DV-52 Question

[Don]

Hi Gang! Check out the photos on this dread.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-DV52-Acoustic ... 33622658f0

Of course the seller says there is no problem with a crack of this kind. I have no idea. Would anyone care to comment? If indeed this sort of crack is low impact I'm very interested in this guitar. Thanks in advance for advice and suggestions!

Cheers!

Don Koehler

 

[GardMan]

That crack would need to be attended to soon! To me, it appears the neck/fretboard have already started to slowly collapse inward... just a little bit, if if it's not stabilized, the neck will eventually be pulleed into the soundhole.

See here and here...

Personally, I'd stay away from that one.

 

[Don]

Done! I KNEW someone would set me right. Thanks Bro!

Cheers!

DonKoehler

 

[poser]

Yep, what gardman said. I hope the owner of that guitar has loosened the strings to take some of the pressure off of the neck and sound board.

 

[West R Lee]

Hi Gang! Check out the photos on this dread.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Guild-DV52-Acoustic ... 33622658f0

Of course the seller says there is no problem with a crack of this kind. I have no idea. Would anyone care to comment? If indeed this sort of crack is low impact I'm very interested in this guitar. Thanks in advance for advice and suggestions!

Cheers!

Don Koehler

I have to agree with Gardman, the usual cause of cracks like this is the fretboard pulling up, and that cracks the top near the soundhole either side of the fretboard. Having said that, if she stays around $300, which she won't, as beautiful a piece of rosewood as that is, and considering that otherwise, she appears to be in good shape.......I'd buy her in a heartbeat and have the crack repaired. In fact, I might go just a bit higher on that one.

What we're looking at there is exactly why I only use light gauge strings. Sure, mediums and heavy gauge will PROBABLY be ok.....for a while, but I'm not willing to take the chance....not to mention, I don't need 'em.

West

 

[Don]

Well, she's up to $350. How much higher would you go? Also, who knows a luthier up to this sort of repair? I know a good set up guy in TN but he shies away from repair work. Whatcha think guys?

 

[West R Lee]

Well, she's up to $350. How much higher would you go? Also, who knows a luthier up to this sort of repair? I know a good set up guy in TN but he shies away from repair work. Whatcha think guys?

I think I'd want to see some shots of the action high up on the neck, 12th fret and above. I don't know, if I were in the market and she didn't need a reset, plenty of saddle height, and all it took was a crack repair or two....that's a lot of ifs, I might go $600-$650 knowing she needed some repair relatively minor repair. Man, those DV52's are some fine sounding guitars when they're right.

West

 

[dapmdave]

Obviously the crack where the neck is pulling down into the body would need to be repaired, but a nice DV-52 is, what... $800 or so? Neck set? In order to do it, the neck would come off and fully expose the crack for easier repair. So, a lot of labor already done. But at $350 already, the margin for repair cost is shrinking, isn't it?

Dave

 

[FNG]

Too many nice DV-52s out there without fooling with this one.

 

[GardMan]

IF that was "just" a top/soundboard or back crack, or a tail block split, I would be of the opinion that you should go for it, and put the $$$ into the repair (the combined bill for cleating a 3" top crack, a split tailblock, and setup with new nut/saddle for my D-44 was ~$225).Top, back, and side splits in general would not be expected to have long term structural/stability or tonal effects.

A fretboard crack that appears t be slipping, on the other hand, is a crack that could have long-term stability consequences, and needs to be repaired correctly to prevent future problems... If a reset is also in order (even the small slippage that has occurred would effect the action, I think), we're now talking $500+ in repairs. IF the guitar sold for <$500, you could still come out ahead, and it could sound great. On the otherhand, DV-52s come up pretty frequently,selling at times for as little as $800 (!). So, why not wait for one that is structurally sound, or has less in the way of immediate repairs. I am all for rescuing great playing guitars (I think my 44 fits in that category), but I think this one is dicey...

Just my $0.02.
Dave

 

[West R Lee]

You guys might be right. I've seen a ton of these cracks that weren't a big deal, but that one is pulled down into the soundhole slightly and does extend down the neck for a bit. It's a shame, the rest of the guitar appears to be gorgeous.

West

 

[Don]

So, anyone know a reputable luthier in the St Louis area?

 

[Don]

Take another look at these photos guys. Admittedly my prescription is up for review but it looks to me as if the neck is pulling up and away from the sound board and taking the wood under it with it. If I'm blind say so. If I'm not then what would that mean?

 

[pjheff]

Man, those DV52's are some fine sounding guitars when they're right.

West--

Could you tell us what the difference is between the DV52 and the DV72/73 that you have in your lineup? Is it just a matter of appointments (bling)? Or are there build matters as well?

Thanks,
Pat

 

[Don]

She went for $510... but not to me. Thanks for all the advice!

Cheers!

Don Koehler

 

[GardMan]

http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22037

 

[West R Lee]

Man, those DV52's are some fine sounding guitars when they're right.

West--

Could you tell us what the difference is between the DV52 and the DV72/73 that you have in your lineup? Is it just a matter of appointments (bling)? Or are there build matters as well?

Thanks,
Pat

Hey Pat, the tops on the 72 and 73 are really "feathered", when the light hits 'em just right they're pretty beautiful. Tuners are different, the 72 and 73 having Grover Imperials, but that's an appointment I guess. The DV72 is also the lightest Guild dread I've ever had in my hand.

West