D-55 experience

[Jared macneill]

Have any of you had the chance to play a d-55 ? Where you guys let down as much as I was ?

Growing up my top tier guitars was a

Guild d-55
Martin d-28
Martin d-35
Martin d-45
Gibson dove.

I’ve gotten the chance to play all that Martin’s including an 60s d-45 and for the most part I really enjoyed them .

The dove i haven’t had a chance and until today I never had the opportunity to play a USA made guild .

Just a few weeks ago my friend bought a second hand 2019 guild d-55 and he told me to try it out if I’m out his way.

Well I was over at his place and I wasn’t wowed or star struck with the guild like I was when I first tried a d-35 v18 or the 96 Taylor 810 that I bought from the guy with the guild .

Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

Maybe it was the pick not being one of mine but I felt like the guild was missing something.

Over the summer I bought 2002 Taylor 410ce from my friend who moved cross country and it rings out for days even with dead string .

Is this normal for a guild d-55 to feel lifeless or was my expectation too high?

Either way I walked away fairly discouraged because I was hoping for it to be my next buy

 

[davenumber2]

You said:
“Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

In fairness, not many things are brighter than a Taylor. I haven’t played a D55 but have a D50 which is similar and it’s plenty bright and lively. Maybe it was a dud? It does happen.
I think of rosewood as a deep fat tone with big bass and a chimey high end. Not real prominent in the midrange.

 

[Jared macneill]

You said:
“Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

In fairness, not many things are brighter than a Taylor. I haven’t played a D55 but have a D50 which is similar and it’s plenty bright and lively. Maybe it was a dud? It does happen.
I think of rosewood as a deep fat tone with big bass and a chimey high end. Not real prominent in the midrange.

I almost wonder if it was a dud and that’s why the original owner never played it .

And yes a lot of Taylor’s are bright almost too bright . I hate the 314 , it’s too bright but I like my ovokenal back and sides. That and my rosewood

 

[wileypickett]

Most guitars benefit from being played. If this one has never seen much play, it may not have reached its sonic potential.

I also find that different guitars need to be handled differently. Some sound better -- at least to my ears -- played closer to the soundhole or further away from it. Some respond well to a delicate attack, some need a a more robust attack. (I have to be more aggressive with my Taylor than my Guilds.)

Not to anthromorphize inanimate objects too much, but guitars tell me -- sorta -- how they want to be played.

(OK, this particular guitar may indeed be a dud. But I wouldn't write it off -- or write off all D55s -- based on a cursory test of one example.)

 

[Rayk]

Have any of you had the chance to play a d-55 ? Where you guys let down as much as I was ?

Growing up my top tier guitars was a

Guild d-55
Martin d-28
Martin d-35
Martin d-45
Gibson dove.

I’ve gotten the chance to play all that Martin’s including an 60s d-45 and for the most part I really enjoyed them .

The dove i haven’t had a chance and until today I never had the opportunity to play a USA made guild .

Just a few weeks ago my friend bought a second hand 2019 guild d-55 and he told me to try it out if I’m out his way.

Well I was over at his place and I wasn’t wowed or star struck with the guild like I was when I first tried a d-35 v18 or the 96 Taylor 810 that I bought from the guy with the guild .

Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

Maybe it was the pick not being one of mine but I felt like the guild was missing something.

Over the summer I bought 2002 Taylor 410ce from my friend who moved cross country and it rings out for days even with dead string .

Is this normal for a guild d-55 to feel lifeless or was my expectation too high?

Either way I walked away fairly discouraged because I was hoping for it to be my next buy

Oh boy how to say this ? Ok so to me the D55 was never designed to be a cannon type guitar . In car terms consider it a Bentley . A bit hefty depending on year , comfortable well refined with tonal grace .
If you dig in it well go it just takes a little time to get there .

So we all know tone is subjective . Thing is how much is a player tonally aware ? Myself I’ve learned to acknowledge good tone in all its verities . There’s more to tone then how loud or bright a guitar is or it’s overtones or sustain . The thing is how to appreciate the differences and use them to one’s needs .

I have loud guitars and bright and ones that are opposite. One thing I can say is I had a Westerly D55 for a very short time . It wasn’t loud until I dig in and pushed it .
Tonally it was amazing sweet and warm and I never forgot how it sounded . She’s like a peice of fine art . I hope to get one again someday .

 

[GGJaguar]

Tonally it was amazing sweet and warm

This is my experience with my D-55. It's not a cannon, but it's a great sounding guitar.

 

[SFIV1967]

I haven’t played a D55 but have a D50 which is similar and it’s plenty bright and lively.

