Possibly buying this Guild D-30

[Buzzy]

Hey all, new here. I have this D-30 that I may be buying. Wanted to get a little info on it. I’ll post some pics as well. The thing is a beaut. I gotta take it somewhere to make sure it’s not gonna need crazy repairs. The electronics aren’t working. And the bridge looks to be coming up. Any info you guys have for me would be greatly appreciated. I’ve read many good things of the D-30 in these forums, so when I found this one I was super excited!
Shoot it to me straight!!! Thanks!

i just noticed these pictures are very good.
Serial number AD300940

 

[gjmalcyon]

Welcome! Stick around - nice folks around here.

Start your pre-sale inspection with this much-passed-around article from Frank Ford:

FRETS.COM

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG! Yeah, that bridge looks like it's going to need to be re-glued so factor that into your cost. If you don't need the electronics, just have them removed when the bridge work is done or have a new (probably better) system installed. Good luck with your D-30 quest!

 

[Buzzy]

Welcome! Stick around - nice folks around here.

Start your pre-sale inspection with this much-passed-around article from Frank Ford:

FRETS.COM

Thanks for passing along that article!

 

[Buzzy]

Welcome to LTG! Yeah, that bridge looks like it's going to need to be re-glued so factor that into your cost. If you don't need the electronics, just have them removed when the bridge work is done or have a new (probably better) system installed. Good luck with your D-30 quest!

Thanks for the reply. I’m taking to a guy to see how much work may need to be done. I’m trying to find out how old this guitar is, point me in a direction for that?

 

[GardMan]

Looks like the bridge has been sanded down in an effort to lower the saddle w/o having the neck reset. If so, you will likely need to have the neck reset AND have a new saddle made. A costly proposition...

 

[Buzzy]

Looks like the bridge has been sanded down in an effort to lower the saddle w/o having the neck reset. If so, you will likely need to have the neck reset AND have a new saddle made. A costly proposition...

Oohhh!?! Thanks. I’m glad I posted here. I really like the idea of this guitar. Solid Wood, worn in, sound and tone. But I may have to keep looking. I appreciate it!

 

[wileypickett]

If you love the sound of the guitar, and the price takes into account the cost of the repairs, you might consider taking a "bird in the hand" approach, and grab it while you can.

You can surely find guitars that don't need as much work, but that's no guarantee you'll like the sound as much. Four of the best sounding Guilds I know of came to me as basket cases. (D50; F212XL; F312; JV72.)

 

[davismanLV]

The TRC (truss rod cover) is upside down, so knock money off for that. (just kidding) It's pretty. If you have someone who can do the work well and you can get the right price on the guitar, I'm with @wileypickett !! Get it, fix it, love it!!

 

[jfilm]

Looks like the bridge has been sanded down in an effort to lower the saddle w/o having the neck reset. If so, you will likely need to have the neck reset AND have a new saddle made. A costly proposition...

I'm not sure that I see any evidence of the bridge being sanded... not from these photos anyway (I thought so at first but it was an illusion!), looks to be a pretty standard thickness on the back of the bridge, but it's lifting a lot. Your guitar tech will be able to tell you if the neck angle is ok, in which case all you'll need is the bridge reglued (hopefully). That's a $150-200 or so repair depending on where you live. Also, I believe this is a 1997 or 1998. The number is slightly off the Guild Serial Number Charts.

 

[GardMan]

Might be an illusion from the photo angle and the lift... I didn't enlarge the pic, and it looked like the bridge thickness was ramped down to the top of the soundboard. I'd need to see a pic from the side, to be certain. Something I think a decent tech would see and bring to your attention.

 

[wileypickett]

That's a lot of lift -- the bridge pins may be what's mainly holding the bridge on at this point!

I'd recommend getting those strings slackend ASAP. If the bridge does pull off, it'll almost certainly take some of the top in front of the bridge with it, damage that will be hard to hide when its repaired. (Personal experience talking here!)

 

[Buzzy]

Looks like the bridge has been sanded down in an effort to lower the saddle w/o having the neck reset. If so, you will likely need to have the neck reset AND have a new saddle made. A costly proposition...

Oohhh!?! Thanks. I’m glad I posted here. I really like the idea of this guitar. Solid Wood, work in,

I'm not sure that I see any evidence of the bridge being sanded... not from these photos anyway (I thought so at first but it was an illusion!), looks to be a pretty standard thickness on the back of the bridge, but it's lifting a lot. Your guitar tech will be able to tell you if the neck angle is ok, in which case all you'll need is the bridge reglued (hopefully). That's a $150-200 or so repair depending on where you live. Also, I believe this is a 1997 or 1998. The number is slightly off the Guild Serial Number Charts.

thanks! I just stumbled on the serial number chart. It does fall in the 97-99. Appreciate it!

 

[fronobulax]

thanks! I just stumbled on the serial number chart. It does fall in the 97-99. Appreciate it!

Typo? I think of that headstock shape as being late 1980's.

 

[Buzzy]

Typo? I think of that headstock shape as being late 1980's.

I’m only going by this chart. I know nothing about the history.

 

[fronobulax]

I’m only going by this chart. I know nothing about the history.

OK. I was focused on D30 and not D30BLD when I skimmed the chart. Thanks.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

The electronics aren’t working.

Have you checked the battery?

 

[fronobulax]

Have you checked the battery?

Or just installed one since one of the pics clearly shows a battery lead without a battery.

 

[Buzzy]

Have you checked the

Have you checked the battery?

I did. That’s one thing I am capable of doing to a guitar lol. I’m more worried about the neck, bridge, and body. That’s where I’d have to spend the most $$ to repair.

 

[Cougar]

I’m more worried about the neck, bridge, and body. That’s where I’d have to spend the most $$ to repair.

Welcome to LTG! Whether the neck angle is good is the potential expensive repair ($500+). One can't tell if it's needed from photos. They have to remove the neck and reposition it. Re-gluing the bridge and fixing/installing electronics aren't hugely costly. And you'll want a setup so it plays nice and easy. Good luck! Keep us informed!