1978 D55 in excellent shape

[West R Lee]

I agree with Wiley. I think that's normal pickguard shrinkage, and I think whoever previously owned that one just had a pretty aggressive flatpicking technique. I think it's just a bit of pick wear either side of the original pickguard.

West

 

[kostask]

"with a lot of cross grain silking going on"...so that's a good thing, then?

It is an indication that the guitar top was perfectly quarter sawn. This means that the grain lines are very close to perfectly vertical through the thickness of the top. It is a sign of a very, very good top. It may or many not have bearing on the tone of the guitar, but it is the idea way for a guitar top to be, and many people like the visual effect, myself being one.

 

[chazmo]

drobinson are you looking to buy this axe? I agree it looks nice, but the price sounds high to me. Of course, that's a UK price not a US price.

Good luck in whatever you're doing. A D-55 from any era is a gem!

 

[drobinson9]

Well, she's mine, all mine! In unbelieveable condition considering. Love the original case, too. The seller still had the original receipt - purchased from Chappells of New Bond Street, London, on12th October 1978, for £621, which is apparently £4,558 now, after inflation. I'll post some better photos later! Me tea's ready...

 

[chazmo]

Where'd you get it from, drobinson? And, yeah, it looks GREAT! Congrats!

[edit: ] Sorry, drobinson... Wrong thread; I thought this was the guitar that showed up in two places in the US. Anyway, congrats!

 

[GGJaguar]

Fantastic, congrats!!

 

[drobinson9]

drobinson are you looking to buy this axe? I agree it looks nice, but the price sounds high to me. Of course, that's a UK price not a US price.

Good luck in whatever you're doing. A D-55 from any era is a gem!

Hi chazmo, I didn't pay £2,800, I managed to get the price down quite a bit.

 

[chazmo]

Hi chazmo, I didn't pay £2,800, I managed to get the price down quite a bit.

Excellent!! Congrats!

 

[drobinson9]

Blanked out the original owner's name and address on the receipt. Chappell Piano co. still exists (part of Yamaha).

 

[drobinson9]

Early thoughts - well, it weighs a lot more than the New Hartford D55 I owned for a few years. This will take a bit of getting used to, I think. Obviously, I knew this already but it still takes me by surprise everytime I take it out of its case. It needs new strings (set that's on it is at least two years old, apparently). However, I actually prefer the neck profile on this 1978 to the New Hartford D55 neck, which I found to be a bit too slim for my liking (hardly played it, preferring my Gibson Hummingbird). It sounds sweet and I'm sure that a new set of strings will be the icing on the cake.

 

[GGJaguar]

it weighs a lot

My '77 is quite heavy and most of the weight seems to be in the padauk neck.

 

[drobinson9]

Isn't the neck mahogany, then? Here's a photo of the neck on my 1978 D55 - what d'you reckon?

 

[chazmo]

drobinson, I think it's likely that GG is correct and that that is likely a padauk neck. Guild made them that way in the mid- to late-1970s. But, regarding heaviness, there are several other things in the guitar's design that would account for the weight difference from the New Hartford era.

 

[drobinson9]

drobinson, I think it's likely that GG is correct and that that is likely a padauk neck. Guild made them that way in the mid- to late-1970s. But, regarding heaviness, there are several other things in the guitar's design that would account for the weight difference from the New Hartford era.

Cheers. Well, it certainly feels like it will see me out! Built like a tank, as they say. Just out of interest, would the adverts have stated mahogany or padauk back in the '70s? I'd never heard of it until today.

 

[GGJaguar]

Here's the D-55 in the 1980 catalog. Note the neck is specified as "padouk" (padauk).

 

[drobinson9]

Here's the D-55 in the 1980 catalog. Note the neck is specified as "padouk" (padauk).

Thanks for that!

 

[Br1ck]

Good score for sure. Light or heavy, a D 55 has always sounded good to me.

 

[drobinson9]

Good score for sure. Light or heavy, a D 55 has always sounded good to me.

Put a new set of strings on the guitar last night....wow! Sustains 'for days', beautiful sound.

 

[GGJaguar]

Excellent! It's always great to hear when a guitar hits the mark for someone.

 

[drobinson9]

I hadn't noticed this when I bought the guitar but there are lines in the side of the guitar in the rosewood. Is this just part of the wood?