D35 question

[tarheelguild]

Hi guys. I wanted to get your opinions on the D35. Is the model basically a D25 with a straight, non-arched back? Did they use better or the same materials for both models? There's a one on Reverb I'm sort of intrigued with. It'a a 1980 model: https://reverb.com/item/28370343-guild-d35nt-acoustic-guitar-no-pickup-1980-86-original-lacquer
Is their asking price too high? I perform a lot (when not in pandemic mode) so I would have to put a sound hole pickup in her. Anyway, your feedback is most welcome!
thanks,
Tony

'80 F50R
'84 D40
'87 D50
'96 D4
'98 D25 12
'98 D30 AB
'00 Taylor 414ce (the black sheep

 

[Westerly Wood]

hey tarheel, the D35 is like a stripped down D40, or like you way, a D25 arched (spruce top/hog back sides) but not arch. but not the same as a D25 flat back that is all hog.

i just got a 1984 model and love it, such a big tone. i have had early 70 D35s that were not nearly as resonant or big sounding. glad you are looking at a 1980. the price is way too high. more like 700 tops for a D35, maybe 800 but then you could look for a used D40. 1195 is ridiculous.

 

[tarheelguild]

hey tarheel, the D35 is like a stripped down D40, or like you way, a D25 arched (spruce top/hog back sides) but not arch. but not the same as a D25 flat back that is all hog.

i just got a 1984 model and love it, such a big tone. i have had early 70 D35s that were not nearly as resonant or big sounding. glad you are looking at a 1980. the price is way too high. more like 700 tops for a D35, maybe 800 but then you could look for a used D40. 1195 is ridiculous.

Thanks for advice Woody. I offered them $800 a few weeks ago and they sent me a snitty reply. Something to effect that I should "...put my glasses on and look at it again." That irked me a bit, but they have rave reviews as a seller! Go figure....

 

[Westerly Wood]

Thanks for advice Woody. I offered them $800 a few weeks ago and they sent me a snitty reply. Something to effect that I should "...put my glasses on and look at it again." That irked me a bit, but they have rave reviews as a seller! Go figure....

oh, i would run quickly from that seller. D35s come up often on Reverb, you will get a nice one for sure in due time. 1200 is even high for a used D40 IMHO...unless it is pristine. But i think 800 is my cap for D35 and only if i really like it. nice gut instinct tarheel!

 

[tarheelguild]

oh, i would run quickly from that seller. D35s come up often on Reverb, you will get a nice one for sure in due time. 1200 is even high for a used D40 IMHO...unless it is pristine. But i think 800 is my cap for D35 and only if i really like it. nice gut instinct tarheel!

Thanks again for the good advice. I actually bought my '84 D40 NT for $800 a few years ago and it's a tone cannon. It needed a new nut, but that was it and it plays and sounds AMAZING!
cheers,
Tony

 

[Br1ck]

While I much prefer my '70 to the heavier later builds, that is a subjective judgement. The rather scratched up top on that example precludes any premium placed on condition for sure. $1200 puts you into the I might get lucky and score a D 18 territory.

$800 is a very decent offer for that guitar. The seller has every right to wait in hopes an uninformed buyer comes along.

I don't think there is a guitar builder around that doesn't try to use the best material for the more expensive guitars. In 1970, there was a lot of cosmetically perfect spruce. I look at all the bearclaw in my D 35's top and it was certainly "low grade" top in that era. I'm surprised it didn't get painted. But picking wood is an art, not a science. My favorite spruce is a board that goes from close grained to wide grained. I just like the look and have played a lot of guitars I liked with varied grain tops. I also don't much care for pristine examples of old guitars. You don't want that in a gigging guitar anyway.

 

[dreadnut]

Looks pretty nice to me but way overpriced.

 

[ezstrummer]

Agreed... asking price way too high...