D 55 Scalloped Bracing?

[suave eddie]

I read somewhere that starting in 1990 until 1995 the D-55 featured scalloped braces. Can this be confirmed? Does this make my '92 D-55 any more desirable?

I also have a question regarding the trim surrounding the sound hole. What year did it change to the fancy abalone/MOP trim? Did this occur simultaneously with the Fender takeover?

 

[chazmo]

Greetings, Eddie.

I don't know if/when the bracing changed for D-55s. But, no, I don't think that aspect affects the instrument's value.

I assume by your question that your '92 does not have the abalone rosette. I only know that abalone was added recently (in New Hartford) to the big Jumbos. I think D-55s had it before then, though.

 

[suave eddie]

Here is what the rosette looks like on mine (and all prior years AFAIK).

All the new ones now have fancy abalone/MOP trim. I originally thought this came about when manufacturing moved from Westerly, but I have seen some Westerly models with the new trim so I assume this was when Fender first bought Guild and just prior to moving the factory.

 

[GardMan]

My '92 D-55 had scalloped bracing (the scalloped X-bracing is easy to see by looking thru the soundhole. Seeing the tone bars requires a mirror) and the plain (non-abalone) rosette. Beesely indicates the scalloped bracing was introduced in '90. The ab rosette came in the mid-90s... I think West R Lee gave '95 as the date.

 

[jazzmang]

All D-55s since Westerly's initial scalloped bracing introduction have had scalloped bracing.
The value is not affected.

 

[West R Lee]

D55's got the abalone rosette in 1995.

West

 

[chazmo]

By the way, beautiful guitar, Eddie. Looks to be in great condition.

 

[suave eddie]

By the way, beautiful guitar, Eddie. Looks to be in great condition.

Thanks--It is in great shape.

I got an incredible deal on it in 2006. Whoever had it took good care of it. The only sign of its age is the gold plating on the tuning keys.