I am purchasing my first Guild and find that there is a lot of info about the D-20 but a lot less about the D-15. Am wondering if there is anyone out there who can share their experience with their D-20 or hopefully, with a D-15 and the differences between the 2? Was the D-15 made earlier?
GUILD D-15m
- Thread starter Palani
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I have a D-15m, and it's probably my favorite guitar. I think they were made in Westerly, RI until around 1997. I *think* the D-20 is a new model made in Oxnard, CA. The D-20 has a flat back with braces, and the D-15m has a laminated, arched back. Hope I have the facts straight.
highwayman
Junior Member
Hi Palani,
I own a 1992 D-15 M and although I have quite a few Guilds in my collection, it is one of my favorite Guilds. I love the archback Guilds, and the D-15 is a fine example.
They are quite rare to find, especially here in Germany, where die Guild market is much smaller than in die US.
If you spot one in good condition, grab it. You can't go wrong.
I own a 1992 D-15 M and although I have quite a few Guilds in my collection, it is one of my favorite Guilds. I love the archback Guilds, and the D-15 is a fine example.
They are quite rare to find, especially here in Germany, where die Guild market is much smaller than in die US.
If you spot one in good condition, grab it. You can't go wrong.
I disagree Schoolie with your saying that the D 20 is a new model made in Oxnard (new Guild location since Cordoba took over, around 2014)... A friend of mine (in his late 70s) owns one and I think he already had it when I first met him around 1993 I think...
The D-20 must be a pretty old model (I should imagine it might date back to early 60s - ? -)
The D-20 must be a pretty old model (I should imagine it might date back to early 60s - ? -)
midnightright
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I would expect the D-15 to be a stellar guitar, if it is based on the D-25. I have owned & played several D-4's, which were made in the '90s, and are very similar in construction to the D-25 (only at a lower cost). I'm not sure what the impetus was for the D-15, and for some reason, I'd always believed it to be made in the '80s. Never having seen one, I can't comment on first-hand experience.
But if the right one were to come along, I wouldn't hesitate to make it the right circumstances. While I have played a mahogany topped D-25 with a flat, and not archback from the '70s, I have yet to play a mahogany topped D-25, or a D-15. From my recollection, most people tend to really fall in love with them. Though they may be more sparse than some of the others.
But if the right one were to come along, I wouldn't hesitate to make it the right circumstances. While I have played a mahogany topped D-25 with a flat, and not archback from the '70s, I have yet to play a mahogany topped D-25, or a D-15. From my recollection, most people tend to really fall in love with them. Though they may be more sparse than some of the others.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
The D-20 is indeed the new model introduced only in Oxnard, the first one was made in 2016 as first guitar with a serial number out of Oxnard.
The vintage model (introduced in 1968) was called Bluegrass D-25.
Ralf
Not right Ralf, according to Guild themselves www.guildguitars.com/g/d-20-in-natural
I think the D-25 was introduced in 1968, but the D-20 is a new model. The search for a 1968 D-20 will be the search of a lifetime.
Boneman
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To the OP, do you mean to say you are buying the Guild D15M? And in your search for info on the all mahogany dreadnought, you came up with info on the D20? The D20 is indeed a new model as Ralf pointed out, made in Oxnard, their current version of the all mahogany dreadnought, with a flat back.
According to the bible, the Guild Guitar Book, in 1968 they introduced the flat back all mahogany dreadnought but it was named the Bluegrass D25, never was a D20 back then. And in 1976 they added the archback. So I think their current website description linked to earlier is referencing the 1968 introduction of the flat back all mahogany dreadnought is all, not necessarily the model number designation.
According to the bible, the Guild Guitar Book, in 1968 they introduced the flat back all mahogany dreadnought but it was named the Bluegrass D25, never was a D20 back then. And in 1976 they added the archback. So I think their current website description linked to earlier is referencing the 1968 introduction of the flat back all mahogany dreadnought is all, not necessarily the model number designation.
I have a G15M (1990) and I really like it. It's got booming lows and bright highs. I've had a few D25s and this one is much better to my ear than any of them.
Off subject I love threads like this that geek out over what was built when. I'll be reading posts and suddenly realize I've found my people.
Off subject I love threads like this that geek out over what was built when. I'll be reading posts and suddenly realize I've found my people.
adorshki
Reverential Member
Bernie, trust me on this, there was no Guild D20 until Oxnard. There was a D25, and a D26, and a D30 and a D40 and higher, but never a "20".
It must have been an F20 or M20.
Bernie that blurb is flat out incorrect and one of the things that really pisses us off about Cordoba. The D25 was introduced in '68, and it was an all-hog flatback, but Cordoba couldn't be bothered to identify the correct model number.
'68 catalog:
The person I know owns a (left-handed) all mahogany dreadnought. I think he confirmed it was a D-20 when I asked him about a year ago. Might have been a D 25, but I did ask after precisely wondering which one of those two it really was !? My memory might be worse than I thought (or maybe his ?). I know you guys have been into Guild history for long, and that this thread is about D-15s. So end of the story here .
adorshki
Reverential Member
FYI sir, Hans himself has explained that the date of the first appearance of the archback is an error. The archbacks first appeared in '73 possibly even late '72, and was an all-hog archback like the later D-15 for about 2-1/2 years. The spruce top was phased in around late '73 and I suspect there was "dual" or "rotating" production of the all-hog and spruce-top archbacks during '73 as we've seen examples of both types from '73 and '74.
By far the most all-hog archback D25's we've seen are from '73. Supposed to be discontinued in '74 but we've seen a couple of outliers, even a '76. (member Spiderman) And by far the most numerous D25 construction is the hog body archback with spruce top that was in production continuously from "'74" through '01 with a slight veer of the (flatback) DV25 in '99.
It occurred to me that folk with more charitable minds than my own could suspect Cordoba of intentionally blurring the model identity of the D25 so as to prevent folks from running off to the internet in search of used D25's, since everybody knows the biggest competition for new Guilds is used ones.
Maybe if they built more of 'em.... Or how about a Certified Pre-Owned program? Doesn't Yamaha do that with pianos?
But for sure they won't be finding any vintage D20's to compete with the current model.
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More like a steal I think. Great score.
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
That's great! Looking forward to your new guitar day report!
adorshki
Reverential Member
They were basically a re-boot of the '73 all-hog archback D25 except they very frequently received 1-5/8" nuts along with their running mate the slightly up-blinged D17. Also had a beautiful "natural" Mahogany finish:Best of luck with your D-15 Palani. I hope we'll learn more about this model when you get it...Photos and comments will be appreciated too
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SFIV1967
Venerated Member
No, Guild is not fully correct in that link. There was never a "D-20" that I'm aware of prior to 2016.
CMG renamed all Guilds to the new scheme, so a vintage D-25 was suddently a D-20 in new 2016 production.
You see why if you study that scheme, the most confusing as example is the F-20 which is now a M-40...
Ralf