GUILD D-25M RESTORATION-Out of Box/Case SG's Review Posted

[dadthrash]

As most of you know, I sold my "PRISTINE", near Collector/Museum quality 1977 Guild D-25M to “SouthernGuild” from Australia. That description is true as it applies aesthetically, but not structurally. See this link for structural issues:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=14412

As the time got closer to ship the Guitar, SG (SouthernGuild) and I had been discussing the needed repairs, and he emailed me the day before I was going to ship and asked if we could possibly "Get Er Done" in the good ole USA. Well, I jumped at the chance to be involved with the "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE" 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION PROJECT!!!!!

I have gotten to know SG over the last few weeks, and he an amazing person, as well as a Soulful Guild D-25M lover!!! I wish I could share all the great communications back and forth. SG and I have become great Guild Cyber Friends, and share in the "MUTUAL GOAL” of this complete restoration. It means a lot to us Both!!!!

We are very fortunate here in the NW to have such great Guild Certified Luthier to choose from. SG chose Portland Fretworks, and the Owner “Todd” will be personally doing the “Hands On” restoration Himself! He said this is without a doubt, the best Guild D-25M he has ever seen from this period and completely agreed that this Beauty was “Worth It” and more!

So SG and I thought we would share this project with all of you here at the LTG. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION PROJECT, “INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE” as much as we are. I will be chronicling this project with weekly pictures and updates from the start date, thru SG actually receiving the Guitar in Australia.

I would like to Officially Start this with the email I received from SG last night. (He knew today was the day Todd would begin the restoration). It will give you a glimpse into how excited, and already “Soulfully Connected” to this Guild Guitar and Project he is!

TODAY!!!! .......SOMETHING GOOD HAS BEGUN!!!!
A NEW CHAPTER.........A NEW ROAD.......A NEW BEGINNING.
She is on her road to RECOVERY!!!
HEALING hands are upon her!!!
Because of GOODNESS, KINDNESS and CARE.........she CONTINUES !
Music's journey goes ON AND ON.............................and in a NEW way this day!!!
TODAY!!!! .......SOMETHING GOOD HAS BEGUN!!!!!!

SHE WILL BE 'RIGHT!!!!!!
Thinking of her!!! D25MJohn

Todd with PORTLAND FRETWORKS giving her the "THUMBS UP"!!!!!

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION - "SHE'S DEFINITELY WORTH IT"...(Quote from Todd at PF)

I really think Todd is SMILIN' here, just because he gets to work this Beauty!!! And not because of the the Dollars he is ringin up!!! lol!!!

She is headed thru this Door Today. When she comes out..."SHE'LL BE RIGHT"...(that is Aussie talk for "SHE WILL BE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT...NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!)

YEEHAW!!!! Weekly Updates to Follow.

Best,
Michael, Todd at PF, and SouthernGuild - "THE INTERNATINAL GUILD RESTORATION TEAM"

 

[dadthrash]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

The Following Work will be performed to this Guitar:

1-Neck Reset.
2-Re-Glue Bridge.
3-New Vintage Bone Non-Compensated Saddle.
4-New Vintage Bone Nut.
5-New Vintage Bone Bridge Pins. (Size 2A - Slotted .220" Under the Skirt, 5* Taper).
6-Ream Bridge Pin Holes to accomadate Modern Size 2A Pins.
7-Install New Ebony Strap Pin.
8-Install New Ebony End Pin.
9-Refinish as necessary.
10-Provide (1) Set Ebony Bridge Pins.

MRT

 

[marcellis]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Good call. No guitar deserves restoring more than a 70's Guild D25.
Yours is in a lot better shape than mine was.

Keep us posted.

 

[evenkeel]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Very cool. Terrific story. Thanks for keeping the gang in the loop.

 

[12stringer]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

AWESOME THREAD! 8) 8) 8)

 

[taabru45]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

TODAY!!!! .......SOMETHING GOOD HAS BEGUN!!!!
A NEW CHAPTER.........A NEW ROAD.......A NEW BEGINNING.
She is on her road to RECOVERY!!!
HEALING hands are upon her!!!
Because of GOODNESS, KINDNESS and CARE.........she CONTINUES !
Music's journey goes ON AND ON.............................and in a NEW way this day!!!
TODAY!!!! .......SOMETHING GOOD HAS BEGUN!!!!!!

SHE WILL BE 'RIGHT!!!!!!


