NGD - DS-240

[Wind River]

After recently gifting my old Epiphone L-00 to a family friends son who is learning guitar, I opened up the possibility for a NGD. Having smaller bodied guitars, I wanted something with more lower end. I rolled the dice, ordered from Sweetwater and have not put it down except for the last three days to give it a set up. I had also been eyeing the 60's Gibby J-45 because I was after a 1 11/16" nut width, but the Guild kept intriguing me. I got the guitar back today and all I am saying is it's freaking amazing. There is no way I got this guitar for 550 with a gator hardshell case. The sound is detailed, growly, and has a worn in dry tone that is fantastic. My luthier filed the frets smooth on the sides, took a pinch off the saddle, and gave it minimal relief. The finish is amazing, plays like a dream, has growl, low end, punch, and it sounds older than it is.

I really dig this guitar and see it taking pole position amongst my guitars 3-8x in cost. It just plays and sounds like what my brains imagine an acoustic guitar could/should
sound like.

Thank you Guild! Even your off shore builds sounds great lam back and all. What a great Sloped Shoulder dread!!! Super tasty!

 

[FNG]

Nice looking guitar.

 

[GGJaguar]

Classic looking slope shoulder, congrats!

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! And congratulations! Super nice looking top!

Ralf

 

[jeffcoop]

I'm really impressed by these Chinese-made arch backs (I refuse to call them Westerly). I own two (an OM240E and a Jumbo Junior with maple back and sides), I've played a couple of others in shops, and a friend use to regularly bring one to open mic, where it sounded excellent). *It shouldn't surprise that Guild is producing good arch backs, given the company's history (my first Guild was a D25). Congratulations on your DS240, and welcome to LTG!

 

[richt54]

The Guild logo on this guitar looks like the Orpheum logo. The top looks like it’s wide grained Adirondack. To my untrained eyes if you were to say this was a 14 fret Orpheum Mahogany Burst dread, I would believe you.

 

[Boneman]

HNGD! And welcome to LTG! You have good taste in guitars and I don’t doubt any of what you describe. I recently played one at GC and loved how it felt and sounded off the wall. I imagine a quick setup would make it even more astounding. Great looking burst too, imo they are doing great work in those overseas factories. I almost took it home but it didn’t come with a case or gig bag, so I said eh, keep saving for the D55 lol

 

[Cougar]

Looks darn good! Major congrats!

 

[tefan]

Hey, Wind River. I agree with all you have written. I've had mine (from Sweetwater, thank you) for about a year and I really like it. I'm an OM or OOO guy. Not a fan of dreadnoughts. But the slop shoulders intrigued me. Then I played a used SS in my local Music Go Round and I decided to give the DS-240 a try. I may end up selling it because I still prefer OMs, but it was definitely my favorite dread I've played.

 

[valleyguy]

I just bought a used one last month, had it set up, and I have been amazed how nice this thing sounds, definitely a keeper. It doesn't have the low end of a D50 or a D55, but even across the strings. Been trying different picks to hone in on which sounds best, look forward to trying different strings on it.

 

[jeffcoop]

It really seems like Guild did a terrific job with the 200-series Chinese guitars. I own two (I include the Jumbo Junior in the series--even though it lacks a model number, its build and appearance puts it in the same group), and although they lack the richness and complexity of tone that you'll get from a USA Guild, they sound terrific, play easily, and seem very well built.

 

[beecee]

Welcome to LTG......and the BGUF Club.

Great review!

 

[West R Lee]

Hey, those are nice. I like that.

West

 

[Westerly Wood]

After recently gifting my old Epiphone L-00 to a family friends son who is learning guitar, I opened up the possibility for a NGD. Having smaller bodied guitars, I wanted something with more lower end. I rolled the dice, ordered from Sweetwater and have not put it down except for the last three days to give it a set up. I had also been eyeing the 60's Gibby J-45 because I was after a 1 11/16" nut width, but the Guild kept intriguing me. I got the guitar back today and all I am saying is it's freaking amazing. There is no way I got this guitar for 550 with a gator hardshell case. The sound is detailed, growly, and has a worn in dry tone that is fantastic. My luthier filed the frets smooth on the sides, took a pinch off the saddle, and gave it minimal relief. The finish is amazing, plays like a dream, has growl, low end, punch, and it sounds older than it is.

I really dig this guitar and see it taking pole position amongst my guitars 3-8x in cost. It just plays and sounds like what my brains imagine an acoustic guitar could/should
sound like.

Thank you Guild! Even your off shore builds sounds great lam back and all. What a great Sloped Shoulder dread!!! Super tasty!

Congrats. I have often considered this model too. I used to have a J-45 and this looks every bit of that.

 

[Guildypleasure]

I adore mine. Best sub $300 (used in great condition) guitar I've ever encountered.

 

[richardp69]

I think I gotta try one of these.

 

[Wind River]

I think I gotta try one of these.

I think so too! After three months, the DS 240 still gets the majority of playing time. I purchased some ebony pins after talking to Guild and getting the specs. They did not fit at first so I had my luthier bore out the holes and now the pins sit well. I also acquired a Fishman Blackstack. It sounds insanely good.

I look forward to your review if you end up “trying one.”

Also, thanks to everyone for all the posts. There is a cool vibe in here for sure….