What Guild is right for me ?

Rambozo96

Rambozo96

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Br1ck said:
You should play an arch back D 25. Might be just what you need in a band mix driven hard. It is what I'd look for in a gig instrument. Find a worry free distressed guitar and thrash it all you want. You almost have to buy a few, evaluate what you like and move the rest on. Or start a collection. A big consideration is do you mind spending more than the market value by buying and older Guild in need of a neck reset or other work and fixing it. It's not like buying a 72 D 18 for $1200-1400 needing a neck reset and spending another $1000 on it. You pretty much break even with a decent chance of a price rise over time. Even buying my D 35 for $250, I still have $1400 in it. What could I get for it, $1000-1200? Maybe. But value vs market was not my consideration.
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The D-35 was a weird red headed stepchild for some reason. I hear talk of the D-25 and D-40 more than I hear of D-35’s. I enjoy mine so that doesn’t really matter.
 
jfilm

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dpc915 said:
True. But pricey for that kind of damage etc
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Agreed, pricey for what it is- I was just saying replacing a saddle isn't a big job like replacing a cracked bridge. The guitar looks pretty nice in other (important) respects- no major breaks, straight neck, tall saddle, good frets, etc. (according to the description). Cosmetically not bad either. Also if the guitar sounds good as is with no weird buzzing or anything, the saddle might not urgently need to be replaced. I've never seen one like that but maybe it's working fine- I assume the seller would mention it if it was a problem with the current playing condition/sound of the guitar.

The seller is accepting offers so might be worth sending an offer if you want a D-25. Regarding prices on these, I think it's very condition dependent on older guitars, because many will need a neck reset or other work. So your $700-$800 D-25 from the 70s could end up costing another $500 in repairs, etc. depending on where you live. Agree with previous comments, if you're patient, you will probably come across a better deal, or the seller could lower the price on this one after a while.

One other thing you can check is the D4 - I've never played one but people on this forum speak highly of them. They are also arch backed and I believe are essentially a D-25 with satin finish and other minor differences. I see these come up in the $500-700 range fairly regularly.
 
dpc915

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jfilm said:
Agreed, pricey for what it is- I was just saying replacing a saddle isn't a big job like replacing a cracked bridge. The guitar looks pretty nice in other (important) respects- no major breaks, straight neck, tall saddle, good frets, etc. (according to the description). Cosmetically not bad either. Also if the guitar sounds good as is with no weird buzzing or anything, the saddle might not urgently need to be replaced. I've never seen one like that but maybe it's working fine- I assume the seller would mention it if it was a problem with the current playing condition/sound of the guitar. The seller is accepting offers so might be worth sending an offer if you want a D-25. Regarding prices on these, I think it's very condition dependent on older guitars, because many will need a neck reset or other work. So your $700-$800 D-25 from the 70s could end up costing another $500 in repairs, etc. depending on where you live. Agree with previous comments, if you're patient, you will probably come across a better deal, or the seller could lower the price on this one after a while. One other thing you can check is the D4 - I've never played one but people on this forum speak highly of them. They are also arch backed and I believe are essentially a D-25 with satin finish and other minor differences. I see these come up in the $500-700 range fairly regularly.
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So, I'm thinking. I'm a late starter in life when it comes to the Band Gigging thin as a lead singer/rythm guitarist performing Country Old/New, Classic Rock and some Blues, and now I'm totally addicted. From what I've read online, the Dreadnoughts are better/louder when performing on stage. Being a lefty and my Dad being a righty, I will be helping him sell his 67 Starfire III, which will help me get into a nice Dreadnought.

Any others I should be looking at besides the D40 or D50?

Should I make a trip to Corona?
 
fronobulax

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MojoGuild said:
Should I make a trip to Corona?
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Guild's US production is now in Oxnard, California.

A major problem with being interested in new, made in the US Guilds is that there aren't many in dealer stock right now and there are not many dealers who stock enough different models to do side by side comparisons.
 
valleyguy

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I'd agree a D40 in a band would be better than a D50, the rosewood has more bass and harmonic overtones, but in a band, you don't want that from your acoustic.

That Reverb D40 looks like a decent deal.
 
D30Man

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I do not have any experience with Hoboken Guilds but I have never really been disappointed with a Westerly 70’s, 80’s or 90’s..
 
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Have you tried any early 70s Westerlys? Before 73 they were quite different. Much lighter build. More like the Hoboken years.
 
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MojoGuild

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Wow, thanks for the great advice. I really appreciate you all steering me in the right direction on this quest.
fronobulax said:
Guild's US production is now in Oxnard, California.

A major problem with being interested in new, made in the US Guilds is that there aren't many in dealer stock right now and there are not many dealers who stock enough different models to do side by side comparisons.
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Thanks Frono :cool:
 
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