Mahogany D25 question

[amnicon]

Hi All- Were all the mahogany topped d25s left with a natural/unfinished top? All cherry finishes spruce?

I'd like to start shopping for a mahogany topped one, but don't know exactly what to look for in on-line listings.

Thanks!

 

[GardMan]

I don't know all the finishes that were available in the flat-backed, all mahogany D-25s made from 68~72, but I know some were labeled "BR" for "brown." Don't know if any were labeled "NT" for "natural top," or if the cherry finish was available...

The spruce-topped arched back versions made from ~74 on were originally available in "M" for "mahogany-stained" and "CH" for cherry stained (there may have been others). Later (in Westerly and Corona), there were natural spruce tops, bursts, and a number of other colors...

There were a limited number of all mahogany arched back D-25s made, most in 1973... some of these were also labeled with "M," causing some confusion with the stained, spruce topped version from '74 and later.

The best way to look for a mahogany-topped version is to:
(1) look at the date (determined by the SN). IF its 72 or earlier, all odds are flat-backed all mahogany. If its 74 or later, likely arched back with a spruce top. A date in 73 could be any of the three.

(2) look at good pics of the top... mahogany has a very prominent grain that shows thru the stain. The stained spruce tops show little grain thru the tint.

Good hunting!

 

[gjmalcyon]

According to Hans' book, mahogany-topped D-25's appeared in '68 (along with the spruce-topped D-35). In '76 the D-25 went to spruce top and arched mahogany back.

I think any D-25 you find with a serial number starting with OG would be an early all-mahogany example from the first couple of years of production ('68 or '69). Guild's serial number records

 

[GardMan]

According to Hans' book, mahogany-topped D-25's appeared in '68 (along with the spruce-topped D-35). In '76 the D-25 went to spruce top and arched mahogany back.

Hans has mentioned in posts here on LTG that, when he wrote The Guild Guitar Book, he had seen few examples, and went by the dates given him by former workers. Later he discovered that the transition from all mahogany-flat backed D-25s to spruce topped arched back D-25s occurred earlier, in '73-'74... with the mahogany-topped arched back D-25s made (mostly) during this transitional period.

 

[gjmalcyon]

Hans has mentioned in posts here on LTG that, when he wrote The Guild Guitar Book, he had seen few examples, and went by the dates given him by former workers. Later he discovered that the transition from all mahogany-flat backed D-25s to spruce topped arched back D-25s occurred in '73-'74... with the transitional mahogany-topped arched back D-25s made (mostly) during this transitional period.

Thanks for correcting that.

 

[GardMan]

Of course, another option might be one of the new, all mahogany D-20s made by Guild in Oxnard, CA... their design basically follows that of the flat-backed all mahogany D-25s made from 1968-1972. I've heard some pretty good reports... tho' they might be as hard to find as an original all-mahogany D-25.

Here are a couple all mahogany D-25s from '71-73...

https://reverb.com/item/2614949-guild-d-25-acoustic-1973-natural (arched back)

https://reverb.com/item/2199958-guild-d25-acoustic-guitar-vintage-1973-w-hard-case (flat back)

https://reverb.com/item/2156760-guild-d-25-1972 (flat back)

https://www.gbase.com/gear?maxYear=...Acoustic&make=Guild&sort=-posted&model=D25 BR (flat back)

 

[adorshki]

Hi All- Were all the mahogany topped d25s left with a natural/unfinished top? All cherry finishes spruce?

I'd like to start shopping for a mahogany topped one, but don't know exactly what to look for in on-line listings.

Thanks!

Welcome aboard!
If it's a flatback you can be 99.99% assured it's got a 'hog top, barring a very rare potential "build goof" which Gardman recently gave an example of.
Because as GMJ mentioned the spruce top flat back versions were D35's (which never got arched backs).
The potential for confusion only exists with arched back versions as Dave explained, for all practical purposes.
And I don't have Hans' book here where I post from but I do think that his mention of Cherry finish becoming available does coincide with the transition to spruce tops by '74.
There were a few 'hog top/archback stragglers after that but I can't recall seeing Cherry on a 'hog top, chances are pretty good if it's a Cherry top it's spruce
But with Guild surprises are the rule. :biggrin-new:.

 

[mavuser]

Corona also made some flat-back mahogany top D-25s, in several colors/finishes including cherry.

I have a 1972 from Westerly, very sweet sounding guitar.

 

[adorshki]

Corona also made some flat-back mahogany top D-25s, in several colors/finishes including cherry.

Right, they revived the original formula and it's the only way they made 'em, and only for 2 years, for our OP's info.
I don't think they did an actual Cherry though, but they did do a Transparent Red, which is close enough for me, and Cherry's one of my favorites.
Good catch!

 

[adorshki]

Hi All- Were all the mahogany topped d25s left with a natural/unfinished top?
Thanks!

Coming back to this I'm sure you meant "unstained" as opposed to unfinished, right?
Just in case you saw a guitar that did not actually have a gloss NC lacquer finish?
That would mean somebody removed the finish.
Technically they were all gloss finished regardless of color.

 

[Westerly Wood]

all i know is my 1971 D25, which is a flatback like the ones started in 1968, is all hog and has an orangeish brown top stain. the grains of the hob are sweet.

 

[Neal]

Every flat-back, all-hog D-25 from 68-72 I have seen was a BR, my '71 included.

It is identical in shape, size and trim as my sitka-topped '73 D-35.

 

[Jim]

I have a 1968 all hog flatback with a label that reads "D-25 Cherry", just to add more mystery to the venerable D-25.

Jim

 

[amnicon]

Thanks, everyone. That was fantastic information. I think I'm going to have to write myself up a chart to track all of that.

Yes, adorshki I did mean unstained. That would be trouble if it was unfinished.

I had been looking at the new D-20, but I can't convince my bank account that it's a good idea. Alas, another used guitar.

 

[amnicon]

Gardman, thanks for the links. That helps to have a starting point. A couple of those look great.

 

[adorshki]

I have a 1968 all hog flatback with a label that reads "D-25 Cherry", just to add more mystery to the venerable D-25.
Jim

Thanks! Nuthin' like owner input, gonna try to remember that!

 

[justforfun]

My 71 all hog flatback just says D25.

 

[jeffcoop]

Right, they revived the original formula and it's the only way they made 'em, and only for 2 years, for our OP's info.
I don't think they did an actual Cherry though, but they did do a Transparent Red, which is close enough for me, and Cherry's one of my favorites.
Good catch!

Right. Elderly has one. It looks to be in good shape (it's not particularly inexpensive, though).

 

[gjmalcyon]

Right. Elderly has one. It looks to be in good shape (it's not particularly inexpensive, though).

That's a pretty shade of red - love the contrast with the white binding.

 

[Rayk]

Was there any natural finished hogs ?