Guild D-40 $1700 vs Guild D-40 Traditional $2700 (+/-) - what is the driving the price difference?

[GGJaguar]

Enter Guild's "DV" series:

Exactly! I remember the first time I played a DV-52 in a shop in the mid-1990s! I did a double double-take on that one and it made me have second thoughts about going down the Martin path (but only for a little while).

 

[kostask]

My formerly owned DV-52NT was one of the finest dreadnoughts I have ever heard. It had a more prominent lower end than most Guilds (D-50, D-25 flat back, D-40) that I have heard, yet the balance that is the Guild trademark sound was still there. It didn't quite have the bass of a mid-50s D-28, but had a better top and midrange, and for want of a better description, sounded "right" to me. Did it sound "vintage"? Not to me, as most vintage instruments tend to be a bit bass heavy (if they are dreads). I saw it more as a more broken in modern guitar, because of the midrange and high end, yet with a better, deeper low end than most modern guitars. Sort of a 1950s J-45 midrange, combined with an almost1950s D-28 low end, with a little modern high end sparkle/clarity. Not quite vintage, not quite modern, but sounding really good everywhere.

P.S. I need to note that this only came out when I started using the GHS Signature Bronze Light strings on it. It actually lost a lot of tone when I used other strings (D'Addario EJ-16s, Earnie Ball Earthwood Lights, some Dean Markley acoustics, and a few other brands). I suspect that the GHS's slightly higher tension just was closer to its optimum. The DV-52NT with the GHS strings just had more of everything. The old GHS Signature Bronze strings are now the Americana series.

 

[GGJaguar]

Interesting that one very specific string set was optimal for the sound you liked best. If they ever stop making those strings...

 

[Walter Broes]

I don't know what the difference is exactly, but I've played different examples of both : -the D40 standard is a really nice guitar. But all three Oxnard D40 traditionals I've played were awesome - way beyond really nice.

 

[twocorgis]

I don't know what the difference is exactly, but I've played different examples of both : -the D40 standard is a really nice guitar. But all three Oxnard D40 traditionals I've played were awesome - way beyond really nice.

That pretty much dittos my experience, only I've never played the Standard model. I've played three D40 Traditionals; two at Sam Ash, and the one I own. All three of them were/are as good as any guitar in my herd, and better than some, and that's really saying something.

 

[adorshki]

Interesting that one very specific string set was optimal for the sound you liked best. If they ever stop making those strings...

A lo-o-o-ng time ago Chaz mentioned the single thing that'll make the biggest change to the voice of your guitar is strings. Took me about 10 years to find out he was right, when I tried out silk'n'steels on my F65ce.

At the time I was also looking to reduce tension a bit and noted GHS tended to run a bit higher tension than D'A, I assume there's a slight difference in the alloys and/or the center diameter of the wound strings. Windings per inch could be another variable.

But they offered gauges and singles in S'n'S and S'n'Bronze nobody else did, so they got the nod.

Been delighted ever since and GHS gets my respect now. IIRC Tom (Davisman) likes the Vintage Bronze a lot.

 

[Wellington]

I think it's all been said, I think the regular D-40 is the better bang for the buck. I have a Traditional, it's unbelievable. I widened the saddle spacing, finger pick all the time on it. It's so responsive and projects so well.

Mine was a gift and I'll never get rid of it, however if I had to buy one myself I'd be happy with the regular D40 I think, unless the Traditional has an edge over it somehow, because my Traditional has raised the bar quite high for me regarding tone.

 

[Wellington]

A lo-o-o-ng time ago Chaz mentioned the single thing that'll make the biggest change to the voice of your guitar is strings. Took me about 10 years to find out he was right, when I tried out silk'n'steels on my F65ce.

At the time I was also looking to reduce tension a bit and noted GHS tended to run a bit higher tension than D'A, I assume there's a slight difference in the alloys and/or the center diameter of the wound strings. Windings per inch could be another variable.

But they offered gauges and singles in S'n'S and S'n'Bronze nobody else did, so they got the nod.

Been delighted ever since and GHS gets my respect now. IIRC Tom (Davisman) likes the Vintage Bronze a lot.

I have a set of GHS Silk and Bronze on right now. They're ok but I expected more of a noticeable difference. They don't feel any softer or less tension than monels or Sunbeams, which are my go to. And if humidity gets around 50% my guitar sounds like a wet rag with them. Maybe they just don't jive with my D40.

 

[beecee]

I've never had the pleasure of trying/playing a D-18...always wanted to but was afraid...

Afraid my world would be shaken by the fact that it was such a better guitar than my D-40...I know Sandy talks highly about his Crosby D-18.

 

[Wellington]

I've never had the pleasure of trying/playing a D-18...always wanted to but was afraid...

Afraid my world would be shaken by the fact that it was such a better guitar than my D-40...I know Sandy talks highly about his Crosby D-18.

D18's are great, my favourite Martin, similar sounding to my D-40 T but not quite there for my tastes, though I'd be happy with a D18 if I didn't have my D40, given the choice and at the same price I would still take the D40T.
The D18 has a little less sustain I find, but certainly a great guitar.

 

[adorshki]

I have a set of GHS Silk and Bronze on right now. They're ok but I expected more of a noticeable difference. They don't feel any softer or less tension than monels or Sunbeams, which are my go to. And if humidity gets around 50% my guitar sounds like a wet rag with them. Maybe they just don't jive with my D40.

I think the humidity is affecting the wood's resonance, as the GHS "Silk" is actually rayon, which isn't hygroscopic like real silk.

Nonetheless tension is lower than regular all-alloy strings so they simply my not have quite enough tension to drive the D40 top with Adi braces.

 

[twocorgis]

D18's are great, my favourite Martin, similar sounding to my D-40 T but not quite there for my tastes, though I'd be happy with a D18 if I didn't have my D40, given the choice and at the same price I would still take the D40T.
The D18 has a little less sustain I find, but certainly a great guitar.

Sounds like you haven't played the right D18. I love my D40 Traditional, and if what @Walter Broes and a couple of others have said is true, the standard version a much different beast than the D40T. Different neck joint, and different bracing. My D40T is up amongst the best mahogany dreads I've played, but the two others were both D18s. One is the D18 David Crosby Signature I've owned for a long time, and the other is a D18 Authentic.

And I have a D18 Authentic 1939 arriving tomorrow.

 

[Wellington]

Sounds like you haven't played the right D18. I love my D40 Traditional, and if what @Walter Broes and a couple of others have said is true, the standard version a much different beast than the D40T. Different neck joint, and different bracing. My D40T is up amongst the best mahogany dreads I've played, but the two others were both D18s. One is the D18 David Crosby Signature I've owned for a long time, and the other is a D18 Authentic.

And I have a D18 Authentic 1939 arriving tomorrow.

No I think I just prefer my D40T, it's got everything I need, I've played a D18 Authentic 1939 as well, my cousin has one. Pretty great, but I'd still take my D40 lol, the 1939 is rather uncomfortable on the neck for my tastes as well.

Enjoy your D18's!

 

[twocorgis]

No I think I just prefer my D40T, it's got everything I need, I've played a D18 Authentic 1939 as well, my cousin has one. Pretty great, but I'd still take my D40 lol, the 1939 is rather uncomfortable on the neck for my tastes as well.

Enjoy your D18's!

Hey it's all good! I'm a hog kind of dread guy myself, and if you count the slope shoulders, I'll be up to six. Love them all!

 

[Br1ck]

Torrefaction gets you about half way there. I have a guitar from 70 and one from 65. Both very different. But don't ask me to describe 50 year old wood. The best I can do is know it when I hear it.

 

[davenumber2]

Sounds like you haven't played the right D18. I love my D40 Traditional, and if what @Walter Broes and a couple of others have said is true, the standard version a much different beast than the D40T. Different neck joint, and different bracing. My D40T is up amongst the best mahogany dreads I've played, but the two others were both D18s. One is the D18 David Crosby Signature I've owned for a long time, and the other is a D18 Authentic.

And I have a D18 Authentic 1939 arriving tomorrow.

Considering the Authentic and Crosby both retail for about 3K more than the D40T I think that says a lot about the Guild.

 

[kostask]

Interesting that one very specific string set was optimal for the sound you liked best. If they ever stop making those strings...

Its not an issue any more, because the guitar was stolen 3 years ago. All of my guitars were stolen 3 years ago, but the police did recover my DV-6 and GAD-30R. My F-50R was in a luthier friend's shop, so I still have that one as well. The DV-6 seems to do really well with the D'Addario EJ-16s, as does the F-50R and the GAD-30R.

 

[twocorgis]

Considering the Authentic and Crosby both retail for about 3K more than the D40T I think that says a lot about the Guild.

Indeed it does, but the Crosby I bought used in 2010 for quite a bit less than what the D40T costs now at retail. Still, the D40T is an incredible value for what you get

 

[twocorgis]

Its not an issue any more, because the guitar was stolen 3 years ago. All of my guitars were stolen 3 years ago, but the police did recover my DV-6 and GAD-30R. My F-50R was in a luthier friend's shop, so I still have that one as well. The DV-6 seems to do really well with the D'Addario EJ-16s, as does the F-50R and the GAD-30R.

Wow, that's really sad. I've never had one stolen, much less all of them, and can't even imagine how I'd react to that.

 

[Rayk]

Y'gotta go down to the bottom of the D40 page for "Show Full Specs":
https://guildguitars.com/g/d-40-in-natural/

Under "BODY":

Top Bracing Pattern

Scalloped X

That assumes the catalog's correct, and we have seen errors before from Oxnard.
I actually thought the standard's braces weren't scalloped and just now checked. (In fact I don't think they were scalloped when it was introduced, they also didn't have NCL for the first couple of years).

Another thing I forgot to mention is that the standard was spec'd with "African Mahogany", which, "no matter how you cut it", is not a true Swietenia (New world) mahogany, but aterm applied to numerous African species which bear resemblance to mahogany in appearance at least. Not sure about any of the other attributes but don't recall anybody ever mentioning it doesn't really sound as good.

Traditional D40 shows "Mahogany".

Mostly you see African Sapele used . As for its tonal qualities it’s much like Honduras but with added highs and lows so you get a bit more of fuller range then the more focused mid range that Honduras has .

I happen to like it a lot good fundamentals and lovely overtones . Thing is it’s different just like all the other wood types it comes down to knowing the difference and what tone you’re after or not after ( BYDGAC) lol and just like the instrument as is because it pleases you.