nathanhsc said:
I was also looking at an 81' d-25sb that had the same work done. It had the arched back and played great as well. I am inquiring about the differences between the two models. Any subtle differences? Dimentions? Are the bracing patterns the same? grade of spruce and mahogany?
I have a '72 D-35 and '74 D-25M, and at one time also had a '78 D-35 (technically my wife's, but I played it more than she did). So I was able to compare all three of them (2 D-35s and a D-25). First, a bit about construction...
The dimensions of the two models (comparing instruments from the same year) are probably the same (with some variation from instrument to instrument). Its probably important to make these comparisons within a certain time frame... as an example, my '71 D-44 and '72 D-35 are a bit smaller than my later dreads... not by much... only 1/4" - 3/8". But it is noticeable when playing them (at least to me). Those two are also significantly lighter than all my other dreads (~4.25 and ~4.5 lbs, compared to nearly 6 lbs for my D-46, D-50, and D-55). In fact, there was a very significant difference in the weights of my '72 and '78 D-35s... the '72 weighing in at ~4.5 lbs, while the '78 was probably closer to 5.5 lbs. As I recall, my D-25 comes in at the ~5.5 lb range.
The D-25 was initially introduced with a mahogany top... essentially an all mahogany version of the D-35. In the early '70s (~'73), the D-25 was given its characteristic arched back. During the transition, there were some arched back D-25s made with mahogany tops, but from ~'74 on D-25 and D-35 both have spruce tops. I believe the tops on the D-35 are sitka spruce. Someone here mentioned once that the D-25 was topped with Engelmann spruce... but I don't really know for certain. Mine certainly shows much less "grain" thru its "mahogany" stain than is visible on my D-35. (I think the D-25 reverted to flat-back 'hog top sometime in the late 90s or 00s, but I don't know when)
To my eye and
camera, the top bracing pattern of the two models seem very similar... which I believe to be the
"standard" Guild X-bracing. My '78 D-35 and '74 D-25 have/had an extra block/brace between the neck block and the first cross brace above the soundhole. I also think the braces on my older Guilds are a bit narrower and have a lower profile than those on my newer dreads... accounting in part for the heavier build of the later guitars.
Added: of note... my '72 D-35 appears to have a maple bridge plate. The bridge plates on my '74 D-25 and '78 D-35 are/were rosewood.
Of course, the big difference between the D-35 and D-25 is the laminated, arched back of the D-25. The back itself has mahogany veneers as the outer layers, and an inner layer of ??? Hans mentioned the inner ply in these guitars might be soft maple, poplar (I think that was mentioned), or anything else on hand. I'll mention here that I also have a '74 G-37, which is essentially identical to my '74 D-25, other than it has maple sides and arched maple back. The G-37 has a very different voice than the D-25... smoother, mellower, more balanced, and not as loud.
In my experience, the D-25 and D-35 have very different voices (each of my dreads has its own unique voice!). My D-25 has a strong bass with a sort of dark, resonant quality to it. The trebles sparkle, but there is (to my ear) less emphasis on the mid ranges. When strummed, it rings forever... the sustain is incredible, and it has incredible power and projection. Mine is usually strung with JP 80/20 lights, and tuned to DADGAD most of the time... for a couple tunes I capo up 5 (or sometimes 6) frets, and it rings like a 12 string. The strong bass made balancing recordings with the D-25 a bit challenging for me... (there are examples of most of my dreads in my soundclick tunes... the D-25 is used on all several Stan Rogers tunes)
My D-35s voices are/were more balanced... particularly the '72, which I purchased new in Jan '73. The '72 is not nearly as loud... but its saddle is also getting pretty low, and its probably time to consider a neck reset. The bass is less overpowering and not as "dark sounding" as the D-25, but still very present. The mids and trebles ring thru a bit better. It has a nice bright sound for folk music that I play... it sounds great picking Freight Train, Don't Think Twice, and This Land is Your Land... but spends most of its time tuned down to CGCGCE for one tune I sing (Dougie Maclean's Caledonia). Its bright mahogany sound also make it my favorite for playing blues (or trying to, at least). It's balanced tone was easier to record than the D-25...
The (now sold) '78 D-35 was louder and more "in your face" than my '72, and had more emphasis on the mid range... Tho' its voice was different, I decided I didn't need two D-35s, and sold it (with my wife's blessing) to help pay off my D-46.
All of these tonal comparisons are VERY subjective. Really, what you need to do is sit down and A/B the two models for yourself. There are just so many variables... strings, rooms, your ear, that only you can decide for your self whether you prefer one or the other. For me, each of my dreads has a unique voice that is best suited to different suites of music. I love 'em all!
Sorry for the long-winded post (guess I don't feel like working today),
Dave
