DV 62

[HoboKen]

Hans.....

A DV-72....."Guady" ?? Surely you jest! (and you say you do!) But you hurt my DV-72s feelings and it won't stop playing the blues. Hard as I try to get to play folk & bluegrass now, it's still on the blues playing track. Dr. Hans, what RX can you give it to stop this afliction of the heart of a "Gen-U-Ine Westerly Guild? I fear it will die of heart ache as the great historian H.M. has scared it for life. It taken to playing "In-A-Gaudy-Da Vida." ....heavy on the bass.

 

[West R Lee]

I know Ken, I have similar feeling....................kind of like my 72 would be fairly traditional except for the fact that it's sort of dressed in drag!

 

[HoboKen]

West,

"Oh the Guitar-ity of it all!"

 

[West R Lee]

Ken,

I know what you mean.....I've had to double the humidification of mine in order to replace the moisture lost by it's tears :wink: That said, I suppose I can understand that someone who had an eye for the absolutely traditional might see the 72 as slightly radical. I suppose, like sound, to each his own on the bells, whistles and turquoise.

West

 

[rolz]

a noob here. :lol:

whats the difference between a Guild DV and a D? does the "V" stand for vintage or something? then why is the D-55 the most expensive Guild?

 

[West R Lee]

Rolz,

I'm really not sure if you compared a DV-72 to a D-55 of the same year models, which would be the most expensive. And yes, the "V" in "DV" does stand for vintage. To me the two are very, very similar. The trim a little different on the DV-72.

West

 

[rolz]

do they differ in woods? the designs are very similar, even the fret inlays. i liked the DV-72s inlays better though. they kinda look green. i've heard they're turquoise. so, why is a DV-72 cheaper than a D-55 again?

 

[West R Lee]

Rolz,

I don't know that turquoise is cheaper....nor do I know that the DV-72 was a cheaper guitar than the D-55. I think structurally, they are basically the same guitar. Both being rosewood guitars with AAA spruce tops.

However, I do know that the DV-72 was a limited edition and includes a few options not included on the D-55. For instance the DV-72 has Grover Imperial step tuners and a herringbone binding and centerstripe down the center of the back. I have heard some refer to the top on the 72 as being "feathered" or even "AAAA". I can't swear to that though as I've never read or heard an official word on that.

If I had to venture a guess, I would assume that given the same year model...1994 for instance...the DV-72 would have been the more expensive guitar if for no other reason than all other things being fairly equal, the DV-72 was a limited edition.

West

West

 

[West R Lee]

One more thing Rolz, the DV-72 also sports the same headstock design as the D-100, another acoustic that I believe was more expensive than the D-55, or the DV-72 for that matter. The headstocks appear to be layered or routed with a pair of gold pinstripes around the border of the headstock.

There were also a few "higher end" DV's built, but the only other one I have seen is the DV-73. A beautiful guitar with onyx, red coral and turquoise everywhere the DV-72 just has the turquoise. Furthermore, there were a few high end limited model acoustics built other than the DV's and D-100. One was called the Peacock and the other....well I'm sworn to secrecy by Mr. Moust on that one, as he intends to discuss it in his next book. I also know that there were a few "Custom Shop" acoustics built that were very expensive and impressive.

West

 

[hansmoust]

do they differ in woods? the designs are very similar, even the fret inlays. i liked the DV-72s inlays better though. they kinda look green. i've heard they're turquoise. so, why is a DV-72 cheaper than a D-55 again?

Hello rolz,

The difference between the two series is too much to explain here, but as far as the pricing is concerned:

When these guitars were both available, the retail price for the D-55 was $ 1799.00 and the DV-72 was $ 1999.00. These prices are from July 1994.
Later price lists follow that same pattern, so a DV-72 always was more expensive than a D-55.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust

 

[rolz]

thanks for clearing that up guys. i thought the DV-72 was cheaper because most of the reviews i read at harmony central list the DV-72 prices below $1500 while the D-55 is above $1500 mostly.

now i'm GASing for a DV-72. damnit! :lol:

 

[West R Lee]

That's interesting Rolz, I've always wanted a D-55, just never got around to getting one.

Does anyone know what year Guild began putting the abalone around the soundhole on the D-55? Early or mid-90's?

West

 

[hansmoust]

Does anyone know what year Guild began putting the abalone around the soundhole on the D-55? Early or mid-90's?

West

Mid-'90s!

Hans

 

[West R Lee]

Thank you Mr. Moust

West

 

[West R Lee]

Hans,

Any chance you could tell me the exact year? '94 maybe?

West

 

[hansmoust]

Hans,

Any chance you could tell me the exact year? '94 maybe?

West

Sure! However you have to keep in mind that changes like these usually don't happen overnight and definitely not on Jan. 1st. In most cases there is some overlap during which both version are available.
The change on the D-55 took place some time during 1995.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust

 

[West R Lee]

Thanks Hans...valuable info to me as I will be attending the Dallas Guitar show next weekend and looking for a D-55. I really like the abalone rosette, but wouldn't buy anything but a Westerly....the older the better.

West