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Post by ninworks on Jan 2, 2020 7:41:24 GMT -5
I have had an early 80's Guild D40 cutaway as my only steel stringed acoustic for decades. I could never get the action to where it plays as nice as many other acoustic guitars I have had in my lap. Even ones with heavier strings. The sound is great. Just has a very stiff action and I have 010's on it. I don't know if it has some kind of weird neck radius or what. The neck is straight and the string height is reasonable. Just don't know why it seems so stiff.
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Post by jefe46 on Jan 2, 2020 10:22:02 GMT -5
Check the nut and string clearance at the 1st and second frets.
Try some LaBella Silk and Steel 11s or 12s.
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Post by Ragtop on Jan 2, 2020 10:24:43 GMT -5
My '81 D-46 plays perfectly. I use Elixir Lights on it.
It played perfectly when I got it 20 years ago, and the neck hasn't budged since then.
Can't beat an old Guild!
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Post by SteveM on Jan 2, 2020 10:47:52 GMT -5
I know they might not be considered "true" Guilds, but I have this wonderful small bodied lefty. Attachments:
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Post by Ragtop on Jan 2, 2020 11:10:16 GMT -5
Looks pretty "true" to me, SteveM. I hear these new Guilds are fine guitars.
Is that an M-20?
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Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jan 2, 2020 14:49:50 GMT -5
Even the GAD series (imports) is very very good. ninworks That stiff playing may be due to low frets, because the lower the frets are, the more the fingertips come into contact with the fretboard wood. Some guitars can play fine with low frets, but there's a practical limit and most fret jobs can take perhaps three levelings before all of them need replacing. Has your Guild had any sort of fretwork done on it? Some fret wire is small (low) straight from the factory. I have a 1961 Guild M65 that I refretted with jumbo wire and it made all the difference in the world. The original fret wire was really tiny and the guitar was hard to play. Now it almost plays itself. This:
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jan 2, 2020 15:20:09 GMT -5
If you haven't done so already, I suggest taking it to a reputable guitar tech or luthier - ask them to check all its vital stats. It sounds like it might need a neck reset. That's a $350-500 repair (more if it needs fret work and other stuff), but it's definitely worth it if you love the guitar enough that you want to keep it and have it playing at its best.
I recently had a '79 Larrivee worked on. No adjustable truss rod, so its relief issues couldn't be solved that way. The repair shop (Hoffmann Guitars in St. Paul, MN) refretted it with compression frets, which took care of the issue without a neck reset. While they were refretting, I also requested a straight 16" fretboard radius, which vastly improved the feel as well. Now it's an amazing guitar with 40-year-old woods!
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Post by SteveM on Jan 2, 2020 15:28:16 GMT -5
Looks pretty "true" to me, SteveM. I hear these new Guilds are fine guitars. Is that an M-20? It's an M-120LE Here's the spiel from Sweetwater: A Great-playing Concert with 1960s Appeal The Concert-sized Guild M-120LE proves that small guitars don't have to sound small. On the contrary, this short-scale acoustic-electric's comfortable, all-mahogany body has a sweet, mellow, and complex tone that will create its own space among any music ensemble, from pop to folk to country. The M-120 belongs to Guild's best-selling Westerly series of vintage-inspired acoustics, which pay tribute to Guild's golden-era Rhode Island flat tops with some exciting vintage specs, such as a classic Guild C-shaped neck and 1960s period-correct appointments. The M-120LE includes the Fishman Sonitone pickup system. Guild M-120LE Westerly Acoustic-electric Guitar at a Glance: Comfortable Concert body you can't keep your hands off Vintage appointments pay tribute to Guild's legacy Engineered for a comfortable playing experience Fishman Sonitone electronics capture the Westerly's natural acoustic voice Comfortable Concert body you can't keep your hands off Sweetwater guitarists love small-bodied acoustics for home recording and playing around the house. The Concert-sized Guild M-120 is no exception. This little guitar plays great and knows how to cut through a mix. Its all-mahogany construction produces a warm, natural tone with complex overtones and surprising projection that can fill a room with music. Vintage appointments pay tribute to Guild's legacy A bone nut, a vintage-correct red tortoiseshell pickguard, and Guild's iconic 1960s Chesterfield headstock emblem make the M-120 a true beauty for the stage and your guitar room. If you need your guitar to make a statement onstage, the Guild Westerly is the way to go. Engineered for a comfortable playing experience The M-120's clean playability will help channel all your creative ideas into beautiful music. The 24.75" scale length and smooth action will be especially apparent to players with smaller hands. The 1-3/4" nut width spaces out strings suitably for strumming, flatpicking, or fingerstyling, with a good amount of real estate between all strings that neither feels cramped nor causes you to reach uncomfortably. Fishman Sonitone electronics capture the Westerly's natural acoustic voice This Westerly acoustic is equipped with the Fishman Sonitone pickup system, which delivers great-sounding, high-output amplification onstage and in the studio. The Sonitone system puts volume and tone controls directly in the soundhole for easy access and for a look that won't detract from your guitar's natural beauty. Guild M-120LE Westerly Acoustic-electric Guitar Features: Smooth, mellow tone cuts through a mix Comfortable Concert body can fill a room with music Short scale length feels great in the hand Mahogany top, back, and sides have a warm tone with complex harmonics Vintage-profiled C-shaped neck with Indian rosewood fingerboard plays comfortably Vintage-correct tortoiseshell pickguard and 1960s headstock inlay Bone nut enhances sustain 1-3/4" nut width suits strummers to fingerstylists 24.75" scale length has a slinky-smooth action Fishman Sonitone pickup system provides a high-output, natural sound for the stage and studio A great-playing Concert that knows where it came from: the Guild M-120LE Westerly acoustic-electric guitar!
