Guild D44 Purchase Advice

[Bloome72]

I have the opportunity to buy a 1973 Guild D44 with what I believe are Pearwood Back and Sides (see pics to confirm). I know they switched from Pearwood to Maple in '73 and that the M was not always added to the model number on the label (label says D44). Here are some pics. The second version of the back pic is enhanced (increased brightness and contrasts) to emphasize the splotchy grain which is why I believe it's a Pearwood back. Can you confirm?




I'm having trouble finding comparables online for this model. It seems to be in excellent condition for its age with the exception of the bridge slightly lifting off the top but this is common for vintage guitars and a relatively inexpensive repair.

Asking price is $1150.

Thoughts?

 

[Norrissey]

Welcome! The D44 (with pearwood back and sides) was produced from 1965-1973. The D44M, with maple back and sides, was produced from about 1971-1979. I'm going to let someone with more knowledge than me confirm if this guitar is pearwood or maple but one crude way to guess is to look at the wood color on the inside of the guitar - pearwood tends to be a little pink in tone, maple is a light yellowish tan. Below is a link to a couple of D44s and D44Ms that sold on Reverb. This will give you some ballpark pricing. Based on the photos and what you say $1150 seems like a good price as long as the bridge repair is straightforward. Be sure to check that the action is good and that neck is straight.

Guild D44 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[Bloome72]

Welcome! The D44 (with pearwood back and sides) was produced from 1965-1973. The D44M, with maple back and sides, was produced from about 1971-1979. I'm going to let someone with more knowledge than me confirm if this guitar is pearwood or maple but one crude way to guess is to look at the wood color on the inside of the guitar - pearwood tends to be a little pink in tone, maple is a light yellowish tan. Below is a link to a couple of D44s and D44Ms that sold on Reverb. This will give you some ballpark pricing. Based on the photos and what you say $1150 seems like a good price as long as the bridge repair is straightforward. Be sure to check that the action is good and that neck is straight.

Guild D44 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Thanks for your quick reply. Here's a pic inside the sound hole with the back wood seen from the inside:



Not sure if it has the pink tone you refer to or instead it has that light yellowish tan.

 

[Norrissey]

Not sure if it has the pink tone you refer to or instead it has that light yellowish tan.

To be honest I'm not sure. If I were to guess I would say that's pearwood. Hopefully someone with more knowledge will come along with an answer.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Maple folk guitars aren't usually stained. Pictures online of D-44Ms are blonde with flamed sides. Does anyone here know of a D-44M that's stained?

And of course, what matters is how it plays and feels. If i played it and loved it, that would settle it for this boy.

 

[Norrissey]

Maple folk guitars aren't usually stained. Pictures online of D-44Ms are blonde with flamed sides. Does anyone here know of a D-44M that's stained?

This sold listing on Reverb appears to be stained maple (and the seller specifically says it is stained maple) although it is labeled as a D44. Of course it is possible the seller is incorrect. I agree that most D44 M guitars seem to be blonde (like mine!)

Spectacular 1973 Guild D-44M Natural | Reverb

This is one amazing instrument. One-owner (!!!!) bought new as a teenager in 1973, it has been loved and well cared for ever since. For a nearly 50 year old guitar it is in supreme condition. No repairs, very little fret wear with lots of life left, no neck reset nor any need for one. The rosewoo...

reverb.com

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

This sold listing on Reverb appears to be stained maple (and the seller specifically says it is stained maple) although it is labeled as a D44. Of course it is possible the seller is incorrect. I agree that most D44 M guitars seem to be blonde (like mine!)

Spectacular 1973 Guild D-44M Natural | Reverb

This is one amazing instrument. One-owner (!!!!) bought new as a teenager in 1973, it has been loved and well cared for ever since. For a nearly 50 year old guitar it is in supreme condition. No repairs, very little fret wear with lots of life left, no neck reset nor any need for one. The rosewoo...

reverb.com

The seller also says the "curl" is violin-grade, but I don't see any figure in the wood at all. Could just be bad photography, but I call it wishful thinking:

 

[Westerly Wood]

I think 1150 is a decent price for a D44. I’d it’s in good shape and you have the funds.

 

[davismanLV]

It's pearwood. For sure. It's also a factory second, which could be a very tiny defect in finish or whatever. I personally don't think it being a factory second is relevant in a guitar this old. Some might argue and try for a lower price but if the neck angle is good and the action okay with some saddle left, I think that price is good. It's all about condition.

 

[Bloome72]

Thanks all for your inputs. A lot of great information to help me consider this purchase.

 

[Br1ck]

If you like how the guitar sounds, go for it. If you can't play it, I'd still be inclined to take a chance. Just be aware it is a bit of an odd ball. Not qualified to say bad or good, just different.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If you like how the guitar sounds, go for it. If you can't play it, I'd still be inclined to take a chance. Just be aware it is a bit of an odd ball. Not qualified to say bad or good, just different.

Though it looks at though the add has been taken down.

Bloome, did you get it? (Hope so!)

 

[Norrissey]

There's a '60s D44 on Reverb right now (EDIT perhaps a '65?) Has some cracks in the sound hole area though.

Guild D-44M | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

There's also a pricey but nice looking '66 D44 on CL near LA.

Guild D-44 1966 Natural/Pear wood - musical instruments - by owner -...

Well played vintage Guild Guitar made in the famous Hoboken plant in New Jersey. It is structurally sound the rest of the wear on this beauty is purely cosmetic. Lots of mojo on this one, with a...

inlandempire.craigslist.org

 

[donnylang]

That first ‘60s one looks like a Hoboken ‘65 to me.

^ *from the Reverb ad above. I would go for that one over the ‘73 for sure.

 

[Norrissey]

That first ‘60s one looks like a Hoboken ‘65 to me.

Ah. My mistake. Confused by the serial number guide. Not for the first time. Thanks.

 

[CLMacPherson]

That particular guitar was recently auctioned off. I was contemplating a bid of my own, but was also unsure of it's makeup. I'm curious to know what it is as well. Hell, buy it and fill us in. Lol

 

[davismanLV]

That particular guitar was recently auctioned off. I was contemplating a bid of my own, but was also unsure of it's makeup. I'm curious to know what it is as well. Hell, buy it and fill us in. Lol

I love it when history and ADS come together!! Thanks CL!!

 

[Sats]

Did anyone buy the ‘65? It sold on Reverb. I had a previous post about this, as a first-year D-44 (even with the crack) seemed VERY intriguing to me. If it’s now in the LTG fold I’d be curious as to how it turned out upon arrival. I love my ‘66…