Guild d25m dating

[Geo96Rz]

Hello everyone I just got my first Guild and im looking to see when it was made and learn some more about it.
Serial: DA112946
Model: D25M


Thank y'all for your help!

 

[adorshki]

Hello everyone I just got my first Guild and im looking to see when it was made and learn some more about it.
Serial: DA112946
Model: D25M


Thank y'all for your help!

Hi "Geo96". Welcome aboard! Hope you like the joint.


Here's a link to the "official" Guild S/N list:
https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/history_of_your_guild.pdf

We've become aware of many glitches in it over the years, but your guitar's number fits right in, in a section that's pretty accurate.
Scroll down to the '79-83 section, find the D25 row under the 1983 column> The last number recorded for '83 was DA112936, just 10 below yours.

So moving down to the '84-89 section, we see the last number for '84 was DA113675. So yours is about 99% probability the 10th one recorded for '84.** It may have actually been started in very late '83. There may be a date stamp on the neckblock, usually on a beveled edge, but don't recall if they were doing that in '84. Otherwise there may be a date stamp on on of the top braces. Those were put on at least a couple of weeks before actual completion, at the construction step the guitar was at at the time.

The "M" in that era D25M stands for Mahogany colored finish, the top is actually sitka spruce. Unstained tops would be called "Natural".
SIdes and neck are 'hog, fretboard and bridge are Indian rosewood. (There's slight possibility the bridge may be Brazilian, Guild did have some stock suitable for bridges into the very early '80's IIRC. The "trademark" arched back back is a laminate with matching mahogany veneer on the inner and outer faces. The sheets are glued up and pressed in a steam press using specially tooled dies.

Don't be put off by the laminate, it's high quality construction and materials. Lamination itself is stronger by weight than solid wood. In this application it offers a virtually crack-proof back, no need for back braces, and some sonic nuances.

There's a LOT of D25 love around here, but i'll leave it that for now.

**(1984: you should cal it Orwell. Or maybe just George. Or Mac?)

 

[GardMan]

First, welcome to LTG!

Al covered pretty much everything you might want to know about your D-25. If you have a small mirror, another place to look for a date is on one of the thin top braces flanking the sound hole. If present, this date is the date the top assembly was completed. I have also seen dates stamped on a back brace in the early 80s. I wouldn't be al all surprised if the top or neck block dates are in late 1983, but (as Al pointed out) the SN indicates your D-25 was COMPLETED in early 1984.

Enjoy!

 

[Boneman]

Welcome to LTG! Beautiful D25M you have. I have a 1980 D25 but mine has open tuners 3 on a plate. I see they used closed back Grover’s on yours, I’d be curious to know which year that switch was made, any idea @adorshki, or it must show in the bible no? I’ll have to consult it now.

 

[GardMan]

I’d be curious to know which year that switch was made, any idea @adorshki, or it must show in the bible no? I’ll have to consult it now.

I'm guessing the tuners are aftermarket replacements...

 

[Geo96Rz]

Awesome, thanks for all the info!
Nice to learn more about the guitar.
It has some checking and minor cosmetic damage, but feels and sounds great with my fav strings.

 

[Boneman]

Should be original, but the Guild Guitar Book only says Grover rotomatics added later( unless that was specific to the pictured guitar and not in general)

 

[GGJaguar]

I've seen D25s from 1981-83 with Guild-labeled Schaller M6 tuners. Maybe they switched to Rotomatics sometime in 1984?

 

[hansmoust]

Should be original, but the Guild Guitar Book only says Grover rotomatics added later( unless that was specific to the pictured guitar and not in general)

Yes, the Grover RotoMatics were added on that particular guitar after it left the factory!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl