late 70s Guild D55s

[pnksntdead]

i'm considering a trade offer involving a 78 Guild D55 for my 1982 52 RI Tele. is the late 70s a good era for Guild acoustics? How much is a fair value for one in good condition? I've played an old D50 in my local GC and was blown away (sold my Collings D1A soon afterwards), but I couldn't tell what the guitar age was.. thanks

[Flyin' Brian]

'78 would still be a Westerly built guitar. That's definitely a good thing.
I'm considering a couple of D-50s myself. Fabulous guitars. Get a chance to play it though. All acoustics can be all over the place in sound and feel.

[solitaire]

A late '70s Guild would be one of the over-built ones. This would mean they handle heavier gauge strings better and offer more overtone content, but require more force to ring fully.

Remember the D50 and D55 sound a little differently, so don't decide on a D55 by the tone of a D50 ;)

Is the D55 bellowing much? At Let's Talk Guild they might be able to give you a better approximate price for one, but I'm not allowed to direct you there.

[pnksntdead]

thanks guys. i'd definitely check it out first before deciding. :)

[coldfingaz]

Let's Talk Guild they might be able to give you a better approximate price for one, but I'm not allowed to direct you there.


Uh oh... you can't do that here? I just referred somebody else to LTG earlier, but I didn't do it with any malice!

To the OP, D55's from the 70's can be monster guitars. Be sure you check the bridge for lifting, make sure it's not in need of a neck re-set (which is a costly proposition) & that there's plenty of saddle left, etc. Sounds like a pretty sweet trade on both sides, but I honestly cannot tell you how much D55's are going for in this crazy economy. Hope it's a good 'un & that it works out for ya!

[zombywoof]

Value wise you would be doing OK. Westerly Guilds are pretty darn nice acoustics and when purchased used often alot of guitar for the bucks. Then again, the 52RI is my favorite off the shelf Tele.

[bunuel]

Can't speak to mkt price, but the best acoustic 6 string I've ever played/heard is a late '70s D-55 that belongs to a friend. It's been helped by having the s$%^ played out of it for more than 20 yrs. It's the culmination of lots of playing & a great build. They may not all sound like that one, but I hope the one in play for you does!

[solitaire]

Some forum moderators don't look upon redirecting benignly, but this place seems more laid back than for instance HC. As long as I can refer to LTG as a matter of reference I suppose it's OK. The address there is www.letstalkguild.com (http://www.letstalkguild.com). The man to talk to is Dutchman Hans Moust, although there are plenty other well informed forumites there as well.