D-40 vs D-40 Traditional

[Aahzz]

Hiya. Haven't been around in a bit - owned a 1980 D-40 last summer for a brief time, that I got from another member here. I moved it along fairly quickly since I was thinking I needed to move on from dreadnoughts, and wasn't sure I liked the neck...but the tone has haunted me. I have since also discovered that I can play dreads comfortably as long as I use a strap...and I find myself quite enamored with the demos of Oxnard D-40s.

While I wait for some Eastmans and a PRS to sell, in order to fund a new acquisition, I want to make sure I have the differences straight. Obviously, the Traditional has the gloss finish, and the inlay on the headstock. I'm also guessing that the Traditional has the Adi bracing, since it mentions that, and the regular D-40 I'm assuming has Sitka. I'm going to travel a bit to try some, hopefully later this month, but in the meantime - are there other differences I'm missing?

Thanks!

 

[Br1ck]

I think you have the basics. Rest assured, any feature that will enhance value will be noted. Not up to snuff on these, do both have dovetail neck joints? While I applaud Guild and others providing value oriented instruments, I'd always tend toward the higher priced guitars for the long haul. I realize some are lucky enough to prefer satin finishes though. You really need to hold them though. Add copy is one thing, experience another.

I have a guitar I just bought I loved from first strum. After I bought it I found it had Adi braces glued with hot hide glue. It's really of no consequence, since all of them do, and I'll never know if it affects the tone a little, moderately, or dramatically. All I know is I like it. Sometimes if not always, too much information can cloud your judgement.

 

[fronobulax]

D-40 TRADITIONAL Natural | Guild Guitars

The Guild D-40 Traditional embodies the features that have made the D-40 one of Guild’s most beloved and revered models. Using a high-grade solid Sitka spruce..

guildguitars.com

D-40 Natural (DISCONTINUED) | Guild Guitars

Brand new to the Guild USA line, the D-40 is perfect for players looking for that ultimate dreadnought sound. The classic wood combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides provides remarkable volume, clarity and sustain.

guildguitars.com

The above in case you have more patience than I do and want to compare specs in two slightly different display formats.

The Traditional had tortoiseshell binding whereas the "Standard" has white binding.

 

[Aahzz]

I think you have the basics. Rest assured, any feature that will enhance value will be noted. Not up to snuff on these, do both have dovetail neck joints? While I applaud Guild and others providing value oriented instruments, I'd always tend toward the higher priced guitars for the long haul. I realize some are lucky enough to prefer satin finishes though. You really need to hold them though. Add copy is one thing, experience another.

I have a guitar I just bought I loved from first strum. After I bought it I found it had Adi braces glued with hot hide glue. It's really of no consequence, since all of them do, and I'll never know if it affects the tone a little, moderately, or dramatically. All I know is I like it. Sometimes if not always, too much information can cloud your judgement.

I do tend to prefer satin finishes, all else being equal. I plan to play both, just keeping myself occupied while waiting for things to sell .

 

[Aahzz]

D-40 TRADITIONAL Natural | Guild Guitars

The Guild D-40 Traditional embodies the features that have made the D-40 one of Guild’s most beloved and revered models. Using a high-grade solid Sitka spruce..

guildguitars.com

D-40 Natural (DISCONTINUED) | Guild Guitars

Brand new to the Guild USA line, the D-40 is perfect for players looking for that ultimate dreadnought sound. The classic wood combination of a solid Sitka spruce top and solid African mahogany back and sides provides remarkable volume, clarity and sustain.

guildguitars.com

The above in case you have more patience than I do and want to compare specs in two slightly different display formats.

The Traditional had tortoiseshell binding whereas the "Standard" has white binding.

Thanks - I've gone through the specs on the site, the different formats are driving me nuts. I did miss the different binding, though, which is why I find value in asking.

 

[twocorgis]

I've never played the "Standard" D40 from Oxnard, but I have played three Traditionals, including the one I own, and they can go neck and neck with any mahogany dread out there. Mine is a truly extraordinary guitar, and I advise you to watch Tundra Music's Reverb page for a sale (next one probably Memorial Day). I got mine for a ridiculously cheap price, and I couldn't be more pleased.

I believe other than the finish, the main difference between the standard and Traditional is that the former has a mortise and tenon neck joint. I have never played one, so I don't know how the two compare, but I'm not really crazy about satin finishes.

 

[fronobulax]

Thanks - I've gone through the specs on the site, the different formats are driving me nuts. I did miss the different binding, though, which is why I find value in asking.

Mrs. Fro. had the opportunity to play a New Hartford F30 Traditional and F30 Standard at a "petting zoo" at the factory. She was committed to the body size but the rest of the effort was in identifying differences that mattered to her. Ultimately she selected a Traditional because she really did not like the white binding as much as the tortoiseshell. While it is not correct to blindly apply New Hartford specs to Oxnard it at least gave me something to check.

 

[chazmo]

Just to be clear (as mud), guys, the terminology of the "Standard" series (which was only offered by New Hartford) doesn't really translate into Oxnard offerings.

Aahzz, from what I can tell, both the "Traditional" and generic D-40 from Oxnard are Sitka spruce-topped, mahogany-bodied guitars. I'm not sure if we've had a sonic comparison from anyone.

 

[fronobulax]

Just to be clear (as mud), guys, the terminology of the "Standard" series (which was only offered by New Hartford) doesn't really translate into Oxnard offerings.

While it is not correct to blindly apply New Hartford specs to Oxnard it at least gave me something to check.

I could have been clearer but as far as I know Oxnard has never used the term "Standard" as a name for a "trim line". The have used "Traditional" but the alternative is nothing.

 

[chazmo]

Right, and with regard to the D-40 especially, starting in Tacoma I think, they started using Adirondack (rather than Sitka) on the Bluegrass model... Both of Oxnard's D-40 models use Sitka tops... It's confusing as heck from a specs point of view.

What isn't confusing is that they're all wonderful guitars!

 

[Aahzz]

Was just looking again and realized the Traditional has a 3-piece neck, as opposed to the non-traditional model's 1 piece.