Closed FS/FT Vintage 1964 Guild D-40 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar

[bblooz]

I am offering one of the finest acoustic guitars I have ever played, a true vintage jewel from the heyday of American guitar craftsmanship. It is in excellent all-original condition, and includes original Guild hard shell case, also in excellent condition. It has a few minor finish scratches and a small crack near the pick guard (typical for almost all Guild guitars of the '60s & '70s). This is one of the early ones made in the old Hobokken, NJ workshop, before the move to Westerly, RI. The original D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee was launched in 1963 along with D-50 Bluegrass special. These dreadnoughts were designed for balance and projection to help guitars stand out against a full bluegrass band. This 54 year old guitar intonates well, has low action, and projects like a cannon! I would put this guitar up against most 5-figure Martins and not be surprised if it sounds better. This instrument will only get better with age, as well as increase in value.

Prices for this model are on the rise, Unfortunately, fewer and fewer specimens in this excellent condition have survived.

Years of Production: 1963 - 1992, 1999 - 2004, 2006 - present
Body Style: Dreadnought
Wood Composition: Honduran Mahogany back and sides, Adirondack Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard
Design Elements: Rosewood bridge, tortoise shell pick guard, 25 1/2-inch scale length, dot inlays

$1599 or trade for '61 Reissue SG, or Standard with big, fat neck.

 

[adorshki]

Years of Production: 1963 - 1992, 1999 - 2004, 2006 - present
Body Style: Dreadnought
Wood Composition: Honduran Mahogany back and sides, Adirondack Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard
Design Elements: Rosewood bridge, tortoise shell pick guard, 25 1/2-inch scale length, dot inlays

'scuse me "B", but in previous discussions of when Guild used adirondack we never found any credible evidence, in fact any evidence at all, that it was used before 2006 in Tacoma. (where it did in fact define the "Bluegrass" models of the D40 and D50)
NO factory literature stating its use before then, no input from Hans Moust, nothing from any ex-employee stating a certainty of knowledge of its use.
In fact the strongest argument was against its probable use because in the '60's adi was in extremely short supply, having been over-harvested for aircraft manufacture during WWII.
The harvestable forests growth hadn't recovered yet.
It only started becoming available in quantity and quality suitable for guitar making in early '90's when boutique makers like Santa Cruz Guitar Company started offering it on their "made-to-order only" instruments.
Even at that it took more than ten years for Guild to feel confident in offering it.
if you've got new evidence we've never seen that'd be a real newsworthy item here.
In any case, because they dealt directly with producers, Guild's wood quality always seemed to be a cut above the "big makers" and a D40 of that vintage doesn't need any value enhancement with what I'm 99.9% certain is incorrect info.
Otherwise, best of luck with the sale!

 

[Kitarkus]

lol.... adorshki. You. Told. Him.

Bblooz....it sounds like a great guitar. Do you have some photos of the guitar? I'm sure that I wouldn't be the only one interested in seeing this beauty. I'd think some photos might also help you with your goal of selling the guitar.

Good luck!

'scuse me "B", but in previous discussions of when Guild used adirondack we never found any credible evidence, in fact any evidence at all, that it was used before 2006 in Tacoma. (where it did in fact define the "Bluegrass" models of the D40 and D50)
NO factory literature stating its use before then, no input from Hans Moust, nothing from any ex-employee stating a certainty of knowledge of its use.
In fact the strongest argument was against its probable use because in the '60's adi was in extremely short supply, having been over-harvested for aircraft manufacture during WWII.
The harvestable forests growth hadn't recovered yet.
It only started becoming available in quantity and quality suitable for guitar making in early '90's when boutique makers like Santa Cruz Guitar Company started offering it on their "made-to-order only" instruments.
Even at that it took more than ten years for Guild to feel confident in offering it.
if you've got new evidence we've never seen that'd be a real newsworthy item here.
In any case, because they dealt directly with producers, Guild's wood quality always seemed to be a cut above the "big makers" and a D40 of that vintage doesn't need any value enhancement with what I'm 99.9% certain is incorrect info.
Otherwise, best of luck with the sale!

