D-40question?

adorshki

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Was the D40 ever made in china or have they always been made in the USA?

HI "Strad":
"Technically", no, not as simply a "D40" (or D40C).
There were D40 types made in China but they would be known as "GAD40c" (with a cutaway) or "GAD140c", a second generation of the same model.
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Guild-2005-Catalog-GAD-pg02_1600.jpeg
And after Guild's purchase by Cordoba Music Group the imports are known as "Westerly Collection" models in which it's called the D-240.
https://guildguitars.com/g/westerly-d-240e/
All versions were clearly labeled with the model number when new.
Exception would be the newest US version (Oxnard CA, under Cordoba) where labels aren't used but the model number's laser-etched on a wood plate on the heelblock.
If the label's missing, ALL of the import models can be identified by lack of a TRC, the truss adjustment nut's accessed through the soundhole.
Got a specimen in mind?
We're here to help.
:smile:
 
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D30Man

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Exactly..

I will say if you are going for the Guild MIC version of the D-40 the GAD40 I going to be your best bang for the buck tone and build-wise.. You can still find them used on the normal instrument sites.. The GAD40 is going to be better built than GAD140 and D140 Westerly Collection models that followed.. My two cents..
 

adorshki

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I know I looked at that first post too, but don't understand why it's relevant, except it implies he's ok with vintage instruments.
Maybe my use of "specimen" threw you off?
I suspected he was asking because he suspected a particular guitar he was looking at might be being misrepresented due to lack of label, so was trying to give him the dead giveaways of the MIC versions.
:friendly-wink:
 
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Dating an almost new D40???

I purchased a used D40 from a reputable dealer and am wondering how to date it? It is a 2018 D40 I think. Nice case with a humidifier in the case lid. The serial number starts with a "C". "C" serial numbers are not referenced any where I can find...
The guitar came with all the paper work as though it were a brand new guitar. It looks brand new except for some finish checking on the top.
Any help would be appreciated!!
 

D30Man

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And you did just that Al.
My intention was in the event he was looking for a Guild MIC version of a D-40 to provide a heavily biased recommendation to look for an early GAD40 as opposed to the latter MIC versions..
 

Tom O

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HI "Strad":
"Technically", no, not as simply a "D40" (or D40C).
There were D40 types made in China but they would be known as "GAD40c" (with a cutaway) or "GAD140c", a second generation of the same model.
https://www.gad.net/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Guild-2005-Catalog-GAD-pg02_1600.jpeg
And after Guild's purchase by Cordoba Music Group the imports are known as "Westerly Collection" models in which it's called the D-240.
https://guildguitars.com/g/westerly-d-240e/
All versions were clearly labeled with the model number when new.
Exception would be the newest US version (Oxnard CA, under Cordoba) where labels aren't used but the model number's laser-etched on a wood plate on the heelblock.
If the label's missing, ALL of the import models can be identified by lack of a TRC, the truss adjustment nut's accessed through the soundhole.
Got a specimen in mind?
We're here to help.
:smile:

My GAD-50PCE and GAD G212 have a trust adjustment hex head screw accessed through the soundhole.
 

JohnW63

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It could be to just to clarify an eBay of Reverb guitar with an incorrect description. Or, God forbid, somebody in an internet forum posted something wrong, and he's doing fact checking !! :)
 

adorshki

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I purchased a used D40 from a reputable dealer and am wondering how to date it? It is a 2018 D40 I think. Nice case with a humidifier in the case lid. The serial number starts with a "C". "C" serial numbers are not referenced any where I can find...
The guitar came with all the paper work as though it were a brand new guitar. It looks brand new except for some finish checking on the top.
Any help would be appreciated!!
Seems like you got your answer over here:
http://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/showthread.php?199572-Guild-M-20-made-in-California-is-this-a-scam
C16 means California (=Oxnard) 2016 made. Headstock veneer, truss rod cover and tuners (or tuner buttons) are not original anymore.
Here's the model page: https://guildguitars.com/g/m-20-in-natural/

Ralf
Ralf, I have a D40 with all the correct papers, and the serial number starts C160xxx The "C" I think??? means Cordoba...does the 160 mean it was made in '16? what do the last 3 numbers mean?
Yes to "C"="California" (not "Cordoba", and 2016 build year, but actually don't recall what the next 3 mean; think it's the actual count of that finished piece in a year-to-date total.
Ralf knows for sure.
:friendly_wink:
 
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