Question about Used Guild DV6

[freak]

My local Guitar Center has one for $919. Did some research and can't seem to find much pricing wise, except this price seems a bit high, based on 1 I saw on Reverb, and a couple of older 'sold' ones. The Guitar played fantastic. Tried it out last night, and only put it down because the store was closing. I usually do a ton of research on anything I am considering, which brings me here.
The serial number is AD061117, which I found out means it was built in the Westerly plant, 1995.
Here is a link to said guitar:
Just need to know what kind of a deal this is. It is not in 'excellent' condition. A little wear and tear, which I am ok with.
Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

Used Guild Dv6 Acoustic Guitar | Guitar Center

 

[GardMan]

Welcome, Freak! (sorta weird to type that!)...

Sorry I can't help you with the value... but you should know that the Westerly-build DV-6s has mahogany back and sides (later versions were rosewood back and sides).

A former Guild worker who is an LTG member once remarked that the Westerly-built DV-6s were real sleepers... meaning great guitars that no one seemed to know (or talk) about much (very underappreciated).

 

[freak]

Welcome, Freak! (sorta weird to type that!)...

Sorry I can't help you with the value... but you should know that the Westerly-build DV-6s has mahogany back and sides (later versions were rosewood back and sides).

A former Guild worker who is an LTG member once remarked that the Westerly-built DV-6s were real sleepers... meaning great guitars that no one seemed to know (or talk) about much (very underappreciated).

Thanks for the info. And how do you think I feel being called that?

 

[JavelinaJoe]

Too high a price for a DV6. A couple of hundred more and you could get a DV-52. Ask the manager for a better price. I've negotiated with GC before to get a better deal. It's worth a shot if you really like it.

 

[dreadnut]

Yeah, offer them $600 and see what they come back with.

 

[wileypickett]

I have a DV6 in near mint conditon (possibly one of the rare cedar-topped models) which I love.

The price of the one you like is high compared to what I paid, but I bought it from the orginal owner, not a store, and that was at least 10 years ago.

I would try haggling with the manager as javelinjoe suggests. I've had modest success doing that. One manager knocked 100 bucks off the price of a guitar; another store managre gave me a brand new hardshell case for a guitar, which only came with a gigbag.
.

 

[freak]

Thanks for the replies. So, as I suspected, it is a bit high. I do haggle with these guys, as I buy a good amount from them. Unhappily, it just came in, so they have no wiggle room yet, most likely. I will pull up some of the prices I found on line, and see what they can do, if anything.

 

[bobouz]

If it’s in “great” condition (to use GC’s scale), I’d buy it right now at $900. You seem to really like the guitar, and these don’t come along every day (especially where you can test drive it in your own back yard).

Guild prices have gone up significantly in the past five years from what I’ve observed. And remember, you’re talking about an all solid wood guitar made in a legendary USA factory for only $900.

If someone else buys it out from under you, you’re probably going to regret it. Have I enabled you enough to do the right thing???

Edit: And btw, here’s my ‘92 D6nt-hg, the kissing cousin model that preceded the DV-6. It doesn’t matter what I originally paid for it. If I ran into it tomorrow hanging in a GC, I’d buy it at $900:

 

[chazmo]

Bob, that axe is in very nice condition! That TRC isn't original, is it?

 

[plaidseason]

My experience at GC is that you can usually drive the price down another 10%.

With respect to used Westerly Guilds, the prices have kind of shot up as a of late. I recently bought a used and road worn DCE1 for $400, because every D4 I looked at, was way overpriced.

The D6/DV6 is definitely the sleeper of latter day Westerly. They're on my short list of favorite guitars.

 

[plaidseason]

Here are the specs for the DV6:

Guild DV6 - Westerly Guild Guitars

 

[bobouz]

Bob, that axe is in very nice condition! That TRC isn't original, is it?

Yes, I got lucky with this one & it’s quite minty. The TRC was swapped from my A-150b Savoy, which imho visually worked out well for both guitars.

 

[adorshki]

I have a DV6 in near mint conditon (possibly one of the rare cedar-topped models) which I love.

Wiley, the cedar-topped ones I've seen posted here said "DV-6 Cedar" on the label like this:

 

[Westerly Wood]

i offer a different mental perspective on price vs perceived value....

you sound like you really dig this Guild DV6...
say you would be comfortable spending 700 on it and think that quite a deal and totally worth it.
well, if you offer them 800 and they counter with 900 tax included, you are only really out 200 bucks.

so in essence, you got the DV6 for $200. which is a steal man.

 

[wileypickett]

Wiley, the cedar-topped ones I've seen posted here said "DV-6 Cedar" on the label like this:

Mine has no label inside: it was made by a Guild employee for his son, and was given to him without a label or pickguard. The reason it's in mint conditon is the son (who I bought it from) never had even the slightest interest in guitar and barely touched it in all the years he had it.

I never knew Guild even made cedar-topped guitars, but according to Hans the serial number is part of the series of cedar-topped DV6s they produced. Hans wouldn't say for certain it was cedar without seeing it, but it's likely -- apparently.

Mine is younger than yours by a mere14 digits: AD 062386.

