new user Guild D25 owner - and lots of questions...

[Siwash]

You know, I keep thinking, "what will be my next Guild."

And of course I imagine buying a fancier one.

But then I think, for me, the quintessential Guild is probably the D-25. And it's quite a nice guitar. I've run into a few that didn't sound that great, but most have that correct, deeper Guild voice.

 

[spiderman]

As usual there are exceptions, my 1974 D-25M (on the label) has a mahogany top and is an archback.

Harmony H-173 bought in 1960 (retired), Alvarez AC60S 2008, Eastman AC320ce 2008 "Hybrid", Guild GAD-JF30E(blonde) 2008,
Guild D25M 1974, Martin Grand J35E 2009, Martin D12-20 1970, Martin OM-21 2009, Voyage-air VAOM-06 2010
"I'm glad there are a lot of guitar players pursuing technique as diligently as they possibly can, because it leaves this whole other area open to people like me."
Richard Thompson

 

[-ike-]

As usual there are exceptions, my 1974 D-25M (on the label) has a mahogany top and is an archback.

that still leaves the question, if all D25 with mahagony tops are labled "D25M"??
or are there any mahagony top D25s that are simply labled "D25"??

 

[mbaker824]

As usual there are exceptions, my 1974 D-25M (on the label) has a mahogany top and is an archback.

that still leaves the question, if all D25 with mahagony tops are labled "D25M"??
or are there any mahagony top D25s that are simply labled "D25"??

Welcome to the forum, Ike. I'm fairly new here myself, and my first Guild is also a D25. My understanding has always been that the 'M' on the end of the model indicated that the top was mahogany, so I was a little surprised to hear someone say that it meant a spruce top with mahogany stain. I'm not sure that last bit is accurate; Hans, would you care to comment?

One thing you'll discover quickly around here - when you start talking about a new Guild, we all want to see photos. I noted that you had trouble attaching a photo, so I'd recommend checking out the "Posting Pics Howto", which you'll find under "Forum News, Events, FAQ's" from the board index. In a nutshell, you'll need to upload your pics to a photo sharing site; I use ImageShack.

Mark

 

[adorshki]

As usual there are exceptions, my 1974 D-25M (on the label) has a mahogany top and is an archback.

that still leaves the question, if all D25 with mahagony tops are labled "D25M"??
or are there any mahagony top D25s that are simply labled "D25"??

Mark

HI IKE, welcome aboard!
Mark: When D25's were first made from '68-approximately '74, they were ALL flatback with mahogany tops, and they wouldn't need to be labelled "D25M" because they were ALL 'hog tops.. When they started receiving the arched backs, ca '74, they also started getting spruce tops. When THOSE tops received stains, they got a color code for the stain color. CH-Cherry, M=Mahogany. Technically a "D25M" is SUPPOSED to be a stained spruce top. HOWEVER we have seen MANY examples here of labels which do not conform to the "official" model designations (like Spiderman's). Also, it became fairly common for "D25m" to be mis-used in internet listings to call out a guitar that was supposed to have a mahogany top. Even quite few of those sellers didn't realize the guitar they were selling actually had a stained spruce top. Further confusion is caused by a number of guitars which actually had mahogany tops and arched backs. These were built between '72-74.
IKE: A D4 is virtually the same as a D25, and initially was not available with a gloss finish. Also the headstock did not receive an overlay with the pearloid "Guild" logo, it only received a silkscreen logo. The actual bodies were basically identical to the point they even used the same serial number list as the D25.
Also, the Fender-owned period of Westerly production ('95-'01) has been named by former Westerly workers as the actual high point of Guild quality control.
The myth that Fender-Westerlys are of poor quality is just that, a myth, most likely promoted by unethical or unknowledgeable internet sellers to falsely inflate the value of their "pre Fender" Guilds.

 

[-ike-]

thank you all for the war welcomes

i see that there is a lot of information coming from the members of this board - seems i am at the right place

by reading all that what has been posted here, i am really sure that my D25 has a spruce top - and i am happy with it - it sounds great - unsing 11-52 elixier strings.

 

[adorshki]

here in germany we can have a Guild DV-4 – I have red that those guitars are made in mexico. what can you guys tell me about its quality? are they as good as a “real” US build Guild?

It is a matter of opinion. I have never played one, but I do not expect the quality to be as high as the American made instruments.

talking about those “new” guitars, i can not see (for viewing) a difference between the DV-4 and the D40 Bluegrass Jubilee – except the vintage tuners and the adirondack top on the D40. what else is the difference between those two guitars?

The DV4 has been made in different locations and the specs have varied, but there are some important differences:
The DV-4 is now being described as made with "bolt-on neck". The D40 Bluegrass is traditional glued dovetail neckjoint. Also it is now a 3-piece neck, which is a very strong construction method (this is a VERY new spec).
The DV-4 now has polyurethane satin finish. The D40 is gloss finish Nitrocellulose lacquer.
Many people believe the nitrocellulose lacquer is a better finish for producing improvement in tone as the guitar ages.

 

[-ike-]

that helps a lot. thank you.

 

[mbaker824]

Mark: When D25's were first made from '68-approximately '74, they were ALL flatback with mahogany tops, and they wouldn't need to be labelled "D25M" because they were ALL 'hog tops.. When they started receiving the arched backs, ca '74, they also started getting spruce tops. When THOSE tops received stains, they got a color code for the stain color. CH-Cherry, M=Mahogany. Technically a "D25M" is SUPPOSED to be a stained spruce top. HOWEVER we have seen MANY examples here of labels which do not conform to the "official" model designations (like Spiderman's). Also, it became fairly common for "D25m" to be mis-used in internet listings to call out a guitar that was supposed to have a mahogany top. Even quite few of those sellers didn't realize the guitar they were selling actually had a stained spruce top. Further confusion is caused by a number of guitars which actually had mahogany tops and arched backs. These were built between '72-74.

