What Guild Next?

[Tunes]

I am fearlessly wading into deep waters here - fully understanding that all of you have some unique reason for loving a certain Guild above others.

HOWEVER, I am still a Guild newbie, and do not have Hans book (yet), and therefore seeking your input on what Guild next. I have a D-6, which I believe is considered the "lower end" of Guild guitars made in that period (1990's).

My general preferences would be as follows: Westerly, dread, above average condition (not looking for a rebuild project). I live in Canada, so do not have access to any real selection of Guild's unless I want to travel to Toronto (5 hours by car). In fact a recent search only located one Guild for sale - the one I bought a few months ago.

I am somewhat leary of e-bay and craigslist - would prefer to stick to this forum or AGF to shop. OK - let 'er rip. What should I be looking at for a next Guild?

 

[FNG]

I am pretty tempted by the GF-40 in the FS section. Not a dread, but a real sleeper, IMO.

 

[drive-south]

Since you already own a 6-string acoustic, I'd suggest you add a 12-string to the herd. Perhaps an F50R-12. If you're on a tight budget, perhaps a D25-12, or JF30-12.

You need to provide more info and what are your' needs. What type of music do you play? what instruments would add the most bang for the buck?

drive-south

 

[Scratch]

FNG's suggestion is a very good one... Many of us are GASin for that pretty thing, but no one has jumped yet.

As far as dreads, are you considering rosewood, hog, or maple? If rosewood, I highly recommend the DV52; possibly the best value of all... The D55 is nice (I sold mine and kept the DV52) with a bit more bling; also more expensive... The Hog D40 Dread is an awesome flatpickin machine. The F47 (folk size) is an outstanding fingerpicking instrument; and as far as maple, the G37 (dread size) is a good buy and great sounding guitar; other maple options include the F47mc; gorgeous; but also expensive. The JF30 maple (jumbo body) is clear and distinct and a good buy; F65s are also very popular.

Then there are 12ers. Look out, Tunes, the GAS only gets worse! :wink:

 

[Graham]

We've all been where you are Tunes, in fact some of us are still there. :roll:

I wouldn't necessarily shy away from eBay. I've had good success, but LTG or AGF are also very good resources as long as you do a bit of homework and questioning of the seller.

As Ken states, you might want to aim for some specifics like style, tone wood, use, etc. There will be no shortage of scouts here on the lookout for you.

Have you been to Steve's on Rideau? They carry Guild, may not have a large selection, but among there other stores they may bring one in for you. The Toronto store I was in last weekend had about 4 Guilds and 6 GADs.

 

[stclrob]

Check out the Chicago Music Exchange, they have a pretty decent selection. In fact, they still have the 1970 D 25 I played a few weeks ago:
http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/acoustic-guitars/guild/1-2,3-11/
Anyway, if you're looking at 12ers, I really thought the F-212 I bought my friend was very nice. Very clear tone even for a pretty beat-up instrument (beat-up as in looks, not functionality). The F 212 and D 25 are also both pretty common on the acoustic level so you may have more luck tracking one down. Sometimes good deals come up on http://gbase.com which is typically dealers posting their inventory away from eBay, so you can expand your search there.

 

[Treem]

FNG's suggestion is a very good one... Many of us are GASin for that pretty thing, but no one has jumped yet.

As far as dreads, are you considering rosewood, hog, or maple? If rosewood, I highly recommend the DV52; possibly the best value of all... The D55 is nice (I sold mine and kept the DV52) with a bit more bling; also more expensive... The Hog D40 Dread is an awesome flatpickin machine. The F47 (folk size) is an outstanding fingerpicking instrument; and as far as maple, the G37 (dread size) is a good buy and great sounding guitar; other maple options include the F47mc; gorgeous; but also expensive. The JF30 maple (jumbo body) is clear and distinct and a good buy; F65s are also very popular.

Then there are 12ers. Look out, Tunes, the GAS only gets worse! :wink:

Scratch is telling no lie. :lol:

Rosewood is what's for dinner. :lol: :lol:

 

[GardMan]

Hey Tunes...
I don't remember what the D-6 is, and don't have my books here... Mahogany back and sides? Arched like the D-25? If your preference is for a dread body, I would suggest going for something in a different tonewood, to get a somewhat different sound (I have six Westerly dreads, five different tonewoods, and they all sound different).

If you are looking for a rosewood dread, many think the DV-52 gives the best bang for the buck ($800-$1200?). D-55s from the 80s and 90s tend to fetch just a bit more ($1100-1500?), while D-50s can sometimes go for as much as a D-55 or more ($1000-1500) depending on condition and age. I have never A/B'd any of them... my '92 D-55 has temendous volume with a deep, majestic tone. I have heard the DV-52s described similarly, while the Westerly D-50s have been described as a little more in-your-face with some jangle to them.

