D-55 experience

[West R Lee]

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

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

Not to step on anyone's toes here, and they are beautiful guitars. I've owned three of them and it's why I don't own one now. I just never bonded with any of my D55s, but I'll bet you there are some incredible D55s out there.

West

 

[jgmaute]

I have played and owned three D-55s (the first two were stolen). The reason I went with my first one was because of the amazing way it just “ringed” with tone when played. It was amazing when finger picking or flat picking/strumming. I found that the following two had the same quality. I haven’t played any newer that mine so I can’t comment on newer models.

 

[DueNrth]

IMO if you're expecting a D-55 to be a D-28 or 35 then I think you may be let down. Those Martin's have that "Martin" sound....possibly the quintessential acoustic tone. (I own a 28 and have owned a 35). The D-55 is its own sound, it has sustain for days, and tight bass without getting muddy (35s can sometimes get overwhelmed a little..1/4 braces). IMO the 55 is closer to a combination of a 000 with the bass of a HD-28, t's an animal of its own, and a beautiful one at that. I do think it took a little longer to mature than some of my other guitars...really opens up after being played a while... Like you it was my dream guitar growing up, and for me it didn't disappoint...maybe I got a good one....sorry about your experience.

My '55 will follow me to the grave, but If you are still searching, the only guitar that Ive found that has made me put it down a little more is a Martin 000-28 Modern Deluxe, it made me sit and stare after the first notes...one of those moments (had to go home with it). I do like Martin's MD series, similar price points to a 55...with the VTS tops they really sound "vintage". I've played my 00028MD, a D28MD and the D18MD, all were very good if, I dare say excellent.

Good luck!

 

[GGJaguar]

The D-55 is its own sound, it has sustain for days, and tight bass without getting muddy (35s can sometimes get overwhelmed a little..1/4 braces). IMO the 55 is closer to a combination of a 000 with the bass of a HD-28,

I sold my D-35 because the bottom end became too "tubby" (I ventured into Martin's 12-fret mahogany dread world thereafter). And I agree with the description that the D-55 is sort of like a 000 with D-28 bottom end (though not as boomy). It's definitely a different kind of rosewood dreadnaught.

 

[mavuser]

I once played a 1970 or 71 Martin D-41. That thing sounded glorious. Anyone ever play one of these? Does a D-55 sound like this?

 

[Rayk]

I once played a 1970 or 71 Martin D-41. That thing sounded glorious. Anyone ever play one of these? Does a D-55 sound like this?

I think my Blueridge is the equivalent of d41 or D45? or so lol but that’s what “ they say “ anywho ! From what I hear of D55’s there ain’t nothing like’’em they kind of have their own sonic space . In my case total night and day difference from my Blueridge but again I’m bias , I think ? lol

 

[Br1ck]

A Guild will not sound like a Martin. If you want a Martin, buy a Martin. There is no free lunch. When I have been able to try a D 55 next to a bevy of Martins, I've liked the Guild, EXCEPT for bluegrass. Is a D 18 a lot different from my 70 D 35? Yes, to the extent I tried to find one and failed twice. On my quest, I stumbled on two different guitars, my 07 Martin D 35 Custom and my SCGC D PW, neither sounding like a D 18. My Martin is a very dry dread, not at all like a typical D 35. I've tried to live by the saying, you can't have everything.

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

I owned a 2005 Tacoma built D-55 for several years.
It was a great sounding guitar. Full and balanced.
When I got it, it had an under the saddle pickup in it.
I took the pickup out and replaced the saddle with a compensated bone saddle.
I can't tell you how much that change made in the guitar.
Everything got better and louder.

 

[powerwagonjohn]

I bought my 1975 D-50 new. It was my first new guitar. I got a Guild because it was what I could afford. I got the D-50 because it was what I could afford. I always wished I could have bought the D-55. I always thought they were the same except the bling. I still have my D-50 with plenty of wear and tear and it has been through a van crash where the van and the guitar case was totaled. My Guild was still in tune. I am pretty satisfied for my $650.00 investment. My dad told me I was wasting my money, I guess we showed him.
Thanks John

 

[Boomstick]

My dad has a '78. I really like the D-55 a lot especially since we put 13s on it, one of my favorite rosewood guitars for sure. It's pretty well balanced - not as much as his D-50, but it retains just enough brightness for me.

I definitely like the D-55 better than brand new Martins. Once the tops get broken in on a Martin and you don't have to hit them that hard, the D-35 would be my favorite and that would be a tough comparison.

For what it's worth, I'm not really a fan of the sound of most Taylors myself. I never really loved the sound of their maple and rosewood models, they always felt like they were missing something but the 314CE or 324CE (hogs) seems to have the missing frequencies.

Finally, I am generally partial to maple guitars but I'm also starting to prefer mahogany guitars over rosewood as I get older. There was a time I thought the bassy rosewood guitars were the greatest (also more of a Martin fan at the time), then I got better and discovered I liked maple and walnut guitars the best.

