New to me D40

[jimmyj00]

I recently picked up this D40 on a swap site. I got it for an amazing price. I wanted to learn more about it and posted in a Guild Facebook group. One commenter said to check out this group. It's a little dinged up, and one of the tuning machines was replaced and does not match the others. I would like to try and find one that matches the others and replace it, but for now, I would just like to find out what year it is and any other pertinent information. A few commenters in the Facebook group said they had never seen a Guild like this with factory electronics. I found this very interesting.

All help is appreciated!

Thank you.

 

[chazmo]

1973

https://guildguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/history_of_your_guild.pdf

Factory electronics were not unheard of, Jimmy. They’re somewhat rare, but they’re out there.

 

[BradHK]

Here is the page from the January 1973 price list showing the D-40E (Electric) (photo from GAD’s website). They pop up from time to time and yours looks original. Those Japanese tuners also pop up for sale and Hans may have one for sale. How does the pickup sound?

 

[chazmo]

IIRC, the magnetic pickups tend to hold up pretty well over time. Maybe not so much with other technologies that were used.

Anyway, I wouldn’t have high expectations for the factory pickup system, but it’d be nice if it works.

 

[jimmyj00]

The electronics work and sound great.

 

[adorshki]

I recently picked up this D40 on a swap site. I got it for an amazing price. I wanted to learn more about it and posted in a Guild Facebook group. One commenter said to check out this group. It's a little dinged up, and one of the tuning machines was replaced and does not match the others. I would like to try and find one that matches the others and replace it, but for now, I would just like to find out what year it is and any other pertinent information. A few commenters in the Facebook group said they had never seen a Guild like this with factory electronics. I found this very interesting.

All help is appreciated!

Thank you.

HI Jimmy, welcome aboard!

That pickup first appeared in '67, and it was Guild's first acoustic with a pickup. Hagstrom made it IIRC.
I thought they'd moved to another p/u by '73, but your s/n is a '73.

Nice to hear somebody likes the pickup. Old electronics are frequently dismissed for no good reason.

 

[jimmyj00]

Here is the page from the January 1973 price list showing the D-40E (Electric) (photo from GAD’s website). They pop up from time to time and yours looks original. Those Japanese tuners also pop up for sale and Hans may have one for sale. How does the pickup sound?

To me it sounds great but I've been playing on a middle of the road Fender for a long time.

I need to get familiar with the lingo in the group. I'm not sure what GAD, Hans, and IIRC mean.

 

[BradHK]

To me it sounds great but I've been playing on a middle of the road Fender for a long time.

I need to get familiar with the lingo in the group. I'm not sure what GAD, Hans, and IIRC mean.

GAD runs this site and also has another site with Guild reviews, catalogs, price list, and other Guild resources. Great place for Guild information. Hans is Hans Moust. He, literally, wrote the book on Guild. He is a member here and will post the answers when we are all stumped. His website is https://www.guitarchives.nl/

 

[Rhode Island Lumber]

IIRC is short for if I remember correctly,welcome to LTG man,I was one of the commenters on your FB Guild Acoustics post

 

[jimmyj00]

IIRC is short for if I remember correctly,welcome to LTG man,I was one of the commenters on your FB Guild Acoustics post

I appreciate you pointing me in this direction. I have gotten super helpful info.

 

[chazmo]

I have a lingo FAQ here, but I can no longer maintain it. Lots of good stuff in here (IMO), and if you want anything added, talk to a moderator.

Forum-related Lingo FAQ

What follows is a bunch of abbreviations, terminology, and just factoids to help people navigate the waters around here. Some of this is just web-speak, but most of it is specific to guitars/amps/Guild stuff in general. If something belongs on this list, PM a moderator with additions or...

letstalkguild.com

 

[Westerly Wood]

I really like the dark hue of the top, that looks like a great D40. $455 new in 1973, what a great price.

 

[Rhode Island Lumber]

I appreciate you pointing me in this direction. I have gotten super helpful info.

You're welcome,a great bunch of guys and gals here