Flatback vs archback D25 ?

[bruno]

I was searching for a D25 locally and finally found a guy who have both ! A 72 Cherry D25 and an archback D25 from 79.

I know it's been discussed here already, but how would you describe the tonal differences ? Which one do you prefer ?

FYI, I play mostly fingerstyle and don't care much about volume or projection.

Thx !

 

[Heath]

Honestly, my advice would be if he is local and has both, your best bet would be to go and try both. You might know pretty quick which you prefer. They are going to both sound unique

 

[bruno]

Obviously I'll try both (but as of now he's not sure yet if he'll sell the archback) but he's not living that close, and I won't get to try it/them very soon. We're keeping touch and hope I'll find what I'm looking for in the next weeks

 

[Heath]

Sight unseen I would go for the flat back. Less common if you decide to go for an arch back later.

 

[Br1ck]

Very different guitars. 72 is smack in the middle of my favorite era. Someone who knows chime in. Are all flatbacks all mahogany? If it is, it's one more reason I'd like it since it would be different from my D 35. But there are many here that go for the archback D 25, and that would be what I'd get if I were giging with a band.

 

[Neal]

I had a '71. Sold it but wished I hadn't. Nothing fancy. All tone and no flash.

There is something special in general about all-mahogany guitars. They are warm, warm, warm. Like a warm chocolate donut would sound if it sounded like a guitar.

 

[DeArmond Hammer]

The archback version has a reputation for being a tone cannon, but it might reverberate more than you want for fingerstyle. I love my archback D25, but I prefer my smaller flatback F30 for fingerstyle.

 

[mavuser]

i prefer the flat backs and own a 72, the 72s may have low saddles, but don't let that stop u, if all else is good.

with that said 79 is a fantastic year for any Guild, absolutley. 72 would be more hit-or-miss in my own personal experience. but i'm very happy with mine. I had (2) 1970 flat backs, sold them both and kept the 72

 

[chazmo]

I have to say that if I were going for a D-25, it'd be the arch-back, spruce top. I had a friend in college that had one, and it was just a marvelous machine for him to play against my (Ibanez) 12-string at the time. We used to trade instruments once in a while and the Guild was crisp and clear against my rhythm chords. Plus it was red and just looked killer.

Bruno, I"m not sure you're aware, but new D-20 models from Oxnard are all-solid, flat-back, mahogany bodies... They are similar to the old D-25s, so you might want to look for one of those too...

 

[plaidseason]

As others have said, these are two very different guitars. And I like both guitars for different reasons. An all hog dread is especially warm and nicely balanced. An arched back D25 is it's own kind of balanced, albeit with more projection and sustain. What surprises me about the D25 (and this is mostly based on a DCE1 I owned) is how great they are for recording. Not a ton of overtones to complicate things, and balanced from top to bottom with natural sustain.

As was also mentioned, the early all-hog D25s are certainly more "collectable."

 

[bruno]

I already own an arched back JF30, I know back and side are maple, but does it still share some similarities with the arched back D25? Or total different beast?

 

[plaidseason]

I already own an arched back JF30, I know back and side are maple, but does it still share some similarities with the arched back D25? Or total different beast?

Now you're complicating things!

This is just my opinion, but if I already owned a JF30, I'd be leaning hard toward the all mahogany, flat back D25. My thing with guitars is like them to have a distinct sound and purpose - for different "brush strokes" as my friend Eric likes to say. And I suspect those two guitars would be more distinct.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

The '72 is a flatback? I think I'd get that one. The earlier Westerlys appeal to me, and I love the authoritative flatback sound. But as everyone above had said, playing's believing.

 

[Br1ck]

This is where you wish you had a room full of Guilds you could play. I can't remember seeing two in the same store, and in a metro area of thousands, I don't know of one Guild dealer. Well, there is one place that has two import models.

 

[beecee]

I have a 71 flat back and a D-26...slightly flashier D-25 w/gold tuners, cream binding and very light stain on the mahogany.

Played both last night....if I had a fire and had to run in and grab one...I'd probably get toasted trying to decide.

But yeah, get the flat back now if you like it...lots more arch backs out there!

 

[valleyguy]

The arch-back has sustain that lasts for days, but it also has overtones, more like a rosewood guitar. I find the downside to it is if you strum hard, it starts to break up and sound muddy, but for finger style, probably not an issue.

Yes, the flat backs are harder to come by.

 

[bruno]

The guy is asking 1200$ for the 1972 cherry flat back D-25 with case, it's a local buy so no shipping fees. It's in very good condition, no cracks, good neck angle, etc. I have the impression it's still pretty high. Any thoughts on this?

 

[wileypickett]

Maybe a tad high, but if it's really in great shape, and needs no work, it's not outrageously high, IMO.

These can be great guitars, and while the flatbacks are out there, they're not common.

If after playing it, it seems worth $1200.00 to you, and you've got $1200.00 to spare, you'll probably have your answer.

While no one likes to feel they're overpaying for something, there are guitars that I turned down because the seller was asking 50 or 100 bucks more than I wanted to pay at the time. A year later, and not having come across the same models again, or not in as good condition, I wish I'd swallowed my pride and ponied up when I'd had the chance.

Two years later the price I'd turned down was the basic asking price for those same models in so-so condition.

But that's just me -- I can rationalize anything.

 

[chazmo]

Hey, since availability is pretty low up in Quebec, you should go for it. Maybe ask for a 10-day return policy just in case you get buyer's remorse, but I doubt you will.

 

[bluesypicky]

Played both, owned a flattie, and I agree with those who said they are 2 very different guitars.
Did this help?
Now for my penny: If you're a strummer, you like projection, volume and sustain, go with the arch.
If you're mostly picking into old folk / blues stuff, you'll love the flat one, a bit reminiscent of the primal acoustic blues sound coming out of (then) cheap guitars such as the little LG Gibson that was sold in a carton box....