D-15

[MikeCourts]

Anyone familiar with the older D-15 models all mahogany with the extended back?

Had one for years that I loved and it fell off a guitar strap and hit a concrete floor. Cracked in 3 spots and the tone was completely different after repairs.

 

[schoolie]

The D-15 gets a lot of love here. I have a 1990 model and love it to bits. That arched back really gives it a great sound.
Sorry to hear about your guitar damage. I see them for sale regularly.

 

[MikeCourts]

I’ll keep an eye out on here! Or D-25

 

[Stuball48]

Is the D15 a D25 with little less bling? Don't think I have ever seen a D15 except in pictures.

 

[schoolie]

This might have changed over the years, but the D-15 doesn't have binding. I think that's the only difference from a D-25, but the experts will chime in.

 

[cupric]

My D15 has been with me since I purchased it new in 1986. It has played many venues. It always held its own. I've had many much higher end guitars but the D15 has always been my number one.
I bought mine from a high selling, long time Guild dealership in RI. They had everything, every finish, every model. I had gone there to purchase a 1960s ES 335. I had a boatload of cash on me. The ES was in rough shape, so I was disappointed.... until I realized there was a big Guild sale going on....and a ton of Guilds everywhere around me! The place was hoppin!
I tried everything. I finally settled on a beautiful burst. I cannot remember the exact model, but I believe it was D35.
As I was waiting for a sales person to assist in purchasing my eyes danced down the rows of guitars. That's when I spied this plain brown guitar hanging in the very last holder.....which was behind the counter. Almost hiding. I had no idea it was all mahogany.... It was just plain brown. I asked one of the busy staff if I could see it....he grabbed it and handed it to me while assuring me he'd be right with me.
Long story short, I loved it! I had no idea it was a lower end model. I knew nothing about it. But it sang to me.
When I finally got assistance I informed him my choice was now the D15. He said"Really? I play that all the time"....almost sad. I purchased it with a hard shell case!!!
My buddy who was with me had just purchased a new D35 a few weeks before. As the guy was writing me up my friend said, " if you hadn't bought that I would have".
So, yeah....I think they are great. Mine is all worn in. A few bruises...but she is always ready! And she has been played.

 

[hearth_man]

Roughly from the mid 1970s onward the D25 had an arched mahogany back and sides and spruce top. The D-15 was introduced on the early 1980s and had an arched mahogany back and sides as well as a mahogany top.

 

[hearth_man]

And I totally agree the D15 and D15-12 have a wonderful tone. An even, smooth mix of string tone that you don't get with a spruce top. Not putting down spruce tops at all, just different from the mahogany top. My D25, D46 and D50 all have great sound with their spruce tops, and all are different.

The D-15 is a special guitar for sure.

 

[MikeCourts]

Is the D15 a D25 with little less bling? Don't think I have ever seen a D15 except in pictures.

My D15 has been with me since I purchased it new in 1986. It has played many venues. It always held its own. I've had many much higher end guitars but the D15 has always been my number one.
I bought mine from a high selling, long time Guild dealership in RI. They had everything, every finish, every model. I had gone there to purchase a 1960s ES 335. I had a boatload of cash on me. The ES was in rough shape, so I was disappointed.... until I realized there was a big Guild sale going on....and a ton of Guilds everywhere around me! The place was hoppin!
I tried everything. I finally settled on a beautiful burst. I cannot remember the exact model, but I believe it was D35.
As I was waiting for a sales person to assist in purchasing my eyes danced down the rows of guitars. That's when I spied this plain brown guitar hanging in the very last holder.....which was behind the counter. Almost hiding. I had no idea it was all mahogany.... It was just plain brown. I asked one of the busy staff if I could see it....he grabbed it and handed it to me while assuring me he'd be right with me.
Long story short, I loved it! I had no idea it was a lower end model. I knew nothing about it. But it sang to me.
When I finally got assistance I informed him my choice was now the D15. He said"Really? I play that all the time"....almost sad. I purchased it with a hard shell case!!!
My buddy who was with me had just purchased a new D35 a few weeks before. As the guy was writing me up my friend said, " if you hadn't bought that I would have".
So, yeah....I think they are great. Mine is all worn in. A few bruises...but she is always ready! And she has been played.

Great history. Thanks for sharing. I’m still looking to replace mine or possibly a D-25

 

[GardMan]

A limited (but unknown) number of all mahogany arched back D-25s were made during the transition to arched backs ca1973/74. They come up occasionally on eBay or Reverb... but don't rely on a seller's description. Many sellers think that if it says "D-25M" on the label, it has a mahogany top, when in reality it is probably "mahogany-stained" spruce. You need to look at for the characteristic grain of mahogany in the top wood. If you are in doubt, post a picture here on the forum, and someone will confirm the wood (or at least, give their opinion).

The D-16 and D-17, from the same era as the 15, are also all mahogany arched back dreads. According to Ted Beesley, the 15 was originally introduced with matte finish, while the 16 was high gloss. Later 15s also had high gloss. The 17 has white ivoroid binding. Just a heads up... an LTG member with substantial experience reports that the many D-17s he has owned/played have had 1-5/8" nuts.

Good luck in your search!

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Just for the record, my D-16:



Indeed, no binding!

 

[MikeCourts]

Very stoic. Nice