New member with a question

[justinmj]

Hi All,

My name is Justin Meldal-Johnsen. I'm a bassist in Los Angeles with a small collection of beloved Guild basses.

I was at California Vintage Guitar a few days ago trying out acoustics for my use in the studio and for writing. My two favorites were a Martin D-18 Golden Era, and a Guild D-40 BJ. The Martin sounded better to me, and was quite a bit bigger on the bottom and more open on top. A very lively sounding guitar, though difficult to play and not as good on quiet sounding stuff, for some reason. The Guild seemed opposite: more closed sounding, but a sweeter midrange, and more responsive to a lighter touch. Also, far easier to play - a better setup from the factory for sure. They had a D-50 Bluegrass as well, which didn't sound as good to me, not sure why.

Is the D-50 supposed to be brighter because of the rosewood sides and back? And would the D-40 be more appropriate for a slightly warmer recorded sound?

Lastly, it seems that these Tacoma Guilds sell used for really cheap (based on what I've seen on eBay and on classifieds on this board), while the Martin might hold its value better....is my impression correct?

Thanks so much for any advice you can give.

Best,
Justin

 

[Guildmark]

Hi All,

Is the D-50 supposed to be brighter because of the rosewood sides and back? And would the D-40 be more appropriate for a slightly warmer recorded sound?

My opinion, Justin, and I think the common one on this forum, is that the opposite is true - the rosewood will produce the warmer, more rounded sound and the mahogany will be brighter, and maybe even project more.

Can't answer on the resale, but many here follow the market much more closely than I , and I'm sure they'll weigh in.

Welcome aboard!
Post well. Post often.

 

[fungusyoung]

I thought I recognized your name, Justin. In addition to the many bigger things you've done, I think you played on a Peter Walker record I reviewed ages ago. Really liked it, by the way.

There's something pretty special about those new D40's. I can't imagine how great those guitars will sound in 10- 15 years because to my ears they're much stronger than any other dread (including the D50, Martins, Taylors or Gibsons) I've heard in the $1,500 price range.

The Martin will probably hold it's value better if history is any indication.... and so long as Guilds continue to be undervalued in the used market. Good luck, you can't make a bad choice with those 2 options.

 

[Jeff]

There's something pretty special about those new D40's

Just an opinion, not a very qualified opinion at that, but I agree, there seems to be something special about the new D 40's.

 

[justinmj]

Thanks so much for your replies, all. Very helpful.

I didn't know the D-50 was going to be warmer, I was told the opposite; that mahogany was actually the wood that projected less, but was warmer and softer on the top. Interesting. Going to have to get the opinion of my guy at Guild this week. Again, I thought the D-40 I played sounded a little less brittle, a little more worn-in than the D-50, and they both had new strings. Hmmm...

Hijacking my own thread here, but I just thought you may find my Guild story kind of interesting: I'm one of the last remaining Guild bass endorsers that is still being asked to hang in there because of more basses coming down the pike sometime in the next year. I can't say much about it right now, but someone will likely let the cat out of the bag pretty soon. Anyway, I was a Fender guy who fell in love with Guilds and signed up with Fender in 1998 to promote their new Starfire bass reissue; a bass which I still feel is a well done instrument with a cool tone and vibe. If you'd like to hear an example of my trans red '99 Westerly Starfire, check out Beck's "Sea Change". At least half of that album (such as "Lonesome Tears", "Paper Tiger", "End of the Day" and others is that bass through a B-15 and no DI. I think it sounds pretty good...it's getting kind of beat after 8 years of touring and countless records, but I'll never let it go. I've got another one, same year, that didn't really sound quite as cool or lively - it was a natural one with maple top. Fred Hammon and I ended up putting Dark Star pickups in there, which helped a bit.

Anyway, I'm stoked to be getting into Guild guitars now as well. I appreciate the hospitality here!

Best,
Justin

 

[marcellis]

There are different Rosewoods. I live in Vietnam. There is a Southeast Asian or "Vietnamese" Rosewood in a lot of guitars here. It looks different. It's more of a reddish hue. And it sounds different. In my subjective opinion, it's a lighter sound than IR.

In my experience & through my ears, Indian Rosewood has more presence in the highs and lows. It has less presence in the mid-range than Mahogany.

My hand-made (not Guild) Indian Rosewood/Cedar jumbo* has an almost metallic sound. My old 1972 D-25 (solid Mahogany) and my hand-made solid Mahogany archtop both have very present, tight & strong mid-range projection.

* I special-ordered it. I told the luthier I wanted a Gibson-size jumbo cutaway with a Cedar top & Indian Rosewood B&S. It's my favorite guitar at the moment. I haven't yet returned to the States to pick up the 1976 D-40 I just bought. But it's difficult to record with. The sound outside the mic somehow doesn't make it into the mic.

 

[kentukblue]

Greetings Justin....

Just to start...huge Beck fan, and love your work on his albums. Sea Change is always in rotation. I dont play bass, but ive always loved the starfire series bass guitars. Ill be seeing Chris Feinstein that plays with Ryan Adams this next month...he rocks a killer SF bass.

