Got a Tacoma D-50 BS...I'm in heaven

[bluepen]

Hi all-
I'm the guy that got the DV-52 recently that got damaged during shipping (picture to left). It took 1.5 months to sort things out with FedEx, and they finally ponied up for damages. During that time I had an opportunity to compare it with a new D-50 and found out that the D-50 Bluegrass Special is what I really wanted. It was just out of my price range...

My favorite shop (Spruce Tree in Madison, WI) had one last new D-50. They offered a very generous trade-in for the DV-52. That, and the damage money, made the D-50 finally affordable...so I pulled the trigger!

I just flat-out LOVE it. Man oh man, it's a cannon. The adirondack top projects sound like crazy and really brings out the trebles.

Sorry to drop out of "The few, the proud, the DV-52" club, guys. I really thought long and hard about keeping it, and if I had the luxury to do so, I would have.

There aren't too many new D-50s still out there...I'm freakin' stoked to have nabbed one. I really think that this is THE guitar for ME, for a long, long time. Wooooooooo-hoooooooooooooo!

Now I just need to "up" my fingerpickin' skills to fully exploit its magic.

 

[Default]

It's a great thing to find "your" guitar.

 

[taabru45]

Congrats...I guess that means a new avatar coming up 8) :lol: Steffan

 

[chazmo]

Bluepen, glad to hear you've got closure on your Guild... I commend your choice; my experience with Tacoma-built D-50s is that they are truly exceptional.

Enjoy!

 

[CurtO]

All this talk about D50's is making me yearn for the good ol days before I sent it to Nashville for minor binding issues. I'm still holding out hope that it was the right decision. I can't tell you how much I miss that guitar. It's been 6 weeks since they recieved it, and from what I hear I've still got over 4 months to wait....

 

[6L6]

Congrats on your Tacoma D-50BS. FANTASTIC instruments!!!!

6

 

[valleyguy]

I bought one in January. I'm STILL loving it. Great guitar, still haven't picked up any of my others.

 

[bluepen]

Thanks all, I'm really psyched.

How much improvement in tone can I expect by changing out the stock Guild strings. I know everyone has their favs, and I tend to try many and like different strings on each different git. Just never had a new Guild before and have no idea how those strings compare...

 

[markus]

I changed the original strings for (pretty cheap) Dunlop light PBs on the DV4; a great step up (from ok to woooh!). I'm looking forward to try JPs on it as I like them expecting another improvement. (to woooohoooo!?)
So the stock Guild strings seem dull or at least old to me …
Markus

 

[count savage]

bluepen, congratulations on finding 'that' guitar and the great joy it's giving you. Keep us posted how the guitar evolves. How you think it's sounding a month or two from now, what you're discovering about it, how it's working out in your live playing and how the sound is interacting with other players.

 

[Willy]

I'm very partial to DR strings on Guilds. I use 80-20 bronze on my D40 and it really brings out the sound. Maybe phosphor bronze is better on the Rosewood body?

 

[chazmo]

I'm very partial to DR strings on Guilds. I use 80-20 bronze on my D40 and it really brings out the sound. Maybe phosphor bronze is better on the Rosewood body?

Interesting point! I think each guitar is different, and really this is subjective. You should try the different string types until you find what you like. I do think phosphor-bronze sound "best" (to me, of course) on my rosewood jumbos. I have some 80/20s on my maple Taylor jumbo 12, and that sounds great. I also have 80/20s on my G-312 (rosewood dread), but I intend to try PBs next time.

Good luck in the hunt.

 

[Willy]

I think each guitar is different, and really this is subjective. You should try the different string types until you find what you like.

Agreed. The hunt is half the fun!

 

[solenoid lopez]

I think if money was no object I would choose the D50 over the D55, I prefer the simplicity of the D50. However I couldn't stump up for a D50 so got a DV6 instead, which I must say makes me feel damn swell every time I clap eyes on her. Looking at the specs, apart from the gloss finish, headstock inlay, scratchplate shape and red spruciness of struts etc there isn't a lot of difference between a DV6 and a D50, unless I've missed something which I probably have!!!!

BTW D'ad EJ17's are what I like on mine. Lot's of fight and callous buildinginess, but oh what tones.

 

[JerryR]

I changed the original strings for (pretty cheap) Dunlop light PBs on the DV4; a great step up (from ok to woooh!). I'm looking forward to try JPs on it as I like them expecting another improvement. (to woooohoooo!?)
So the stock Guild strings seem dull or at least old to me …
Markus

Hi Marcus - did you place that order following our PM exchange :?:

 

[bluepen]

I agree totally that the search for the right string is all the fun.

My question is simply how do the Guild strings compare? Are they decent? horrible?

Most Larrivee buyers (on that Forum) hate the stock Cleartones.

I'm open to everything 80/20, PB and might even try vintage 85/15s when I change out the stock strings...

 

[dreadnut]

you might want to try D'Addario P/B Mediums, they really make my dreads sing

I'm sitting here smiling just thinking how good that baby must sound, bp! You can hardly put 'er down, can you? Hate to have to go to bed at night, huh?

 

[markus]

Hi Marcus - did you place that order following our PM exchange :?:

No I didn't. They haven't even answered my email yet …
Markus

 

[CurtO]

I've tried John Pearce PB lights but I actually prefer the stock (PB lights) Guild strings slightly. Although I'd say the JP's last a bit longer. It could just be that my first bonding experience wity my D50 got me hooked on the Guild strings.