D-55 / D-41 comparison on Music Villa

[MLBob]

Popped up in my e mail feed from the MV website today.

 

[Bernie]

Had just seen it ; I'd love to read some polls' result, one on LTG and another one on UMGF asking the same question like which one would you vote for, or which one do you prefer...I bet the result wouldn't be the same, and I'd put some money I think, that LTG's members would prefer the F-55, and UMGF's would love the Martin better... The most interesting would be the respective proportions... I liked both guitars - and won't tell if there's one I prefer - if any...Is it right that the Guild has scalloped bracing ? I read recently that Guilds do not have much scalloped bracings as a whole, so how about here ?

 

[eljayski]

interesting . . . to my ear, the Guild is louder strummed but quieter finger picked

 

[davismanLV]

Thanks for posting that Bob!! Very fun to listen and compare. BOTH of those guitars are awesome sounding instruments. I can't really say one better than the other, just different. I'll say there's a bit more clarity in the upper range on the Martin. That's a difference to me, not a good/bad thing...... I'd take either of those guitars!!

 

[fronobulax]

Is it right that the Guild has scalloped bracing ? I read recently that Guilds do not have much scalloped bracings as a whole, so how about here ?

I didn't watch the video but if it is the new D-55 as described at https://guildguitars.com/g/d-55e-in-natural/ Guild says

Internal refinements include scalloped Adirondack bracing

Since you read recently that "Guilds do not have much scalloped bracing" you might want to reread and see if there were any caveats concerning when they did or did not have scalloped bracing. There are several recent threads on bracing on LTG and New Hartford and Oxnard products are quite likely to have scalloped braces.

 

[Br1ck]

D 55 looks better. Isn't that all that matters? I'm not a fan of abalam either.

Seriously, two fine dreads.

 

[GGJaguar]

I could live with either one. They both sound great.

 

[SFIV1967]

if it is the new D-55 as described at https://guildguitars.com/g/d-55e-in-natural/

Yes, that's a new Oxnard one in the video.
According to @GardMan scalloped braces were introduced to the D-55 in the early '90s, so I have to believe that.

Ralf

 

[kostask]

I think all of the DV series guitars had scalloped bracing, which is the "V" (vintage) in the model names. I cannot say for sure that all DV models had scalloped bracing, but I know my DV-6 (Westerly Mahogany, 1996) and the DV-52 (Westerly Rosewood, 1993) I used to own did. I haven't seen all of the DV models, so cannot say from first hand evidence that they did or didn't have scalloped bracing.

 

[Bernie]

I didn't watch the video but if it is the new D-55 as described at https://guildguitars.com/g/d-55e-in-natural/ Guild says



Since you read recently that "Guilds do not have much scalloped bracing" you might want to reread and see if there were any caveats concerning when they did or did not have scalloped bracing. There are several recent threads on bracing on LTG and New Hartford and Oxnard products are quite likely to have scalloped braces.

Thanks Frono ; I had read that DV-72s and following had scalloped bracing, along with a few others, but couldn't find the thread back. I was not sure if the D-55 was among those mentionne there, but from listening to the video I thought it probably was...

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I dunno. They both sound great to me.

 

[mario1956]

I would be hard pressed to choose. I do like the better mid-range presence of the D55.
The D41 is well, a D41.
If I had the cash, I'd buy both.

 

[Br1ck]

The Martin sound is certainly, well, the Martin sound. D 55s are more balanced and to me are classier looking. Never warmed to the 40's looks all that much. Not that I turn down a free D 41. If you don't need that Martin low end for your Bluegrass runs, the D 55 will cover a broad pallet of tones. Both is the only real solution.

 

[Octo-power]

I have played both of these, and came home with the D55. Both are great guitars in their own right, but there is just something about the Guild. It almost has the presence of a twelve string to my ears

 

[Stuball48]

Octo-power:
Welcome to LTG a great forum. You will find much love for the D55 and both D41 with D55 winning also, in my opinion.
Come back often..