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Post by Ragtop on Jan 2, 2020 17:26:16 GMT -5
Thanks for that, SteveM.
Sounds like that neck might be on the chunky side?
(That would be a good thing, IMO.)
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Post by stratcowboy on Jan 2, 2020 22:33:51 GMT -5
My only acoustic is also a Guild (F47RC). A fine guitar, for sure. But it wasn't playing as easily as I wanted it, so I took a brand-spankin' new 8-inch fine-tooth file and did a few passes on the bottom of the bone saddle. It plays much sweeter as a result. Granted that may not work in your situation, but I agree--start with having a good tech check it out and see from a hands-on person what options you might have going forward. Could be the frets as has been suggested. But best to find out with another in-person opinion. Could set you off in the best direction rather than just stabbing at things.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 3, 2020 4:15:43 GMT -5
Best 12 string acoustic I ever played was a late 70's jumbo guild, maple top, back, sides....fabulous.
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Post by ninworks on Jan 3, 2020 7:08:25 GMT -5
I have had it to a very experienced tech twice. New saddle and new nut. Still plays stiff.
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Post by Quackerjack on Jan 3, 2020 11:30:06 GMT -5
Have a Guild GAD 30R and love it... great fingerpicker, and really resonant. Quality of the GADs is outstanding, IMHO
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Shoes
Wholenote
Posts: 162
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Post by Shoes on Jan 3, 2020 11:33:12 GMT -5
I have a 2006 Tacoma made D55 in sunburst that I love. I bought it used in 2010 and I'll never get rid of it. It is by far the heaviest acoustic I've ever owned but man it sounds and plays great. I would definitely find a good tech and get an opinion as to what can be done with your D40.
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 3, 2020 13:06:16 GMT -5
Have you contacted Guild?
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Post by archiestone on Jan 3, 2020 15:25:31 GMT -5
I've owned a few over the years: D40, DV-52, F20, and currently have 2: a newish (2016) M-20 sunburst and a 2000 Westerly JF-30 12 string (a cannon!)
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Post by LM on Jan 3, 2020 18:12:46 GMT -5
I had a Guild jumbo back in the day. It was a fine guitar with good tones.
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Post by MacDoof on Jan 3, 2020 18:39:11 GMT -5
I use a GAD 30 regularly for fingerpicking style or thumb style its great. I should get my own instead of borrowing my mates !
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Post by Lefty Rev on Jan 3, 2020 18:57:34 GMT -5
I have had it to a very experienced tech twice. New saddle and new nut. Still plays stiff. My experience (more than once!) is that many guitar techs do not cut the string slots at the nut low enough; they are often cut very similar to many "off the rack/from the factory" guitars, which are too high. I've had to lower the nut slots myself on almost every guitar I've ever owned. Yes, that includes Plek'd Martins. Was it a different tech each time? If so, there MIGHT be something else going on, but I still suspect the nut slots aren't correct (low enough) yet. Try this test: Put a capo on the 1st or 2nd fret and play some of your usual chords and runs. Does the guitar play easier than it does w/o a capo? If so the nut needs work.
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Tall-Fir
Wholenote
Liking both kinds of music—Country and Western!
Posts: 109
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Post by Tall-Fir on Jan 3, 2020 22:35:55 GMT -5
George Strait, the King of Country has played a Guild for his entire career. They gotta be good!
