D15 vs D16

[elasticman]

would you expect a D16 to sound any better than a D15? As far as I can tell, the only difference would be the binding on the D16 (whereas the D15 has none, much like a Martin D15) - and the gloss finish on the D16. The D16 is still a hog top, back and (laminated) arched back - just like the D15, right?

The D16 does seem to be more rare though. The model barely shows up in a google search.

thanks.

 

[Dadaist]

would you expect a D16 to sound any better than a D15? As far as I can tell, the only difference would be the binding on the D16 (whereas the D15 has none, much like a Martin D15) - and the gloss finish on the D16. The D16 is still a hog top, back and (laminated) arched back - just like the D15, right?

The D16 does seem to be more rare though. The model barely shows up in a google search.

thanks.

I believe it was in '83 that Guild came out with their Mahogany Rush series, the D-15, D-16 and D-17. The same guitar, the latter two had gloss finish, and the D-17 had full binding. All three guitars were Mahogany top, sides and arched back.

As far as a D-16 being rare, it depends on how you define rare. They were pretty basic guitars. I owned a '83 D-17M, which was a nice loud guitar. They're probably not as plentiful as say, D-25s.

David

 

[elasticman]

I only ask because I'm a lefty looking for a fairly inexpensive hog-top. I could wait for a used Martin 00015 or D15, or convert one of these 80's Guilds. I've always read that mahogany really sounds better as it ages and just assume I'd be better off doing the latter?

 

[Dadaist]

Would depend on what's the cost of converting the guitar to a lefty. When I've seen D-15/D-16/D-17s come up for sale, they're usually in the $400-$500 range, Are you thinking about ordering the Martin?

David

 

[Graham]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such, to be fully explained by Hans in vol II.

Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

 

[elasticman]

Would depend on what's the cost of converting the guitar to a lefty. When I've seen D-15/D-16/D-17s come up for sale, they're usually in the $400-$500 range, Are you thinking about ordering the Martin?

David

i might order a custom Martin, a 00, deep-body 12-fretter. With an M&T neck it's surprisingly affordable. I did just buy a Westerly D15 for $420 shipped, so when it arrives I'll have to think long and hard. My luthier would convert it (re-route saddle etc) for around $250. So I'd be into teh Guild for under 700. The custom would be over 2X that.

Dan

 

[Scratch]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such, to be fully explained by Hans in vol II.

Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

Dang; I learn something new here everyday...

I had never played an all hog Guild until LadyTexan brought hers by one day recently. She had just had it set up by Ross (the Magic Luthier). Wowser... If I ever get another D-25, it will be all hog (maybe a D-15, 16 or 17)...

 

[Graham]

I had never played an all hog Guild until LadyTexan brought hers by one day recently. She had just had it set up by Ross (the Magic Luthier). Wowser... If I ever get another D-25, it will be all hog (maybe a D-15, 16 or 17)...

If I had known what Ross could do I would still have both of my D-25's, my F-512, my DV-52, etc.... The man is amazing!!!

 

[Dr. Spivey]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such, to be fully explained by Hans in vol II.

Interesting, never heard that before. The 16 and 17 were listed in Guild price lists, so I assumed they were regular production models. This is the stuff that makes Guild history fascinating. 8)

 

[Graham]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such, to be fully explained by Hans in vol II.

Interesting, never heard that before. The 16 and 17 were listed in Guild price lists, so I assumed they were regular production models. This is the stuff that makes Guild history fascinating. 8)

I wish that vol II would get here ASAP!

 

[ladytexan]

Would depend on what's the cost of converting the guitar to a lefty. When I've seen D-15/D-16/D-17s come up for sale, they're usually in the $400-$500 range, Are you thinking about ordering the Martin?

David

i might order a custom Martin, a 00, deep-body 12-fretter. With an M&T neck it's surprisingly affordable. I did just buy a Westerly D15 for $420 shipped, so when it arrives I'll have to think long and hard. My luthier would convert it (re-route saddle etc) for around $250. So I'd be into teh Guild for under 700. The custom would be over 2X that.

Dan

Dan,

The nice thing about getting a Martin (whatever the model) is one does not incur the added cost of it being a leftie. And, the 00-15M, deep-body, 12-fretter is to-die-for (and, as you say, very reasonably priced). BUT, it still doesn't have the sound of a Guild. I would say playability is comparable (even with a different neck width - Martin being slightly thinner). The Guild is going to be louder and warmer. No bias here, as I own both Martins and Guilds....just an observation. I think you are in a win-win situation.......whatever you decide, it will be a good choice. Keep us posted, Dan. LTGers want you playing a leftie Guild someday.......soon. :wink:

 

[West R Lee]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such, to be fully explained by Hans in vol II.

Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

Dang; I learn something new here everyday...

I had never played an all hog Guild until LadyTexan brought hers by one day recently. She had just had it set up by Ross (the Magic Luthier). Wowser... If I ever get another D-25, it will be all hog (maybe a D-15, 16 or 17)...

Same situation with the D26 I believe.

West

 

[taabru45]

I had a really nice D16, gloss, or might have been a 17...but the neck was 1 5/8"...the only thing I didn't like about it...not quite as wide as I like em....Steffan

 

[hansmoust]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such. Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

Same situation with the D26 I believe.

West

Hello Graham,

You're confusing the relation between the D-15 and the D-16 with the D-25/D-26 situation.
The D-15, D-16 and D-17 were all regular models that could be bought from any Guild dealer.
The D-26 was different in that respect.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Graham]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such. Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

Same situation with the D26 I believe.

West

Hello Graham,

You're confusing the relation between the D-15 and the D-16 with the D-25/D-26 situation.
The D-15, D-16 and D-17 were all regular models that could be bought from any Guild dealer.
The D-26 was different in that respect.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust


http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Damn!!

 

[West R Lee]

The D15 was the standard issue, the 16 and 17 were special runs for guitar stores and such. Same guitar, different appointments. The rarity being the release.

Same situation with the D26 I believe.

West

Hello Graham,

You're confusing the relation between the D-15 and the D-16 with the D-25/D-26 situation.
The D-15, D-16 and D-17 were all regular models that could be bought from any Guild dealer.
The D-26 was different in that respect.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

That may have been me that got confused Hans.......I pretty much stay that way these days. I'm trying to remember........the D26 was sort of a special run for a retailer, right?

West