D25 - mahogany top or not?

[Ulf]

Hi - I'm interested to hear your opinions on the D25 and its different versions. The early ones were made with a traditional braced back and a mahogany top. I think production started in ´68. After a few years Guild changed it and the D25 became a spruce top, dyed brown or cherry, with an arched, laminated back. (Sorry about the history lesson, most of you know all this already).
The old D25's with the mahogany top look great and they are fairly unusual as well, making them more expensive, at least on eBay. But sound is more important of course. I'd like to hear from all of you who have tried both models about the differences. Tell me!!

thanks

 

[GardMan]

Ulf... I played a flat backed D-25 years ago (Jan 1973, to be exact), and chose to go with the spruce-topped D-35 at that time... as I recalled, the spruce just seemed to have more "punch." But that was a long time ago. I now have a '74 arched back D-25M in my "collection," that I really enjoy. It's got great projection and sustain... the bass is great. I mostly keep it tuned to DADGAD, these days...

Graham has both flat- and arched-back versions, and he commented on them for me a while back... but I can't find the right thread. I'm sure he'll chime in soon enough.

Dudly-Brian Smith (aka Smithfield Fair) also compared the two versions a while back. Here's what he said:

Hi - As I said in another post on D25s - they are remarkable guitars, but I prefer the arched back everytime. I have played all three types (flat, arched with spruce top and arched with mahogany top) and have owned the two arched backs. The mahogany top has the warmest and tightest sound of the three, with aged versions of the spruce top running a close second. The articulation and balance on both are remarkable. The difference to me is what sound one is looking for. The mahogany for the dark warmth or the spruce for the fat power and clarity. The flat backs just don't have the projection of the arched. Cheers! dbsmith

Dudley-Brian Smith

 

[Graham]

Hi Ulf I'll add what I can. Of the two my favorite is the '72 mahogany. I mostly play my DV at the moment although I switch between that and the '72. I had the '76 out for a spell earlier this week and while it is a gret guitar it is number 3 of 3 for me.
Since I just play at home for me and my dog I don't need the projection that the arch back offers, and offer it does. I like the sweet sound of the mahogany for a change of pace from my DV.
The '72 is light as a feather compared to the other two which again for me is no great deal as I'm sitting 99% of the time anyway. As DBS says it depends on what you're after soundwise.
There is no disputing any of the sound quality from these guitars for me it's the mood or tone that I'm after. If I want a lighter warmer sound I go for the mahogany, when I want a fuller deeper, stronger sound I reach for the DV.
I guess to be truly fair I need to rotate them more evenly but I find that after a couple of days without the DV, I need to play it.
Personal choice and preferrance are hard to discuss.

 

[Ulf]

I have just bought a mahogany topped D25, and I'm impatiently waiting for it to be delivered. And I pray I'll like it because I've never played it. It was on eBay and I just fell in love.
Only mahogany tops I've tried before are some parlor sized Martins, more finger picking instruments, really pleasant, and my Harmony H165, a 000-sized cheapo recently bought on eBay. Very light, massive maple neck. Fingerpicker.
So - I've never played a dreadnought mahogany top and I'm trying to figure out what to expect. If it's another fingerpicker I've made a mistake.
Reason that I'm still taking the risk is that I've bought guitars on eBay before and sold them here in Sweden after a while. At a small profit actually, despite the fact thatverything bought overseas is stuck in customs and I'll have to pay VAT and stuff.