Difference Between a GAD40 & GAD140?

[West R Lee]

Those who have known me for years here would probably guess that I know nothing about the GAD line, so I'm seeking a bit of info.

The GAD40 appears to be a mahogany that comes in a cutaway, as does the GAD140. Fret markers appear a bit different on the GAD40. Are there any other differences between the two? Anyone?

West

 

[twocorgis]

Those who have known me for years here would probably guess that I know nothing about the GAD line, so I'm seeking a bit of info.

The GAD40 appears to be a mahogany that comes in a cutaway, as does the GAD140. Fret markers appear a bit different on the GAD40. Are there any other differences between the two? Anyone?

West

Jim, if the differences were consistent between the original GAD models and the later "100 series" models, then the later ones would be missing the bone nut and saddle of the originals (replaced with "nubone"), and would also lack the Grover Sta-Tite tuners that were on the first run of GADs. In exchange, you get a better case on the later models. That's about it, I think.

 

[chazmo]

Pickguards on the original GADs had a unique shape too, I think, Sandy. The newer ones look more traditional.

 

[killdeer43]

lack the Grover Sta-Tite tuners that were on the first run of GADs. In exchange, you get a better case on the later models.

Those two things puzzled me. Better case, but cheaper tuners. Tradeoffs? Go figure.

Joe

 

[merlin6666]

Good case gone for the Westerly line, replaced with cloth bag I think.

 

[killdeer43]

Good case gone for the Westerly line, replaced with cloth bag I think.

That'll never do. Can't even imagine that happening, but then..... :uncomfortableness:

Joe

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. So with the exception of some small changes, they are indeed the same guitar?

So, let me make sure I understand.

1) The GAD40 would have been the older production model going back to the beginning of the GAD line I'd assume?
2) The GAD40 came with a hardshell case?
3) And the GAD40 also came with bone pins/saddle/nut?

The GAD140 is the newer version and lost the details mentioned above, but is essentially the same guitar?

West

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info. So with the exception of some small changes, they are indeed the same guitar?

West

Pretty much, Jim. Charlie is correct about the pick guard as well.

 

[West R Lee]

OK, thank you again Sandy. And the GAD140......it no longer comes with a hardshell case? The GAD140 comes with a gig bag?

West

Pretty much, Jim. Charlie is correct about the pick guard as well.

 

[Rayk]

Not starting an argument but this guy says there d140 comes with hard case at the 2:20 mark maybe they added that themselves or the case part changed at some point after . still good deal at 623.00 if i heard them right ?
I only went looking to learn up every time you folks mention something new I'm off LOL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKF8i-glUEE

 

[jeffcoop]

The GAD-40 had a gloss-finished neck; the neck on the GAD series D140 has a satin finish.

As for the cases, the GAD series D140 had the nice case. Its replacement, the (and I hate that I'm using these words) Westerly Collection D140 has the foam case. The WC D140 also goes back to a gloss finish not he neck, I believe.

 

[billymo]

The specs appear to be so similar that there shouldn't be much difference. I haven't compared the 2, but I have compared the rosewood counterparts, the GAD50 with the newer GAD150, both Sitka top rosewood bodies and I think there is a notable difference in the tone quality, the older GAD50 being not only better, but great, and the newer GAD150 as being just sounding like a common inexpensive guitar. Reviews also, will generally be very positive for the older GAD50, it sounds like an expensive guitar, very similar to Guild's expensive D55.

 

[Neal]

The older GAD40's also had a nice-looking wood binding.

The cases on the older GAD's was a tweed case that evidently did not hold up to much abuse. The cases on the newer GAD's was black tolex with a Guild badge near the handle, looking much like the cases that a lot of the New Hartford Guilds came in (my F-30 and F-50 Standards, for instance).

I subjected a GAD M120 to the rigors of weekly air travel for over a year, and the case was very well-built. I ended up selling the M-120, but kept the case for my '71 F-20, which had definitely seen enough abuse already.

Neal

 

[West R Lee]

Well you folks are certainly making me feel much better. You see, I've just bought a GAD40 for an old friend as a gift, not knowing anything about the GAD series. It seems I've lucked out having found one with a few scratches for half the $630 price.....and it's got the preamp.

West

 

[West R Lee]

Neal, this one has the Tolex case which looks much like what I used to call the old "deluxe case" with the reinforced top. But the guitar also appears to have the wood binding.

West

The older GAD40's also had a nice-looking wood binding.

The cases on the older GAD's was a tweed case that evidently did not hold up to much abuse. The cases on the newer GAD's was black tolex with a Guild badge near the handle, looking much like the cases that a lot of the New Hartford Guilds came in (my F-30 and F-50 Standards, for instance).

I subjected a GAD M120 to the rigors of weekly air travel for over a year, and the case was very well-built. I ended up selling the M-120, but kept the case for my '71 F-20, which had definitely seen enough abuse already.

Neal

 

[Neal]

Interesting. Might it have been a NOS with one of the newer GAD cases, perhaps?

Not sure if the case style changed at exactly the same time the GAD line was redesigned, either.

For what it's worth, I owned a D-140 for a while (which, incidentally, started my Guild-buying frenzy in 2012). It was a very nice, very playable guitar. I kept its case too when it was sold, so that my venerable D-35 would have a decent case.

Neal

 

[fronobulax]

I remember things that did not happen.

I thought there were three distinct iterations of the MIC Guilds. The first was called Guild Acoustic Design and used model numbers that were hard to distinguish from MIA model numbers. The second eliminated the reference to GAD and used model numbers where the first digit was a 1. The third iteration retains the 1 in the model number but now calls them the Westerly Collection.

The only reason this matters is I am pretty sure that the GAD and the 1-series both had hard cases but the Westerly Collection comes with a padded gig bag. So just knowing "D-140" won't tell you whether it had a case when new or not.

 

[adorshki]

Well you folks are certainly making me feel much better. You see, I've just bought a GAD40 for an old friend as a gift, not knowing anything about the GAD series. It seems I've lucked out having found one with a few scratches for half the $630 price.....and it's got the preamp.
West

Late to the party but bottom line is yeah, you did real good.
AS oddball as it sounds, the vintage GAD's were the best.
Can you believe that actually got said here?

 

[Big-Al]

FWIW: My Arcos D-03 came with what looks to be the same case as the one offered with the Westerly Collection guitars. It appears to be a privately branded version of the Road Runner polyfoam case. It is made from rigid EPS foam covered with black ballistic nylon. The inside is well padded and it's light. While I'd prefer a nice hard shell case, the polyfoam case isn't too shabby. It's not a deal killer.

The case on my GAD-50, on the other hand, seems to be made out of cloth-covered heaviness. (I think they may have hidden a couple of patio blocks in the lining somewhere.) I had to replace one of the flimsy latches when it broke too. The lighter, almost burlap, covering actually looks very high class but it might be prone to stains and wear. Otherwise, the case is very solid and looks classy. The guitar itself, an an earlier one, is a fantastic guitar regardless of price or country of origin. The GAD40 should be similar in that regard.

 

[West R Lee]

Can you believe I bought one? : )

West

Late to the party but bottom line is yeah, you did real good.
AS oddball as it sounds, the vintage GAD's were the best.
Can you believe that actually got said here?