Anyway...after much talk here at the forum, it seems the views on the tacoma dreds are very positive with an occasional "dud" showing up every now and then. I would say that in terms of volume and tone a generalization would be to say that the mahogany guitars(D40) are woodier sounding, more emphasis on treble with a lot of projection but not as much tonal complexity as rosewood.

And in comparison the Rosewood guitars (D50,55) are more balanced with a lower bass registry.

Of course all of these things are so subjective. But, in my experience, most all of the Guilds I have played have been more balanced and have had more projection than the Martins hanging on the wall next to them for twice the price.

 

[justinmj]

Thanks very much for your kind words! Great to hear.

Sounds like Rosewood may be indeed the way to go. Maybe the D-50 BG that I played just wasn't that happening. I think I'll order one of those and see how it goes. Very exciting.

Best,
Justin

Greetings Justin....

Just to start...huge Beck fan, and love your work on his albums. Sea Change is always in rotation. I dont play bass, but ive always loved the starfire series bass guitars. Ill be seeing Chris Feinstein that plays with Ryan Adams this next month...he rocks a killer SF bass.

Anyway...after much talk here at the forum, it seems the views on the tacoma dreds are very positive with an occasional "dud" showing up every now and then. I would say that in terms of volume and tone a generalization would be to say that the mahogany guitars(D40) are woodier sounding, more emphasis on treble with a lot of projection but not as much tonal complexity as rosewood.

And in comparison the Rosewood guitars (D50,55) are more balanced with a lower bass registry.

Of course all of these things are so subjective. But, in my experience, most all of the Guilds I have played have been more balanced and have had more projection than the Martins hanging on the wall next to them for twice the price.

 

[california]

Welcome Justin --

If Tommy doesn't have a D-50, you may want to check out TrueTone in Santa Monica, Grayson's in Montrose or West L.A. Music -- all of them have recently had D-50s in stock.

 

[earbleedz]

Hey there- I've got some real world expetience. I bought a D 18 GE a couple of years ago because it was the best sounding acoustic I'd ever played. I still think it's great, but I happened to get a good deal on a rosewood Guild.. It's an '81 D 70 and it's true. It has a sweet midrange that's unmatched. I love it for playing and singing songs. The D 18 is better for articulating individual strings and can't be beat for a flatpicking guitar. But I'm thinking I'll eventually sell it as I only play the Guild,and to imagine I only bought it for a camping guitar! The folks on this post are right. Guilds are the best.

 

[krysh]

hey justin

...huge Beck fan, and love your work on his albums...

+1

...and welcome to ltg.

all the best

michael

 

[fronobulax]

I'm one of the last remaining Guild bass endorsers that is still being asked to hang in there because of more basses coming down the pike sometime in the next year. I can't say much about it right now, but someone will likely let the cat out of the bag pretty soon.

Feel free to tell us what you can, when you can, in case the cat is released out of sight.

Welcome, and thanks.

 

[jp]

Hiya Justin

Welcome to LTG! I also really dig your work. Great to have you here.

I've been going through the same conundrum with acoustics. I've been playing my beat up Seagull for years, and I've been messing around with different dreadnoughts whenever I get the chance.

My two favorites were a Martin D-18 Golden Era, and a Guild D-40 BJ. The Martin sounded better to me, and was quite a bit bigger on the bottom and more open on top. A very lively sounding guitar, though difficult to play and not as good on quiet sounding stuff, for some reason. The Guild seemed opposite: more closed sounding, but a sweeter midrange, and more responsive to a lighter touch.

Funny thing though, my experience with a Martin D-18 and Guild D-40 were the exact opposite of yours. :? The Guild had the bigger bottom end and sounded more open. The Martin was very easy to play, responsive, and had a brighter midrange voice, while the Guild seemed very even-toned throughout the range. I've heard from friends, though, that Martins will eventually open up a lot after much playing. Could be the variation of examples. Gibsons are like that for me. I often have to play a gazillion Gibsons a before I find one that which grabs me.

 

[JerryR]

Welcome - but I can't add anything useful - you've already met the LTG experts

 

[justinmj]

Brilliant!

I'll let you guys know what I end up buying.

Best,
Justin

 

[Jeff]

Sure a pretty vintage D 50 here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1989-Guild-D-50-aco ... dZViewItem

 

[Graham]

Yes it is.

 

[West R Lee]

That's a NICE guitar.

West

 

[GardMan]

If the condition is as good as it looks, that's a nice one, at a decent price (BIN was lowered from original $1100). I've been watching it (and a pretty burst D-40 that was too overproced to sell)... but am a couple months out from being able "treat" my latest bout of "GAS" pain.

 

[idealassets]

Justin,
I like your '99 maple Starfire bass thats for sale. If you are still on LTG can you tell me anything about the bass that I might be intersted in knowing. Is it all original? I would like to know what tha "Darkstars" are. Feel free to email at idealassets@aol.com

Thank you,
Craig