D 140

[Br1ck]

This just landed this morning. I think its a lot of guitar for the price, and is very Guild like. Funny they have a hard time describing clear and articulate. I mean $800 sunburst, solid wood dread I think most any jaded Guild guy could keep at the cabin.

 

[Wellington]

Some critical comments lol

 

[stormin1155]

Looks and sounds good to me! Enjoy!

 

[Br1ck]

I'm not considering one, just commenting on how good the imports are getting.

 

[RBpicker]

I purchased one about eight weeks ago. The build quality was excellent, tone was very good (needs opening up) and the neck playability was good after dressing the nut slots a bit.

However, I had to part with it because the combination of nut width and neck profile (somewhat chunky) irritated my fretting hand, first finger and thumb knuckles. I have arthritis in that area and 15 minutes on the D140 set things into a downward spiral.

I kept it beyond the return window thinking I’d just “play through” the pain. Hated to let it go.
rb

 

[Guilderland21]

I've had one of these for two years - my first Guild - and I like it an awful lot. I'm not an expert guitarist by any means (though I've put a lot more hours into it since buying this guitar) but I've been happy with how it sounds and feels with anything I can play on it, both strumming and fingerpicking.

The one thing I'll quibble with in the video review is the description of the sound as "focused" - I know these terms are pretty subjective but I think my D-140 has a relatively full, ringing tone for a spruce/mahogany dread, certainly more so than e.g. the Taylors I've played. (Maybe relevant here is that my guitar is from 2015, per the serial number - though I got it apparently brand new from a store in early 2020 - so it may have had more of a chance to open up than the one being reviewed.)

When I've played early '80s D-25s a few times I've thought the sound had a good deal in common with the D-140 - haven't had a chance to play them side-by-side, though, so this may turn out to be a totally inapt comparison.

 

[Br1ck]

I purchased one about eight weeks ago. The build quality was excellent, tone was very good (needs opening up) and the neck playability was good after dressing the nut slots a bit.

However, I had to part with it because the combination of nut width and neck profile (somewhat chunky) irritated my fretting hand, first finger and thumb knuckles. I have arthritis in that area and 15 minutes on the D140 set things into a downward spiral.

I kept it beyond the return window thinking I’d just “play through” the pain. Hated to let it go.
rb

Let me suggest scouring the world and your bank account for an early 70s D 35 or 40. My 70 D 35 is the easiest playing acoustic I own. You may have to invest in a neck reset and frets, but you will have a pretty good guitar if you do. I just, after six years, had my frets leveled and crowned. Plays like a dream.

The problem with the video is the inability to come up with terminology for the signature Guild tone, which I thought Guild does a good job of retaining with the D 140. I mean, sounds like dead strings, but in a good way, is no kind of description. I've said before that Guild's good qualities emerge with time. I mean if you want slamming bass, Martins deliver, and if you like very bright, Taylor has your back. Doing an experiment recording my guitars in the same mix was a real eye opener, as the Guild D 35's track was perfect with no EQ. It's bass does not overpower the mix, but it is very much there.

 

[RBpicker]

Thanks Br1ck…I’d be very open to an older Guild as you suggested. I don’t think I’d buy one unless I could play it to get a sense of the sound. If priced right a neck fix would be ok as well.

I‘m keeping my eyes open, just not too many around my area, it seems. I did find an older D30 (had one many years ago and still remember the great sound). This one was not all that good sounding and it was red sunburst, which I’d prefer not to have.
Roger

 

[Br1ck]

Perhaps there might be some LTGers in your area that could let you try a guitar or two. There is also a difference after 73. Built heavier, but many like them. Also, the Oxnard factory seems to be doing a bang up job. Having had my 70 for so long, I'd be inclined to chance a Hoboken . They are guitars however. Each one is slightly different. I have always just liked to play a lot of guitars with an open mind. I wanted a 60s Gibson, well a fifties really, but you know, that pesky money thing.... but I digress, when looking at J 45s I happened upon my 65 Texan ( Epiphone) made in Gibson's Kalamazoo factory. My Guild came to me very cheaply, and I just bought it and stored it for ten or so years.

