Guild D40 Richie Havens - Tacoma...any fans...

[tacoma001]

Hi, first post, although I have spent a lot time enjoying the many posts, and comments. I have already determined that this the best forum on the internet...great bunch of Guild enthusiasts!!
I currently have a D55, and D40 BJ that are Tacoma built, and a JF30-12 Westerly ...these are fantastic guitars, and more than I am worthy of owning. I have been considering a new or used Tacoma built D40 Richie Havens somewhere down the road. I have been unable to find any in my area in N E Ohio. I would like to know what one sounds like compared to say... the D40 BJ, a Westerly model, or any other guitar for that matter... If anyone here owns, or has played this model, I would really appreciate your thoughts, and insight. I know it has a Sitka top compared to the D40 BJ, but from there I don't know much about it. I would also expect it to sound good...it is a Guild, and I am very impressed with what I have experienced coming out of Tacoma. Thanks in advance for your comments...Jim

 

[Scratch]

Jim, For what it's worth, I have a D40 RH (Tacoma); next to the D55, probably my favorite 6-string. I've never played a D40 BJ, but there are many BJ enthusiasts here. All I can say is, Iit was one of my luckiest days ever finding it almost new on ebay for under 800 clams.

 

[tacoma001]

Thanks Scratch, your endorsement means much. I go through spells where the D55 is my favorite, then the D40BJ, then the 12er. I am so glad to have all of them. I have been watching Ebay for a little while, and have bought some guitars there before, but it is a bit of a gamble...
What strings do you like on the D55? I have only had Elixer Nano 12-53 on so far, but I'm thinking there may be a better choice out there. They still sound great.. (I did buy it based on the sound with the Elixer's on it)...Jim

 

[Graham]

Welcome to LTG Jim.

Quite a few posts about strings here, but I believe the majority are using lights on most of their Guilds. I'm always trying different ones but I'm very much pleased with John Pearse at the moment. I have a few types now, 80/20 and the PB Bluegrass. I don't have them on yet I have 610ML on now and I love the sound on the DV-52 anyway.

 

[Scratch]

D55 has been in the doctor's office for many moons; I bought it from the factory with a deep scratch (fortunately not a crack) and I'm not rushing the luthier as it takes a while for the nitro-c to set, then build; then set; then build; then finally work down to surface level. Anyway, it has the factory strings, and fortunately they're honoring the warranty too (long story on how I got it). Ross says it should be back in my arms by midweek nextweek...

West and Graham have me sold on trying JPs as the next (replacemenmt) set. Definitely going lights although I now have a set of D'Addario mediums on Lucky at this time. Sounds great... Recommend the 610MLs Graham?

 

[Graham]

Recommend the 610MLs Graham?

I like them a lot, but Don suggested I try the Bluegrass strings so when I'm done with this set that's what I'm putting on.

 

[dklsplace]

Recommend the 610MLs Graham?

I like them a lot, but Don suggested I try the Bluegrass strings so when I'm done with this set that's what I'm putting on.

Ahhh, shoulda put the BG's on first. The 610's will last a lot longer. 8)

 

[Scratch]

Recommend the 610MLs Graham?

I like them a lot, but Don suggested I try the Bluegrass strings so when I'm done with this set that's what I'm putting on.

Ahhh, shoulda put the BG's on first. The 610's will last a lot longer. 8)

BG's for the RH model too, Don? Not sure what the difference is between the two?

 

[Scratch]

Tacoma, seems we have similar taste in Guilds. How do you like the JF-30-12? I love the Maple ring, and the D4-12 is such a different, more mellow projection... Just found an F512 (rosewood) to round out the 12er collection. Can't wait to play it...

 

[dklsplace]

BG's for the RH model too, Don? Not sure what the difference is between the two?

The Bluegrass are a mixed set, medium E, A, & D strings, with light G, B, & E high strings. Very nice! I wouldn't expect any issues using them on a D40.

 

[Graham]

Tacoma, seems we have similar taste in Guilds. How do you like the JF-30-12? I love the Maple ring, and the D4-12 is such a different, more mellow projection... Just found an F512 (rosewood) to round out the 12er collection. Can't wait to play it...

I just sent payment for my first Guild 12, an F-512 as well.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Scratch]

Tacoma, seems we have similar taste in Guilds. How do you like the JF-30-12? I love the Maple ring, and the D4-12 is such a different, more mellow projection... Just found an F512 (rosewood) to round out the 12er collection. Can't wait to play it...

I just sent payment for my first Guild 12, an F-512 as well.

:mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Oh be still my heart!!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Metalman]

I have been considering a new or used Tacoma built D40 Richie Havens somewhere down the road. I have been unable to find any in my area in N E Ohio. I would like to know what one sounds like compared to say... the D40 BJ, a Westerly model, or any other guitar for that matter... If anyone here owns, or has played this model, I would really appreciate your thoughts, and insight. I know it has a Sitka top compared to the D40 BJ, but from there I don't know much about it. I would also expect it to sound good...it is a Guild, and I am very impressed with what I have experienced coming out of Tacoma. Thanks in advance for your comments...Jim[/quote]

Jim,
Hi, and welcome to the forum! This is the absolute best place to be to gather any information about all things Guild.
As far as the D-40 goes, I am blessed to be just a 10 minute drive away from one of the best acoustic guitar stores in the nation: Mandolin Brothers. In the Guild room, they had hanging there, two Tacoma D-40s, a Tacoma Richie Havens D-40, and for some time now, a Corona-built D-40CE.
Well, I picked up each to compare them side by side, and first of all, the Corona model did not compare to the other two: less volume, less tone overall. The two "standard" D-40s were absolutely amazing; warm, loud, full of tone. The Richie Havens Model was much brighter in tone, quite a difference. I didn't care for it.
The standard model was more expensive than the Richie Havens, and the Corona-built D-40 was much lower in price in comparison to the other two.
There you have it. First hand comparison.
Metalman

 

[tacoma001]

Wow...thanks for all the responses...I'm overwhelmed. I think I will try the JP bluegrass PB's at the next string change. I would expect quite a difference in these compared to the Elixers. Congrats to all who are getting the F512's...never got to try one of these. I am willing to bet I could fall in love with though... My JF30 12 is a 1990 model I believe, and is every thing you would expect from a maple Guild. It does need some help in intonation department though. If not for this, I don't think I could find fault in this beauty.Fortunately that can be addressed. Those jumbo 12's really sound great! Again.. I thank all for their comments....Jim

 

[Brent Nelson]

Timely post, as I spent an hour or so just Thursday at a local shop playing the D-40BJ and the RH models side-by-side. My impressions were just the reverse of Metalman's experience. Both were GREAT guitars -- my favorites of the day when comparing to others of similar wood combinations, not to mention the tremendous value. My take: I found the BJ to be brigther, crisper, and louder while the Richie Havens smoother and warmer with a bit more "velvety" (is that a word??) quality if that makes sense. Although BOTH were just great, I tended to lean towards the RH model in terms of what I like to hear. However, I bet with a lot of playing-in over time, the adirondack-topped BJ would warm up substantially and I bet might be my preference over time.

I think the differences are in woods used for top AND bracing -- red spruce in the BJ and sitka (I believe) on the RH. Otherwise, I think specs are similar.

I'm impressed with these Tacoma made Guilds! I'm going to get me one!!! (see classifieds!! I'm looking for a D-40 myself! Anyone have one they want to part with?)

Cheers.
Brent

 

[Scratch]

Timely post, as I spent an hour or so just Thursday at a local shop playing the D-40BJ and the RH models side-by-side. My impressions were just the reverse of Metalman's experience. Both were GREAT guitars -- my favorites of the day when comparing to others of similar wood combinations, not to mention the tremendous value. My take: I found the BJ to be brigther, crisper, and louder while the Richie Havens smoother and warmer with a bit more "velvety" (is that a word??) quality if that makes sense. Although BOTH were just great, I tended to lean towards the RH model in terms of what I like to hear. However, I bet with a lot of playing-in over time, the adirondack-topped BJ would warm up substantially and I bet might be my preference over time.

I think the differences are in woods used for top AND bracing -- red spruce in the BJ and sitka (I believe) on the RH. Otherwise, I think specs are similar.

I'm impressed with these Tacoma made Guilds! I'm going to get me one!!! (see classifieds!! I'm looking for a D-40 myself! Anyone have one they want to part with?)

Cheers.
Brent

Brent, I own several guitars now as I'm prestocking in hopes of opening a small guitar shop here in three to five years. Hopefully I'll still be around then :wink: Through this forum, I've discovered how very special Guilds are and they are, by far, my very favorite.

I have a few axes that I would have great difficulty selling: Lucky is one... It will stay out of reach behind the counter with Pardner, Bertha, Babe, a Taylor 12er (Jimbo), and an old Yamaha (Hanna) :roll: My first guitar; a caved in Epiphone FT-160-12 (Tex) will hang from the ceiling. The others I can part with and still sleep nights... . Hope you find that D40RH and that it is everything you want it to be...