90s Westerly DV-4 especially sensitive to humidity?

[loess]

Came across a very clean used late 90s D-V4 today at a local pawn shop, played it for a bit and really connected with it. I've been looking for a sub-$500 solid wood dreadnought to busk and travel with, and from the bit of research I did on LTG earlier, the D-V4's match up pretty well with some of the more pricey solid wood acoustics out there. Here's my main concern: somewhere in my Google-ing I remember coming across a few D-V4 owners who had experienced issues with humidity (one person even had the binding on their D-V4 began to peel away). Now, I try to baby my guitars as much as I can, but I'm at least hoping I can take this one outside every so often, and possibly do a bit of traveling between climates with it. Anyone else ever hear of humidity issues with these guitars?

The pawn shop is asking $695 (which I think is a little steep), but I think I can talk them down and I also have a couple things to trade in. Hoping I can make it happen...I haven't owned a Guild since I sold my '77 S-100 back in 2004!

 

[fungusyoung]

I have a '98 DV6, and there's no problems at all with that and humidity. Humidity is a very big issue in the NE, but this guitar has been fine with typical (and hardly over the top) care. I just keep it cased up, and always have a humidifier in the case during the winter months.

I owned a '94 D25 that had some nagging binding peeling, but I'm sure itwas left in very hot/humid conditions probably for extended periods of time by the previous owner. Such a shame, but it was a pretty big mess. I doubt the binding issues are particular to any specific Guild model, but I've heard of this a few times in relation to Guild dreads from the 90's. I've owned several others from that era with no problem at all, and like I said, the D25 was most definitely neglected or even abused before I got it so I cannot say there was anything wrong with the build quality.

My DV6, by the way, is about as sweet of a dread as I've ever played. But, IMHO, the pawn shop is WAY overpricing the DV4. They must be basing that rate on the newer Tacoma DV4's or something because that's at least a couple hundred too high.

 

[chazmo]

loess,

My personal experience with solid mahogany is that it is sensitive to drying up and cracking over some extended periods of time. If you neglect a solid-wood guitar (mahogany, in particular), it will get damaged.

This has nothing to do with being a Guild or a DV-4 (both the guitars I damaged were other brands).

It sounds like you're hip on guitar care. I wish I hadn't had to learn my lesson the hard way, so I try to spare people that fate.

Best wishes.

 

[Tunes]

Hey,

I also have a 90's D-6, which is mahogany. I have had no issues with cracking or peeling, tho' the guitar did come to me with one small crack in the lower bout, just below the fret board.

I don't believe for a second that this is Guild specific - in fact the USA Guilds are generally built like tanks, and can take more abuse than others.

I have also travelled with the D-6, not extensively, but it is not a wallflower and sounds great. FYI I paid $700 in Canada for the D-6, so the price on the DV-4 does seem a tad high, but not totally out of bounds, ... but then again my view is don't let $50 get between you and a really great guitar. You'd otherwise spend that dough on latte's at Starbucks. :lol: :lol: :lol:

It's definitely a buyers market these days.

 

[loess]

So I went back to the shop and played it again yesterday, and while it felt good to fingerpick and flatpick a bit, when it came to really strumming it (I mean, really bearing down and playing loud chords with gusto!), it felt and sounded surprisingly thin. I think I'm gonna go back once more and see if there's any magic between me and ol' DV4.

Y'all are great, really appreciate the replies and helpful info!

 

[plaidseason]

I own a late 90s, Westerly DV4 and I haven't found it to be any more termperamental than any other solid wood guitar I've ever played. Yes, it is sensitive to humidity, but that's just part of the deal with a quality guitar. The DV4 is actually fairly lightly built and (in my opinion) that tends to increase sensitivity.


My eyes started wandering again recently, for a DV25 and an F30 respectively, but then I installed a Tusq saddle, put on some new strings, and then played my DV4 and thought to myself, "wow, this guitar isn't very flashy, but it sure is a fine sounding mahogany dreadnought."

Sure I'd love to pick up a Westerly DV6 at some point, but I doubt I'll be giving up the DV4.

$695 is way steep though. I paid only $400 for mine (at Ron's Guitars in Groton, Conn, just down the road from Westerly) and it's in excellent condition.

Let me know if you have any other questions . . . and email me if you want.

Thanks,

Chris