Long story short - or vice versa

[Gdjjr]

I'll try to be succinct.

I have a D240E and a DS240. I am growing fond of Guild guitars. When I first got the D240E I was disappointed, it seems the bass (low E) was too prominent and I went through several sets of strings trying to find something, anything, I liked. Sweetwater was very patient and sent me several free sets to compensate for my disillusionment.
Anyway, I have settled on Martin SP's, in PB, 11-52's and have grown very fond of how it sounds and plays. It has character the DS240 doesn't have.

Side note: I have 7 other acoustic electric guitars and the 2 Guilds have become my favorite. I use them at an open mic I do regularly and we've finally, for the most part, arrived at a setting with the mixer I like...

I began to want a different sound and honed in on a D20 (mahogany, or a D120)... I do prefer a darker tone sound, and have a Martin 00015M I really like, but have grown an affinity for the dreadnought size. I use only my thumb for playing.

But, after a bit of consternation/consideration I started looking at a D140. But I have found 0 comparisons between the D240 and the D140. (I've moved on from the all mahogany). I realize the spruce top is where it's at... I think anyway.

I like the less than 1000 dollar price.

There isn't a lot of info, or opinions, on either of the ones in question (D240E or D140)... there are you tube videos of each, but no comparison, which is what I'm asking about.

I'm wondering if anyone here has an opinion, based on experience, even a little.

There are no Guild dealers (north side of Houston area) close to me, other than Guitar Center, which I refuse to try to do business with due to bad past encounters and a corporate can't/don't think outside the box mentality from the corporate office.

I guess this post is to get a discussion started.... hopefully.

Thanks...

 

[Westerly Wood]

Do you need to play it before you buy it? If so, definitely look at local craigslist and whatever other store that would carry them. However, IMHO, if I had 1k to spend on a Guild acoustic, I would be looking at a US made Guild, on reverb, if not locally. And not new Guilds but old ones, like from Westerly RI days. Sometimes you can find a D40 on reverb for around 1k. Certainly, D25s...

 

[Gdjjr]

Do you need to play it before you buy it? If so, definitely look at local craigslist and whatever other store that would carry them. However, IMHO, if I had 1k to spend on a Guild acoustic, I would be looking at a US made Guild, on reverb, if not locally. And not new Guilds but old ones, like from Westerly RI days. Sometimes you can find a D40 on reverb for around 1k. Certainly, D25s...

I've looked on craigslist, face book and reverb... nothing caught my eye. If it's used I would definitely want to play it or a generous return policy... and 1000 bucks is more than 800 which is what a new one cost. The plain one is 50 bucks cheaper, but, the burst has grabbed my attention.

IF and when I get one, I am definitely going to do a comparison video...

 

[Guilderland21]

I have a D-140 and like it a lot. It's got quite a live, vibrant tone, not especially woody - when I want a drier sound I have to go out of my way to play close to the bridge. I think I played a D-240 in a store once and wasn't blown away, but I don't remember any particular points of comparison (and didn't try them side by side).

On the other hand, as good a value as the D-140 is, if I already had a DS-240 and a D-240, I might be tempted to try the D-20. I played one of those once too and it was much more memorable - really good-sounding guitar and a notable contrast from the spruce top. My current resolution is that I'm going to try to hold out another year before buying one . But it sounds like you've decided against an all-hog model and that's fair.

 

[wileypickett]

+1 on the D20.

I played an Oxnard built D20 today, the first Guild I've come across made in the Oxnard facility, so far as I can remember. Might be tough to find for under a grand, but an oustanding guitar IMO.

 

[Gdjjr]

I have a D-140 and like it a lot. It's got quite a live, vibrant tone, not especially woody - when I want a drier sound I have to go out of my way to play close to the bridge. I think I played a D-240 in a store once and wasn't blown away, but I don't remember any particular points of comparison (and didn't try them side by side).

On the other hand, as good a value as the D-140 is, if I already had a DS-240 and a D-240, I might be tempted to try the D-20. I played one of those once too and it was much more memorable - really good-sounding guitar and a notable contrast from the spruce top. My current resolution is that I'm going to try to hold out another year before buying one . But it sounds like you've decided against an all-hog model and that's fair.

I ordered it day before yesterday... should be here by Saturday. One thing I'm pretty sure I'll like over the 240's is the nut width...and in the Sweetwater "Gallery" it weighed a measly 4lbs, 2 oz ...

Appreciate the input!

 

[Gdjjr]

It got here, Monday... UPS let me down...but

I played it a bit when I got it unboxed just to hear it.
It's different than my other Guilds, for sure. It has a high gloss finish I'm not keen on... but, we'll see.

Last night, (late yesterday afternoon, actually) I decided to install the LR Baggs Anthem pup.
No biggie, if you have a drill. I don't... but, with some red neck ingenuity and a mickey mouse set of 1/4" drive sockets and accompanying nut driver... it only took about 3 hours to open the pilot hole they put in for the strap button. Whew! Bout wore me fore arm out. I had to sleep on completing it.

I did this morning. Then I sanded the saddle for the piezo wire, (had to take .030 off the saddle), stole the Bob Colosi pins from AMI J, and fitted new Martin SP PB's 11-52 gauge...been playing at it for an hour or so...

Not real sure how to define the sound. It has quite a good sustain... but, it also has over tones, I think.
It doesn't have a thumping bass, but it is noticeable. The trebles aren't obnoxious either. Ought to get better with some age and the amount of time I spend beating on a guitar, it should be sooner, rather than later when it does. It might need Retro label strings to kill some of the over tones... Sweetwater gave me 3 sets of strings and a cheap stand, and one set of strings I asked for was Retro's...

I have 4 songs I've written the past couple three months, including one I wrote just last week, for my son, titled Three Days After, plus one I'm trying to write, the title of which, my friend in Arkansas sent a title and said I should make a song for it... I Am An Island... I have started it...

Those are the ones I've been playing, as well as I've Never Been to Spain. I love the chord progression in it and the lyrics.

Listening to Dave Matthews cover of For What Its Worth tells me I have to learn it as well.

With several good sounding guitars to choose from... I'm stoked... and sated for a while

and have lots of songs to work on... so many songs, so little time...

 

[SFIV1967]

It got here, Monday...

With all the model numbers mentioned, what exactly have you bought at the end? A D-140? NT or AB?

Ralf

 

[GGJaguar]

I'm stoked... and sated for a while

That feeling will wear off soon enough and we'll be here to help.

 

[Stuball48]

Wouldn't mind hearing a little of your your new guitar accompanying one of the songs you are working on

 

[Gdjjr]

With all the model numbers mentioned, what exactly have you bought at the end? A D-140? NT or AB?

Ralf

D 140... sorry I wasn't clear on that.

 

[Gdjjr]

Put Retro strings on late yesterday. They are definitely different than the PB's.
The over tones did diminish but are still present. I don't know how to define the tone/sound.
It's not unlikable, just not what I was expecting, and it is harder to fret/chord than any of my other guitars, even though
the set up is near identical to my others. When I say near identical, I mean within a half or so 1000 at the measuring points.
Neck is flat as a flitter. Using a straight edge the fret board to bridge is perfect. Action is dead on 7/64 on low E. No fret discrepancies.

 

[Gdjjr]

Wouldn't mind hearing a little of your your new guitar accompanying one of the songs you are working on

Thank you. I will get around to it sooner or later. I'm not up to it just now. I am preoccupied presently.