Finally Struck Rosewood D55 Dating?

PreacherBob

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So it took a whole of Guilds before finally swinging toward adding a rosewood. Does this make me a Guild swinger, of sorts🤔? I picked this one, or maybe it picked me who knows. I was able to purchase it from a member in my FB group, got it last night. He quit playing it years ago and just plays parlor guitars around the house. He remembers maybe he got it in the 90’s. It’s very clean. Really kind of looks newer, no scratches or dings except top rear corner of the headstock looks like a lacquer chip. Just the owners manual, no other paperwork. But the binding is yellowed and the top appears dark to me. Also I thought D55s had an abalone rosette. There’s a “55” stamped on the neck block, but can’t really see a D. Anyways sounds great just like the 2003 Washburn USA Custom Shop dread I still. Neck profile seems quite thin compared to my other Guilds. Any idea of a year?



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bobouz

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PB, that's a real beauty! I own a Guild from the same year, a '94 JF-30, as well as a '92 D6-nt-hg, and a '97 Starfire III. Must say, I've been very impressed by the wood selection & overall build quality of Guilds from the '90s.

Well done - Congrats & Enjoy!
 

GGJaguar

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Wow, super clean iconic guitbox! Congrats!
 

PreacherBob

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I don't know if the D-55 model ever got a snakehead, 7Gs.
Hey Chazmo, i had also inquired in the thread about the D55 abalone rosette. I searched different year D55 images, and it looks like they added it to the D55 somewhere in the mid 90’s, some point after 1994. Do you know what year? And Hans told me where to look for the date. Looks like maybe Nov 5?, 1993, though probably completed with a serial number in 1994 maybe near the beginning.

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West R Lee

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Bob, abalone rosettes began in '95 if I'm not mistaken, which coincides with the Fender purchase. She's a beauty. Congratulations.

West
 
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davismanLV

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Yes, as has been mentioned, the D55 never had (and I hope never will) have the snakehead type headstock. @PreacherBob 1994 was the last year of the non-abalone rosettes. Those started some time in 1995 I believe, the year Fender bought Guild Guitar Company. Congrats, on an amazing guitar. I have two 1994 Guilds!! (y)
 

Boneman

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Awesome, that is the granddaddy of dreads/acoustics imo. HNGD!
 

PreacherBob

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Thanks guys, the last three months I’ve really put an effort into acquiring the best examples I could find of a well rounded collection. I had absolutley no idea there were so many models and variations of Guild acoustics going into this thing. Wish I could have one of all of them. I may narrow this group of 15 down at some point to the 10 total that I originally aimed for. I wanted to cap it off with three flagship models, which I have. Along with the D55, I purchased a 1987 JF65 blonde that is mint, and a 1987 JF65-12 popsicle burst that seems to be collectors grade as well. I will try to get them all together and do a Guild family portrait very soon.
 
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