Back After Long Hiatus

[1976GuildD55]

I am just returning. I am a 47-year owner of a 1976 Guild D55. Bought it June 1, 1976 for $695.00. I had my Martin D-35 stolen and was replacing it. When I saw and played my D55, I fell in love with the sound! I bought it at the original tiny guitar center on Sunset Blvd. in LA. It has been my main ax since, though I have bought and sold many Martins, Gibsons, Taylor’s, Ovations, and others, nothing has ever come close in tone and sustain. This week I took her in to get a new saddle made, a fret filing, crowning, neck adjustment and new nut cut. I thought my “Guilda” deserved some TLC after all these years. Amazingly, she’s never needed anything done but I wanted to get the action just right. Glad to be back on the forum with the greatest guitars ever crafted! I have attached a photo of my CD from 30 years ago so you can my D55.

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome back! Post some pix (we love photos). I have a '77 D-55 and I agree that they are fine guitars!

 

[1976GuildD55]

Yours is in great shape. Sure looks nice. I will indeed. This old album cover was the only pic, but I will snap some. The top is quite amber in color now. Thanks for saying “hi”.

 

[GGJaguar]

Yours is in great shape. Sure looks nice.

It was well cared for by the previous owners (2 of whom are LTGers). This was the model I lusted after as I looked through catalogs from all the manufacturers back in the day. It took a while, but I finally got one.

 

[1976GuildD55]

I think it is one of the all time best domestic made flat top guitars!

 

[jgmaute]

Welcome back! I have loved all of my D55s (see history in my signature) but unfortunately they are really heavy and my 76-year-old shoulder doesn’t let me play mine much, but when I do it still rings and rings!

 

[1976GuildD55]

Here is a pic of my guitar. It is still in the shop so I can't snap a portrait of it for now. This was 10 years ago at a skilled nursing facility where I sang regularly.

 

[1976GuildD55]

Welcome back! I have loved all of my D55s (see history in my signature) but unfortunately they are really heavy and my 76-year-old shoulder doesn’t let me play mine much, but when I do it still rings and rings!

Do you think the rosewood is a bit thicker and thus the D55 is heavy? I understand. The mandolin is easier for me to handle at 68 with Parkinson's now.

 

[jgmaute]

I don’t know about thickness of the D55 rosewood, they were just really made to be played! Rosewood is my wood of choice I do have one Martin 00 that is mahogany but I don’t notice a significant difference in weight compared to my rosewood 00s. The size of the D55 is an issue too, that’s why I got my Martin
00-16DBR, the deep body gets about as close to a nice Dred sound as I could find.

 

[davismanLV]

Welcome back! I have loved all of my D55s (see history in my signature) but unfortunately they are really heavy and my 76-year-old shoulder doesn’t let me play mine much, but when I do it still rings and rings!

Joan, it's good to see you back! You've been away for a while, yes??

 

[Uke]

I think it is one of the all time best domestic made flat top guitars!

I have a 2000 D55. I lusted after one for a good while as well. Found this one in a local guitar store hanging on the wall looking lonely. The best acoustic guitar I've ever owned.

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome back and if our space shuttles made re-entries as good as yours, I would tune in.

 

[Br1ck]

You won't believe the difference when you get it back. It's like new tires on you car.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

Do you think the rosewood is a bit thicker and thus the D55 is heavy? I understand. The mandolin is easier for me to handle at 68 with Parkinson's now.

The overall weight is due to a combination of things: Rosewood is very heavy as a tonewood, as is the steel truss rod in the neck, which, by the way, contains extremely heavy Padauk. It is a heavy guitar but when balanced on the lap, it isn't bad, at all. And the sound makes it all worthwhile.

By the way, hi Dan! I also bought my Guild F-50R (same guitar, but jumbo style instead of dreadnought) back in 1976. Like you, I found my Guild to be my favorite across the decades.

 

[PreacherBob]

I am just returning. I am a 47-year owner of a 1976 Guild D55. Bought it June 1, 1976 for $695.00. I had my Martin D-35 stolen and was replacing it. When I saw and played my D55, I fell in love with the sound! I bought it at the original tiny guitar center on Sunset Blvd. in LA. It has been my main ax since, though I have bought and sold many Martins, Gibsons, Taylor’s, Ovations, and others, nothing has ever come close in tone and sustain. This week I took her in to get a new saddle made, a fret filing, crowning, neck adjustment and new nut cut. I thought my “Guilda” deserved some TLC after all these years. Amazingly, she’s never needed anything done but I wanted to get the action just right. Glad to be back on the forum with the greatest guitars ever crafted! I have attached a photo of my CD from 30 years ago so you can my D55

Wow funny I just came across yesterday a very old 25 minute interview on YouTube of the Bee Gees. They did two songs, just vocals and twin D55’s! Old footage but the guitars sounded big and great. Not sure the year but it’s pretty old.

 

[1976GuildD55]

Welcome back and if our space shuttles made re-entries as good as yours, I would tune in.

Thank you kindly, Stuball!

 

[1976GuildD55]

Wow funny I just came across yesterday a very old 25 minute interview on YouTube of the Bee Gees. They did two songs, just vocals and twin D55’s! Old footage but the guitars sounded big and great. Not sure the year but it’s pretty old.

I am a huge Bee Gees fan. Particularly 67-72 and 80-early 2,000’s. I enjoy the disco years, but that’s not truly their signature sound.

 

[1976GuildD55]

You won't believe the difference when you get it back. It's like new tires on you car.

Br1ck, Dan here, your old pal from Mandolin Cafe. You also know me as lflngpicker. I’ve missed you over there, but change is good. Nice to hear from you.

 

[1976GuildD55]

The overall weight is due to a combination of things: Rosewood is very heavy as a tonewood, as is the steel truss rod in the neck, which, by the way, contains extremely heavy Padauk. It is a heavy guitar but when balanced on the lap, it isn't bad, at all. And the sound makes it all worthwhile.

By the way, hi Dan! I also bought my Guild F-50R (same guitar, but jumbo style instead of dreadnought) back in 1976. Like you, I found my Guild to be my favorite across the decades.

When a young man, I used to hold it on a strap while standing on stage throughout a concert. Now-a-days I must play seated.

 

[1976GuildD55]

The overall weight is due to a combination of things: Rosewood is very heavy as a tonewood, as is the steel truss rod in the neck, which, by the way, contains extremely heavy Padauk. It is a heavy guitar but when balanced on the lap, it isn't bad, at all. And the sound makes it all worthwhile.

By the way, hi Dan! I also bought my Guild F-50R (same guitar, but jumbo style instead of dreadnought) back in 1976. Like you, I found my Guild to be my favorite across the decades.

Thanks for the info in the weight. I’ve had it nearly fifty years and didn’t know it had padauk in the neck. Interesting, Christopher.