Post by Ragtop on Mar 30, 2021 8:08:07 GMT -5
As I mentioned in my other thread, I traded my Mossman (neck was too slender) for a 2002 Guild D-55. It arrived yesterday, 3 days late due to the severe weather in Georgia I think, as it got hung up there for a couple days. Anyway, it arrived yesterday about noon. I let it acclimate for just 4 hours; couldn't stand it anymore, took it out and got busy playing it. Holy smokes!
First of all, I don't really like blingy guitars. Binding on the neck is usually a deal-breaker for me. But this thing is blingy as all get-out and has binding on the neck. But you know what? I like it just fine, it all seems to work. Classy without being gaudy.
Two things I was worried about. The first is that I've read that some eras of the D-55 had slender necks. Not true on this one. It's not fat or chunky, but it's not slender either. Kind of a shallow D shape, maybe? I think it will be okay. I played for a couple hours without discomfort from my arthritic left thumb.
The other was that I was afraid that it would sound too similar to my old D-46. I had a nice D-50 several years ago that I let go for that very reason. But this D-55 sounds different. For one thing, it is louder than heck, maybe the loudest guitar I've ever owned. Good balanced tone, I love the way it sounds. I fingerpicked, I strummed, and I flatpicked, and it handled everything I threw at it without breaking a sweat. Action is fine, it played nicely. Very impressive. A nice contrast, though, to my D-46, which is powerful as well but has a different tone (ash b/s).
It is a glorious guitar. I'm very happy with it, have wanted one of these for a long time. It is in good condition, maybe a little bit neglected. I'll do my usual clean-up, and try to bring the gloss finish back to life. The top is super-silky and fine grained, but needs some love. The gold tuners need some attention. And I will probably find some ebony bridge pins for it. It will be a good solid "VG" by the time I'm done with it.
I posted these photos, taken by the "trader," in my Mossman thread. But here they are again:
www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610582
I've had a few Guilds before, and they were all from Westerly. This is my first from Corona, but I hear good things.
First of all, I don't really like blingy guitars. Binding on the neck is usually a deal-breaker for me. But this thing is blingy as all get-out and has binding on the neck. But you know what? I like it just fine, it all seems to work. Classy without being gaudy.
Two things I was worried about. The first is that I've read that some eras of the D-55 had slender necks. Not true on this one. It's not fat or chunky, but it's not slender either. Kind of a shallow D shape, maybe? I think it will be okay. I played for a couple hours without discomfort from my arthritic left thumb.
The other was that I was afraid that it would sound too similar to my old D-46. I had a nice D-50 several years ago that I let go for that very reason. But this D-55 sounds different. For one thing, it is louder than heck, maybe the loudest guitar I've ever owned. Good balanced tone, I love the way it sounds. I fingerpicked, I strummed, and I flatpicked, and it handled everything I threw at it without breaking a sweat. Action is fine, it played nicely. Very impressive. A nice contrast, though, to my D-46, which is powerful as well but has a different tone (ash b/s).
It is a glorious guitar. I'm very happy with it, have wanted one of these for a long time. It is in good condition, maybe a little bit neglected. I'll do my usual clean-up, and try to bring the gloss finish back to life. The top is super-silky and fine grained, but needs some love. The gold tuners need some attention. And I will probably find some ebony bridge pins for it. It will be a good solid "VG" by the time I'm done with it.
I posted these photos, taken by the "trader," in my Mossman thread. But here they are again:
www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=610582
I've had a few Guilds before, and they were all from Westerly. This is my first from Corona, but I hear good things.