In maple, the arched back G-37 and D-30 (very similar specs, different eras) can often be had for $550-800 from eBay. Both have an arched, laminated back, which brings up the bass response a bit. My G-37 has a bright, but smooth sound, a bit richer than my mahogany D-35, and not so "dark" sounding as my D-25 (which has the arched mahogany back). To me, it has some "harp-like" characteristics. Later G-37s and the D-30 have just a bit more bling (Chesterfield headstock logo instead of silk-screened Guild on my '74). The flat backed D-44Ms come up occasionally... and tend to command a bit higher price. I have never heard one...

On the somewhat rarer side... I really like my ash D-46. It's got a nice rich sound, as much volume as my D-55, with some of the rosewood bass but more jangle to the trebles. I like it fingerpicked, but also sounds good flatpicking cowboy tunes. Combined with a really nice neck, its sound makes it my main player these days. Some don't care for the stripey appearance of the ash B/S, but I do... They come up on eBay a couple times a year, and sell for $650-1100.

Lastly, if you play folky stuff... my pearwood D-44 has a really nice folk sound. More bass than my maple or mahogany, and a smoother, fuller sound. Mine doesn't have a lot of volume... but if you're playing solo, it has a wonderful tone. I like it better fingerpicked, rather than strummed. It's probably my second most played, right now (some of that due to it being my newest). These come up only occasionally on eBay... I picked up mine from Jay at New Hope Guitar Traders. I have seen them sell from $800-1500.

Don't rule out eBay entirely... you can find some good guitars if you're cautious. If you find something that interests you, just post the link here, and you'll get plenty of opinions/insight into its condition and value. Have fun...
Dave

 

[FNG]

How much coin you looking to spend?

 

[JerryR]

I live in Canada, so do not have access to any real selection of Guild's unless I want to travel to Toronto (5 hours by car). In fact a recent search only located one Guild for sale - the one I bought a few months ago.

I believe there is a small collection of Guilds actually in Ontario, at constant danger of being gnawed by a hocky playing beaver - perhaps you should rescue them :mrgreen:

 

[dogberry]

I don't remember what the D-6 is, and don't have my books here... Mahogany back and sides? Arched like the D-25? If your preference is for a dread body, I would suggest going for something in a different tonewood, to get a somewhat different sound (I have six Westerly dreads, five different tonewoods, and they all sound different).

Man, your post makes me feel a bunch of the ol' deadly sins -- envy, greed, lust, for starters. I was just getting GAS under control, too.

 

[Scratch]

Dogberry,
How do you like your D40 Richie?

 

[chazmo]

Tunes, do you play 12s?

Next on your hit parade should be a jumbo. Not that I'm biased or anything.

 

[Graham]

Tunes, do you play 12s?

Next on your hit parade should be a jumbo. Not that I'm biased or anything.

JF30-12, always a good choice. :mrgreen:

 

[chazmo]

Tunes, do you play 12s?

Next on your hit parade should be a jumbo. Not that I'm biased or anything.

JF30-12, always a good choice. :mrgreen:

So many to choose from, so little room to keep 'em.

 

[GardMan]

Man, your post makes me feel a bunch of the ol' deadly sins -- envy, greed, lust, for starters. I was just getting GAS under control, too.

My small assortment of well-used dreads (a link to pics in my sig) pales in comparison to many of my fellow LTGers... After adding bargain priced D-25 and G-37 off eBay to my old D-35 a couple years back, I had a hankering to hear Guild dreads in all the possible tonewoods. Pretty much accomplished that... with the exception of the Koa "Peacock," in which I have virtually no interest. On the other hand... there are still a few dread wood/design variations I'd like to compare... a flat-backed all 'hog, arched back all 'hog, and flat-backed maple (to compare with my arched back G-37). And I am still GASsing for a '70s D-50.

If you want to really test your willpower, visit fellow LTGer "Guilds of Grot's" museum...
Dave

 

[Tunes]

OK - that really got the GAS flowing now. I forsee that I am going to have to sell off some assets of some kind to persue this further. Anyone interested in a really nice watch?

After wiping up the puddle of drool from my keyboard (yuck), I think that I am leaning hard towards a D-55, for a couple of reasons. #1 - Rosewood. Yes - "it's what's for dinner". #2 - Love the fret inlay detail.

As much as a 12'er would be fun, I don't think it would get a ton of use. So another 6 banger is higher up the list.

Seriously - I am going to have to sell something - but that's another website. Sigh.

This is several months down the road at least - thanks for the feedback and assistance.

To the D-55 owners out there, any specifics on what to look for / avoid WRT a D-55 would be of further help. THANKS.

 

[Graham]

D55, great choice.

I have had the pleasure to fondle a couple of them from members on this forum, and I have not heard/seen a bad one!

 

[chazmo]

Also be sure to check out a Tacoma-built D-50. From my limited A/B testing, it is louder and still very rich. The D-55 has all the bling though.

 

[dogberry]

Dogberry,
How do you like your D40 Richie?

I love it. I played it (and every other acoustic in the showroom) for a year every Saturday at the local music store while my daughter was taking drum lessons. Finally pulled the trigger and bought it. Now, every Saturday while playing all the leftovers in the showroom, I always feel the same 'bout all them Taylors, Gibsons, Epiphones, etc, "Sounds good, but not as good as mine."