NGD: 1964 D-40

[daverepair]

I’ve been curious about early Guilds, and scored this one not far from me. It’s in cosmetically good condition: looks like it spent most of it’s 58 years in a closet. It does need some work, because of inept ‘repair’(poorly reglued bridge), and needs a neck reset. Fan-braced, which sounds good, and came with the original hangtag.
While it’s hard to play in it’s current condition (because of high action), I do like the fan-brace tone. I think it’s going to be great for finger style playing.

 

[jeffcoop]

Outstanding. As my signature suggests, I'm partial to 1964 Guilds. I hope that this guitar meets your expectations once it's had its repairs.

 

[chazmo]

Congratulations on your new (to you) D-40, daverepair!!! And welcome to LTG!!

Fan braced? I don't think that's right, Dave; Can you post a picture of the inside bracing for us?

As for the high action, you may indeed need neck repair and (probably) bridge/nut repair. Of course, these guitars are well worth it!

 

[daverepair]

Congratulations on your new (to you) D-40, daverepair!!! And welcome to LTG!!

Fan braced? I don't think that's right, Dave; Can you post a picture of the inside bracing for us?

As for the high action, you may indeed need neck repair and (probably) bridge/nut repair. Of course, these guitars are well worth it!

It is indeed fan-braced(I will add a photo). I was aware of the possibility before I went to see the guitar(first year D-40s had fan-bracing, then switched to x-bracing by late '64 or early '65). As a full time luthier, doing mostly repair work, I've already begun 'triage' by removing the bridge. Once it's reglued, I'll proceed with the neck reset.

While this D-40 does look mostly unplayed, it managed, in the past, to leave the closet long enough to sustain a headstock crack and the lifting bridge. And then to suffer the indignity of hapless 'repairs' to both issues. Also, a thin brushed on coat of lacquer to the neck shaft...

 

[GGJaguar]

Nice one, congrats! And fan-braced? Wow, how unusual! I don't see anything about fan-braced D-40s in Hans' book.

 

[daverepair]

If one does a google search for ‘1964 Guild D-40 fan braced’, results describing the bracing come up. Hans M. even posted a photo, from a damaged example, showing the underside(the bracing) of a fan-braced top.

 

[GGJaguar]

Ah, very good. I found it:

Variation in 1960's and 1970's D-40s

First post, happy to be a part of the community! I've had the "bad" luck of really falling in love with my friend's 1965 D-40 and am trying to get a similar guitar for myself. Right now I'm considering a 1970 D-40 online and wanted to see if anyone here had experience in playing a wide range...

letstalkguild.com

 

[chazmo]

Very cool, Dave. Again, welcome aboard.

 

[Cougar]

It does need some work....

Looks like it's well worth it! Welcome to the boards!

 

[walrus]

Nice! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[Sats]

Wow! Can’t wait to hear what it sounds like. I (too) didn’t know about fan bracing on early D-40s. I have a 67 and love the sound of 60’s Guilds (and their lighter builds), so fan bracing is very intriguing. Keep us posted! John

 

[Br1ck]

I love seeing these old guitars.

 

[Vermonter]

Very nice, Dave. Can't wait to see (hear) what that fan bracing sounds like.

 

[Boneman]

Welcome to LTG!, and what a beautiful, classic Guild to show off. Fan bracing even!? score! Thanks for saving it, as there are many out there that are made to be saved... and then played!

 

[daverepair]

Can any fellow owners of these fan-braced models(D-40, D-50) tell me what gauge strings they are using? Are standard light gauge(12-54) ok to use, tension-wise?

 

[chazmo]

Daverepair, while it's very hard to say how well the bridge plate is actually braced here, and assuming this picture from Hans matches the soundboard on your guitar, I would definitely stay away from anything but light gauge strings. But, that's just me. Best of luck.

 

[daverepair]

Daverepair, while it's very hard to say how well the bridge plate is actually braced here, and assuming this picture from Hans matches the soundboard on your guitar, I would definitely stay away from anything but light gauge strings. But, that's just me. Best of luck.

Thanks, I’ll be happy if I can use lights( and I would not use anything heavier, give the fan bracing). My guitar does match the bracing in your photo.