A few guilds I’m looking at

[GardMan]

I don't think the "74 D-25" shown in the first few pics is a '74 D-25... First, it appears to be a matte finish. In '74, all D-25s would be high gloss. Second, that looks like a painted on Chesterfield on the head stock. A '74 D-25 should have a simple gold silk-screened GUILD logo on the headstock. Tuners are also wrong for a '74 D-25, but of course, tuners can be changed.

If it IS a '74 D-25, I would think it has been refinished and had the tuners swapped... but the painted Chesterfield just looks too clean for that, IMO.

 

[adorshki]

I’d take the D4 for the spruce top. I like the 74 next best just for looks. You can’t go wrong with any of those.

That D4 isn't a spruce top, it's a 'hog top which they did in '97 only.

 

[adorshki]

I don't think the "74 D-25" shown in the first few pics is a '74 D-25... First, it appears to be a matte finish. In '74, all D-25s would be high gloss. Second, that looks like a painted on Chesterfield on the head stock. A '74 D-25 should have a simple gold silk-screened GUILD logo on the headstock. Tuners are also wrong for a '74 D-25, but of course, tuners can be changed.

If it IS a '74 D-25, I would think it has been refinished and had the tuners swapped... but the painted Chesterfield just looks too clean for that, IMO.

I was also going to say something's funny about that '74. A D25 shouldn't have a chesterfield at all let alone in plain white (as opposed to MOP) and to me it looks like a decal.

OP did mention seller thinks it's been re-finished.

 

[Jared macneill]

What Chazmo said -- completely different sound than a sprucetop archback....still super-cool, just very different.

My favourite Taylor actually has a mahogany top and I love the sound of a Martin 0015 mahogany.

For jumbos though it’s spruce and maple all day .

The mahogany adds a kind of warmth to it and take away some of the harsh highends that Taylor are known for .

Typically my woods chooses are spruce and rosewood and I actually can’t remember the last time I’ve owned a mahogany guitar. I think it was my old espana and man that old beater was the best sounding acoustic I’ve ever played.

It was an Gibson lg3 copy made in Finland and it was all finish cracked looked awful but what a playable neck that was warn in over the 60s years of use. Sadly I let the owner take it back and I’ve never played anything like that old guitar

 

[Jared macneill]

I was also going to say something's funny about that '74. A D25 shouldn't have a chesterfield at all let alone in plain white (as opposed to MOP) and to me it looks like a decal.

OP did mention seller thinks it's been re-finished.

74 has been refinished by a previous owner

 

[Jared macneill]

I don't think the "74 D-25" shown in the first few pics is a '74 D-25... First, it appears to be a matte finish. In '74, all D-25s would be high gloss. Second, that looks like a painted on Chesterfield on the head stock. A '74 D-25 should have a simple gold silk-screened GUILD logo on the headstock. Tuners are also wrong for a '74 D-25, but of course, tuners can be changed.

If it IS a '74 D-25, I would think it has been refinished and had the tuners swapped... but the painted Chesterfield just looks too clean for that, IMO.

Yeah the 74 is a refinish but it’s only about $630 usd

 

[chazmo]

I really like that '74. I think that's a winner, whatever it is. If you like mahogany soundboards, I think you'll LOVE this.

 

[Jared macneill]

I really like that '74. I think that's a winner, whatever it is. If you like mahogany soundboards, I think you'll LOVE this.

I’m told they have really heavy tops , is that true would the 96ish d25 be better

 

[adorshki]

I’d take the D4 for the spruce top. I like the 74 next best just for looks. You can’t go wrong with any of those.

I owe you an apology re my earlier post about that D4, I confused it with the one in the other thread from a new member who'd inherited one.

 

[adorshki]

I’m told they have really heavy tops , is that true would the 96ish d25 be better

Guild went through a transition from "light build" to "heavy build" during the seventies and '73/'74 would have been the start of the change. The 'hog top version was designed during the "light build" era, I wouldn't expect that top to be "heavy". By '96 they were definitely light again, going by my D25.

 

[Bonneville88]

Having owned multiple versions of all - and assuming playability / structural condition is good and comparable on all -
my recommendation would be the Corona D25 over the refinished 70's-era D25 and the '97 D4.

 

[Jared macneill]

Having owned multiple versions of all - and assuming playability / structural condition is good and comparable on all -
my recommendation would be the Corona D25 over the refinished 70's-era D25 and the '97 D4.

Thanks for the advice

 

[adorshki]

Thanks for the advice

Note the Corona version was a return to the original all-hog flatback configuration, and the finish is satin acrylic.
My Corona D40 is definitely a return to the "built like a tank" school, but it finally blossomed, just took about 15 years.

 

[Bonneville88]

Good points Al!

Image below courtesy of Gad https://www.gad.net/Blog/gads-guilds/

I don't recall anything tank-like about any of my Corona-era D25s or
the D40 I had.

 

[Boneman]

If judging solely by looks if you aren’t able to side by side comparison them both playability and sound wise, I like the Corona D25’s appearance best.

 

[Jared macneill]

The 74 scares me a bit, there’s no saddle left and almost looks like a crack in the bridge

 

[adorshki]

The 74 scares me a bit, there’s no saddle left and almost looks like a crack in the bridge

Looks like the bridge pin holes are are ramped, too. Negatives do appear to be piling up.

 

[Jared macneill]

Well those definitely fell through but I did find something

 

[davenumber2]

Well those definitely fell through but I did find something

Is it a secret?

 

[Jared macneill]

Is it a secret?

I posted a thread , it was well under my budget and will do until I figure out how to get a new guild or Taylor . I want a d55 but they are pricey