Consultation on D55 (RI)

[Itamar4256]

Hello, I found an offer (in my country) on 98' to 01' D55, the seller asks for 2900$.

I was pretty much sure about getting JF30 but I hear great things on this guitar, and RI one, must be a find...

 

[Itamar4256]

There's also a D35 from 71' for 1200$.

 

[Itamar4256]

There's also a D50 built by Fender in California for 2000$ (he says it's limited).

 

[Itamar4256]

Another one, 1984 D70.

 

[Stuball48]

Will you be able to play them before buying?
If so, that will help. If you will not be able to play them, will you be able to talk to the sellers? Talking to seller is not like playing but you might get an idea of honesty just by what seller says.
If you can do non of the above and money is not an issue, I, personally, would rank them as follows:
1. D70
2. D55
3. D50
4. D35

 

[Itamar4256]

I can't play them and can talk to the seller, but I don't think it'll tell me much; I read reviews and such.

I only played a 98' JF30, but was very impressed by the build quality of Guild.

 

[Itamar4256]

Sorry, I can play on the 50 and the 55.

Don't know why I said I don't.

 

[Wilmywood]

IMO the D35 would be the best deal for the money, depending on condition.

 

[chazmo]

Hi Itamar.

We can't make your choices for you, but if you have the opportunity you should really try to play a D-55 and a D-50 to make the comparison for yourself.

I know availability is difficult where you are, but it is worth it for you if you can travel to play these.

Best of luck!

 

[adorshki]

There's also a D50 built by Fender in California for 2000$ (he says it's limited).

It's not "limited" it's a Corona D50ce. It was just another model in the Corona lineup, along with the D40ce, the final iterations of the Westerly-style cutaway electric dreadnoughts with Venetian cutaways.

Coronas have been sleepers value-wise. Due to Fender liquidating a bunch of 'em without warranty, the market tends not to value 'em as highly as other factories, but they started coming into their own about 8 or 9 years ago. Watch out for a barcode sticker over the s/n on the label, that's the indicator it was liquidated through a refurbishing house.

The instrument itself my be flawless or at least near-perfect, but it's still had a severe hit to value.

 

[chazmo]

It's not "limited" it's a Corona D50ce. It was just another model in the Corona lineup, along with the D40ce, the final iterations of the Westerly-style cutaway electric dreadnoughts with Venetian cutaways.

Coronas have been sleepers value-wise. Due to Fender liquidating a bunch of 'em without warranty, the market tends not to value 'em as highly as other factories, but they started coming into their own about 8 or 9 years ago. Watch out for a barcode sticker over the s/n on the label, that's the indicator it was liquidated through a refurbishing house.

The instrument itself my be flawless or at least near-perfect, but it's still had a severe hit to value.

Are you talking about Tacoma, Al? I didn't know that about Corona... Are you sure about that?

 

[Itamar4256]

Hello guys, I drove one hour to check the d35, I was disappointed.

I talked to the d50ce guy today, offered him 1500$, he refused. I'll probably go there and see.

I still consider the JF30.

 

[beecee]

A JF 30 is a wonderful guitar.

 

[Br1ck]

If you want the sound of rosewood, no mahogany guitar will do. I can't recall disliking any D 55 I've ever played. I revere age over a lot of other features. I'm biased for the D 35, but see statement above. The D 35 recorded better than most guitars, and you can hear the age in the pre 73 guitars. I must confess to ambivalence to many later Guilds, exceptions being the D 55 and the 12 strings. My experience is limited. My F 40 from mid eighties was a brittle sounding guitar.

 

[1976GuildD55]

You can’t beat it if it is well cared for. I only know the 70’s D55’s, but the appointments are even nicer! I would think you should be able to land it for $2500-2600?

 

[adorshki]

Are you talking about Tacoma, Al? I didn't know that about Corona... Are you sure about that?

Absolutely, and that's an '03 list, but reflects '02 production, like the first Tacoma list reflects Corona models not made in Tacoma. For one thing, they had snakehead headstocks, a Westerly hold-over:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/G...c-Electric-Guitar.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP

Corona D40ce never even made it to the price list:
https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/Guild-D-40CE-2003-Natural-72707

Snakehead. Like the last D40's out of Westerly.

 

[chazmo]

Absolutely, and that's an '03 list, but reflects '02 production, like the first Tacoma list reflects Corona models not made in Tacoma. For one thing, they had snakehead headstocks, a Westerly hold-over:

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Used/G...c-Electric-Guitar.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP

Corona D40ce never even made it to the price list:
https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/Guild-D-40CE-2003-Natural-72707

Snakehead. Like the last D40's out of Westerly.

No, that's not what I was referring to, Al. It was this:

"Due to Fender liquidating a bunch of 'em without warranty, the market tends not to value 'em as highly as other factories, but they started coming into their own about 8 or 9 years ago. Watch out for a barcode sticker over the s/n on the label, that's the indicator it was liquidated through a refurbishing house.

The instrument itself my be flawless or at least near-perfect, but it's still had a severe hit to value."

 

[hansmoust]

Corona D40ce never even made it to the price list:
https://www.vintageandrare.com/product/Guild-D-40CE-2003-Natural-72707

It absolutely was in the February 2003 pricelist, which is when it was introduced as a new model!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[davismanLV]

chazmo, liquidating stock at reduced prices with no warranty happened at both factories I believe. Corona dealt more with their dealer network, but also used MIRC. Tacoma liquidated stock as well before moving to New Hartford. Much of Tacoma's MIRC action was due to the Contemporary Series. So I think those two things happened at both factories, if I'm not mistaken. Which many times I am.....

 

[chazmo]

Cool, Tom. That's the first time (I think) that I've heard of Corona making that awful mistake though. Yikes, now there's *two* times Fender stained Guild's history at factory shutdown time (Corona and Tacoma).