D50 vs D55

[GaryG]

What is the difference in these two guitars.....cosmetic, materials, structural,
sound???

Also, is there much difference from them and the F50 & F55 sound wise?
I Already have a F512 and don't really want another Jumbo body.

 

[GardMan]

Re: differences between the D-50 and D-55... aside from the obvious cosmetic differences, it will depend a lot on the era... both guitars (but particularly the D-50 in recent years) have seen changes in specs.

Someone else will have to comment on tonal differences in the Tacoma and New Hartford years. I have/had 4 rosewood Guild dreads from the Westerly factory, all with Sitka tops and EIR B/S:

A '76 D-50 (straight braces that had been shaved post-factory; the D-50 model got scalloped braces sometime in the mid-late-'80s);
A '92 D-55 (scalloped braces; scalloped braces introduced to the 55 in the early '90s);
A '94 DV-72 (scalloped bracing); and
A '95 DV-73 (scalloped bracing). The top bracing on the 73 is somewhat different than that on the DV-72 and D-55 from just a few years earlier.

All of these guitars have their own distinct tone. The D-50 has the complex character of rosewood, but is brighter, brasher, and in-your-face. The D-55 was (I say was, because I sold it last Nov) majestic... like a grand piano, with a gut rumbling bass. The DV-73 is brighter than the D-55, but a more refined and complex tone that the D-50 (almost an in-between tone). The DV-72, IMO, is the "best" (very subjective) of them all (at least of my limited sampling)... it has all the best tonal qualities of the D-50, DV-73, and the D-55 rolled into one... which was why I was finally able to let the 55 go.

So, if you are thinking/choosing between D-50 and D-55 (and I don't think you can go wrong with either), I would really suggest auditioning (a couple of) each, and see what you ear prefers... it may very much depend on what your ear is atuned to now, and the style of music you play.

Good hunting!

 

[Neal]

D-50's and D-55's from the '70's are virtually the same guitar, only with additional bling added to the D-55.

As Dave mentioned, the two models have since diverged over the years in terms of specs. The most striking difference is in the modern era, in which both the Tacoma and New Hartford D-50 Bluegrass Special has an adirondack spruce top, while the D-55's retain their sitka spruce top.

Neal

 

[richardp69]

I've come to realize that any 2 guitars of the same model and even the same era can have vastly different tonal characteristics so I've learned that for me at least, it's difficult to make such a comparison. That may just be me though. I'm certainly no sound/tone guru. That being said however, I will say that my 1980 D 50 that was beat up pretty bad when I received it (but I invested in the repairs and am I glad I did) absolutely smokes my 1980 D 55 that was also beat up but not so bad. To me the D 50 seems more balanced and outperforms the D 55 on the low end for sure, and without a doubt has more volume/punch. I'll be asking that it be put in my casket with me when the time comes.

 

[Bill Ashton]

My take on a D50 vs D55...the D50 is the adi-topped and braced Bluegrass canon...get some medium strings on her and rip, yee-haw!
The D55 is a nicely balanced and tastefully ornamented singer/songwriter type of guitar. Just real balanced tone, very nice, nothing not to like.
But it just will not shout out like a D50...or for that matter D40 will...

 

[guildman63]

If you want something a little smaller than a jumbo I have a near-mint New Hartford F-47M that I am letting go due to being mostly an electric player. If interested I can direct you to some pictures of the guitar.

 

[GaryG]

I've kinda got my mind set on a dreadnaught, probably a D50.

 

[merlin6666]

If you want something a little smaller than a jumbo I have a near-mint New Hartford F-47M that I am letting go due to being mostly an electric player. If interested I can direct you to some pictures of the guitar.

I am not familiar with this - how does it compare to a D55?

 

[killdeer43]

From my own experience with a D50, I'd say that would be a wise choice. They're just great guitars! :apple:

Joe

 

[Ronald Reagan]

Could you put the same strings on a d 50 as a d 55?

 

[6L6]

I've owned two D-50's from Westerly ('74, '76) and one built in Corona. Of these, the Corona-built was the clear winner in tone/sustain.

In 2006 I ordered this new Tacoma-built D-55NT:

It has been a SPECTACULAR guitar for me and has been my #1 gigging instrument since I bought it. I started off with a Fishman Matrix pup but switched to a K&K Pure Mini when they became available (it was a good move).

In addition to this D-55, I've owned two D-40 Bluegrass Jubilees built in Tacoma that were killer great guitars. For me, the Tacoma-builts are my favorites. I should add that I've owned Guilds built in every plant except NH.

Bottomline: You cannot miss with a good Guild dread.

Bill

 

[adorshki]

Could you put the same strings on a d 50 as a d 55?

In any given era they were shipped with the same strings.
From at least late '80's through end of Tacoma, lights .012-.053 PB.
In New Hartford went back to real old school: mediums.

