NGD: New Hartford D-50 BGS

[Jaroboni]

Just took delivery earlier today of this beautiful D-50 Bluegrass Special, made in New Hartford in 2014. Arrived in tune (love it when that happens, makes me think it had a gentle journey).

My first impression is that I really love the neck profile! It's a nice full(ish) C without being too chunky, and has a great taper. I had played someone else's a little while back and was really hoping this one would be similar, and it is.

Plays and sounds very nice. Loud but sweet. The case is also really beautiful, faux black gator with plush green interior. I got a really good price on this one as well - so all around, I couldn't be happier!

 

[HeyMikey]

Congrats Jaroboni. I love New Hartford made Guilds. Looking forward to hearing more about it!

 

[Boneman]

HNGD! That might be next on my list, a Guild rosewood dread, just can’t decide between bling and no bling. . Let’s see some more, how’s the back and sides lookin

 

[Jaroboni]

HNGD! That might be next on my list, a Guild rosewood dread, just can’t decide between bling and no bling. . Let’s see some more, how’s the back and sides lookin

Tough to photograph because it's like a mirror (the line is a reflection), but here is the back:

 

[GGJaguar]

Very nice, congrats! I like the subtle tortoise heel cap.

 

[Bernie]

What's the difference btw. Standard and Bluegrass Special (do yo have a red spruce - Adirondack - top ?), and did you get it new (I occasionally see there still are some scarce NH items that hadn't been sold because of owners and factories'changes it seems). Less and less if any left, but I got mine (F-30) like that some years ago, and it was a very good deal too... I don't know much about these, but the BGS appears to be something special...Congrats

 

[HeyMikey]

Gorgeous rosewood back and the front looks super clean as well. It appears the previous owner took very good care of it. I’m curious about the model designation as well.

I tend to play the smaller F30 sizes. I know the smaller NH Standards have rosewood neck and bridge with a 1-3/4 nut, and the Traditionals (I think that’s what they are called) have ebony and other upgrades with 1-11/16. It looks like your Bluegrass is in that latter category as well.

 

[Jaroboni]

Yes, that's correct. This one also has a dovetail neck joint (vs. mortise and tenon on the Standard) and high gloss nitro finish. The bracing on mine is scalloped red spruce, not sure but I've read that the Standard is braced with straight Sitka.

There are a number of threads here on LTG comparing the two lines.

 

[Boneman]

Oh yea, that’s sweet looking RW on the back, good book matching and awesome grain, rock on

 

[chazmo]

Yes, that's correct. This one also has a dovetail neck joint (vs. mortise and tenon on the Standard) and high gloss nitro finish. The bracing on mine is scalloped red spruce, not sure but I've read that the Standard is braced with straight Sitka.

There are a number of threads here on LTG comparing the two lines.

No, that's wrong, Jaroboni. It was dovetail on the Standard series as well. The only difference is that the neck and body were finished separately and joined afterwards.

 

[Jaroboni]

No, that's wrong, Jaroboni. It was dovetail on the Standard series as well. The only difference is that the neck and body were finished separately and joined afterwards.

Thank you, I stand corrected. I thought there were other differences as well.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome. There are. The appointments are quite different. And, there is some difference in the neck size on the F-30 model, IIRC, but not on the others. And, yes, the Standard has a Sitka top vs. the BG, which has red spruce. The braces are red spruce on BG and Standard. Hope that helps.

And, that is a beautiful guitar, BTW. Use it in good health! I'm a huge fan of the D-50! Wish I had that one!

 

[fronobulax]

And, there is some difference in the neck size on the F-30 model, IIRC

You do recall correctly 1 3/4" Standard vs. 1 11/16" Traditional even though that is not a difference Mrs. Fro. noted.

 

[Wellington]

Did you buy that off reverb? I was just looking at one like that last week. Don't have the money right now but I was dreaming lol

Congrats, very nice.

 

[Jaroboni]

I did. Seller bought it as NOS "a few years back," but apparently played it a lot since then, gauging by the fretwear in the cowboy chord area of the neck.

It's a lovely guitar. As I mentioned before, the neck profile is very comfortable. I have a few Martin Authentics and I typically need time to settle in on those guitars and get used to the necks, but as soon as I pick up this Guild it feels like home. It does take a bit to open up - seems to get louder after an hour or so - but that is not unusual with this wood combination in my experience.

I'm very happy with this guitar overall. I have a personal connection to the Dronge family and grew up very close to New Hartford, so this one is special to me for a few reasons. I'm glad it lives up, as a player, to its end of the bargain - hopefully I can!

 

[richt54]

It's interesting that the Bluegrass Special designation is not shown on the label. I have a 2014 NH D-50 that shows the same as yours. Mine was made in 5/14. I love the fact that bone bridge pins were used. Mine was a NOS from a music store in Texas. No fret wear but the top had darkened considerably. But I paid like $2465 for it. These adi top d-50's are great. Very resonate. Notes ring for days. Fun to listen to when you play it.

 

[fronobulax]

It's interesting that the Bluegrass Special designation is not shown on the label.

My recollection is that "Bluegrass Special" as a model designation was not always used by Guild. I seem to recall times where Guild cataloged the same set of specs as "Bluegrass Special" and sometimes didn't. That said there is a D50 Bluegrass special in the 2014 catalog so the absence probably has something to do with who inked the label or what they were told to write.

 

[richt54]

My recollection is that "Bluegrass Special" as a model designation was not always used by Guild. I seem to recall times where Guild cataloged the same set of specs as "Bluegrass Special" and sometimes didn't. That said there is a D50 Bluegrass special in the 2014 catalog so the absence probably has something to do with who inked the label or what they were told to write.

I think it's because they were the only type of D,-50's being made. No longer making the standards. It was the last month as well. On my DV-52 they used to be made either HG or matte. They would show that designation on the label. Mine was made towards the end of the production and they just show DV-52 on the label but no HG even though it is.

 

[chazmo]

Jaroboni, I'm just lovin' looking at that beautiful D-50 again and again.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Any well made dred in RW is going to be a "blue grass special" as far as I am concerned. Don't worry about labels. They all play well, especially with pickin' styles. Guild RW Dreds are usually equal to any Martin or Gibson, etc, etc, etc. You can't match the articulation of a RW dred. You've snatched a great one there. Enjoy! I've owned quite a few. Presently, I have a DV-62 which satisfies me no end. Thanks, Richard Peterson.