Why I went with Tacoma over NH

mandoman

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Howdy Y-all,

On my hunt for a Tacoma or New Hartford D-50, I've done gone and bought one of each! Inspired by richt54 D-50 comparison thread and wanting to obtain 'the one', I ended up getting both, with the intention of keeping only one. The first is a NH 2014 D-50 I obtained from another LTG member Jaroboni (his NGD thread, thanks for the smooth transaction!). The second, a Tacoma 2006 D-50, I got off reverb. I'm still struggling to decide which I like best since they both sound great, but they are a little different in build and tone.

Top:
The 2006 has a nicer spruce top than the 2014. Despite a noticeable finish check, It has aged a nicer darker yellow, and has a lot more bear claw to it.

Back and Sides:
The 2014 has darker rosewood, which I like a bit better, though the lighter grain on the 2006 has more pop in the grain between light and dark. I like both.

Neck:
The 2006 has a single piece hog neck. The 2014 is a 3-ply hog-walnut-hog laminate and is a tad thicker. While I tend to favor a single piece neck and this sample has a nicer color and grain to it, I prefer the thicker 3-ply neck as it is a tad more comfortable for my large hands and feels a little more solid.
The neck on the 2014 tapers down a lot more where it connects to the body than the 2006.

Fingerboard:
About the same as far as ebony goes. The fret position dot markers are different however, where the 2014 has additional markers at 3rd and 17th frets. The side markers are the almost the same, with an additional marker at the 1st fret on the 2006.

Headstock:
Headstock inlays are different. I like the black stripes and MOP inlay better on the 2014. The 2006 harkens back to older Guilds. The ebony overlay on the 2014 is noticeably thicker, whereas the 2006 has a very thin ebony veneer.

Tuners:
2014 are open-back and 2006 are closed/sealed. The 2006 tuners are noticeably smoother to turn, but are heavier. Not heavy enough to cause noticeable neck dive, but still contributes to overall weight.

Weight:
The guitars weigh about the same according to my not-so-accurate bathroom scale. However, given the aftermarket additions (strap button and endpin for electronics), the 2014 would be lighter without additions.

Case:
The 2014 came with an original faux-alligator-skin hardshell case. The 2006 came in original standard tolex hard shell case.

Condition:
The 2006 is in better and more original condition than the 2014. The 2014 has an aftermarket strap button and an endpin jack and wiring ready to take an M series LR Baggs pickup. There are more dings a light scratches on the 2014. The 2006 has a noticeable finish check on the top, a few minor nicks here and there, but is in overall better condition. Both guitars have a bit of fret wear, but both have plenty of fret life left.

Tone:
The million dollar question. The 2006 has more low end and a more balanced tone. The 2014 is brighter with a bit more volume and snap. I'd say the 2006 leans more towards an older Guild or perhaps a Martin, whereas the 2014 has a more modern tone like a Taylor. I have not owned either a Martin or Taylor (but friends do), so take that statement with a grain of salt. I lean more towards the 2014, especially for single note flat picking. I think the 2006 would sound better for finger style, but I don't play that style.

Summary:
Both guitars are exceptional in build and tone compared to anything else in this price range. While the differences between the 2006 and 2014 are subtle at first glance, when you really take a closer look, they are quite a bit different resulting in different tone and feel. I would not, however, make any definitive conclusion which is better between a Tacoma and New Hartford build since my sample size is so small (only one of each). They both sounds great and I would be happy with either one.

Conclusion:
Which guitar to keep? I think I will hang on to the 2014. While it's not as good as condition as the 2006, I like the playability a bit more on the 2014 due to the neck and perhaps a better setup, and the snappier tone of the 2014 I think will hang better in a bluegrass jam. That said, I am still looking for one of these in sunburst...
 

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GGJaguar

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Nicely done and interesting comparison! Glad you were able to decide which is the keeper as that can be a tough choice.
 

richt54

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In evaluating the tone i was curious what gauge of strings you were using?
 

Boneman

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HNGD x 2! Very nice summary, and two very classic, sharp looking guitars. I too would be curious what strings/ gauge you used.
 

mandoman

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Good question. I changed the strings on both guitars at same time to light (12‘s) phosphor bronze (D’Addario EJ16) when I did the comparison.
 

jeffcoop

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I'm fascinated by the recent comparisons of Tacoma and New Hartford D50s. I'll have my own NGD thread for a New Hartford D50 Traditional soon, but for now I'll say that it does sound like it would be superb in a bluegrass band. It's very punchy and loud, with a. midrange that would cut through in a group setting.
 

richt54

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I going to assume based upon your recent review and comparison of the 2 d-50's that the sound of the NH is why you decided to keep it over the Tacoma. The tuners, neck and overall condition of the Tacoma wasn't enough to sway you to keep that one. Enjoy the NH D-50. I sold my NH over the Tacoma because it was the best conditioned of the two and a member here wanted to buy one from me. And the slightly scratched back didn't bother me. The bear claw Adirondack on my Tacoma was something I liked on the Tacoma over the NH. I'm more into fingerstyle playing but either one worked fine for me on that. Maybe because I'm from Washington. Anyway I kept the Tacoma. I'm going to do a similar comparison on my D-55's as I now have both a 2005 Tacoma and a 2009 NH. And yes the Antique Burst is beautiful to look at. And GLWYS.
 
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mandoman

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Hi richt54,

While the condition and looks are superior on the Tacoma, I preferred the tone and feel of the neck a bit more on the NH for flat picking. Tone/Playability always trumps Condition/Looks in my book.

Ideally I will find a sunburst D-50 in pristine condition that sounds better than anything I've ever played before, but for now I am super content with the NH, and would be equally content with the Tacoma.

Thanks,
mandoman

PS. And curse your original D-50 comparison threads which prompted me to try the Tacoma in the first place. Ah, just kidding, this has been a fun exercise. ;-)
 

richt54

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Hi richt54,

While the condition and looks are superior on the Tacoma, I preferred the tone and feel of the neck a bit more on the NH for flat picking. Tone/Playability always trumps Condition/Looks in my book.

Ideally I will find a sunburst D-50 in pristine condition that sounds better than anything I've ever played before, but for now I am super content with the NH, and would be equally content with the Tacoma.

Thanks,
mandoman

PS. And curse your original D-50 comparison threads which prompted me to try the Tacoma in the first place. Ah, just kidding, this has been a fun exercise. ;-)
I went back again and read your comment about the neck. I misread your comment about neck preference. You liked the feel of the NH over the Tacoma. That's why I was at first confused. My bad.
 

mandoman

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Posts moved from https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/2006-d-50-traditional.213669/#post-2043224

The information is useful enough to be preserved elsewhere and I was twitching at the veer....
Thanks, though I already had a thread discussing my preference here:

Can you please merge this thread over there? Thanks!
 
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