I was trying to figure out the music to thiss. :? Is it along the lines of Alices' Restaurant, or more of a talking blues thing.... :lol: :lol: Either way, she's bound to be a real beauty, the pride of Down Under, and she'll ring a lot of bells down there too......be very covetous of that guitar SG......as you say......"I know you will" :wink: Steffan

 

[bluesypicky]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

I share and feel your excitement as I am just coming off my own restoration (cosmetic only but nevertheless exciting) thread about my newly acquired F-212, and will be anxiously checking for your updates on the rejuvenation cure of that great D-25!

SAVING THE GUILDS!!!!!! :mrgreen:

 

[killdeer43]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Great success story.
One thing that I notice right off in the photos is how much this D-25M looks like my '79. I guess it shows the consistency of Guild during a time when they were cranking out one of the best models we all know and love. I get lots of looks/listens when I pull mine out (my D-25, that is). :roll:

Mine needed a few tweaks when I got it but it was well worth the extra dinero.

Life is good, especially when you consider the alternative,
Joe

 

[southernGuild]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

THANKS YOU ALL for your kind words and support thus far......YES!!! I am very excited about this one!!! As I should be. Seems that I have waited YEARS and years for this guitar to materialise, as i have wanted this very model, a D25m since my early teens ( A neighbor had one, upon his return from the war in Vietnam, he played it EVERY DAY...and many nights in his yard. I heard and watched, and admired.) Now, almost 40 years later.....here she is! with all the right soul, spirit and mojo within her...My job will be to gently coax it all out!...enjoy , appreciate, and care for her, share lifes ups and downs with her, play all the old songs AND make NEW music with her. Travel with her on this journey of mine..... Consistently challenging both 'she' and myself all along the way. And YES, ultimately... to pass her onward to...to a life beyond ME, one of these days!
Yes,....These 'guitars' ( someone here I think called them "Tools for the soul"....Well said!!) are personal things to me.....We spend so much time with them, that this is no wonder. THIS one seems to already have a 'soul 'of its own.....and it has already brought me much joy and good feelings,...and also now, a friendship. HOW GOOD IS THAT!!
Upon purchasing the guitar from Michael, I got a clear sence of the kind of good man he is and of his love for music and these instruments. I heard his beautiful song, writen BY him, and PLAYED on THIS guitar...I was hooked! I was also able to look at all the photos he had taken of her when he first recieved her....Hooked again! Our conversations did indeed reveal a wonderful person with whom I have much in common and enjoy chatting with....Hooked AGAIN....Ahh the TREBLE HOOK! But unlike the fish on the hook....I am a VERY lucky one here!
I have found a very special guitar AND made a new friend with whom I can share this musical journey.....now and in the future. We have found that we have much in common indeed! and that too, feels good!
It was also clear that he knows quite alot of the technical stuff about the care and repair, upkeep and treatment of guitars . ..WAY more than I, ....AND that he is as fussy about such matters as i am.
My intent was to just get the old girl here and play her until such time that the neckset could not be put off any longer...then send her in for the full treatment. But, a search of qualified luthiers ( no less a Guild authorised one) in my general area ( I live in the mountain Villiages , South of Sydney) proved disheartening and worrisome. I would have to eventually SEND her to someone in Sydney or Melbourne, that I dont know AT ALL, and have her sent back...etc...! YIKES!! added to this, is that I am no longer able to drive at all due to a severe neck injury. This isolation, could prove detrimental to the D25m's restoration! So I pondered hard,....then just asked Michael, if he would consider dropping her off at a chosen Luthier for such repair.....I would then manage things , as best i could, via emails, and the luthier could mail her off to me when complete and payment was sent (not really a great scenerio...but beggers cant be choosers). HIS RESPONCE....was GOLDEN, and shows the very nature of this mans GOODNESS, CARE and KINDNESS " THAT IS A GREAT IDEA....LETS DO IT" was the gist of it all. AND...HE volunteered to caringly and lovingly oversee the whole matter!!! FROM START TO FINISH!!! as if it were his own!!! GOING well out of his way to help ME OUT!!!
LUCKY ME!!!! you cant ask for any better than THAT!!!
Through the whole thing, Michael gave me generous options...as to what to do ( even offered me a return of cash if I wanted to bail out! NO CHANCE!!! ) Choice of Luthiers and materials, and advice on which way to go. LUCKY ME!!
I looked into Fretworks , their site, and reputation via the net.......EXCELLENT and VERY reassuring. THAT was definitely where I wanted her to go! NO QUESTION!! When Michael told me that Todd ( the owner) himself would be doing the job, well THAT was icing on the cake!!! HEALING HANDS would be upon her!!! As soon as I saw the photos that Michael suprised me with... I KNEW THAT THIS WAS GOING TO COME UP A WINNER!!
AND....what fun!!! I get to SEE and enjoy this whole process as if I were buzzing around the place like some blue tail fly!! ( THANKS Michael!!) It was Michael's idea to post this and share it with you all! ANOTHER fine idea!!
I am GOING to have to learn to work our digital camera..SOON. to show things from this end!!! I missed out on the Coastie madness due to my technical ignorance!!...THAT was the final straw!!!
And So.......HERE we begin, SOMETHING GOOD HAS STARTED TODAY!! I could not be happier about all this, and YES, it is a joy to share it with you all. "ADORSHKI" told me about the "Marcellis" D25m thread last week. WOW, Thanks (to both of you! ), THAT was Much enjoyed. Very positive and affirming! It was nice, and fitting that he was the first to respond. :wink: What a great place this LTG is...You folks are mighty fine!!! and have been a welcome and helpful addition to MY musical journey. There are positives all around my world already from my finding my way here ! THIS guitar is but ONE...and the rippling effect of such.....just goes on and on....
My brother in law saw this guitar over the web...and said " Your gonna make some guitar a fine player someday...might as well be THIS ONE!"
THIS ONE IT IS!!!!
I will contribute to this as best as i can....At this point, however... IT ALL HAPPENING IN PORTLAND!!!!
Thanks you all for looking in...and Oh yea, ...feel free to comment, question, or MUSE upon the matter. WE ALL like THAT :lol:

