Not that many years ago I played a DV-4 at a Pittsburgh guitar store, and I'm just Gonna say it.. It was the Best Sounding Instrument I've ever played In my Life! I still remember the Sustain that went on forever and the Volume and warm Tone this thing had, the kind of Guitar that you can feel the vibration of the notes in your chest, Ya it was Love at 1st strum.. I believe It said made in Tacoma washington.. I couldn't afford it at the time and have NEVER seen one since? especially made in Tacoma.
I would Love to get One, It was Nothing Fancy no inlays or gloss finish.. Just Magical performance
The Tacoma DV-
4 was the same formula as the
Westerly DV-
6: 'hog flat-back/body w/ spruce top.
THAT formula included shaved braces, don't think Tacoma used those.
Instead I suspect they used their standard red cedar bracing which could be made lighter for the same strength as sitka, accomplishing the same purpose tonally.
Anyway, the "DV" formula originally meant shaved (or scalloped on the DV52) braces, AA sitka tops, neck and end block selected for lightness/strength; and sanded back/sides for resonance.
At the time it filled the D40 slot, as D-40 was on hiatus.
There was even a DV-4 and even a DV-25 (flatback) out of Westerly very late in the game, and the D40 was re-introduced in '98, I think it was.
Anyway you should know that all those share the same basic hog-body flatback formula and are worth checking out if possible.
None of 'em (except D-40's) are all that common having only ever been built for maybe 2 or 3 years in either location.
But Tacomas do have more of a rep for lighter more resonant builds than Westerlys in general.
The Westerly DV's were the pioneers in trying to build really light and resonant pieces compared to the standards of the time.