look into the D-25s a little more. But whoever got this one sure got a lot of guitar for the money, I'll say that.

 

[Cougar]

....while I've had Guilds from other eras I really seem to like those New Hartfords....

You ain't alone there, Larry! My F50R is out of New Hartford. Best 6-string I've ever had, that's for damn sure.

I went through some life changes and thought I had to sell the D-40, and I even tried to buy it back, but never found one again until today.

So you bid on the D40? Bought it? Waiting for its arrival? It's a New Hartford? I'm thinking a major congrats is in order, but I'm not sure, lol.

 

[adorshki]

My introduction to Guilds was a New Hartford D-40, and you might have been among those recommending it to me. I loved it, and now love Guild, and while I've had Guilds from other eras I really seem to like those New Hartfords- I have an F-30 now also from that factory.

I went through some life changes and thought I had to sell the D-40, and I even tried to buy it back, but never found one again until today. So I'm glad I passed on the D-25, although I am sure it would have been great and I am not all that familiar with all mahogany guitars. I did buy a Cordoba era M-20, thought it was very good, ultimately I didn't think it offered anything that my other guitars didn't do (my Gibson L-00 mainly).

Maybe one day I'll look into the D-25s a little more. But whoever got this one sure got a lot of guitar for the money, I'll say that.

The "iconic" D25, in production from '74 through 01, was the arched mahogany back/ spruce to version, I have a '96. When I got the D40 I was amazed it was so wimpy compared to the '25. Took about 10 years to really open up, the '25 was a lot faster, but I played it a hell of a lot more. The '40 needed more time just to put playing time on it as I'd been promoted to a new job requiring a lot more personal time.

Worked out well in the end. Now I can really devote time to her. Might actually be my favorite overall voice now.

The difference between 'em is that the D25 can evoke stand-up bass type woody timbres, whereas the D40 is tight and "punchy".

Like Jamie Jamerson's soul style ("Rescue Me", Fontella Bass '66) compared to Jack Casady's Starfire bass timber. (Casady actually started off with a Jazz bass with a P-bass neck, btw, "IIRC" or else it was other way 'round), and that particular sound is exemplified on "Plastic Fantastic Lover" on Surrealistic Pillow, but compare it to the version on Bless its Pointed Little Head where he's got the Guild.

 

[Larry Mal]

You ain't alone there, Larry! My F50R is out of New Hartford. Best 6-string I've ever had, that's for damn sure.

So you bid on the D40? Bought it? Waiting for its arrival? It's a New Hartford? I'm thinking a major congrats is in order, but I'm not sure, lol.

It's a New Hartford Bluegrass Jubilee, same as my other one was that I never should have sold.

I bought it, the guy I bought it from on eBay says he's buying a square neck Dobro with the proceeds. He says he'll ship it out tomorrow.

This one has a K&K Mini in it, which is the one pickup I would tolerate- I hate undersaddle pickups. I'll be happy to get one again, I loved my D-40 and considered it to be the only mahogany dreadnaught I could ever want, and one day someone offered to trade me a Martin D-18. I went to the store and played one and realized it wouldn't add anything to what I already had.

 

[chazmo]

It's a New Hartford Bluegrass Jubilee, same as my other one was that I never should have sold.

I bought it, the guy I bought it from on eBay says he's buying a square neck Dobro with the proceeds. He says he'll ship it out tomorrow.

This one has a K&K Mini in it, which is the one pickup I would tolerate- I hate undersaddle pickups. I'll be happy to get one again, I loved my D-40 and considered it to be the only mahogany dreadnaught I could ever want, and one day someone offered to trade me a Martin D-18. I went to the store and played one and realized it wouldn't add anything to what I already had.

That guitar has an Adirondack (red) spruce top, Larry, just so you know. In recent years, there's been a lot of confusion about what a D-40 is all about. A Standard series D-40 will have a Sitka top, like D-40s of old. Anyway, it sounds like you've made your choice! Good luck!!!!!!

 

[Larry Mal]

That guitar has an Adirondack (red) spruce top, Larry, just so you know. In recent years, there's been a lot of confusion about what a D-40 is all about. A Standard series D-40 will have a Sitka top, like D-40s of old. Anyway, it sounds like you've made your choice! Good luck!!!!!!

Yes, absolutely. My previous D-40 was also a Bluegrass Jubilee out of New Hartford and so it also had the Adirondack top. I also bought an F-30 out of New Hartford and I think it is the "Aragon" version that was made during that time, so it should also have the Adirondack top.

It has all the accoutrements that I understand the New Hartford era F-30 Aragon to have, the three piece neck and the tortoise binding, also it came with the open back tuners that I moved on. No Chesterfield, but I think that was not on the Aragon.

But I bought it used and the label doesn't say Aragon or anything. But from what I've read, it certainly is not the New Hartford era F-30 Standard.

Anyway, I certainly do like Adirondack tops, although I'm not one who has to have it, I have plenty of Sitka topped guitars that sound wonderful. But when I first played my previous D-40 with the Adirondack, I was like, well, I don't know what makes this guitar sound so incredible but whatever it is, here it is.

What I tend to notice about Guild acoustics is that they seem to be very evenly voiced, the frequency range is well balanced and no frequencies dominate the others like you often find with other guitar makers.

But honestly I don't really know what the Adirondack on the Guild would sound like compared to a D-40 with Sitka. I'd like to find out! But this will probably be my only mahogany dreadnaught, I have two other dreadnaughts, a Gibson Dove and a Gibson J-60. Those have maple and rosewood respectively so don't sound much like the D-40, obviously.

But I'd say I'm covered.

 

[mclkar54]

Thanks for clarifying that, Ralf. I believe that means it's polyurethane. I'm never sure if these non-nitro finishes are polyurethane or polyester.

Acrylic lacquer is not the same as polyurethane. 2 different compositions.Acrylic lacquer is thinner.