 

[davismanLV]

Al, next time just call him a LIAR and don't be so verbose..... okay? LMFAO!!!!

 

[D30Man]

Al, next time just call him a LIAR and don't be so verbose..... okay? LMFAO!!!!

It could just be Al is employing the age old tactic of beating them down then coming in with a low ball offer... doubt it though

Bblooz - good luck with the sale and to echo Kit, pictures help

 

[Kitarkus]

It could just be Al is employing the age old tactic of beating them down then coming in with a low ball offer... doubt it though

Bblooz - good luck with the sale and to echo Kit, pictures help

Hmmm...D30Man you could be right about Al. I had assumed that Al had doubled his evening martini intake thus allowing the 'lion' to get loose.

 

[D30Man]

Hmmm...D30Man you could be right about Al. I had assumed that Al had doubled his evening martini intake thus allowing the 'lion' to get loose.

That is probably a lot closer to truth than my theory.. I love it when Al starts fact-dropping. Some folks take it from the womb to the tomb. Al takes it from the erection to resurrection. Love it. Truth is I have learned more in almost 3 years of being on this forum than ever learned in school - mostly thanks to Al.. Not saying a whole hell of a lot though as I am product of the Houston Independent School District.

 

[Kitarkus]

That is probably a lot closer to truth than my theory.. I love it when Al starts fact-dropping. Some folks take it from the womb to the tomb. Al takes it from the erection to resurrection. Love it. Truth is I have learned more in almost 3 years of being on this forum than ever learned in school - mostly thanks to Al.. Not saying a whole hell of a lot though as I am product of the Houston Independent School District.

LOL. My favorite forum by far....in no small part thanks to Al. Where else could I find people who get as excited as I do over a piece of wood....all talk of erections aside.

 

[D30Man]

LOL. My favorite forum by far....in no small part thanks to Al. Where else could I find people who get as excited as I do over a piece of wood....all talk of erections aside.

Agreed Kit. It is the only forum I participate in.. I am a member of the Eastman forum but never really chime in over there. The LTG'ers are a far more entertaining group and I go where I can get the most knowledge and sometimes a cheap laugh.

 

[adorshki]

Al, next time just call him a LIAR and don't be so verbose..... okay? LMFAO!!!!

I know you're kidding around but there IS the possibility our member sincerely believes they got adi tops back then, since the question comes up every once in a while.
I suspect he's listing it elsewhere as well as here, and the outside world may have much stronger objections to incorrect info in a listing, and there's always that possibility that he actually knows something we don't, yet.
But I think it's just some of that nice tight-grained '60's Guild sitka that occasionally is assumed to be adi.

Hmmm...D30Man you could be right about Al. I had assumed that Al had doubled his evening martini intake thus allowing the 'lion' to get loose.

Nope, always post from work, "tone" cold sober.
When I've got a couple in me I'm a pu-sycat, and frequently regret it..
Yeesh, you guys can be a bloodthirsty bunch.
Christians vs Lions at the Forum, today at 2pm!
But it's true, once in a while my patience is gone and I trigger both barrels, in succession....
And yeah, a little flaming does liven things up once in a while, especially on a slow news day....

Truth is I have learned more in almost 3 years of being on this forum than ever learned in school - mostly thanks to Al.. Not saying a whole hell of a lot though as I am product of the Houston Independent School District.

Thank you, sincerely, and you too Kitarkus.
Truth be told I learned probably 99% of what I know about guitars here, as well.
And I'm only trying to specialize in my areas of personal interest like D25's, D40's and F65ce's.
And strings and warrantys.
And whether or not that cute little Addie Rondak really does make stiffer wood.

I just regret my memory's not what it used to be 'cause just in case you've missed 'em, I still have some magnificent fails once in a while.
Only thing I regret I that there's probably some stuff in the archives that I though was accurate when I posted it but I've since learned wasn't correct.
Just be polite when you correct me or I'll letcha have both barrels.
And a reload.
:glee:

 

[davismanLV]

I know you're kidding around ....

