Good Review On The New D-50

[Bill Ashton]

Nice review on the new D-50 in Vintage Guitar this month...

Sorry, cannot seem to bring up a link (and I am a subscriber)...maybe our "insider" can?

 

[twocorgis]

If it's anything like my Oxnard D40 Traditional, I'll bet it's a terrific guitar.

 

[Bill Ashton]

I am sure it is, would LOVE to see one at our (old) famous Central MA music store...two new owners in, probably the only name-brand they have there new now is Yamaha...

However, being on a very strict one-or-more-out, one-in acquisition plan, my odds at even trying one are severely limited!

 

[twocorgis]

However, being on a very strict one-or-more-out, one-in acquisition plan, my odds at even trying one are severely limited!

You poor guy.

I, on the other hand, have no self control, a girlfriend who wants me to be happy, and a spare room.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Don't see the article, but sure hope it's a rave. I just bought a '92.

It's still in the box getting up to house temperature. I'll take it out tomorrow. My old D-35 needs someone to talk to.

 

[jeffcoop]

I've been eagerly awaiting a review of the new D50 Standard, as I think it's unlikely I'll encounter one in central Indiana. The Standard series is different from the Traditional Series, so I don't think Sandy's love for his D40 Traditional means that the D50 Standard will also be excellent. I own a D50 Standard and a D50 Traditional from New Hartford, and the two are definitely different beasts. If anything, the differences between the Standard and Traditional series are bigger now than they were in New Hartford. But the Oxnard guitars are still from the same shop; if other guitars from Oxnard are excellent, the D50 Standard has a good chance of being excellent, too.

 

[valleyguy]

I own a D50 Standard and a D50 Traditional from New Hartford, and the two are definitely different beasts. If anything, the differences between the Standard and Traditional series are bigger now than they were in New Hartford.

What differences do you hear? Is the difference due to the satin vs. gloss finish? Are necks attached the same?

 

[chazmo]

The pore filler used on New Hartford Standard series guitars was different than what was used on the traditional models. But they were finished with NCL. Also, the necks on New Hartford Standard series guitars were finished separately from the bodies and were joined afterwards. But, they were dovetail necks, just like the traditional models.

Sadly, Guild has not seen fit to divulge the type of neck joint for their Oxnard-built guitars. And, I don't think anyone knows much about their paint process.

 

[twocorgis]

The pore filler used on New Hartford Standard series guitars was different than what was used on the traditional models. But they were finished with NCL. Also, the necks on New Hartford Standard series guitars were finished separately from the bodies and were joined afterwards. But, they were dovetail necks, just like the traditional models.

Sadly, Guild has not seen fit to divulge the type of neck joint for their Oxnard-built guitars. And, I don't think anyone knows much about their paint process.

Charlie, I'm pretty sure that the Standard series Oxnard builds are mortise and tenon, and the Traditional series are dovetail. I think I read that here somewhere.

 

[chazmo]

Charlie, I'm pretty sure that the Standard series Oxnard builds are mortise and tenon, and the Traditional series are dovetail. I think I read that here somewhere.

I think you're right, buddy. But, you didn't hear it from Oxnard!

 

[twocorgis]

I think you're right, buddy. But, you didn't hear it from Oxnard!

We don't seem to hear much from them, ever. Sure isn't like the New Hartford days.

 

[chazmo]

We don't seem to hear much from them, ever. Sure isn't like the New Hartford days.

Sad, but true.

 

[jeffcoop]

We don't seem to hear much from them, ever. Sure isn't like the New Hartford days.

True, and the reason I'd really want to play one of the Standard series before buying.

The first Oxnard Guild I played was a D20, which I played at an English Guitar Center (really) in 2018. And I was not impressed--it felt and sounded cheap. Not saying that all D20s were or are like that, but the one I played definitely gave that impression. The vagueness of the specs we've been given for the new Standard series has me wondering how different it will be from that D20 of yore.

But knowing that there's a good review out there gives me hope.

FWIW, no, I'm not in the market for a new D50. There's one more Guild I'm keeping an eye out for, and that's not it. But as the owner of three D50s I'm definitely curious about the new ones

 

[chazmo]

Hey, Jeff... Well, the one that I'm interested in (well, not enough to buy one, but still...) is the standard F-40 with the pacific sunburst. That just looks yummy to me. And, most of the folks who have tried or gotten F-40s here seem to like them.

I think you can buy one with a return policy if you don't like it, Jeff. Not sure.

 

[portsider]

I, on the other hand, have no self control, a girlfriend who wants me to be happy, and a spare room.

I'm going to ask my wife if I can have a girlfriend like that.

 

[Br1ck]

When have you seen a tepid review of anything? The closest you get is import vs US built guitars, and of course the US product wins, but it's a vehicle to sell an import to those waiting to hit the lottery.YouTube has been the guitar magazine advertisement venue for a while now. The flip side is quality is so good now it's hard to go wrong. And the $3k guitar is a subjective choice these days.

 

[SFIV1967]

I'm pretty sure that the Standard series Oxnard builds are mortise and tenon, and the Traditional series are dovetail. I think I read that here somewhere.

I think you're right, buddy. But, you didn't hear it from Oxnard!

The Guild webpage shows for the traditional models: "Neck Joint: Dovetail" on each models spec sheets.
They don't mention the neck joint for the standard series, which means they have a mortise and tenon joint which we had discussed earlier.

Ralf

 

[chazmo]

Hi Ralf,

Do you actually know the standard series has a mortise and tenon? I definitely recall that discussion about the D-20, etc., but I'm not seeing specific information on the website. In any case, I suspect you're right, but I'm not sure.

 

[jeffcoop]

I recall previous discussions suggesting that the new Standard Series guitars had m&t joints, but I'm pretty sure I never saw it on an outside source. However, I draw the same inference as Ralf from the fact that the neck joint is not mentioned in the Standard Series specifications on Guild's website.

Collings uses m&t joints, so we know they can be done well. It's just another thing to pay attention to (along with the new finish) as we begin to look at the Standard Series.

 

[Br1ck]

I go by the rule that if something has the perception of being added value, it is always mentioned in the specs. If not, it is a cost saving measure. I don't recall Collings or Taylor making a huge deal regarding the superior qualities of their neck joints. Many builders including many boutique brands, have a bolt and a mortice. Some, like Martin have a mix, but the nature of their followers dictate the dovetail to follow tradition if nothing else. What effect neck joint has on tone has not hurt sales as folks try and buy both methods for reasons real and imagined.