A lot there I didn't know - thanks for the education! Clearly, I need to read Hans' book.

On the other hand, I don't feel too bad - Guild has been pretty schizophrenic over the years in a lot of ways...

Thanks,
Mark

 

[-ike-]

On the other hand, I don't feel too bad - Guild has been pretty schizophrenic over the years in a lot of ways...

schitzophrenic :?: :?: :?: :shock: :|

 

[adorshki]

A lot there I didn't know - thanks for the education! Clearly, I need to read Hans' book.
On the other hand, I don't feel too bad - Guild has been pretty schizophrenic over the years in a lot of ways...
Thanks,
Mark

Funny you should mention that...even Hans has admitted to some erroneous info in the book about when the change went into effect. He has corrected it here periodically but it still "haunts" him.
Here's another thread about D25's:
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=23590&start=30
I don't know if I'd call Guild "schizophrenic", but if there's one thing they know how to do consistently, it's inconsistency! :lol:

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

Willkommen Sie hier, Ike.

schitzophrenic

We have a few members who are Schlitzophrenic. Schlitz is a brand of American "beer." And it's really the schitz.

I believe that no matter what D25 you get, it's the world's best buy in a mahogany-body acoustic.

 

[dapmdave]

Welcome, Ike. Those D-25s are really good guitars. Vastly undervalued.

Dave

 

[fronobulax]

Schlitz is a brand of American "beer."

A veer for those who remember Schlitz advertising. Everyone else should stop reading now.

Unknown to the coach, the relief picture Millard Famey had been drinking and the evidence, in beer cans, was scattered around the dugout. So when Mil was called to the mound in the last of the ninth in a tie game, he proceeded to walk four batters and hence the winning run. This being a friendly game members from both teams gathered at the dugout. Someone noticed the beer cans and asked "what's this?". A member of the winning team replied "That's the beer that made Mil Famey walk us".

 

[Darryl Hattenhauer]

That's a good one, fro.

Note to the puzzled: The fro refers to a slogan, "The beer than made Milwaukee famous."

The frau

 

[ladytexan]

Ike,

Begrüßen Sie! Froh Sie schloß sich uns an. Und, hoffen Sie, dass Sie Ihren neuen D25 genießen. Ihr Englisch ist ziemlich gut!

Toni

 

[dreadnut]

We have a few members who are Schlitzophrenic. Schlitz is a brand of American "beer." And it's really the schitz.

We have two old beers in America whose names sound like what you do after you drink them: Blatz and Schlitz :lol:

Regarding Fender/Westerly Guilds, I believe Guild produced more different models during those years than any period in their history, including the DV-72 and DV-73.

 

[wdcamp]

Ike,

There seems to be a lot of information as well as misinformation regarding your Guild. I purchased mine brand new in 1977 from a large music store in S. California and have enjoyed it ever since and I think that is the key, you have a fine guitar with a great sound. I have seen many with the dark stain and no "M" suffix after the model number. Mine is a D25M and I was told when I bought it that this is because of the mahogany top, those without it have a spruce top, that is what I was told in 1977. I do know this, I took mine back for some rework to the finish about a week after I bought it and they errantly gave me the wrong guitar back without the “M” suffix and the sound was not nearly as rich. I was grateful to get mine back. With that said, both sounded great and both were very fine guitars. As a side note, I have played mine with many other players over the years that were playing a variety of fine guitars such as Takamine, Martin and Taylor and although I would be proud to own any of them, my Guild over powered most of them and the tone is amazing. At the end of the day, just enjoy what you have, it will serve you well for many years to come.

 

[Ian]

Hi Ike,

Tena koe from New Zealand !! Havent got much to add cept to say that my D55 is also from 2000. Welcome along, and keep out of the FS/FT column if you want to keep your bank account intact !!!

Cheers, Ian

 

[adorshki]

Ike,

There seems to be a lot of information as well as misinformation regarding your Guild. I purchased mine brand new in 1977 from a large music store in S. California and have enjoyed it ever since and I think that is the key, you have a fine guitar with a great sound. I have seen many with the dark stain and no "M" suffix after the model number. Mine is a D25M and I was told when I bought it that this is because of the mahogany top, those without it have a spruce top, that is what I was told in 1977.

I ssupect YOU are in fact the misinfornmation victim here. Please read this excerpt from an earlier post carefully:
Mark: When D25's were first made from '68-approximately '74, they were ALL flatback with mahogany tops, and they wouldn't need to be labelled "D25M" because they were ALL 'hog tops.. When they started receiving the arched backs, ca '74, they also started getting spruce tops. When THOSE tops received stains, they got a color code for the stain color. CH-Cherry, M=Mahogany. Technically a "D25M" is SUPPOSED to be a stained spruce top. HOWEVER we have seen MANY examples here of labels which do not conform to the "official" model designations (like Spiderman's). Also, it became fairly common for "D25m" to be mis-used in internet listings to call out a guitar that was supposed to have a mahogany top. Even quite few of those sellers didn't realize the guitar they were selling actually had a stained spruce top. Further confusion is caused by a number of guitars which actually had mahogany tops and arched backs. These were built between '72-74.
WELCOME TO LTG!