Of course! Sometimes I forgets that not everyone has been here as long some of us and if I'm not careful they'd get the idea that Al and I are enemies or that there's friction here..... which isn't the case at all. I know what you were doing, amigo..... getting the facts lined out for the world of guitar buyers out there!

Al, I won't be able to snipe and carry on any more today because this second wave of rain from California has come off the roof and into the kitchen window and down into the wall and flooded the kitchen. Spent most of the morning on the phone and on the ladder trying to mitigate damage and diagnose the problem. Now I gotta go to the old house and let the carpet cleaners in. One day my life will calm down, but probably not for a while yet. Play nice and have fun!

p.s. - Hey Al, you sending any more rain this way??

 

[adorshki]

p.s. - Hey Al, you sending any more rain this way??

Not I, but the gods art venting their bladders on thee, I'd say.

 

[walrus]

Good luck with the sale, bblooz - as has been said, pictures will be extremely helpful to make a sale...

walrus

 

[fronobulax]

Moderation is inconsistent in FS/FT but in general I will moderate threads here that wander too much from an objective discussion of the instrument in hand. To the extent that there is a probable error in the listed specifications, perhaps due to blindly copying and pasting specs, this thread is getting a pass but perhaps we could rein things in just a bit?

Related, it seems like I have seen several posts recently that belong on Let's Talk Genitals instead of Let's Talk Guild. Innuendo and humor are judgement calls but since there are women who read this LTG, moderation will err on the side of making this LTG a non-hostile environment for everyone.

 

[Rick Schmidlin]

I am offering one of the finest acoustic guitars I have ever played, a true vintage jewel from the heyday of American guitar craftsmanship. It is in excellent all-original condition, and includes original Guild hard shell case, also in excellent condition. It has a few minor finish scratches and a small crack near the pick guard (typical for almost all Guild guitars of the '60s & '70s). This is one of the early ones made in the old Hobokken, NJ workshop, before the move to Westerly, RI. The original D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee was launched in 1963 along with D-50 Bluegrass special. These dreadnoughts were designed for balance and projection to help guitars stand out against a full bluegrass band. This 54 year old guitar intonates well, has low action, and projects like a cannon! I would put this guitar up against most 5-figure Martins and not be surprised if it sounds better. This instrument will only get better with age, as well as increase in value.

Prices for this model are on the rise, Unfortunately, fewer and fewer specimens in this excellent condition have survived.

Years of Production: 1963 - 1992, 1999 - 2004, 2006 - present
Body Style: Dreadnought
Wood Composition: Honduran Mahogany back and sides, Adirondack Spruce top, Brazilian Rosewood fingerboard
Design Elements: Rosewood bridge, tortoise shell pick guard, 25 1/2-inch scale length, dot inlays

$1599 or trade for '61 Reissue SG, or Standard with big, fat neck.

My 64 is Sitka and a 1 3/4 nut and what is your serial #??

 

[GAD]

Related, it seems like I have seen several posts recently that belong on Let's Talk Genitals instead of Let's Talk Guild.

So, um... do you have an address for this other forum? Asking for a friend...

 

[bblooz]

Ok guys, you effectively hijacked my thread. Since you appear to be much more knowledgeable regarding the wood content, I have an important question to ask:

Is the fingerboard and/or bridge indeed Brazilian Rosewood? I have an interested buyer in Europe, and I am not sure I can ship to him due to recent CITES regulations that went in to effect regarding transport of banned species, specifically Brazilian Rosewood. Also, anyone have suggestions for shipping internationally? UPS wants waay too much, I know it won't be cheap, but $766 USD seems a bit redonkulous!

 

[richardp69]

The only cost effective way to ship Internationally is the USPS. I've shipped that several times with no issues. Your question on Braz. RW board is a good one. If it is Braz RW, it could indeed be an issue with CITES.

 

[GardMan]

I would say that it is highly probable that the fret board and bridge of a '64 D-40 are BRW...

 

[Kitarkus]

I would say that it is highly probable that the fret board and bridge of a '64 D-40 are BRW...

+1.... highly probable