My point is, frequent every guitar shop you can find and play guitars. Easier said than done I know, if you aren't in a sizeable town. Don't be surprised if you don't buy what you think you want, and just trust yourself. I can't remember the last time I ran into a US built Guild anywhere in my guitar store rich area. You might be better off in the LTG classifieds. But bottom line, if hand issues are a problem, you'd probably like a 69-72 Guild D 35 or D 40.

 

[Runner6]

Love mine.

 

[gtrman100]

I have a D140ce that is a great guitar- bright, forward sound but not harsh. It records well, some think it sounds like a Taylor. I don't. I find many Taylors overly bright.

 

[Peter Z]

My D-140 is an amazing guitar. Very light, responsive and yes, quite bright but in a good way. Will try some different strings in future. Nevertheless it’s great not only in relation to the price.

 

[Runner6]

The current D-140 compares well to the older D35’s, perhaps? Thoughts on this?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Let me suggest scouring the world and your bank account for an early 70s D 35 or 40. My 70 D 35 is the easiest playing acoustic I own. You may have to invest in a neck reset and frets, but you will have a pretty good guitar if you do. I just, after six years, had my frets leveled and crowned. Plays like a dream.

The problem with the video is the inability to come up with terminology for the signature Guild tone, which I thought Guild does a good job of retaining with the D 140. I mean, sounds like dead strings, but in a good way, is no kind of description. I've said before that Guild's good qualities emerge with time. I mean if you want slamming bass, Martins deliver, and if you like very bright, Taylor has your back. Doing an experiment recording my guitars in the same mix was a real eye opener, as the Guild D 35's track was perfect with no EQ. It's bass does not overpower the mix, but it is very much there.

Mid-seventies is good, too. The '76 D-35 I have now sounds as good and plays as well as the circa '69 D-35 I used to have.

With all due respect to the virtual world, no video captures the sound of a guitar. Words don't do it, either. You have to play 'em to find out what they sound like.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The current D-140 compares well to the older D35’s, perhaps? Thoughts on this?

I harbor doubts. But playing's believing!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks Br1ck…I’d be very open to an older Guild as you suggested. I don’t think I’d buy one unless I could play it to get a sense of the sound. If priced right a neck fix would be ok as well.

I‘m keeping my eyes open, just not too many around my area, it seems. I did find an older D30 (had one many years ago and still remember the great sound). This one was not all that good sounding and it was red sunburst, which I’d prefer not to have.
Roger

Yup! (See post 14.)

You can always buy a guitar online and returned it if you don't love it. I've done that. It's not a great way to go, but lacking other chances to test drive a guitar, it works.

 

[Runner6]

I harbor doubts.

Fair enough. I’ve spent the morning with my D140 and my Mid 70’s D35 and D40

D35 and D140.

 

[Br1ck]

The current D-140 compares well to the older D35’s, perhaps? Thoughts on this?

Very similar to almost any import vs US build comparison. Good and better. Worth the three times the price? Yes, in general. But if import fits your wallet, the import is worth it. But I think they nailed the overall balance. In general, I've liked the high quality imports better than say, Gibson's G series US builds.

I think the whole buy online trend to be very negative to finding the right guitar for you. I've read that people think they have to buy online because they are three hours from a good guitar shop. For crying out loud, that is a day trip. You won't get the selection you get from a Sweetwater catalogue, but you will get to actually play the guitars. Even in a fine shop like Gryphon, I can recall only three or four Guilds ever on the used wall. They tried to sell Guild Orpheums for a while, but I guess they didn't work out. Long time ago now.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Fair enough. I’ve spent the morning with my D140 and my Mid 70’s D35 and D40

D35 and D140.

To quote myself, playing's believing!