Following the MUSE!.... LUCKY ME.....LUCKY "WE".....Lucky LTG!!! Southern

 

[adorshki]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Good on ya mate! Almost tempts me to take mine in for a refinish, but...where would all the mojo go? :?

 

[jjl1118]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

This is such a wonderful story. Got to love it. Amazing how technology has made this all possible. Imagine this happening in the 70's when this D25 was born? Not a chance. Got to love it.

 

[Graham]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Great stuff guys, another LTG winner!

 

[GardMan]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

SG and dadthrash... I am very eager to see the results of the Portland Fretworks work. We don't have a local shop that will do that extensive a restoration (I am not sure I could even get a re-fret done here, anymore)... but I get up to Portland every summer for a family re-union, and could always bring one of my guitars along and deliver it or pick it up in person (then I only have to sweat shipping one way). Good luck... she should be a real sweetheart when she's done! Dave

 

[12stringer]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Yee Haw!!!

 

[dapmdave]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

Just listened to the clip. That guitar has the classic acoustic guitar groove that just can't be beat. Transcends 99% of the guitars out there, in my opinion. Good song, too.

Dave

 

[southernGuild]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

GUILDMENSHIP!!!! thats the word I heard here last week. We are all enjoying our "GUILDMENSHIP"!!!! and THAT IS VERY VERY GOOD STUFF!!!! AT MANY LEVELS...for our instruments ( "saving the GUILDS!" ) AND US!!!! So glad to have found you folks!!! Cheers!...and of course... YEE HAW!!!!!!

 

[dadthrash]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - "INTERNATIONAL JOINT VENTURE"

UPDATE #1- 1977 GUILD D-25M NECK RESET

OH MY!!!! WE HAVE BEGUN!!! VIEW PICTURES AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!
I must tell you that not only is Todd (the owner of Portland Fretworks), a complete Guild Luthier Extrordinaire...but he is taking the time to take, and provide the pictures for this chronicle. SG and I are most Grateful to him not only for his Lutherie Expertise....but for his outstanding degree of extra effort and co-operation!!!

HERE YA GO SouthernGuild (He hasn't even seen the pictures Yet!!!)...DON'T FREAK OUT ON ME........HOLY COW MAN.....SHE IS IN PIECES!!!! AH, BUT ALL IS WELL....SHE IS IN GOOD HANDS WITH TODD AT PF!!!!!

UPDATE #1- 1977 GUILD D-25M INITIAL STAGE OF NECK RESET

YIKES !!!! THATS ALL FOR NOW......"SHE'LL BE RIGHT"!!!!

Best,
"I J V R T"
(International Joint Venture Restoration Team)

 

[JerryR]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - UPDATE #1 ADDED - NECK RESET

Now for the duct tape :mrgreen:

 

[taabru45]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - UPDATE #1 ADDED - NECK RESET

Yeah, and a bit of chewing gum will fill in some of those gaps.... :roll: :lol: Steffan

 

[JerryR]

Re: 1977 GUILD D-25M RESTORATION - UPDATE #1 ADDED - NECK RESET

I've gotten some six inch nails if you want a stronger repair :mrgreen: