Traded my ‘77 D55 + cash for Richard’s 50th Anniversary. The guitar is in near-mint condition and is an absolute cannon.
Not too hard to look at either.
Not too hard to look at either.
NGD - D55 50th Anniversary
- Thread starter awagner
- Start date
It's 97* in Dickson, TN right now and that D55 is"hotter."
I would love to have Richard's culls!!
He is on first name basis with every delivery company emoloyee.
I would love to have Richard's culls!!
He is on first name basis with every delivery company emoloyee.
That is one seriously pretty D55! If it sounds as good as it looks that's a keeper for sure. 
Wow! Beautiful guitar! That TRC is also very cool, and it seems unlikely anyone would put it upside down either!
walrus
walrus
Beautiful guitar, awagner. The bindings seem to indicate barely any sun exposure. Plenty of time for YOU to break that guitar in. I'll bet it really is a cannon. Very yummy wood on both the top and the body!
Rambozo96
Senior Member
Man there was a D-55 at my local pawnshop Last month and I actually had the cash to buy it (they wanted $1300-1400 IIRC) but the counter guy just thought I was some screwball kid so he kinda blew me off when I asked for him to get it out of the glass case for me to check out. Oh well guess they don’t like money, anyway I think it was a Tacoma or a New Hartford D-55 but I never got to put my hands on it to verify.
Cougar
Enlightened Member
Wow, how gorgeous can you get?! So I take it that's a 2003. Is that a Corona or Tacoma? Whichever, major congrats! Just stunning!
It’s a Corona.
I never bonded with a Corona F412 I used to own, even though it was very well built and easy to play. Glad I now have one from that era I really like.
Thanks.
I never bonded with a Corona F412 I used to own, even though it was very well built and easy to play. Glad I now have one from that era I really like.
Thanks.
The Corona is very different from the ‘77 Westerly and also my ‘70, which is also Brazilian (at least the back is). My other Brazilians have a subtle earthy tone, but this one is loud and powerful, but also warm, and sounds great fingerpicked as well.
For reasons I can’t explain, the neck on the ‘77 did not agree with me, even though it felt great in my hand. But after a short while, playing became painful, so I really could not play it extensively. But it is a beautiful Guitar that sounds great.
I bought it from Gryphon when they were raising money for Iraq war veterans, so the proceeds from the sale went to buy guitars for them to learn guitar as therapy for their PTSD. Glad the money went to a good cause, and glad the guitar is now with Richard, who tells me he likes it very much.
davismanLV
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These kinds deals make me happy. Guitar whores who love to trade and sell and buy and .... it's more than any person can buy and PLAY so you buy and sell!! It's like the most amazing thing ever!! I LOVE THIS!!! Hey guys I wish I was close by (I almost typed it buy) so I could hold and play them... even as shitty a guitar player as I am..... bless you guys!! Play, and Trade, and Swap and Buy!! Whatever makes ya happy!! Makes me happy to read about it..... for real!! 
Interesting comment about your 1977 model, awagner. I think it's possible that a neck from that era would've been made from padauk rather than mahogany -- as most other D-55s are made from. I believe padauk is a heavier wood which might've affected the physical balance of the axe and thus affected playability ?? This is all theoretical, though. I know my maple-necked JF-30-12 from the 90s is heavy overall and a bit uncomfortable to play.
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
Hmm, interesting that Corona was using the 1953 beginning date. Maybe this is where Fender first "revised" history. I always thought they changed to 1953 for the 60th Anniversary.
I think that "revisionist history" definitely occurred before NH... Do you know, were there 25th anniversary models, and do you know when they were produced?
The Guilds of Grot
Enlightened Member
@SFIV1967 Ralf?
Rich Cohen
Senior Member
Engleman spruce top...give it a whirl!
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
I'm not aware of a 1977 "Guild 25th anniversary model". But there was a Westerly made "25th Anniversary D-25" in 1995!
Hans said about it: "...The '25 Anniversary D-25' name is a 'joke' that would do well in 'The Funny Papers' section!"
Now the Nashville Custom Shop celebrated with a 45th anniversary model in 1997! (which means 1952 founded).
See also: http://westerlyguildguitars.com/guitars/45thanniversary.html
All the dates on that certificate were Jan 1, 1997 independend of serial number. As you see it already showed FMIC in small print, so at least in 1997 they had their history correct, but lost that 5 or then 6 years later with the 50th anniversary model...
Now let's look in the catalogues.
Year 2000 and 2001 catalogs:
Year 2002 Fender Frontline catalog:
So far all good.
And now the change: Year 2003 Guild catalog:
...
It's funny how they even quote Hans book on the right side and did not see the error in the year.
FMIC's former Jeff Livingston, who now lives in Brittany in France, is to "blame", at least he put his name under the birthday story.
Now CMG shows it as follows as of today:
But they continue using the "Since 1953" in the logo, and I think if the first guitars were made in 1953 that would be technically o.k., but usually you refer to the date when the company was founded, not the date the first products left the building. So to me it should shows "Since 1952".
Ralf
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