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?)