Lefty 1970 D-40

[Dirigo]

Hi, all, my first post here. I own a lefty D-40 whose serial number indicates it was made in 1970.

On the label (I took a pic but it's not legible) is stamped "02" and "Special." The headstock does not have the typical D-40 inlaid logo, but just a decal:

Does anyone know what these anomalies might signify?

 

[GardMan]

Welcome to LTG! Hans Moust is our "resident" Guild guru, and he may pipe in with more info. I looked in Hans' Guild Guitar Book (a "must have!"), and didn't see any mention of the headtock of early D-40s. However, Beesley indicates that early D-40s (until the "early 70s") had the plain Guild headstock like yours (and like my '72 D-35), while the inlaid Chesterfield headstock appeared later ("from the early 70s;" Guitar History vol 5). I haven't a clue as to the "2" on the label. "Special" might refer to it being left handed... or perhaps some other factory upgrade?
Dave

 

[hansmoust]

Hi, all, my first post here. I own a lefty D-40 whose serial number indicates it was made in 1970. On the label is stamped "02" and "Special." The headstock does not have the typical D-40 inlaid logo, but just a decal. Does anyone know what these anomalies might signify?

Hello Dirigo,

Around that time Guild was trying to solve the problems they had with their peghead overlays.
Most of the lower to mid-line models did get the gold decal straight on the peghead, which was soon changed for a rosewood peghead veneer with the gold decal on the mid-line models.
Not too long after that the Chesterfield headstock inlay returned on the D-40, G-37 etc.

The stamped '02' on the label usually refers to a 'factory second', which would indicate a minor blemish in the finish but other than that it would be a perfect guitar. In a used guitar it's usually impossible to figure out what the blemish would have been.

The 'Special' designation would be unusual for a lefthanded guitar, but if there is no other indication on the label of it being lefthanded, then that's probably it.

Can you post a close up photo of the label?

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Dirigo]

Thanks, Hans! Great info. I always felt that the 2 indicated a second, but never saw any reason why that should be. I did buy it used in 1985. I love my baby Guild! It's the first lefty guitar I ever bought, after I started playing lefty. Gorgeous tone across the spectrum - tight, authoritative lows, warm mids, crisp, singing highs. "It makes me want to be a better man..."

I took pics of the label but they came out blurry. I'll see what I can do today.