Pics of Tacoma D-50 and NH D-50. Not much of a difference.

[richt54]

The only discernable difference to me are the tuners used and the Chesterfield logo on the Tacoma is solid where the NH has vertical lines through it. My wife looks at me and asks why I would buy two similar guitars. It's a legitimate question. They sound very similar and look similar. But now I know from 1st hand experience. Necks are both a slimmer soft c shape. Very comfortable. Both high quality made Guild D-50's with Adi tops and EIR back and sides.

 

[HeyMikey]

Nice! As far has having a legitimate reason for owning two of the same or similar guitars…. If you find a model that really works well for you and play in different tunings it is good to have multiples permanently pre-tuned.

It is very convenient not having to retune during practice and will encourage playing in alternate tunings. If you gig, more important for quick changes and not having to worry about the stings stabilizing in the new tuning. I don’t do a lot in open thing but I do like to have a couple guitars detuned a half and full step for vocal limitations on certain songs.

Second, and possibly more importantly, I’ve read that constant retuning - tightening and loosening tension on the neck - is not good for maintaining proper neck angle over time. It may speed up the need for a costly neck reset.

All logical reasons that make sense to guitar players, but to someone like my wife who doesn’t understand why more than one guitar is necessary, let alone multiples of the same model, you may still get the familiar eye roll.

 

[chazmo]

Yup, very, very similar. I don't recall NH making many specific changes to the D-50. The way they they cut and set the neck was different during the NH years (more CNC and machine work), and possibly the truss rod is different.... But, two beauties, and very similar.

 

[dreadnut]

Tell your wife you are selling one - to finance the purchase of another Guild...

 

[richt54]

She knows better than to complain. I just didn’t have a good answer as to why I have such similar guitars. I think the Tacoma D-50 has slightly more mojo than the New Hartford D-50. But IMHO other than the early Brazilian models, these two represent the best D-50 production models that Guild ever made. That’s a novice Guild owner’s opinion. I know other NH and Tacoma D-50’s will come up for sale. But as of now I can’t find any.

 

[twocorgis]

Do what makes you happy! I too own two D50s, my '73 since I was a teenager. They're not nearly as similar, though.

 

[jeffcoop]

I also own two D50s, a Corona model and a New Hartford D50 Standard, and perversely I find myself longing for a Tacoma D50 or a NH D50 Traditional. And here you have both. You are a lucky man,

 

[Boneman]

Those look outstanding, and not at all dissimilar, but hey, who needs a reason other than darn it I want another one. Maybe even try one with Nashville tuning(all the octave strings from a 12 string set) see how much different they sound then. And that is interesting on the chesterfield, they have lines in em ever since huh? Sound wise are they exactly like a D55?

 

[richt54]

I also own two D50s, a Corona model and a New Hartford D50 Standard, and perversely I find myself longing for a Tacoma D50 or a NH D50 Traditional. And here you have both. You are a lucky man,

you have some sweet ones yourself. I would love to have an Orpheum SS mahogany. There is something special about the Guild Adi tops. That’s why I wanted the Tacoma and NH BG Specials. It’s a matter of timing sometimes when these guitars pop up.

 

[richt54]

Those look outstanding, and not at all dissimilar, but hey, who needs a reason other than darn it I want another one. Maybe even try one with Nashville tuning(all the octave strings from a 12 string set) see how much different they sound then. And that is interesting on the chesterfield, they have lines in em ever since huh? Sound wise are they exactly like a D55?

I think my DV-52 would sLund more similar to the D-55. But I’m only speculating since I have never played a D-55. They both have Sitka Spruce over EIR. The Tacoma and NH D-50’s had the Adirondack tops. The Tacoma top has more silking and bear claw in the grain than the NH.