Actually, a D-50 is much "louder" compared to a "D-55" in my opinion! So those are not similar. That's why the D-50 were also called "Bluegrass Special" as it "cuts though" a Bluegrass band! Not what the D-55 does!
The D-55 is much more present in the mid range and less present in the trebble I'd say. Very balanced and refined. Not an "in your face" guitar but a singer/songwriter style guitar.
The Tacoma and New Hartford D-50 Bluegrass Special also have an Adirondack spruce top, while the D-55 has a sitka spruce top.
Today's Oxnard made D-50 Standard has a spruce top as well (with "scalloped Adirondack bracing for power, nuance and responsiveness.").

And coming back to the original question, yes, I was also "disappointed" or surprised when I had the chance comparing a New Hartford D-50 with a New Hartford D-55 in a store more than 10 years ago. Well it was actually a GSR D-50 Cocobolo against a D-55. That GSR D-50 Cocobolo sounded really great compared to the D-55, I simply did not buy the GSR as that specific one had an unfortunate Cocobolo selection used, bookmatched but one side with a big branch in the wood. So in terms of pure aesthetics it wasn't for me, but that sound!
But again, maybe it was also older strings on the D-55 vs. new strings on the GSR D-50 at that time.

Ralf

 

[Jared macneill]

Most guitars benefit from being played. If this one has never seen much play, it may not have reached its sonic potential.

I also find that different guitars need to be handled differently. Some sound better -- at least to my ears -- played closer to the soundhole or further away from it. Some respond well to a delicate attack, some need a a more robust attack. (I have to be more aggressive with my Taylor than my Guilds.)

Not to anthromorphize inanimate objects too much, but guitars tell me -- sorta -- how they want to be played.

(OK, this particular guitar may indeed be a dud. But I wouldn't write it off -- or write off all D55s -- based on a cursory test of one example.)

I just found there wasn’t any overtones and didn’t resonate very well.

 

[HeyMikey]

It’s hard to say why a particular guitar doesn’t resonate well without inspecting it, especially if it is not yours and you don’t know it’s care and maintenance history.

In a recent thread Chris talked about how an improperly seated saddle killed the tone of a nice Martin (I think). A guitar in need of a good setup can sound and play poorly. Old strings can do it. A loose brace or glue joint can do it. Dozens of reasons.

I wouldn’t let one episode make your decision. Many people play and swear by D55’s though it also depends on what style and sound you are looking for. You may be more of a D50 maple guy…

 

[Jared macneill]

It’s hard to say why a particular guitar doesn’t resonate well without inspecting it, especially it it is not yours and you don’t know it’s care and make tenancy history.

In a recent thread Chris talked about how an improperly seated saddle killed the tone of a nice Martin (I think). A guitar in need of a good setup can sound and play poorly. Old strings can do it. A loose brace glue joint can do it. Dozens of reasons.

I wouldn’t let one episode make your decision. Many people play and swear by D55’s though it also depends on what style and sound you are looking for. You may be more of a D50 maple guy…

If I was to find another, I’d try it in a heartbeat lol.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Have any of you had the chance to play a d-55 ? Where you guys let down as much as I was ?

Growing up my top tier guitars was a

Guild d-55
Martin d-28
Martin d-35
Martin d-45
Gibson dove.

I’ve gotten the chance to play all that Martin’s including an 60s d-45 and for the most part I really enjoyed them .

The dove i haven’t had a chance and until today I never had the opportunity to play a USA made guild .

Just a few weeks ago my friend bought a second hand 2019 guild d-55 and he told me to try it out if I’m out his way.

Well I was over at his place and I wasn’t wowed or star struck with the guild like I was when I first tried a d-35 v18 or the 96 Taylor 810 that I bought from the guy with the guild .

Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

Maybe it was the pick not being one of mine but I felt like the guild was missing something.

Over the summer I bought 2002 Taylor 410ce from my friend who moved cross country and it rings out for days even with dead string .

Is this normal for a guild d-55 to feel lifeless or was my expectation too high?

Either way I walked away fairly discouraged because I was hoping for it to be my next buy

I agree, the Dove is a phenomenal acoustic, and I have always gass'd for one.

 

[Boneman]

I bought one and tried it and that was not my experience at all. I felt it had the smoothest mellowed articulate texture and I instantly commented to my wife how gorgeous the sound coming out of this wooden box was like choir angels on high. I think it’s an awesome guitar and deserves all the accolades.

Now I will say full disclosure: I don’t have it anymore, it was short lived but not for tonal purposes. In my case, (and forewarned I won’t sugarcoat and some may get offended) partly because of what I play and how I play, I couldn’t get along with all the bling, the railroad track perfling distracted me cause it looks like a string to my aging eyes, the fret markers begin at 1 and they look pretty but I like to see and feel the wood, and the v-block inlays take up most of the real estate there. And lastly the G-shield is certainly pretty but I just prefer the Chesterfield.

