[NGD] Guild D70NT

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG and congratulations to that "super dreadnaught" as the Sept 1, 1981 pricelist called the top of the line model. She was a good bit more expensive compared to the D-55. She was first listed in the March 1981 pricelist for $1495.



On March 1982 she was already listed for $1695:



The case was an additional $140:



The 1981 catalog has a full page for her, you can get a PDF from our forum owner GAD's page (click on the blue "here"):

Guild Guitar Catalog - 1981 Acoustic | GAD's Ramblings

PDF Version: Here More about: [ Guild Guitars ][ Dogs ][ Cozy Tales ][ Ferret-Dog ] Donate: PayPal Crypto: BTC | ETH | Doge BTC: bc1qgke2eeuwjafudateev08ekytn3g3mpl2w5a542ETH: 0x0AC57f8e0A49dc06Ed4f7926d169342ec4FCd461Doge: DFWpLqMr6QF67t4wRzvTtNd8UDwjGTQBGs

www.gad.net

The M-450 Medium Gauge strings were .013-.056:



The below ones are Light Gauge strings, the L-350 set goes from .012-.053 and I would try such.

EJ16 Phosphor Bronze | Acoustic Guitar Strings | D'Addario

EJ16 is D'Addario's most popular set of light gauge strings for acoustic guitar. Since D'Addario introduced Phosphor Bronze guitar strings in 1974, they have been synonymous with warm and well-balanced acoustic tone.

www.daddario.com

Ralf

 

[Archie]

Welcome to LTG and congratulations to that "super dreadnaught" as the Sept 1, 1981 pricelist called the top of the line model. She was a good bit more expensive compared to the D-55. She was first listed in the March 1981 pricelist for $1495.



On March 1982 she was already listed for $1695:



The case was an additional $140:



The 1981 catalog has a full page for her, you can get a PDF from our forum owner GAD's page (click on the blue "here"):

Guild Guitar Catalog - 1981 Acoustic | GAD's Ramblings

PDF Version: Here More about: [ Guild Guitars ][ Dogs ][ Cozy Tales ][ Ferret-Dog ] Donate: PayPal Crypto: BTC | ETH | Doge BTC: bc1qgke2eeuwjafudateev08ekytn3g3mpl2w5a542ETH: 0x0AC57f8e0A49dc06Ed4f7926d169342ec4FCd461Doge: DFWpLqMr6QF67t4wRzvTtNd8UDwjGTQBGs

www.gad.net

The M-450 Medium Gauge strings were .013-.056:



The below ones are Light Gauge strings, the L-350 set goes from .012-.053 and I would try such.

EJ16 Phosphor Bronze | Acoustic Guitar Strings | D'Addario

EJ16 is D'Addario's most popular set of light gauge strings for acoustic guitar. Since D'Addario introduced Phosphor Bronze guitar strings in 1974, they have been synonymous with warm and well-balanced acoustic tone.

www.daddario.com

Ralf

Ralph thank you very much for compiling that information. It's exactly why I came here.

And thank you to everyone again, for making me feel so welcome. What a lovely crowd.

Cheers

 

[sailingshoes72]

From the link to the PDF of the 1981 Guild Catalog provided by Ralf (SFIV1967) above, the binding on the neck and body is maple. That adds such a touch of class to this exquisite acoustic guitar. Prior research by other LTG members indicate that in the 1980's The Guild Phosphor Bronze Strings were manufactured by D'Addario for the company.

 

[walrus]

Wow! Beautiful! Congratulations!

walrus

 

[rampside]

Magnificent, Archie!!!
....and, that binding, gorgeous!

 

[Andrew79]

Welcome to LTG! and what a fantastic looking guitar. We're all drooling over it. Looks like it was in time capsule since 1981. Wow!
This is a great forum so check in often and soak up all the good vibes and info. Cheers!

 

[Guildguy1965]

Hi all.

I mostly play Archtops and had no current intention of owning a flat-top acoustic. It's been 7 years since I played my last flat-top (Furch) and I thought my strumming days where over.

This week in the UK there was an online guitar auction. It had some nice Archtops, so I picked out around 15 and went down to do the in person viewing.
Whilst there, a funny looking Guild, with old Epiphone styled inlays, caught my eye.
Now, anything Guild with an ebony fretboard, peaks my interest and so I asked to see it.
I took it over to my appraisal area, sat down and banged out an open G. The sound was phenomenal. As good as any of the best D55's I've strummed along the years. Deep, rich, even tone, with beautifully sweet trebles. I looked it up on the catalogue and it was a Guild D70NT.
Raising an eyebrow I put it back in its case and got on with viewing the Archtops.

The auction was the following day and the only memory I had of the D70, was a 1 minute iPhone video I made, detailing the condition and commenting on the tone.
As it came up on the online auction room, I watched the bidding get stuck at exactly the budget I had set for it and before the hammer fell, I thought what the hell and bumped it up by another £50. That was my only bid and it was the winning bid.

The next day I was able to go and collect the items. I say items because I'd also bought two amps. Waking up however, the thing that got me out of bed and excited to drive 3 hours, was the Guild.

I subsequently learnt that the Guild D70 is somewhat rare (ish) in the Guild acoustic world and were made during 1981-1985. Around 300 were made, although this number seems to go up or down, depending on the source.

I can tell that the top and back are solid wood but not sure about the sides. I have read the guitar is all solid woods. Any further clarification would be appreciated.
The neck is heavy, as is the neck block. The guitar isn't neck heavy but you feel the weight when you pick it up.
It has a lot of sustain and I would imagine you could get a louder guitar if the construction was lighter but you might then loose the richness and the balance this guitar exhibits. Saying that, the guitar is still very loud. Not so much when finger picked but when strummed, it's like a cannon; a real orchestra.

There are some dings to the top and there has been a professional repair regarding bellying; it currently has the StewMac, anti bellying device, attached to the saddle. The work though seems flawless and looking at the guitar, you would never know, except for a small abalone dot, on the bridge.

The guitar also came with original case, booklet and KEY!!!

I'll do my best to catalogue the D70 here. Any information from other owners past and present would be appreciated and any questions; I will do my best to answer.

Kindest Regards

Congratulations on that D70. Simply beautiful. If you have not done so as of yet reach out to Hans Moust he’d love to archive that instrument. You can reach him at mousthans@gmail.com

 

[Guildguy1965]

Case + Candy

Man,
I love it when folks keep the case candy for the next owner! That’s so nice to see! I have a DV52 AB that I posted awhile back that I bought for my son whose finally home from Afghanistan. Anyway the DV52 came with all the case candy as well. I appreciate owners who consider posterity. Thanks for sharing all the photos.