 

[Oyvindton]

Each high-end guitar has its own character, I guess. I have tried several Martin D-28s, and although they all had "that Martin sound" – and I really like that sound – each one had something of its own. The rest sits in and maybe somewhere between our ears, I suppose. I have had that wonderful "wow-feeling" four times. First – 25 years ago – I realized that as a family man I probably would not be playing my Strat very much, so I went looking for an acoustic. One of my neighbors – a well known Norwegian singer-songwriter at the time – told me to go to one particular small shop in Oslo and so I did. My plan was to try different guitars that were relatively cheap, but when I walked in my eyes were immediately drawn to one particular modest-looking guitar. It was a Larrivee OM-04, Canadian-built. It was a little more expensive, so I tried many other guitars first (in the 5-900 dollars segment, I guess), but then gave the Larrivee a try. Wow! It's been with me since then. Second, some fifteen years ago, a local luthier and Martin representative who used to run a very small shop, Guitar Workshop, a little outside Oslo, had a Martin D-35 hanging on his wall. I tried it, and "Wow!" That was something - it reached me not primarily in my brain, between my ears, but rather in my stomach, arms, back and neck. Resonance, overtones and boom. Unfortunately, I could not afford it at the time, and when I came back two months later, it was gone. However, that visit gave the third wonderful "wow experience". It happened as I took a far too expensive guitar down from the wall - a heavy, curvy lady with lots of bling. It was a brand-new Martin J-41 Special. Quite different from the D-35 of course, but in a way it had the same effect on me. I had to take her home, and she's been so stable - with a moderate V-shaped neck. Wonderful! My D-28 is also good, particularly when played on stage (I do that only rarely), and I had a Taylor 324 or something for a year or two. But then, last autumn, passing through Oslo I went in and tried some guitars (Gibsons, Martins) in one of the larger music instrument stores, and they had the Guild D-55. I would not say that it was love at first sight, but rather at the first touch. I went home, thought about it, and then bought it. My J-41 Special has been my go-to guitar, but now I am going to sell her - she don't get enough playing-time. The D-55 has exactly the sound that I have been searching for. Most of the time I play alone. I play mostly fingerstyle - Yes, I have long nails on the fingers of my right hand. When I perform for others and need amplification, I normally play throug a Bose L1 Compact with a T1 mixer. With the pre-installed Baggs Anthem I get a very, very nice sound. So, is it the best guitar in the world? No, I don't think so. It is the best and most versatile instrument that I have played. I am trying different strings. JP Silk and PB did not sound good at all on this guitar, and JP PB lights were not very good either (I really like them or the "New Mediums" on the D-28), but now I have had the d'Addario X (something - expensive coated strings) and they are still very good after more than two months. I am no expert, but I really think it is important to find exactly the right match between guitar and strings. On my Larrivee OM I use Elixir Nanoweb lights.

 

[D30Man]

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

Same here. I've played a couple and would concur they are not made for bluegrass. It's built with some degree of elegance and grace in mind. I think the Bentley analogy sums it up nicely.

 

[Boomstick]

Same here. I've played a couple and would concur they are not made for bluegrass. It's built with some degree of elegance and grace in mind. I think the Bentley analogy sums it up nicely.

If you put 13s on they will still bluegrass pretty well!

 

[Br1ck]

Often folks will say their tastes have changed as they get older. As someone who had a hearing test last week, I'd strongly suggest one. So far I've found not one part of the body is not falling apart. There is no denying a hearing test printout. And no, I've never once thought I was missing anything when I played. I was missing speech a lot. It will be interesting.

The folks over on UMGF were very helpful, and it was time to bite the bullet. Particularly will be interested in how my Martin D 35 Custom sounds.

 

[Christopher Cozad]

...But then… I went in and ... they had the Guild... I would not say that it was love at first sight, but rather at the first touch...The D-55 has exactly the sound that I have been searching for...

It is a common story, and yet we never tire of hearing it.

Congratulations on your acquisition! And welcome to LTG.

 

[chazmo]

Often folks will say their tastes have changed as they get older. As someone who had a hearing test last week, I'd strongly suggest one. So far I've found not one part of the body is not falling apart. There is no denying a hearing test printout. And no, I've never once thought I was missing anything when I played. I was missing speech a lot. It will be interesting.

The folks over on UMGF were very helpful, and it was time to bite the bullet. Particularly will be interested in how my Martin D 35 Custom sounds.

Hang in there, Br1ck. The only constant in the universe is change. And, yes, as our bodies all follow the rule of entropy, nothing remains the same.

 

[chazmo]

The D-55 has exactly the sound that I have been searching for

Congrats and welcome aboard, Oyvindton. You are surely not alone in your assessment. The D-55 is Guild's flagship dread over the years. And, oh by the way, there are MANY more that area equally great and very different!

 

[Bill Ashton]

@Martin Taylor Guild , thank you, thank you, thank you! I have always suspected my NH (replacement) D55 sounded somewhat "muted" compared to my old Tacoma D55, and NH was kind enough to install a DTAR Multisource when they delivered it. She played much better than the Tacoma, but there was just something about her sound...now, you have confirmed it for me, that DTAR is getting ripped out first chance (I got it but never use it) and I have a Guild bridge blank to get into its place! Yee HAH!

 

[chazmo]

@Martin Taylor Guild , thank you, thank you, thank you! I have always suspected my NH (replacement) D55 sounded somewhat "muted" compared to my old Tacoma D55, and NH was kind enough to install a DTAR Multisource when they delivered it. She played much better than the Tacoma, but there was just something about her sound...now, you have confirmed it for me, that DTAR is getting ripped out first chance (I got it but never use it) and I have a Guild bridge blank to get into its place! Yee HAH!

Hey, Bill... Before ripping it out, make sure the saddle isn't rocking or caved out or anything and it is flat in the slot. (not meaning to be pedantic, btw)

 

[Bill Ashton]

@chazmo , good call, but I have looked at it every time I changes strings...on that poor girl, less than six months on average, as I don't play her because... Right now I have D'Addario XT's on her which sounded glorious when on, but now two months later, and having not played her a lot, they are dead as a fart! If I can work up the gumption to change the strings this afternoon, will look at the bridge one again...