GAD25 vs D-55

[JohnSS]

Longtime Guild player (own a '79 Westerly F412 and often record w/mid 70's D-25) here. I recently A/B's a Chinese GAD-25 and a Tacoma D-55 at GC in NYC. I couldn't believe what a great guitar the GAD-25 was! It had an incredible dynamic range and never compressed, just got louder the harder the attack. Attenuated lows (but still heftier than a Taylor) and rich mids and highs. What a cannon! In comparison, the Tacoma D-55 demonstrated definite compression and a rounder low end, but couldn't compete with the GAD-25's sparkle and also cost close to $1K more. I would not have trusted my ears except the salesman had to agree with me when he tried them both, but was trying to tell me that the compressed D-55 sound was what he identified as the "traditional" Guild tone. Having played dozens of Guild over the past 30 years, I begged to differ.

The main reason my F412 eats all other 12-strings for lunch is its amazing dynamic range. I thought the GAD-25 nailed the "traditional" Guild sound for me. Think the Tacoma was the exception to the rule or that the GAD25 was a fluke?

 

[Scratch]

Hard to 'splain John. I've found GADs solid and especially well sustained. IMO; however, my Tacoma D-55 is in a class of its own...

 

[dreadnut]

I don't know, but I played one Tacoma D-55 at Elderly that was "deader than a doornail". The D-50 in the same rack blew it out of the water. Workmanship was impeccable on both axes, but I wouldn't have given much for that D-55.

By the same token, I played a GAD-50 recently at another music store that blew away the comparable Martin and Taylor (lower-end US made rosewood dreads with solid spruce tops) so who knows? Of course, they only had one of each.

When I helped a friend buy a guitar recently at Elderly, he ended up with a Martin D-16 rosewood/spruce. I don't think it was as nice as the Tacoma D-50, but it's real sweet, USA made, and cost him about $500 less than the D-50. They had 7 of the Martin D-16's in stock, I asked the salesman to retrieve a few more from upstairs and we found a lot nicer looking one than the one that was on the shop floor, although the sound quality was pretty consistent between them.

What happens at the Tacoma factory, I wonder, if they turn out a beautiful, flawless D-55 that sounds like dirt? Sounds to me like they've shipped at least a couple of them...

 

[Jeff]

.., but I played one Tacoma D-55 at Elderly that was "deader than a doornail". The D-50 in the same rack blew it out of the water.

What happens at the Tacoma factory, I wonder, if they turn out a beautiful, flawless D-55 that sounds like dirt? Sounds to me like they've shipped at least a couple of them...

Dred,

Your comments on the new D 55's are interesting. Local shop has sold probably close to a dozen new Tacoma Guilds. D 40 BJ's sell relatively quickly, 12 strings also, A new F 30 & F 40 sold pretty quickly, F 30 was a sweetheart sold in a week. F 50 took a while but it sold a while back.

The D 55 that came in with the initial shipment is beautiful but it's still hanging on the wall. Deader'n a doornail is a bit harsh, but seems the guitar buying public, here anyway, prefers some of the "lesser" models.

So far if I had to choose I'd a taken the 1st D40 BJ they got in & second the F 30. For Rosewood I'm keeping my GF 60.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

The D55 Tacoma built Guilds necessiate a bridge pin change from the $.02 plastic to some decent bone or ebony pins. When I changed My pins over to bone, there was a definate increase in tone as well as volume.
My GAD 50 will still overpower the D55 in sheer volume, but the D55 is a such sweet talkin' 'thang!

 

[guildzilla]

I thought the Tacoma Guilds came with bone pins? Wasn't that reported on LTG recently?

 

[J45dale]

I am not sure what pins the D55 comes with, as I bought my D55 used. It has Ebony pins, I really like the loud but mellow volume, and I'm not changeing anything.
My only experience on the D25 series , is my old Westerly Arch-back .
I went to a jam sat. nite, with both of my Guilds. They preformed like masters, each different, but both great for different styles of music.
Dale.

 

[6L6]

As we all know, a pair of same model guitars built from the same tree can sound totally different from each other. SO... ALWAYS play before you buy if at all possible!

When I was searching to buy a new Martin D-45V back in '98, I played over a DOZEN different ones before I found one that met the needs of my ear.

There is one builder who simply cuts up guitars that don't sound incredible. His name is Bill Collings and I think he builds the best guitars in the world regardless of price. But, you have to pay dearly for them (and worth every penny).

My Tacoma-built '06 Guild D-55 is just a super winner of a guitar. Sounds terrific both plugged and unplugged. Heck, all of my Guild's are incredible guitars and represent an incredible value.

And, I've played some GAD's that I thought sounded great too!

We're lucky to have all these choices. We're definitely living in the best Golden Era of guitar building ever.

6

'06 D-55
'07 D-40BJ
'74 D-40
'07 F-412
'98 Martin D-45V
'98 Collings D-1
'03 Taylor 214

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

I thought the Tacoma Guilds came with bone pins? Wasn't that reported on LTG recently?

It's possible that Guild has started installing bone pins now, but My '06 model had plastic pins. The nut and saddle were bone, which makes life easy! :wink:

 

[ajgorman]

My 2005 Tacoma D-55 came with plastic bridge pins. It sounds amazingly wonderful as is and I have not been tempted to alter it. Is is very rich, powerful, and full and I can't imagine it could be improved. However, as we are all want to do with experimentation, maybe I will try a set of bone!

On the Guild website it does not make any mention of bone pins under "Unique Features" for the D-55, but it is curious though, as all of the new D-40's and D-50's do come with bone nut, saddle, and pins and are so referenced. These babies sound great, too. Perhaps Guild was satisfied with the nuances of each instrument as is. I can't imagine that Guild's cost per D-55 (list $2,700) would be that significant that they would not have included bone pins if they made an appreciable difference. But, who knows. In any event, bone or no bone I am thoroughly pleased with mine as is and I would make the same purchase today.

Happy picking!