D55 value

[Grale]

I have a beautiful D55 in excellent condition and was wondering of it's value.

I just don't get time to play it anymore. Kids / job / wife! ect all get in the way :wink-new:

It is a Tacoma built 2005 model. Beautiful sounding guitar and it's wasted just sat there.

Any help much appreciated. I'm from the UK.

 

[fronobulax]

Welcome. I'm not going to venture a guess but someone who can will be along shortly. I will note that USA prices for vintage Guilds seem to be a touch lower than prices across the Atlantic. Indeed, when CITES and rosewood were not a concern there were several instruments purchased in the US and shipped across the pond because, even with shipping, etc. the buyer thought they were getting a good deal.

 

[txbumper57]

First off let me say Welcome to LTG Grale as I see this is your first post! Tacoma D55's are wonderful guitars. Conditon is everything when it comes to used guitar Value and how it is affected. Also being a 2005 model there is a chance that it is an early D55 which has a different internal construction that a late 2005-2006 model. This was a transition period for Guild when they started building lighter guitars with scalloped Adirondack Bracing instead of the Sitka Spruce Bracing from the earlier designs. To identify which design it is you will most likely have to take it to a luthier for confirmation on the bracing which is a tell tale sign. If it has Sitka Spruce Bracing it will be an early model, If it has Adirondack or Red Spruce Bracing it will be a later model. There is not a Huge difference in price but to someone who is specifically looking for one or the other it will make a difference.

Here in the states I see Tacoma D55's selling in Excellent condition on Average for anywhere from $1500-$2000. There are isolated circumstances where they sell for less or more but that is the Average of what I see on the market regularly. Being that you are in the UK prices will be higher.

Even before the recent CITES regulations that require all rosewood to have permits when sold across international borders, Guilds in the UK and Europe pulled a premium compared to their U.S. counterparts due to the relative scarcity of availability compared to here in the USA. I can only imagine with the recent implementations of the Rosewood Regulations that the value and prices of Guilds already in the UK that won't need to be permitted to sell in country will only go up even more. I would do a search on Ebay UK for recent completed listings of Guild D55's in the UK and Europe as well as other selling sites for an idea of how much of a premium the Guild D55's are pulling to get an idea of what to ask for it.

In some countries like Brazil they are getting as much as $4000 American for a considerably worn D55 according to a recent member so do your homework as not to leave a lot money on the table when you sell it. Also if you have any local Guild dealers you can ask what a new one will be listed for at their shop as production has just started producing D55's again after 3 years of waiting.

Best of luck in your search and I hope this info helps. I imagine if you advertise it that it won't take long for an Excellent shape D55 to find a new home in The UK especially at a reasonable price.

TX

 

[Grale]

Firstly, i must appologise for not saying hi to you all! I've been lurking here for years and actually forgot i never registered. So Hi all

I owned my first Guild D55 back in the mid 90's. I ended up selling it for a Martin D28 as i was predominantly playing bluegrass back then. Later i realised what an excellent guitar it was and switched back around to the Guild.

Really i should keep the guitar, but i feel the next time i will get to play will be many years from now.

Thanks for the great information guys.

My serial is TI053001. I think this makes it a 2005 February 26th and the very first guitar made on that day.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Guitar prices are on the low side right now.
It's a great time to buy but not so good for the seller.

$1500 would be a very good price in my opinion. Anything more would be gravy.

I paid $1150 for my 2005 D-55 a few years ago. It was mint and still had the pick guard plastic sheet on it.

 

[sixx]

I'm no expert but if anyone has experience in the UK/EU market, chirp up, as that's what is called for here, IMO.