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Post by stratcowboy on Jan 3, 2020 23:04:35 GMT -5
George Strait, the King of Country has played a Guild for his entire career. They gotta be good! Yeah...I see a Guild always hanging around on his body, but I can't say I've ever seen him actually play it. LOL....
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Post by Dr Bass MD on Jan 4, 2020 0:05:44 GMT -5
I have a Guild (import) Jumbo 12 string with a zero fret. A truly great guitar. I’ve always loved their Jumbo bodies.
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Post by LTB on Jan 4, 2020 0:46:47 GMT -5
My '81 D-46 plays perfectly. I use Elixir Lights on it.
It played perfectly when I got it 20 years ago, and the neck hasn't budged since then.
Can't beat an old Guild! I have often thought about buying a Guild Acoustic. If I wasn’t mainly a bass player I would spring for it. Having said that I would like to comment on Elixir strings. Never cared for them on Bass but after listening and playing 2 of my son in laws Acoustic guitars with Elixir Phosphor Bronze 12’s I fell in love with them. Balanced, nice feel and excellent tone. I have a 1979 Takamine F349 (that my wife and I bought my mom that year and was given to me after she passed away). Let me say, it was ok but just sounded kind of dull and lower output even with new strings that is until This last year I put Elixer Phosphor Bronze 12’s on it and it really woke that guitar up and made me want to play it. Now I tried them on an inexpensive (cheap) Mitchell and they did not sound as good so on it I will go back to John Pierce Phosphor Bronze. So they work well on some but not so much on others.
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Post by 6l6 on Jan 4, 2020 16:40:25 GMT -5
For several decades my only guitar was a 1974 Guild D-40NT that I bought used at a small music store On the Green in Taunton, MA. Somehow, I didn't think I was missing out on anything!
GREAT GREAT guitar!
I've owned many Guilds since and I love 'em all. In fact, I never met a Guild I didn't love!
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 4, 2020 23:14:45 GMT -5
Best playing and sounding 12 string I ever had the pleasure of playing was a Guild, not sure of the model number, it was a girlfriend's brother in law's, that was back about 1980. Easy to play, wonderful sound. Wish it was mine.
But...I take solace in owning a Guild X700.
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Post by guildx700 on Jan 4, 2020 23:17:41 GMT -5
Best 12 string acoustic I ever played was a late 70's jumbo guild, maple top, back, sides....fabulous. Ah hah! See my last post here. Great minds think alike!
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Post by rickyguitar on Jan 4, 2020 23:22:14 GMT -5
Best 12 string acoustic I ever played was a late 70's jumbo guild, maple top, back, sides....fabulous. Ah hah! See my last post here. Great minds think alike! Guild sure knew what they were doing on those!
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Post by LTB on Jan 5, 2020 12:59:03 GMT -5
I have had an early 80's Guild D40 cutaway as my only steel stringed acoustic for decades. I could never get the action to where it plays as nice as many other acoustic guitars I have had in my lap. Even ones with heavier strings. The sound is great. Just has a very stiff action and I have 010's on it. I don't know if it has some kind of weird neck radius or what. The neck is straight and the string height is reasonable. Just don't know why it seems so stiff. On guitar I have found fretboard radius, shape, width and thickness affect my abilities to play. For instance on guitar, a flatter fretboard is harder for me to play, especially with bar chords. It is stiffer feeling to press the strings. Also with my short stubby fingers too narrow width( making strings too close together) or baseball bat necks are a no go also. On bass the fretboard radius is not as big a deal, P bass neck width has been though, that is until last year I picked up a Player series P at guitar center and loved it. I bought it and love it as much as my American Pro Jazz bass. Found it has a flatter back of neck than other P’s which made all the difference in the world and mak s it easy and a joy to play. Just shy of a “ catastrophe”, I will not get rid of it. Glad they have a flavor out there for everyone today. Wasn’t so back In the mid 1960’s when I started.
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Post by hushnel on Jan 5, 2020 13:06:15 GMT -5
Just this one, B 50
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swampyankee
Wholenote
Fakin' it 'til I'm makin' it since 1956
Posts: 713
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Post by swampyankee on Jan 6, 2020 16:23:58 GMT -5
For several decades my only guitar was a 1974 Guild D-40NT that I bought used at a small music store On the Green in Taunton, MA. That would've been Charles Bean Music. My Dad bought me my first guitar there in 67. I'm looking into Guilds as the 3rd of the "big 3" US guitar builders. My impression is that the acoustics were built like tanks, and had stiff action. I'm going to seek out some US built acoustics to try out and see if that's just myth.
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