NGD 1997 Guild DV-6 NT HG (Westerly)

Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
12
Guild Total
1
Hello All. Newly joined member with my first post. Also my first Guild guitar as well. 1997 DV-6 NT HG w/ohsc purchased from Guitar Center today for $599. Love it! Sound is full and crisp.

I do have a question regarding string gauge. The previous owner had it strung with 13-58's and even left an extra pack of Dean Markley Circa 1995 Medium 80/20 strings in the case.

The guitar has a very small amount of belly.

Is it ok to use 13 gauge or medium strings on this guitar? Should I tune to Eb if not? I tried using google but could not find any info on what the factory gauges were for the DV6 (Westerly). Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Attached are some pics but I will post better ones once I remove the gunky rusty strings, polish frets,fretboard and guitar. Super happy to have found this beautiful guitar and even with the old worn strings it inspires me to play!

Oh and there appears to be a factory installed undersaddle pickup with an input in the bottom strap button, 9 volt clip on the neck block and 2 knobs on the bass side by the neck. It works and sounds great too. Any ideas what system would be factory installed in a 1997?
 

Attachments

  • C4CE3E9A-01C6-4A64-9245-7F0E9F7D5988.jpeg
    C4CE3E9A-01C6-4A64-9245-7F0E9F7D5988.jpeg
    372.4 KB · Views: 140
  • 143F8D8F-4C9C-424F-9837-814A96616BFE.jpeg
    143F8D8F-4C9C-424F-9837-814A96616BFE.jpeg
    298.5 KB · Views: 72
  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    296.2 KB · Views: 88

West R Lee

Venerated Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
Messages
17,735
Reaction score
2,647
Location
East Texas
Oh man, I'm jealous. That particular guitar, the Westerly DV6 in HG is one I've always wanted, and at that price?

Congratulations there. And welcome. :)

West
 

GGJaguar

Reverential Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2011
Messages
21,112
Reaction score
31,119
Location
Skylands
Guild Total
49
Welcome to LTG and congrats on your DV-6! I think Guild was mostly using 12s on their dreadnaughts so I'd suggest trying a set and seeing how you like them. Assuming it's factory installed, Guild mainly used Fishman acoustic pickups.
 

Stuball48

Senior Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
4,732
Reaction score
2,524
Location
Dickson, TN
Welcome DOAM and your first Guild looks like a great find. Others will be along but lots of Medium strings lovers here 13--56 more than 13--58. I am a 12--53 light strings user.
Join in often and save your money ,- guessing that DV6 will not be your only Guild.
 
Last edited:

jeffcoop

Senior Member
Gold Supporting
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
1,835
Reaction score
711
Congratulations and welcome!

Given what you're seeing, I think I'd probably back off from mediums to lights. But then I've used lights almost exclusively for decades.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
12
Guild Total
1
I really appreciate the warm welcome and all the info too! Will probably not be my last Guild... These are pretty affordable and sound gorgeous. So many wasted years not looking into these instruments!

I had been lurking at the music store a few times a week for several weeks and trying out different acoustics and was always surprised when I saw the Guild there week after week. When I decided to pull the trigger today I was so happy it was still there.

Time to go down the rabbit hole in this forum. There's so much info. So glad to have this resource. Thank you everyone!
 

plaidseason

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
1,388
Reaction score
802
Location
Southern New England Coast, USA
Great find. I still consider the DV6 to be the greatest sleeper in the Guild line. That's a lot of guitar for $600. Check out used Guild F40 prices. Or for even more satisfaction, check out prices on Martin D18s and D18 Golden Eras.

For additional context, I regret not buying a used DV6 (with a cedar top) for that same price nearly 20 years ago.
 

Westerly Wood

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
13,285
Reaction score
6,428
Guild Total
2
Wow, you got a great deal too!
I would slap a set of D'Addario EJ16s on it, phosphor bronze light gauge, .12-.53. I am not saying mediums won't work on that dread, but you will get just as much resonance and power, and it will be overall less tension on the bridge/neck.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
12
Guild Total
1
Have any of you found Elixer Strings to sound good on these guild dreads or 80/20 vs phospher bronze. I've always used D'addario's on my electric but am pretty new to the acoustic world. Maybe have to do some experimenting!
 

Westerly Wood

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
13,285
Reaction score
6,428
Guild Total
2
Have any of you found Elixer Strings to sound good on these guild dreads or 80/20 vs phospher bronze. I've always used D'addario's on my electric but am pretty new to the acoustic world. Maybe have to do some experimenting!
There are many Elixir fans on the LTG, for sure.
I am not one of them :).

I know your Guild dread will like phosphor bronze as its a solid spruce top and I have found PBs to really shine with a spruce top. ymmv...

While uncoated strings won't last near as long as Elixirs, they sound great for a month or 2. And they are pretty cheap to test out.
 

Westerly Wood

Venerated Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2007
Messages
13,285
Reaction score
6,428
Guild Total
2
I'd also start with phosphor bronze. I'm a big fan of both DR Rare Earths and DR Sunbeams.

And with the scalloped bracing, 12s should work wonderfully.
ah, it's got scalloped bracing? I missed that nugget.

then yes, you do NOT need medium gauge strings. Those will choke the top. Light gauge be fine...
 

West R Lee

Venerated Member
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
Messages
17,735
Reaction score
2,647
Location
East Texas
Guild Gallery refers to other DV's as having scalloped bracing, but they refer to the DV6 as having "shaved" bracing. :) Don't shoot the messenger, I'm just stating what it says.

West
 
Last edited:

HeyMikey

Enlightened Member
Joined
Jul 12, 2018
Messages
5,365
Reaction score
4,655
Location
MA
Guild Total
9
Congrats and welcome Monarch. It looks like you scored a nice older Guild at a very good price! As others said try some light gauge PB on it, especially if you are coming from playing electrics. Nothing wrong with 13’s but you will have to work harder and depending on your style of play the 12’s might be better for you. If it sounds a little too dark then experiment with some 80/20s. Most often one or the other will work well.
 
Top