Amazingly found a DV-52 here in the UK

[nixsbee]

I wanted to share a story with you lovely folks of how I got this guitar recently. All comments and insights welcome, as I know you're all very knowledgeable! These days you very rarely see higher end Guild acoustics here in the UK. Or at least not as many, and Denmark St in London isn't what it once was. So, to now join my GV-70, I've got a March 2000 DV-52 (always wanted sunburst). I've had lifting binding repaired, removed the Rare Earth pickup, and a full setup. There was a lot of fret-wear, and now the saddle has had to go super-low with some careful fret crowning, so it's at the limit with a very cool 1.7mm action. Plays fantastic. I had to do all of this to decide if it's a keeper, and thus in a few years would be willing to spend the money on a neck reset & refret. It has a lot of marks and dings, and some cold weather lacquer damage, but I'm completely fine with that, and it allowed me to get the price reduced to £1500/$1800. Thanks for reading this far!

 

[GGJaguar]

Very nice guitar and great story! Congrats!

 

[Norrissey]

Big congrats on the DV52! Gorgeous burst. Those are wonderful guitars, really nice comfy necks and that rich rosewood with scalloped bracing sound. The one downside with them as you have noticed, is they generally seem to need neck resets a after about 30 years or so. They last 2 or 3 I have looked at were similar to yours in that regard.

 

[nixsbee]

Big congrats on the DV52! Gorgeous burst. Those are wonderful guitars, really nice comfy necks and that rich rosewood with scalloped bracing sound. The one downside with them as you have noticed, is they generally seem to need neck resets a after about 30 years or so. They last 2 or 3 I have looked at were similar to yours in that regard.

Thank you...and that is very useful info that I really appreciate...and I think I might just be asking more questions about soon!
Thanks again.

 

[HeyMikey]

Beautiful guitar nixsbee, congrats! This should be a nice complement to your GV70. Even in the US you rarely see these DV52’s in sunburst.

 

[WaltW]

I hope you enjoy yours as much I enjoy mine, a 1996 DV-52NT, got it in Oct 2023, that needed some work too! Fret leveling, new Saddle(compensated) an referbishing of the B & E Nut slots. It plays great but will need a neck reset in a few years too!
Enjoy the full sound, you've got a great guitar.

 

[Stuball48]

Beautiful burst and just a stunning guitar. Congratulations on your DV52.

 

[nixsbee]

I hope you enjoy yours as much I enjoy mine, a 1996 DV-52NT, got it in Oct 2023, that needed some work too! Fret leveling, new Saddle(compensated) an referbishing of the B & E Nut slots. It plays great but will need a neck reset in a few years too!
Enjoy the full sound, you've got a great guitar.

Oh that sounds good. Fitted a compensated saddle? I did think about that...or one of those Wave saddles... The intonation now seems good without it after a setup.
Enjoy!

 

[midnightright]

Sweet! I've always wanted one of those, but have never really come close. Though I've had a couple of the mahogany ones over the years (DV-6's) & they have been as good as sounding instruments, as any I have owned. In fact, I think that they are or may be voiced better for my ears, and for me, these days, based on my tastes and sensibilities, than even the D-25's or D-4's w/the arched backs! But be that as it may, I hope that you like it, can bond with, and make due with it, until the time comes when repairs are necessary in order for you to decide that it needs them, so as to make your playing more comfortably. And I agree on that particular type of burst. It is indeed beautiful, and I haven't seen it a ton! Great story. . . :^)

 

[nixsbee]

Sweet! I've always wanted one of those, but have never really come close. Though I've had a couple of the mahogany ones over the years (DV-6's) & they have been as good as sounding instruments, as any I have owned. In fact, I think that they are or may be voiced better for my ears, and for me, these days, based on my tastes and sensibilities, than even the D-25's or D-4's w/the arched backs! But be that as it may, I hope that you like it, can bond with, and make due with it, until the time comes when repairs are necessary in order for you to decide that it needs them, so as to make your playing more comfortably. And I agree on that particular type of burst. It is indeed beautiful, and I haven't seen it a ton! Great story. . . :^)

I'm kind of partial to a rosewood dreadnought, and got a nice simple Larrivee D-02 for mahogany (although I would love a F30 someday). Thanks for your kind words!

 

[bobouz]

Beautiful sunburst - Congrats & Enjoy!

 

[midnightright]

I'm kind of partial to a rosewood dreadnought, and got a nice simple Larrivee D-02 for mahogany (although I would love a F30 someday). Thanks for your kind words!

I've heard lots of good things about them - w/the "02's," not being all that different from the "03's," at least structurally. I'd like to try one some day (Larrivee). I know they're very well built. What I don't know, is if I'd find the voicing to my liking. I do know that geometrically, or dimensions wise, they seem to be more favorably designed than most (for me). Nut width/profile, etc. Best wishes w/the Guild!

 

[davismanLV]

Oh that's a real beauty!! And in a burst as well!! Congrats. Play it and you never know, it may not need any more work at all. Keep it humidified and you may be good to go!!

 

[E-Type]

I'm usually really sensitive to string height (I have had more than one seller try to tell me that 3mm to even 4.5mm is "low" and the guitar does not need a reset). If you have yours at 1.7mm (< 4.25/64") and the frets are maybe at 0.035" (0.9mm), then it might be that a refret with 0.045" (1.15mm) tall frets and a willingness to go to to 2mm action could put off a reset for 20 more years.

 

[SFIV1967]

Very nice! Here the info from the year 2000 catalog:



Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Oh, that's a thing of beauty, @nixsbee Bravo, and congrats.

 

[nixsbee]

I'm usually really sensitive to string height (I have had more than one seller try to tell me that 3mm to even 4.5mm is "low" and the guitar does not need a reset). If you have yours at 1.7mm (< 4.25/64") and the frets are maybe at 0.035" (0.9mm), then it might be that a refret with 0.045" (1.15mm) tall frets and a willingness to go to to 2mm action could put off a reset for 20 more years.

This...is interesting, and has got me thinking....slightly taller frets, tolerate a bit higher 12th fret action, and gain a higher saddle. Thanks!

 

[nixsbee]

Very nice! Here the info from the year 2000 catalog:



Ralf

Thanks for this, hadn't seen that before!

 

[davenumber2]

I've heard lots of good things about them - w/the "02's," not being all that different from the "03's," at least structurally. I'd like to try one some day (Larrivee). I know they're very well built. What I don't know, is if I'd find the voicing to my liking. I do know that geometrically, or dimensions wise, they seem to be more favorably designed than most (for me). Nut width/profile, etc. Best wishes w/the Guild!

I’m intrigued by Larrivee’s L models. Seems like it would be a perfect Swiss Army knife size. Never played one though.

 

[randybh777]

That's a beautiful guitar. I too had the good fortune of being able to purchase a DV52 for only $1000. Mines a 96, I also have 77 D50 and a 88 D40. I have become a huge Guild fan. I have a Martin D35 and a Gibson Hummingbird and I actually prefer playing the Guilds. I think for the money, they're the best guitar on the market