Guild D-40

PreacherBob

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Greetings. So traditionally speaking, the D40 is on a slightly different build than the othe Guild dreads. the D40 has a slightly longer scale, meaning the same string gauge will be a little tighter to reach pitch. The strings may seem a little harder to fret if you like a medium string height, however with low action you may not notice much difference. The D20/D25 seems almost like a lighter gauge string with the shorter scale, a little more easy to play. The body depth of the D40 is slightly larger as well. Hard strumming or “digging in” the D40 will project more. So the D40 is more for power playing, most players like mediums on those, as I do as well. You can’t over drive it. The tops on the D40 are scalloped where the others are not. The D20/25/35 to me sounds like it has a better all round treble tone with the shorter scale, non scalloped top. The D35 is the same as the D20/25 spec wise. So for general playing and finger style the shorter scale I like with the better treble tone, my D40 is begging to be driven. However I do finger pick some on the D40, but the D20/25/35 is really my choice for light strumming and picking with the flesh of my fingers, tone just sticks out more. Just really depends on your style, projection or finesse. Both will provide both, just one more pronounced than the other.
After doing some more reasearch on the D20, looks like the D20 has replaced the the arched back D25. Also build wise, it’s combined the D40 and D25. The new D20 does have a longer scale at 25.6” than the D25 25.5”, in between the D40 at 25.64”. It has scalloped bracing as well as the D40. So you’d be getting the best of both worlds with the D20. Of course the only difference is the mahogany top which is a bit warmer. I would love to play the new D20, it’s probably like an understated D40 with a mahogany top, that’s about it. That may be the way to go If it sounds good to you.
 

chazmo

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If we're comparing the Oxnard D-20 with the D-40, please note that a mahogany top (D-20) vs. spruce (D-40) is a huge difference in tone. Otherwise, another big difference is that the D-20 uses a varnish whereas the D-40 is finished with satin nitrocellulose lacquer. At least I think so... Not 100% sure about that.

Also, I think both of these guitars use a mortise and tenon neck joint with the body. That is an Oxnard thing. Guilds of the past used dovetail joints.

I agree; let sound and playability be your guide! Comparing specs is only a starting point.
 

Wellington

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To add to the confusion, Oxnard currently offers the D40 and the D40 Traditional, I own the latter. The Traditional had Adirondack bracing, dovetail neck joint, gloss nitro etc. Speaking for my guitar, it's VERY responsive, I play folk finger style on it all the time, sounds amazing. It also costs several hundred more than the D40 though.

D20's are awesome, I'd love one.
 

chazmo

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To add to the confusion, Oxnard currently offers the D40 and the D40 Traditional, I own the latter. The Traditional had Adirondack bracing, dovetail neck joint, gloss nitro etc. Speaking for my guitar, it's VERY responsive, I play folk finger style on it all the time, sounds amazing. It also costs several hundred more than the D40 though.

D20's are awesome, I'd love one.
It's like throwing salt in the wound, right? I mean the confusion with the naming/numbering. Sigh. :D
 

PreacherBob

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It's like throwing salt in the wound, right? I mean the confusion with the naming/numbering. Sigh. :D
Whew! Was that crazy or what? I got up this morning and read what I wrote last night, and I’m even confused. It would’ve been best for me to have just went to bed.🤪it’s busy season here on the farm, I haven’t been on LTG past few days or so, too much going on. Tired, tired, and retired. So I’m not responsible for things I said or did last night🤣🤠😴I’ll go back to the field now….
 

chazmo

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:D :D If it's any consolation, Bob, it's a near impossibility to try to make sense of it all rather than go on a case-by-case basis. So, I admire your effort! :D
 

Roland

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Whew! Was that crazy or what? I got up this morning and read what I wrote last night, and I’m even confused. It would’ve been best for me to have just went to bed.🤪it’s busy season here on the farm, I haven’t been on LTG past few days or so, too much going on. Tired, tired, and retired. So I’m not responsible for things I said or did last night🤣🤠😴I’ll go back to the field now….
Actually you guys are helping out a lot.
 

RBpicker

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D20 and D40 are both satin varnish finished, non dovetail joint construction. D20 is all solid mahogany, D40 is Sitka over mahogany (all solid).

D40 Traditional is finished in gloss lacquer, dovetail neck joint and Adirondack bracing under the Sitka spruce top. It’s about $700 more, list price.

I own a D20 and and a D40 Traditional and I honestly don’t know which one I like better…they’re both incredible instruments. I mean truly incredible in every respect.

Roger
 

PreacherBob

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D20 and D40 are both satin varnish finished, non dovetail joint construction. D20 is all solid mahogany, D40 is Sitka over mahogany (all solid).

D40 Traditional is finished in gloss lacquer, dovetail neck joint and Adirondack bracing under the Sitka spruce top. It’s about $700 more, list price.

