D 35

[dlay]

Hello, i am new here and I recently acquired a guild d 35 sn 0j 809. I think it was mfg in 1968. Can anyone tell me more about it? It has a very good sound. Thanks

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. I'm sure someone who can help will be along Real Soon Now.

 

[GardMan]

First, welcome to LTG!

The SN of your D-35 does fall within the range for 1968 on the published lists. When it was made in '68 it would be probably have been considered one of Guild's "entry" model dreads... pricewise, it would have fallen between the less expensive (at that time) all mahogany D-25 and the more expensive spruce topped/mahogany back and sides D-40. Can't remember, and will have to check my books tonight, but '68 might have been the first production year for the D-35 (and the D-25).

Basically, it is no-frills spruce/mahogany dread, with rosewood fretboard and bridge. For more info, you should look at The Guild Guitar Book by Hans Moust. He is a forum member and regular participant... graciously answering just about any question we might throw at him.

I have a '72 D-35, which I bought new in January of 1973. It's been thru everything with me, and is the last guitar I would part with.

Again, welcome aboard!
Dave

 

[jazzmang]

... '68 might have been the first production year for the D-35 (and the D-25).

I believe you are correct. I also think '68 was the first year of production for many flattops, like the D-55 for example.

 

[dreadnut]

A friend of mine bought a brand new D-35 in '76, a slight upgrade from my D-25, its a flat back mahogany dread with a spruce top and this one is a 'burst. Wonderful sounding guitar, he still has it

Welcome and congrats on a great old Guild acquisition!

 

[Bluelizzard]

I have owned more than a dozen Guild acoustics over the years but my beat 1971 D-35 is still the best sounding of all.

 

[GardMan]

According to Hans, the D-35 was introduced in '68... specs as I described above, with mahogany neck, black overlay on the headstock, and inlaid "peaked" GUILD logo. The overlay and inlay were dropped in '69. Later 35s, like mine, have the gold silk-screened logo on the plain mahogany headstock.

Hey Dlay... how 'bout some pics?!
Dave

 

[dlay]

Thanks everyone, will try to get pictures soon.

 

[dlay]

This d35 has grover tuners, and does it have a tortoise shell fingerboard or plastic? I have gotten some pictures made if I can send them. Thanks for any info on this 1968 guild d35. :?:

 

[Scratch]

Welcome to LTG and enjoy that D-35!!!

 

[GardMan]

This d35 has grover tuners, and does it have a tortoise shell fingerboard or plastic? I have gotten some pictures made if I can send them. Thanks for any info on this 1968 guild d35. :?:

I don't know that Guild ever used real tortoise, so the pickguard would be "tortoise" celluloid or other plastic (is yours one of the "slightly smaller" pickguards?). Hans could probably tell you whether the tuners were original... my '72 has three-on-a-plate Japanese tuners, but earlier ones might have had something else.

 

[taabru45]

One of the best sounding and playing guitars that has ever passed thru my hands, as in owned, was an old D35, nice, plain, but sang like an angel, still miss it, just plain stupid to have ever sold it... Steffan

 

[JerryR]

Hi Dlay, welcome from another D35 owner - missed your original post - think I was in Portugal at the time

 

[killdeer43]

The two D35s that I had in the past were both special guitars. I bought one in Santa Fe in 1976 when I had no money (go figure) and took the next as partial payment for a kitchen remodel in 1982. I sold them both (reluctantly) for one reason or another along the way but I'm excited again because a new one ('84) is on the way.

Time to put up another hanger,
Joe

 

[JerryR]

I'm excited again because a new one ('84) is on the way.

Time to put up another hanger,
Joe

ENJOY

 

[killdeer43]

I'm excited again because a new one ('84) is on the way.
Time to put up another hanger,
Joe

ENJOY

Thanks. That's the plan. There's a slight delay in delivery so I'll be foaming at the mouth for a while. :lol:

Joe

 

[dlay]

The d35 that I asked about orginally was bought by my cousin in 1968 and taken with him to overseas while on tour with the navy. He played it until 1973 when he was killed. My aunt has had it until she gave it to me about 3 months ago. The guitar had been stored in a closet for this long. New strings and minor repairs and she sounds wonderful. Now I am trying to learn to play, always wanted to but have no talent, and am 66 years old. Some of my good friends play really well and have played this guitar and love it. One said it sounds as well as any martin he has played. It means a lot to me, so I have got to learn to play. My story..

 

[killdeer43]

dlay,

It's obvious that you have in your hands a very special guitar, one that carries with it a bittersweet story and possibly some great karma/mojo/etc.
Cherish this gift from your aunt (who obviously thinks a lot of you) and take your time to learn to play a few easy songs at first and then keep moving forward. Sit in with your friends and you'll pick up a little more every time. It's all about exposure, and maybe playing til your fingers bleed a bit! :lol: It's all good.

Good luck to you and stay in touch to let us know how you're doing,
Joe

 

[chazmo]

dlay,

It's obvious that you have in your hands a very special guitar, one that carries with it a bittersweet story and possibly some great karma/mojo/etc.
Cherish this gift from your aunt (who obviously thinks a lot of you) and take your time to learn to play a few easy songs at first and then keep moving forward. Sit in with your friends and you'll pick up a little more every time. It's all about exposure, and maybe playing til your fingers bleed a bit! :lol: It's all good.

Good luck to you and stay in touch to let us know how you're doing,
Joe

I agree 100%. That's quite a story on this guitar. We were only just saying in another thread how we are all only caretakers of these instruments on their paths through history. A great instrument like your D-35 is made special by its history and personal significance to you and yours. Treasure it indeed.

I have been writing down whatever "stories" I have on my instruments, mostly for posterity but also for an article that my sister is writing about my guitar collecting. She's intrigued by the collecting thing, and I've impressed upon her how the stories of the guitars as well as the comraderie brought by them is such an important factor in our enjoyment of them (I'm speaking for you guys, but I'm sure you agree).

Hang around with us too, and you'll learn about care and feeding -- which is really mostly easy but important for solid wood guitars like yours.

Best wishes and welcome to LTG.

 

[dlay]

Thanks, this guitar is very special to me and I intend to learn to play to my ability. I would send some pictures if I could figure out how to do. I had to have some repair done on it which was done by a certified martin repairman in the area who also makes guitars. He loved it and was very partial to the older guilds, said they were made by craftsmen, very well made, and easy to work on.