1990s D-60, anyone know much about these?

[E-Type]

I am about to drive 200 miles to check out a 1990s arch maple back D-60 in what looks to be very good to excellent shape. Guild only made something like 300 of these and there aren't really any comps on Reverb. Should I think of a D-55 in terms of fair pricing or are these way different for any reason?

 

[HeyMikey]

Have you looked at Reverb? There are some active listing and here are a couple that sold.

Guild D 60 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Personally I wouldn’t drive 200 miles unless I had talked to the seller and had a commitment on price, dependent on inspection.

 

[E-Type]

Have you looked at Reverb? There are some active listing and here are a couple that sold.

Guild D 60 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

Personally I wouldn’t drive 200 miles unless I had talked to the seller and had a commitment on price, dependent on inspection.

I'm having lunch there with my daughter, so it's a two-part trip! The "sold" on Reverb are the 1980s Gruen/Walker versions with rosewood body and diamond inlays. The one I am looking at is the later maple one. It is basically a D-55 with a arched maple back. According to the serial number page, they may have only made like 40-50 of the maple D60s in 1994-'96. It is hard to figure out the 1980s as I think they made both kinds from '84-'90 (and it was called D-66 as well, I think).

 

[HeyMikey]

Ah yes, I see. There are a couple maple on the active listing with an asking price that is much more.

It looks very similar to the guitar Tom (DavismanLV) has, but I think his is a very a rare GC limited edition. I think you are probably right to be thinking D55 price range. Maybe $2500 +- depending on condition. Perhaps look at some D45 (?) and Hank Williams maple archbacks as well.

 

[E-Type]

I had a great visit at Austin Vintage Guitar, but alas, I went home empty-handed.
The D-60 had all the chime and brightness of my arch back D-25, but with a huge helping of low-end. I did not expect that from an arched maple guitar. The downsides might be the 5lb-9oz weight and I had some issues with notes deadening when I used a capo. It might just need a setup.
I tried a ‘94 Gibson J100 that was better balanced sounding and a whole lot lighter. It made me realize just how much more effort it takes me to play a heavier guitar.
The big surprise was a ‘58 M-20. Had it not needed a reset, it might have come home with me. Such a cool and great sounding small guitar.

 

[wileypickett]

“A huge helping of low-end” would be a plus in my book!

 

[SFIV1967]

1990s arch maple back D-60

According to Gruhn it is the continuation of G-45 Hank Williams Jr., maple back and sides. Produced 1998 till 2001.

Guild Gallery Summer '98:



Guild Gallery Winter/Spring 1999:



For instance S/N AD600062 was confirmed by Hans to be a 1999 guitar.

HOWEVER: There were D-60 maple before 1998 ! See what Hans had to say:

Mysterious Guild D60

Hello All, I'm new to the forum. I'm not new to Guild, however, since I've been loving my 1994 Guild D-60 (with maple b/s) since about 1995. Found it in a music store and couldn't leave without it. I have a question about the serial number on it. The serial number is FG000045. According...

letstalkguild.com

Ralf

 

[E-Type]

According to Gruhn it is the continuation of G-45 Hank Williams Jr., maple back and sides. Produced 1998 till 2001.

Guild Gallery Summer '98:



Guild Gallery Winter/Spring 1999:



For instance S/N AD600062 was confirmed by Hans to be a 1999 guitar.

HOWEVER: There were D-60 maple before 1998 ! See what Hans had to say:

Mysterious Guild D60

Hello All, I'm new to the forum. I'm not new to Guild, however, since I've been loving my 1994 Guild D-60 (with maple b/s) since about 1995. Found it in a music store and couldn't leave without it. I have a question about the serial number on it. The serial number is FG000045. According...

letstalkguild.com

Ralf

This one is 600025, which is why I was thinking 1994 (on the Guild site it says up to AD600028 were made in 1994, but of course, this might not be right).

 

[SFIV1967]

Talking about this model I always liked this video of the Greek LTG member voltes5george:



Ralf

 

[adorshki]

Note that '98 blurb says: "back in the line as of this summer", referring to that earlier "run" of the arched maple back types that were basically renamed G-45's as mentioned in Ralf's link. 60025 would be one of those.

 

[GGJaguar]

Do the renamed G-45 examples have the snake head peghead? I kinda like the full-size head better.

 

[adorshki]

Do the renamed G-45 examples have the snake head peghead? I kinda like the full-size head better.

Can't find any pics, but the G45's had the snakehead so I'd be willing to bet those D60's did too.

 

[GardMan]

There is one 1994 maple D-60 F/S on Reverb (way overpriced, IMO)... it appears to have the older-style "domed" headstock.

 

[GGJaguar]

There is one 1994 maple D-60 F/S on Reverb (way overpriced, IMO)... it appears to have the older-style "domed" headstock.

Ouch, that is pricey! I guess a plain jane D-30 should be close sonically in the same way a JF-30 and JF-65 are.

 

[Rambozo96]

I had a great visit at Austin Vintage Guitar, but alas, I went home empty-handed.
The D-60 had all the chime and brightness of my arch back D-25, but with a huge helping of low-end. I did not expect that from an arched maple guitar. The downsides might be the 5lb-9oz weight and I had some issues with notes deadening when I used a capo. It might just need a setup.
I tried a ‘94 Gibson J100 that was better balanced sounding and a whole lot lighter. It made me realize just how much more effort it takes me to play a heavier guitar.
The big surprise was a ‘58 M-20. Had it not needed a reset, it might have come home with me. Such a cool and great sounding small guitar.

I played that same D-60. Between that and the M-20 that was probably the best sounding Guild they had

 

[E-Type]

I played that same D-60. Between that and the M-20 that was probably the best sounding Guild they had

Agreed. There was a sunburst D-60 too and it was a real dud. The D25 sounded like a D-25, but it needed a reset, for sure.
My first time at AVG and I can’t wait to go back!

 

[davismanLV]

These arched back maple dreads are amazing. I can't imagine it wouldn't be amazing. Lemme get on my phone and show something from this morning.... give me a minute..... I woke up this morning and was walking out into the kitchen to start the coffee.... and as the morning light came in through the front door transom, I saw this!! The light just shone off that maple..... hooo boy. Best guitar ever.

 

[Rambozo96]

Agreed. There was a sunburst D-60 too and it was a real dud. The D25 sounded like a D-25, but it needed a reset, for sure.
My first time at AVG and I can’t wait to go back!

I was shocked the D100 there didn’t do much for me. Felt like my D-35 and DV-52 sounded better to my ears but that D-60 floored me which is bizarre because I been at odds with my 77’ G-37 which is pretty close to being the same guitar minus the ebony appointments and fancier inlay

 

[E-Type]

I was shocked the D100 there didn’t do much for me. Felt like my D-35 and DV-52 sounded better to my ears but that D-60 floored me which is bizarre because I been at odds with my 77’ G-37 which is pretty close to being the same guitar minus the ebony appointments and fancier inlay

Haha, same! I was like “oooh my lucky day, I get to try a d100!” And then it was not anywhere near as nice to play as the d60.