D-55 Brazilian? Do they exist other than from 2003?

[Br1ck]

I have a 1968 D-55 TV Spec with BrazilIan Rosewood back and sides. I also have a 1970 F-512 Spec with solid Brazilian Rosewood (not arched plywood) back and sides. However, my 1968 F-50R has Brazilian Rosewood sides with Indian rosewood back. My 1973 D-55 and my 1973 F-512 are Indian rosewood back and sides.

If anyone knows Guild’s progression from the mid 60s through the 70s on the size and material for bridge plates and bridges, the thickness of the tops, the neck woods (my 1970 F-512 is all mahogany with a stacked heel), and the thickness and shape of the braces that might help explain differences in tone and volume I perceive from the late 60s and very early 70s from the 1973 and later guitars.

I hate you. Now that is out of the way, I'll tell you that my 70 D 35 has a Brazillian fingerboard and bridge. I think much changed between 72 and 73. Beefier everything from what I understand. My limited experience with later 70s Guilds is that they immediately feel heavier. Still, I played one D 55 from this era that I really liked. Did they figure D 55 owners would take better care of their guitars and lighten them up a bit? I can tell you from my more extensive experience with Martins of the 70s is there can still be some really good guitars and you can't really account for it.

Damn, you have a D 55 from the special order only era. I hate you.

 

[richt54]

I hate you. Now that is out of the way, I'll tell you that my 70 D 35 has a Brazillian fingerboard and bridge. I think much changed between 72 and 73. Beefier everything from what I understand. My limited experience with later 70s Guilds is that they immediately feel heavier. Still, I played one D 55 from this era that I really liked. Did they figure D 55 owners would take better care of their guitars and lighten them up a bit? I can tell you from my more extensive experience with Martins of the 70s is there can still be some really good guitars and you can't really account for it.

Damn, you have a D 55 from the special order only era. I hate you.

Just curious what the nut width is in your 1970 D-35?

 

[2manygits]

I had to laugh when I read Brick’s comment. I looked for a Brazilian Rosewood D-55 over 30 years before I found the 1968 D-55. I looked for over 40 years before finding the F-512 Spec. But, I’m still looking for a F-612. In fact, my 1973 D-55 and 1973 F-512 may also have been considered special orders when I bought them new. I will try to post some pictures—I’m not great at that sort of thing.

As for the Guild build specs, I’ve guessed that Guild was copying Martin to some degree in building flat tops. But, Guild was a bit behind, potentially resulting in a more responsive build until Guild caught up with the heavier bridge plates and wood thicknesses. I remember not liking the early 1970s Martin D-28s I played, and I thought the same era Guild D-50 sounded and played better. (I had never played a D-55 until i got mine.) That, led me to order my first D-55 when I could finally afford a decent guitar. It was a 1971, I loved it, but it (along with my F-212XL) were stolen. My 1971 D-55 was lighter than the 1973, and it had a brighter tone—more like my 1968 D-55. My 1973 D-55 sounds great, but it is not as bright or as loud.

 

[2manygits]

1968 D-55 Spec

 

[2manygits]

1970 F-512 Spec and 1973 F-512

 

[GGJaguar]

Awesome guitars, thanks for sharing!!

 

[HeyMikey]

That D55 Spec is stunning. It must sound wonderful.

 

[twocorgis]

1970 F-512 Spec and 1973 F-512

Really unusual to see a 1970 jumbo Guild with a BRW back. They were running out of sets that big by then, and my '70 D50 has BRW sides and an EIR back.

 

[Br1ck]

Just curious what the nut width is in your 1970 D-35?

1 11/16 is the nut width of my 70 D 35. It's been quite a journey. I took a complete chance on it. The action was too high to play and the saddle break almost nonexistent. Certainly in too bad a shape to evaluate tone other than it could possibly be good. The finish had been sanded off the neck too. It sat in a closet for about eight years before I decided to go all in. Waited a year. My luthier had so many major jobs, that was just the way it was. Came back and it turned out great, and I think the work I was putting in and the style I was playing favored the dry clarity the D 35 provides. It gains more favor every day, and that is a lot to say about any guitar.