 

[adorshki]

Mine has no label inside: it was made by a Guild employee for his son, and was given to him without a label or pickguard. The reason it's in mint conditon is the son (who I bought it from) never had even the slightest interest in guitar and barely touched it in all the years he had it.

I never knew Guild even made cedar-topped guitars, but according to Hans the serial number is part of the series of cedar-topped DV6s they produced. Hans wouldn't say for certain it was cedar without seeing it, but it's likely -- apparently.

Mine is younger than yours by a mere14 digits: AD 062386.

Thank you sir! I recall the story now that it's re-told. Yeah I'd put the odds at about 97% or even greater if it looks like cedar next to a spruce top, even though they're pretty similar.

That's not mine btw, it's just a pic I pulled from the net as an example label. Hatted Frau had one as well, IIRC, and thought he posted his label but couldn't find that one quickly, thus the next best pic I could find.

 

[adorshki]

i offer a different mental perspective on price vs perceived value....

you sound like you really dig this Guild DV6...
say you would be comfortable spending 700 on it and think that quite a deal and totally worth it.
well, if you offer them 800 and they counter with 900 tax included, you are only really out 200 bucks.

so in essence, you got the DV6 for $200. which is a steal man.

Yeah but why not offer 'em 7 to see if they come back with 8?

 

[adorshki]

My local Guitar Center has one for $919. Did some research and can't seem to find much pricing wise, except this price seems a bit high, based on 1 I saw on Reverb, and a couple of older 'sold' ones.

Welcome aboard, Freak! Link doesn't work for me, but just wanted to check pics for any possible red flags.

The Guitar played fantastic. Tried it out last night, and only put it down because the store was closing. I usually do a ton of research on anything I am considering, which brings me here.

Yeah, that's the thing about Guilds. Hard to put down. Sounds like it's your first experience with one? Be careful my friend, sounds like you might already be slidin' down that long slippery slope. More than a few have come here to learn about one and now own several.

Just sayin', fair warning.

In case it's of interest the Westerly DV-6 has a bit more mojo than has been revealed so far, I first saw 'em in the '97 catalog shortly after I bought my D25, explains what the "DV" prefix means:

In case it's hard to read, note "back and sides that have been sanded down"; "neck and end blocks specially selected for light weight and superior strength"; "shaved braces"; "AA sitka top" (and Guild's sitka was very very good indeed)

This model filled the slot of the venerable D40 (spruce top/flat-back 'hog dread) when that model went on hiatus for few years.

I think of 'em as D40's on steroids.
So yer ears got good taste, man.


EDIT: Oh yeah, btw, when I tried the link I wound up stumbling across a listing for one in "Very good" condition at Cream City Music for $699.00. Whoopsie, just noticed, "no longer in stock", and no date on page.

But that's about where I'd have pegged 'em, maybe 8-9 allowing for the uptrend in values over the last few years as mentioned. With a case. They came with cases.

 

[freak]

Welcome aboard, Freak! Link doesn't work for me, but just wanted to check pics for any possible red flags.


Yeah, that's the thing about Guilds. Hard to put down. Sounds like it's your first experience with one? Be careful my friend, sounds like you might already be slidin' down that long slippery slope. More than a few have come here to learn about one and now own several.

Just sayin', fair warning.

In case it's of interest the Westerly DV-6 has a bit more mojo than has been revealed so far, I first saw 'em in the '97 catalog shortly after I bought my D25, explains what the "DV" prefix means:

In case it's hard to read, note "back and sides that have been sanded down"; "neck and end blocks specially selected for light weight and superior strength"; "shaved braces"; "AA sitka top" (and Guild's sitka was very very good indeed)

This model filled the slot of the venerable D40 (spruce top/flat-back 'hog dread) when that model went on hiatus for few years.

I think of 'em as D40's on steroids.
So yer ears got good taste, man.


EDIT: Oh yeah, btw, when I tried the link I wound up stumbling across a listing for one in "Very good" condition at Cream City Music for $699.00. Whoopsie, just noticed, "no longer in stock", and no date on page.

But that's about where I'd have pegged 'em, maybe 8-9 allowing for the uptrend in values over the last few years as mentioned. With a case. They came with cases.

Thanks for the help. Yes, i did see the one from Cream City for $699 also, and it did sell awhile ago.
Here is the GC link again.
Used Guild Dv6 Acoustic Guitar | Guitar Center

I do have a real nice Taylor (600 series) and a Gibson studio G45. Both nice guitars. Yes, this Guild I picked up was the first one i ever played. I know Randy Jackson from Zebra plays them, so I was intrigued. It really is nice.

 

[adorshki]

Thanks for the help. Yes, i did see the one from Cream City for $699 also, and it did sell awhile ago.
Here is the GC link again.
Used Guild Dv6 Acoustic Guitar | Guitar Center

Not sure why, but I get this:
Hey, who turned down the music?
Oops, this page doesn't exist.

Are you posting from a 'puter or a phone? I know nothing about smart phones, but might be able to help with a link if you're on a PC.
When I looked at the listings yesterday, didn't see a DV-6 come up at the price you mentioned.