 

[GardMan]

Could you put the same strings on a d 50 as a d 55?

I play(ed) John Pearse PB lights on all my rosewood dreads until recently... I have the 73 currently strung with JP PB bluegrass gauge.

 

[valleyguy]

I went out a few years back to compare these very two models, all Tacoma builds, which put the D50 with an adirondack top. My conclusions:

D55 wonderful sounding, piano-like, full of overtones, full sounding, great strumming guitar, strings all blend together nicely.

Great flat picker, a boomer, loud, each string more clearly articulated. This is what I was looking for at the time so I bought the D50. I have since bought a 2014 Martin D18, which is slowly replacing that sound I was looking for in the D50. Hard giving them both playing time, but I'm trying.

I will own a D55 some day.

 

[billymo]

There are 2 models of the modern D50 and only 1 version of the modern D55, I'm surprised this had not been mentioned yet in the posts above. The D55 only comes with a Sitka top and rosewood body. The modern D50 Standard has a Sitka top and rosewood body. The D50 Special or Bluegrass Special, has an Adirondack top with rosewood body. So when you hear of a comparison, someone may say, oh yeah, the D50 is louder or project better if played strongly, but, they don't mention if the D50 is a Standard (Sitka) or Special (adi top). Thus, the Standard D50 is a plain version of the D55 and tone wise, should be the same, except as for 2 identical models will vary due to minor differences in wood, etc.

 

[adorshki]

There are 2 models of the modern D50 and only 1 version of the modern D55, I'm surprised this had not been mentioned yet in the posts above.

post #3:

D-50's and D-55's from the '70's are virtually the same guitar, only with additional bling added to the D-55.

As Dave mentioned, the two models have since diverged over the years in terms of specs. The most striking difference is in the modern era, in which both the Tacoma and New Hartford D-50 Bluegrass Special has an adirondack spruce top, while the D-55's retain their sitka spruce top.

Neal

To be fair, Billy, you're correct, there was a "Standard" D50 with sitka top from both of these factories, and that was never explicitly stated. I think Neal posted hastily and forgot (like the rest of 'em) that a new member might need to have that explained to him.
The rest of us are pretty familiaar with it by now.
The D55 got AAA sitka tops since at least late Westerly ('96 -'01), and due to their purchasing strategy (direct from mills and graded by Guild's experienced and highly selective buyer), Guild's AAA was very good indeed.
To be fair to Bill Ashton he does describe a "Bluegrass cannon", but yes he could have been more explicit.
All D50's up to and including Corona-builts ('01-'04) will be sitka, period, and I think the rest of the posters identified their guitar(s)'s build years..

 

[GaryG]

[.. The D55 only comes with a Sitka top and rosewood body. The modern D50 Standard has a Sitka top and rosewood body. The D50 Special or Bluegrass Special, has an Adirondack top with rosewood body. So when you hear of a comparison, someone may say, oh yeah, the D50 is louder or project better if played strongly, but, they don't mention if the D50 is a Standard (Sitka) or Special (adi top). .

Do all acoustic guitars with Adirondack tops project better than Sitka tops or is this
statement specific to Guild D-50's.

 

[6L6]

"Do all acoustic guitars with Adirondack tops project better than Sitka tops or is this
statement specific to Guild D-50's…"

In many, but certainly not all cases, this is common. Most manufacturer's consider Adi tops an upgrade over sitka and charge a premium.

That said, I own both adi and sitka topped guitars. They all have their place and if amplified, my ears almost always prefer the tone of sitka (K&K Pure Mini pickups).

 

[adorshki]

Do all acoustic guitars with Adirondack tops project better than Sitka tops or is this
statement specific to Guild D-50's.

Adirondack has the reputation of being a superior topwood in general.
But a poor piece of Adirondack can be outperformed by a superior grade of Sitka.
Adirondack has also been described as "tight" and needing more string energy to drive the top, thus the comment about "Put on mediums and let 'er rip".
This might also mean it takes longer to open up though, or that it simply may not be appropriate for a given player's style.
I suspect you as a classical player would actually be happier with a AAA sitka top than an adirondack top. You won't have to "play as hard".
Member Twocorgis bought a brand new NH D40 Bluegrass Jubilee ("Bluegrass" means "Adi top" since '05) a couple of years back, and sold it pretty quickly, mentioning he never really bonded with it and probably didn't have time to wait for it to open up either.
Just recapping stuff that's been said before. I personally have no experience with Adirondack.

 

[GaryG]

[.I suspect you as a classical player would actually be happier with a AAA sitka top than an adirondack top.

I'm not a classical player, I just have a classical guitar. I like it's sound and the space between the strings
works well with my fat fingers when attempting to finger pick with my fingertips. But I also love the sound
of the 12 string with a pick! Basically, I love the sound of good guitars when I get lucky and play
decent. I also have a collector mentality and a D50 would round out my Guild acoustics nicely.