D4 model construction information.

[Guest]

Hello, I,m researching some constuction details for my D4 model.Would anyone know if the neck joint is the normal dovetail construction,also has anyone information on the small mahogany block which sits under the fingerboard extension rather like a popsicle brace,it appears as if it is dovetailed into the neck block,has anyone ever removed one?
I have owned the guitar since new,early in 1991 & the time will soon come when it will need some work doing.
Many thanks for any assistance.
marc

 

[taabru45]

Hi Marc, is there any chance of you fitting a digital camera into the hole and taking a couple of pics, that might help us to see what you mean. Steffan

 

[GardMan]

To my knowledge, all Guild dreads from the Westerly, Corona, and New Hartford factories (your D-4 would be Westerly) were standard dovetail necks. The more traditional D-40, D-50, and D-55 from Tacoma would also be dove-tail, but I don't know if the short-lived "contemporary" series dread model from Tacoma was dovetail or the newer (and problematic) bolt-on neck system.

In comparing the bracing of my different dreads, the block of wood between the neck block and first top brace is pretty variable. My '72 D-35 doesn't have it, and I am pretty sure my '71 D-44 doesn't. But I think all of mine from '74 on do have a block in that positon... tho' the shape and size differs: some it appears to be a piece of quarter round, others it is angular.

I can look when I get home this evening and give more details later (I'm not sure my camera will focus close enough to get pics of that area, but I can try... but not until I change strings in a month or so).
Dave

 

[adorshki]

Hello, I'm researching some constuction details for my D4 model.Would anyone know if the neck joint is the normal dovetail construction,also has anyone information on the small mahogany block which sits under the fingerboard extension rather like a popsicle brace,it appears as if it is dovetailed into the neck block,has anyone ever removed one?
marc

After reading this twice I now understand why pictures are requested. I have seen pictures of neck blocks and heel blocks with strips glued across the grain to help prevent splitting, but what you're describing sounds different. D4's were basically economy D25's so I would have assumed contruction would be the same. It should be a dovetail as Gardman says.
One of members had a neck reset performed on his D25, pictures in this thread in case they might be helpful:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15872&start=15
Something else to consider, if you're the original owner with the original sales receipt you're probably still covered by Fender's warranty coverage for Westerly built guitars.

 

[GardMan]

adorshki,
The block of wood in question is a block attached to the top (and the neck block) under the fingerboard extension. It's basically in the position of what is sometimes referred to as the "popsicle" brace on some Martins, between the neckblock and 1st cross brace, but doesn't cross the whole width of the upper bout. In some of my dreads, it fills the space between the neck block and the first top brace. If you don't have a mirror, you can just reach in with your figers (don't even need to remove the strings) and feel it between the neck block and the 1st brace. It was one of the first bracing differences I noted between my '72 D-25 and my wife's '78 D-35 (now sold): the '78 had it, the '72 doesn't.

I'll try and get some pics next time I change strings (which won't be until sometime in May).
Dave

 

[adorshki]

The block of wood in question is a block attached to the top (and the neck block) under the fingerboard extension.
Dave

Thanks Dave. I'll go check for it, I've only put one of those little dental mirrors inside my '25 a couple of times and don't remember seeing it. What it does make me wonder about is the fact that I think there's a great tone spot right there on the fretboard extension, I play there so much there's actually some finish wear on the top right by the fretboard. Now I'm wondering if the presence or absence of that brace plays a part in that.

 

[GardMan]

See this thread...