NGD: Tacoma Guild DV4

[davenumber2]

Hey folks,

I used to browse around here years ago but have been on the AGF and UMGF of late. I picked up a Tacoma built DV4 the other day and it’s a real dandy. I figured it would be a good time to come back here. I believe it was built in 2008 and is in pretty much mint condition other than some minor buckle rash on the back. Plays great and sounds after some new strings and minor nut work. It also came with a pack of Guild strings in the case that are probably at least 10 years old. They still make those?

 

[twocorgis]

Congrats on the new addition! Interested in your thoughts. I had a similar one for a while, and it wasn't bad, just wasn't for me.

Ha! I just looked, and found a 12-53 set of these that was swag at one of the later LMGs. They have to be close to ten years old. I looked at mine, and was surprised when they weren't rusted. Might have to string them up!

 

[davenumber2]

I think it sounds great. Strong fundamental mahogany tone, granted I’m still in the honeymoon period. What didn’t you like about yours?

 

[twocorgis]

I think it sounds great. Strong fundamental mahogany tone, granted I’m still in the honeymoon period. What didn’t you like about yours?

Nothing fundamentally wrong with it, it just wasn't for me. I'm blessed with a few great mahogany dreads (only one a Guild), and they're some tough company.

 

[Norrissey]

Beautiful DV4 congrats!

 

[markus]

Nice guitar!
I like my Tacoma DV4 very much. And, yes TL at the beginning of the serialnumber means Tacoma 2008 (like mine!).
I usually string it up with John Pearse 650LM Phosphor Bronze for the extra punch.

And I'm surprised to see a thread about Tacoma DVs online for >6 hours where gjmalcyon hasn't contributed yet …

markus

 

[Boneman]

HNGD! Nice find, that’s some good looking mahogany on the back of that one.

 

[GGJaguar]

Love the wood grain on the back! Congrats!!

 

[Guilderland21]

I like that pickguard, too!

 

[gjmalcyon]

I have its Rosewood brother, the DV-6. I love that guitar. If I can figure a way out of my "No More Guitars!" pledge to She Who Must Be Obeyed, a Tacoma DV-4 is on my shortlist. They're hard to find - I can only think of a couple coming on the market in past few years.

 

[jfilm]

Congrats on the find! Those are great guitars. I had one, but the neck wasn't as slim as I like, so I ended up selling it. I was really impressed by the sound though, and would like to add a Tacoma Guild to the herd if I can find one with the right neck profile. The Guild strings, the only experience I have is with GAD guitars that had Guild strings on from the factory. I liked them, they seemed to be coated (almost like Elixer nanos) if I remember correctly.

 

[beecee]

Congrats on the find! Those are great guitars. I had one, but the neck wasn't as slim as I like, so I ended up selling it.

I thought I was the only one here who liked 'em thinner than 1 3/4"

 

[fronobulax]

I thought I was the only one here who liked 'em thinner than 1 3/4"

I don't think you are the only one as much as the people who prefer (or insist on) 1 3/4" tend to be "louder".

 

[gjmalcyon]

And I'm surprised to see a thread about Tacoma DVs online for >6 hours where gjmalcyon hasn't contributed yet …

markus

Although it might seem like it, I don't spend ALL my time on LTG.

Ok, maybe I do.

 

[chazmo]

I played a few of the MIM DV-4s that came after Tacoma, and I really liked them. A Tacoma version should be a wonderful addition to the herd! Congrats!

 

[davenumber2]

Congrats on the find! Those are great guitars. I had one, but the neck wasn't as slim as I like, so I ended up selling it. I was really impressed by the sound though, and would like to add a Tacoma Guild to the herd if I can find one with the right neck profile. The Guild strings, the only experience I have is with GAD guitars that had Guild strings on from the factory. I liked them, they seemed to be coated (almost like Elixer nanos) if I remember correctly.

Thanks! I’m surprised you didn’t find the neck slim enough. It’s 1 11/16” and on the thin side IMO. To each his own. I put the strings on that came with it (surprisingly still pretty fresh) and they aren’t coated. They feel and sound like Daddario EJ17s to me. That may be who makes/made them for Guild.
As far as the guitar goes, it sounds really good especially with the mediums. I have a 2004 Martin D-16 which I consider to be a great example of that model and the DV4 compares favorably. The Martin is a bit bassier as is to be expected, the Guild a bit sharper and clearer. The Martin sounds like a Martin, the Guild like a Guild. Surprise surprise! They sit in a similar spot in the hierarchy of their respective brands so it’s a decent comparison. So anyway, I’m really enjoying the new addition to the fam.

 

[jfilm]

Thanks! I’m surprised you didn’t find the neck slim enough. It’s 1 11/16” and on the thin side IMO. To each his own. I put the strings on that came with it (surprisingly still pretty fresh) and they aren’t coated. They feel and sound like Daddario EJ17s to me. That may be who makes/made them for Guild.
As far as the guitar goes, it sounds really good especially with the mediums. I have a 2004 Martin D-16 which I consider to be a great example of that model and the DV4 compares favorably. The Martin is a bit bassier as is to be expected, the Guild a bit sharper and clearer. The Martin sounds like a Martin, the Guild like a Guild. Surprise surprise! They sit in a similar spot in the hierarchy of their respective brands so it’s a decent comparison. So anyway, I’m really enjoying the new addition to the fam.

I might have got used to the neck if I gave it a chance - at the first fret it was .83" which is fine for me, but by the 10th fret it was 1.05". By comparison I had the Mexican version of the same guitar, and it went .84" to .90" from 1 to 10, and it felt a lot better. I tend to like guitars within the range of that Mexican DV-4. The Martin modified low oval neck is typically in this sort of range as well, like your D-16. Not sure if all the Tacomas had standard neck profiles, or if there was any variation.