D25 ?

[dreadnut]

I'm curious as to why Guild isn't offering a D25 again, especially seeing as it was their biggest seller over the years. I guess the D20 is kinda like the early D25's as it has the 'hog top.

 

[ParadiseSeeker]

There‘s a M-25E, which is a beautiful deluxe version of the M-20. Maybe they‘ll do a similar thing with the Dreadnought?

But otherwise this would mean, it‘ll be not like the classic D-25. Lets see what the future brings. I would love to see a new D-25, which is exactly like the old one.

 

[valleyguy]

Do either the D20 or the M25 have an arched back? I know not all D25s have the arched back, but to me that is the distinctive attribute of a D25 that makes it stand apart. That's what they need to come out with. I heard they got the equipment from the old plant, so they should be able to do it.

 

[Westerly Wood]

they have the 240 which is MIc but basically an arched back D25.

 

[fronobulax]

I'm not going to repeat my generic answers and refer folks to https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/will-guild-make-a-usa-f-30-again.209303/ if they are of any relevance.

If we want to stretch this one out we should make it clear which "version" of the D-25 and D-25 specs we are asking about.

I seem to recall that when the D-20 was announced several folks thought it was enough like their vision of a D-25 that they wondered why the model number changed.

 

[adorshki]

I'm curious as to why Guild isn't offering a D25 again, especially seeing as it was their biggest seller over the years. I guess the D20 is kinda like the early D25's as it has the 'hog top.

That was then, this is now, and Oxnard's not set up to produce the volume Westerly did, especially with entry-level guitars. (the M20 was simply the"bootstrap" model to get the factory up to speed, just as in Westerly.

And again as Westerly Wood said there's an MIC version which is better for the corporate bottom line, not just in profitability but in keeping the GREE production fully booked. Downtime costs.

.

Do either the D20 or the M25 have an arched back? I know not all D25s have the arched back, but to me that is the distinctive attribute of a D25 that makes it stand apart. That's what they need to come out with. I heard they got the equipment from the old plant, so they should be able to do it.

D20's a flatback/'hog top like the original '68-'72 D25's and for once I think it was wise to give it the new model number due to the D25 having received 3 different build formulae in its life.

Yes they have the archback press but they haven't opted to build a 16" F-body like the original F40 yet either.

As I said, Oxnard is not Westerly and couldn't make money trying to sell enough US-built D25's.

 

[valleyguy]

As I said, Oxnard is not Westerly and couldn't make money trying to sell enough US-built D25's.

In the end this is the statement that dooms a low priced, US-built D25 arch back.

 

[fronobulax]

In the end this is the statement that dooms a low priced, US-built D25 arch back.

While I tend to agree, an FMIC employee at New Hartford during one of the Let's Meet Guild presentations listed several economic trends that, if they continued, would make it cost effective to bring the MIC Guilds back into the US for production. I won't cite those trends since they were all global economic or political trends. Closing New Hartford and Covid makes things moot but there could have been an alternative universe where a D-25 was made in New Harford and at an entry level price point.

 

[Westerly Wood]

...but there could have been an alternative universe where a D-25 was made in New Harford and at an entry level price point.

When my time is up, I plan to have just one Guild acoustic in my possession. Yup, an arched back Guild D25, from the 70s, late 70s to be exact.

Oh, I hope that NGD is not like anytime soon...

 

[Br1ck]

If Oxnard built an arch back D 25, we would all be complaining about the price compared to what you can buy a Westerly D 25 for. Why buy a new one for $xxx when I can get a nice used one for $yyy? It's a no win proposition for Guild. It is a business, after all, and they've voted for the flat back solid wood D 20. Don't forget, they certainly have done market research targeted at likely buyers. I wonder how many new D 25s over the years were sold on price alone? The arch just came with the guitar, which sounded good but overall was just affordable.

What motivates a player with a Taylor 112 or some such to buy a Guild? Not only will most of them not know Guild history, they'll need to get switched from one brand to another.

 

[dreadnut]

"If Oxnard built an arch back D 25, we would all be complaining about the price compared to what you can buy a Westerly D 25 for. Why buy a new one for $xxx when I can get a nice used one for $yyy?"

Well I must admit you are probably absolutely right.

 

[D30Man]

Right indeed.. I think there are too many vintage to early 2000’s arched back D25’s still in circulation for it to be a good value proposition for Guild. It has to be the most commonly made model over the years..

 

[valleyguy]

While I tend to agree, an FMIC employee at New Hartford during one of the Let's Meet Guild presentations listed several economic trends that, if they continued, would make it cost effective to bring the MIC Guilds back into the US for production. I won't cite those trends since they were all global economic or political trends. Closing New Hartford and Covid makes things moot but there could have been an alternative universe where a D-25 was made in New Harford and at an entry level price point.

Our company lost a lot of work to China in the last 20 years, but now customers are coming back to us to quote work to bring back to the states. We'll see how much of this work we get, but the trend is looking up, we'll see. Labor, and other costs are going up in China.

 

[Br1ck]

Shipping is a real problem too. I think both Taylor and Martin made smart moves building plants in Mexico. Supply line issues will continue being a problem for everyone.