So based on you and I, they are not for everyone lol, but people love em and for good reason, just not enough reasons for me to hang onto one. Although the 70th anniversary GSR could make me a convert again, maybe in twenty years I get a used one

 

[Rayk]

This is my experience with my D-55. It's not a cannon, but it's a great sounding guitar.

Play it harder !

 

[GGJaguar]

Play it harder !

If I need loud, I'll grab one of my Martins.

 

[adorshki]

I just found there wasn’t any overtones and didn’t resonate very well.

That could be as simple as using too heavy strings. A '19 would be an Oxnard, though, which were spec'd for lights.

 

[wileypickett]

Actually, a D-50 is much "louder" compared to a "D-55" in my opinion! So those are not similar.

Ralf

I agree with Ralf on this. (And I know better than to disagree with him on much!)

I've favored the three or four D50s I've owned (and the one I still own) over the two D55s I have owned (and sold).

 

[GardMan]

Is this normal for a guild d-55 to feel lifeless

This certainly was not my experience...

When I first received my '92 D-55, I was blown away by the richness and "majesty" of its tone, with deep bass you could feel in your gut, and silky-smooth mids and trebles. So much so, that I didn't really feel like it fit my "style" of music, simple finger picking and a lot of strumming, that for 30 years had been played on my mahogany (Guild) D-35. I actually didn't play it much, at first... my ear was more in tune to mahogany. I'd pick it up for a couple of ballads, now and again, but I mainly played my D-35, and mahogany D-25 and maple G-37 I had also recently acquired.

When I added an ash-bodied D-46, I found its tone to be somewhere in the middle, between mahogany/maple and rosewood... with some of the overtones of rosewood, but brighter. My D-46 became my main player for quite some time, and as I got more "used" to its sound, richer and with more overtones than my mahogany and maple dreads, I also found myself picking up my D-55 more and more. I also added a rosewood D-50, which was louder and more "in your face" than the D-55, but also served to train my ear to better appreciate the rosewood D-55.

Now, I find myself with FOUR rosewood dreads made by Guild: three DV-7Xs and a D-70. I was only able to bring myself to part with my D-55 after acquiring my DV-72MK (the second of my DVs). I had ample opportunity to directly compare my D-55 with a Westerly D-50, DV-73, and DV-72MK, and indirectly with a second DV-72 and D-70. I don't know if my D-55 was "special," but to me ear, it was tonally on par with my DVs, and remains one of the top five guitars I have ever played.

Sadly, several years after I sold it (locally), my old D-55 resurfaced here on LTG... the guy I had sold it to had it re-fretted, and the tech who did the job butchered the neck binding and fret slots.

 

[Br1ck]

Of all guitar models out there, I've not played a D 55 I did not like. I've only played around five, from all different eras, and all were great, even if I didn't generally care for the year. Felt the same about the 12 strings too.

 

[Westerly Wood]

this tune makes me miss my D50. They are tone monsters...

 

[chazmo]

Have any of you had the chance to play a d-55 ? Where you guys let down as much as I was ?

Growing up my top tier guitars was a

Guild d-55
Martin d-28
Martin d-35
Martin d-45
Gibson dove.

I’ve gotten the chance to play all that Martin’s including an 60s d-45 and for the most part I really enjoyed them .

The dove i haven’t had a chance and until today I never had the opportunity to play a USA made guild .

Just a few weeks ago my friend bought a second hand 2019 guild d-55 and he told me to try it out if I’m out his way.

Well I was over at his place and I wasn’t wowed or star struck with the guild like I was when I first tried a d-35 v18 or the 96 Taylor 810 that I bought from the guy with the guild .

Honestly something I told my friend was “ wow my Taylor’s a lot brighter than this”

Maybe it was the pick not being one of mine but I felt like the guild was missing something.

Over the summer I bought 2002 Taylor 410ce from my friend who moved cross country and it rings out for days even with dead string .

Is this normal for a guild d-55 to feel lifeless or was my expectation too high?

Either way I walked away fairly discouraged because I was hoping for it to be my next buy

Hey, Jared, that's too bad that you didn't enjoy the D-55. I have found it to be (by far) the most well-balanced of the Guild dreads (particularly considering that it's rosewood). But for me, the Guild D-50 has always been the one I'd want to own as it's had a much boomier sound, which I like.

But, hey, your expectations were certainly in line with what most of us feel. The D-55 is Guild's flagship dread. Well, don't be discouraged. Keep trying. And, frankly, you should add some different (non-dread) styles to your search. Those Martins are all wonderful in their niche!