A D40 Decision

[kbaker2002de]

Hey all. I’m fairly new here to the forum. I am mostly a bass player, but I also dabble in some acoustic guitar and want to see about upgrading my acoustic. Several years ago I decided to buy myself a nicer acoustic and got a Guild D140CE and started falling in love with Guilds. I’m also angling to get a Starfire IV semi hollow, but that’s for another part of the forum.

Anyway, I want to upgrade my acoustic. I’d love to get a higher quality, USA made acoustic. And from my experience with the D140 and other experiences I think I’ve settled on the D40. But now I see there are 3 flavors from the Oxnard plant I can find that are “new”. There is the D40 Standard coming in around $2400 new, the D40 Traditional coming in at $2800. But there is a wild card. The now discontinued D40E that already has the electronics installed. I can apparently get this for $1500-$2000

My main question, is the D40E more like the standard or the Traditional? What are people’s thoughts of them in comparison?

Thanks all.

 

[chazmo]

Very good question, kbaker... I don't know the answer, but I suspect the D-40E (discontinued) that used to come from Oxnard was probably built with a mortise and tenon (rather than dovetail) neck joint and possibly with a different finish -- some sort of varnish rather than nitrocellulose lacquer.

I'm pretty sure that the D-40 traditional came with dovetail and NCL, but I am not at all sure what the D-40 standard is being built with.

These things may not be relevant to your choices. Most folks are very fond of the D-40 models from Oxnard.

 

[davenumber2]

I was under the impression the E was a standard D40 with pickup. The satin finish and lack of Chesterfield on the headstock match up.

Here’s a nice looking sunburst at GC for $1500. D-40E Acoustic Electric Guitar: https://guitarcenter.smart.link/0d5tbbro8?producturl=/Used/Guild/D-40E-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar.gc

 

[chazmo]

I was under the impression the E was a standard D40 with pickup. The satin finish and lack of Chesterfield on the headstock match up.

Here’s a nice looking sunburst at GC for $1500. D-40E Acoustic Electric Guitar: https://guitarcenter.smart.link/0d5tbbro8?producturl=/Used/Guild/D-40E-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar.gc

That could be right, Dave, but it's a very convoluted story. There really wasn't a "standard" out of Oxnard until recently. And then a few years ago Oxnard switched from catalyzed varnish to NCL, so it's just not clear how to compare.

But yeah, the D-40E looks like a standard.

 

[SFIV1967]

Here’s a nice looking sunburst at GC for $1500. https://www.guitarcenter.com//Used/Guild/D-40E-Acoustic-Electric-Guitar.gc

Oh, that is a nice looking one!



They have either a satin catalized varnish finish (till about early 2020) or satin nitro afterwards. A look on the serial number on the neck heel will tell what vintage that guitar is.

Ralf

 

[tonepoet]

Another option for a USA made D40 are the ones made in Corona, California. I found a 2003 Corona D40 in black on eBay for a steal. I saw the "Buy It Now" and pushed it without hesitation.

Rumors exist out there that the Corona guitars are inferior, but I would disagree.

Best of luck and welcome to the LTG forum.

 

[davenumber2]

Oh, that is a nice looking one!



They have either a satin catalized varnish finish (till about early 2020) or satin nitro afterwards. A look on the serial number on the neck heel will tell what vintage that guitar is.

Ralf

Serial for this one is C170755. You can see it if you add to cart.

 

[chazmo]

Serial for this one is C170755. You can see it if you add to cart.

So, that would likely be the catalyzed varnish finish, just FYI. (2017)

 

[Br1ck]

Just keep in mind that like most manufacturers in business for six or more decades, there have been a lot of changes through the years. A 70 D 40 from Westerly is much lighter than an 85 D 40 from Westerly. Not necessarily good or bad though. There are many who have them from every era and location. Oxnard generally is well loved and easier to come by. Good luck on your quest

 

[GuildedBilly]

My main question, is the D40E more like the standard or the Traditional?

I know the model you mean, as I have the version without the electronics. Like you, I wanted to treat myself to a higher level US made acoustic and started researching the demo videos on the web, which really began to whet my whistle. My only doubt was whether a model from the range prior to its relaunch would be as good as the ones featured in most of the videos; I risked it, on the basis that the worst case scenario was that I could return it.

One strum was enough to convince me that it was not going back! I would be astounded if you failed to be impressed by the D-40E, should you decide to get one. I can't vouch for the pickup but acoustically these are great instruments. The current Standard model would be the obvious comparison but ultimately it as an exceptional, lightly-built, resonant mahogany/spruce dreadnought. My guitar tech, a seasoned pro to put it mildly, said he would take my Guilds (all from the same era of production as the discontinued D-40E) over any of the £3000+ acoustics he has worked on.

To conclude, I would say it's really worth considering the D-40E!

 

[adorshki]

Another option for a USA made D40 are the ones made in Corona, California. I found a 2003 Corona D40 in black on eBay for a steal. I saw the "Buy It Now" and pushed it without hesitation.

Rumors exist out there that the Corona guitars are inferior, but I would disagree.

Best of luck and welcome to the LTG forum.

And I concur.

 

[tonepoet]

Another less expense USA option, (although based on the D25), is the Westerly made D-4 models. I have a 1995 Westerly D-4E which is a quality instrument. Solid top and sides with a laminated arched back.

I bought it new when the rumors were flying that Fender bought out Guild and that quality was going to plummet and they would move production off-shore. So, I wanted a new pre-fender USA Guild while they were still in the stores and at a price-point I could afford.