1969 D 40

[SFIV1967]

If my memory serves (and it may not this morning as I am only on my first coffee), I thought the Mark I-IV had a dovetail and the V-VII had a Spanish heel.

Yes, just checked old posts, that is correct.
Here is a picture Mark Hallaron posted of his Mark V showing the heel:



But again, I'm not aware of any other Guild flattops (even as experiment) that got a Spanish heel.

Ralf

 

[SFIV1967]

My customer has a 1969 D 40, but It has the same neck as my D35 single piece neck.
My question is ,is that an uncommon change for guild at that time,or was it a common
Change. As every D 40 I've seen has been a 3 piece neck.

Here is a 1970 one with one piece neck:

Vintage 1969 1970 Guild D40 D40NT Natural USA Acoustic Guitar -

For Sale. Vintage 1969 1970 Guild D40 D40NT Natural USA Acoustic Guitar, comes complete with a period hard case and many extras

themusiclocker.co.uk

And a 1971 one with one piece neck:

1971 Guild D-40 NT Dreadnought Guitar

jakewildwood.blogspot.com

Ralf

 

[mclkar54]

Yes, just checked old posts, that is correct.
Here is a picture Mark Hallaron posted of his Mark V showing the heel:



But again, I'm not aware of any other Guild flattops (even as experiment) that got a Spanish heel.

Ralf

I read where there was a guild model with the Spanish heel.But was told I misread ??? Also confirmed on this site that there were D 40,s produced with single piece necks.

 

[Br1ck]

My 70 D 35 neck is perfect for me. I don't know what Guild was thinking dropping the Chesterfield for a couple of years as it was that and slightly different binding that separated the D 40 from is poor cousin, the D 35.

 

[adorshki]

I read where there was a guild model with the Spanish heel.But was told I misread ??? Also confirmed on this site that there were D 40,s produced with single piece necks.

Because in post #1 you said: "This was the era of the Spanish heel", so it sounded like you thought the D40 had a spanish heel.
This was my reply:
"And you probably think it's a spanish heel because it's not "stacked" like most flattops. And you may have misinterpreted Hans' book, they never put a spanish heel in a flattop, only a Mark series classical, which weren't made after Westerly."

 

[adorshki]

My 70 D 35 neck is perfect for me. I don't know what Guild was thinking dropping the Chesterfield for a couple of years as it was that and slightly different binding that separated the D 40 from is poor cousin, the D 35.

Also D40's got higher grade tops. D35's only ever got "standard" tops.

 

[Br1ck]

Regarding the tops. D 35s got all the cosmetically challenged lumber. In my case, a very bear claw top. Remember this was the era of plentiful straight grained sitka. Martin would never have used such flawed woos. Wouldn't be surprised if Guild made D 35s and D 25s out of their rejects. But today those concerns are far in the past. The bear claw on my SCGC is extreme. It is a no extra cost option on the SC website. Bear claw happened to come on the guitar that sent me over the top. In 70, it was a flaw for sure.

 

[bobouz]

As every D 40 I've seen has been a 3 piece neck.

My first Guild (purchased in the ‘70s) was a mid ‘70s D-40. I don’t recall the exact year of manufacture, but it had a one-piece mahogany neck. Here are a couple of old Polaroids of that guitar: