Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Is there any difference aside from bling quotient?
D-50 versus D-55
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Iceman
Member
D50 vs D55
What is the difference in these two guitars.....cosmetic, materials, structural, sound??? Also, is there much difference from them and the F50 & F55 sound wise? I Already have a F512 and don't really want another Jumbo body.
letstalkguild.com
Sold my D 55, but kept my D 50.
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It depends on the time period you're talking about. Right now, there differences in construction and materials between the new D50 Standard and the D55. Go back to the New Hartford era, and you have to throw the D50 Traditional, with its Adirondack spruce top, into the mix. Go further back and it may be that the differences were mostly bling, although I've read enough here about differences in tone between D50s and D55s to think that there must have been more involved.
D-50s of modern ilk -- and I don't know if I mean only the red spruce-topped ones -- are much boomier than a D-55. That's my experience. I wish I had a Westerly D-50 and D-55 to compare, though. The D-55 has always been a well-balanced instrument (for a dread, that is). The D-50 is my preference though, by they way.
D-50s were all Sitka spruce-topped back then (and I think Sitka braced). These days, both D-50 and D-55 have red spruce bracing though. Whether or not they're in the same places (the braces that is) I don't know, but I seem to recall different templates for the two models back in New Hartford (which would imply different placement). I'm not at all sure of my memory of that though!
My answer to you is expect them to be rather different sounding from each other.
D-50s were all Sitka spruce-topped back then (and I think Sitka braced). These days, both D-50 and D-55 have red spruce bracing though. Whether or not they're in the same places (the braces that is) I don't know, but I seem to recall different templates for the two models back in New Hartford (which would imply different placement). I'm not at all sure of my memory of that though!
My answer to you is expect them to be rather different sounding from each other.
Bill Ashton
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Charlie, a D50 is a very "up front" sounding guitar, very bluegrass appropriate, where a D55 for all its attributes
does not do bluegrass too well...I like to think of it more as a "singer-songwriter" guitar. Difficult for me to make
comparisons to an "M-brand" guitar as I don't know their whole range, but the D50 would be "HD28-like" in presentation.
does not do bluegrass too well...I like to think of it more as a "singer-songwriter" guitar. Difficult for me to make
comparisons to an "M-brand" guitar as I don't know their whole range, but the D50 would be "HD28-like" in presentation.
Iceman
Member
I agree Bill.
I had a Martin HD 28, but sold it and kept my D 50.
I had a Martin HD 28, but sold it and kept my D 50.
D30Man
Senior Member
Bill, I couldn't agree more. Before I had ever picked up a D-55 ( which I was lucky enough recently to play a vintage one and a more recent one ) I had always heard D-55 was more subdued s/sw type guitar with beautiful appointments. Though the ones I played had plenty of volume, they didn't have a strong sonic boom. They did have nuance and tonal dynamics one would expect from a fine rosewood dread.
Whereas a D-50 feels more like a D-28 to me tonally.
One thing I kind of dig about Guilds, but can also be frustrating to hardcore model fans, is that the same model can often differ factory to factory over over the years.
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Yup. I sold my D-28 and kept my Guild D-35.
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Thanks, Bill, good to know!
From the answers above, it sounds like in the seventies the differences were mainly cosmetic but as time went by they diverged, with the 55 trespassing on D-28 turf. Fair enough!
Bill Ashton
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As an aside, if you are really looking for a Guild with that "bluegrass punch," search out a NH-built F47R. Adirondack top, either Auditorium, OOOO, or Orchestra size body depending on who wrote the copy for the catalog...adirondack spruce bracing. Impossible to sit in back of workshop class and not have teacher call on you! In big jams, "M-dreads" will huddle in corner muttering "WTF!" Yes, THAT good...oh, and don't try Monel or Nickel Bronze strings, Daddario PB or preferably DR Veritas with no exception 
Mediums if you can stand them...
Sorry for the vere from subject at hand...
Mediums if you can stand them...Sorry for the vere from subject at hand...
adorshki
Reverential Member
's OK . Y'got me all hotted up for an F47R again. Now if I could just get a 24-3/4 scale with a 1-11/16 nut..........As an aside, if you are really looking for a Guild with that "bluegrass punch," search out a NH-built F47R. Adirondack top, either Auditorium, OOOO, or Orchestra size body depending on who wrote the copy for the catalog...adirondack spruce bracing. Impossible to sit in back of workshop class and not have teacher call on you! In big jams, "M-dreads" will huddle in corner muttering "WTF!" Yes, THAT good...oh, and don't try Monel or Nickel Bronze strings, Daddario PB or preferably DR Veritas with no exception
Sorry for the veer from subject at hand...
Experience here of a 67 D50, 76 D50, 73 D55 and Tacoma D55.
D50s were louder, more boomy, better suited to bluegrass.
D55s more compressed, sophisticated, sweet sounding. Great for s/sw.
D55s were more different to guitars from other makers than the D50s were. Preferred the 55s.
D50s were louder, more boomy, better suited to bluegrass.
D55s more compressed, sophisticated, sweet sounding. Great for s/sw.
D55s were more different to guitars from other makers than the D50s were. Preferred the 55s.
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Careful. You're drifting into Martinsville. . . .
Br1ck
Senior Member
Regarding .013s on a dread. I first learned how easy they could play when I bought my Martin D 35 from Bryan Kimsey. Strung with .013s, it had just .005 relief and .090 action. My Santa Cruz has an even straighter neck with a tight .003 relief and .080 action. My 72 year old hands handle both with ease. Both guitars have very level frets. Neither have any buzzing.
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adorshki
Reverential Member
No worries, I'm allergic to Martins. And Taylors.
Charlie Bernstein
Senior Member
Yup. Taylors give me shingles. Martins just give me hives.
Not so sure I buy into that. I have a friend who is a superb Bluegrass player and he plays a D 55. He is excellent.
I’ve had two of each. Hoboken D50 that I wish I still had, but needed an electric for band gig, so traded it for a Telecaster. Gruhn era D50, played and sounded nice, but I just didn’t like the Gruhn era imitation snakehead headstock. After I got a mid-70s D55 I sent it to a grand-niece who was learning guitar. The D55 was better suited to my playing, mostly singing accompaniment, some fingerstyle and some chord melody. In a fit of madness, I traded it for a squareneck resonator that I will probably never do justice too. Missed it so much, I sold my X175 and bought a Westerly era D55. Difference between the models? First D50 was 50 years ago, but do remember it as being both sweet and hot. Second was a good guitar, a little punchier that either of the D55s. My take, D50s generally more suited to bluegrass or other acoustic lead playing, although a D40 might be a better choice. D55 better for S/SW, fingerstyle and chord melody. Just my 2 cents.
+1
Use .013 on all my Guild dreads so you can hear the wood. Same nice relief with 2mm action and very comfortable for my 60+ year old hands.
D30Man
Senior Member
Al, I can tell you my F47M ( maple ) from New Hartford is a killer box. First Adi top I have ever owned. Love it. I bet a rosewood b/s would fulfill any bluegrass needs for sure.