I own a D20 and and a D40 Traditional and I honestly don’t know which one I like better…they’re both incredible instruments. I mean truly incredible in every respect.

Roger
Oh No Roland! There is good news, and then there is bad news. Good news, we found someone who actually has both guitars, and just gave, I think, the best short but sweet answer we could’ve hoped for….Now the bad news..You’re gonna have to get one of each! 😮🤭
 

chazmo

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D20 and D40 are both satin varnish finished, non dovetail joint construction. D20 is all solid mahogany, D40 is Sitka over mahogany (all solid).

D40 Traditional is finished in gloss lacquer, dovetail neck joint and Adirondack bracing under the Sitka spruce top. It’s about $700 more, list price.

I own a D20 and and a D40 Traditional and I honestly don’t know which one I like better…they’re both incredible instruments. I mean truly incredible in every respect.

Roger
Roger are you sure about that? Look at the detailed specs on the D-40 (non-traditional) at guildguitars.com. I thought it said satin satin NCL. Anyway, it wouldn't be the first time specs didn't match description. :)
 

Wellington

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Roger are you sure about that? Look at the detailed specs on the D-40 (non-traditional) at guildguitars.com. I thought it said satin satin NCL. Anyway, it wouldn't be the first time specs didn't match description. :)
Correct, the satin finished on the U.S models are nitro satin, but I think that they were a varnish satin for the first few years of Oxnard producing them, I believe they made the change part way through.
 

RBpicker

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Oh, OK. Thanks for catching me up on the finish spec change.
Either way, Roland, PreacherBob is right about needing both. :giggle:
Roger
 

RBpicker

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Oh, but wait… there’s more. I checked the website after my last post and found this for the D40.

…….“An elegant and thin satin varnish finish gives this guitar its familiar broken-in look and feel, while allowing the tone woods to reach their optimal sonic potential. The D-40’s timeless appointments include a vintage style rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard, white ABS binding, and Guild’s peak logo inlaid on the headstock. Each D-40 comes with a hand-signed, numbered certificate of authenticity, and ships with a Guild archtop wood case with a built-in Humicase® humidification system. Finish options include satin varnish in Natural, or Antique Burst with Cabernet back, sides and neck. A discreet, USA-made LR Baggs Element VTC pickup is also available (D-40E).”

Now, it’s entirely possible they haven’t updated the website since a finish change occurred…stranger things have happened. Either way, you still need both, Roland.

rooger
 

chazmo

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Roger, I think Wellington has it right, and indeed the description (varnish) doesn't agree with the specs (lacquer). In any case, there was indeed a transition from a catalyzed varnish to nitrocellose after the line had spun off D-20s. I'm not 100% sure that's true with the D-40s, but we'll go with Wellington on this one. :)
 

Roland

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I am enjoying the discussion and I'm getting a lot of good insight from people. I really do appreciate that. At the moment I'm leaning toward the D-20 and that is based solely on how it felt and sounded Sunday. I don't tend to get the fever and jump on something quickly, so this whole thing may smolder all the way to Christmas. We will see. My birthday is coming up in a couple weeks.

One added note, I'm not getting both, but thanks for that sggestion.
 

RBpicker

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Roland, good choice, indeed. I can’t believe how much I like my D20. And, in the months I’ve had it, it has really started to develop its more mature voice. a real pleasure to play.
and, yes, good discussion.

Roger
 

PreacherBob

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Roland, good choice, indeed. I can’t believe how much I like my D20. And, in the months I’ve had it, it has really started to develop its more mature voice. a real pleasure to play.
and, yes, good discussion.

Roger
Absolutely great thread! I’m pretty much out of date on Guilds after Tacoma, most of mine are old. I knew Guild is building D20’s, and still D40s, but Ive had no info on the particulars, until now. Now I’m certainly educated On the newer guitars. I’m not kidding, I didn’t even know where they were being built until this thread. I’m a slacker for sure. All the new Guild guitars are absolutely very refined and beautiful, all finishes included.
All that said, yes I’ve already checked the stores in Columbia SC, for the D20, I’m with Wellington, I just might add me an Oxnard to the herd🤫🤗😉
 

RBpicker

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The D20 seems to be more readily available than the D40, for some reason. It‘s almost as though the factory was focused on cranking out a large number of them once things got back to speed post-Covid.

I am seeing more of the sunburst finish (that’s what mine has) than the plain mahogany top. I actually wanted the plain top, but the sunburst is really pretty in person.

Roger
 

chazmo

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Roger, I think the D-20 and M-20 were the first models to come out of there. So, it's possible they built up an inventory of them at the get-go, or perhaps it's what you said. Either way, I'd really like to see them in person. Mahogany can be extraordinarily beautiful with the right staining. Would also love to see a burst!
 
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