Guild D-50 vs D-55

[Boomstick]

A '74 vs a '78, both are the same woods except a rosewood vs ebony bridge, yet they sound different. The D-55 does have XL 13s on it and the D-50 has Veritas 12s, but even when they both had Veritas 12s the D-55 was brighter. The D-50 isn't nearly as bright but is extremely well balanced.

What's your favorite? I can't even decide.

D-50

D-55

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hm. I have a D-50, and I played a D-55 once. If they're in good condish and you can afford them, seems like you can't go wrong with either. Just get the one you like more.

 

[twocorgis]

I've always preferred the D50, but I've also never been a bling guy.

 

[SFIV1967]

To me a D-50 sounds fuller/louder and the D-55 more refined.

Ralf

 

[crank]

I thought they were the same other than bling on the 55.

School me.

PS. I think I would go for well balanced over bright.

 

[ReevesRd]

Here is a previous discussion on the D-50 vs D-55. https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/d50-vs-d55.168855/

 

[Boomstick]

I thought they were the same other than bling on the 55.

School me.

PS. I think I would go for well balanced over bright.

They do sound closer on the phone recording than they do in person. There is more highs and lows on the D-55, very clearly noticeable in person, a distinctly rosewood dreadnaught sound. The D-50 sounds somewhere inbetween rosewood and mahogany, there are no sharp spikes in the tonal spectrum, sort of like maple except there’s a drop in the midrange instead of a small increase.

I think I prefer the D-50 for most solo acoustic performances (would be a tough choice between the mahogany dreads for this too) but the D-55 for playing leads, the notes are well defined and stand out nicely.

 

[Boomstick]

Here is a previous discussion on the D-50 vs D-55. https://letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php?threads/d50-vs-d55.168855/

Gardman’s description is on point on this thread with my experience

 

[ReevesRd]

Gardman’s description

@GardMan knows Guild dreadnaughts. Check out his blogs on dreadnaughts in the Blog section.

 

[Yoko Oh No]

Wood, finish, strings, humidity, pick material, playing/strumming style, the room, etc etc etc can and does make every d50 sound different. Don’t get hung up on the model designation, find a guitar that feels good and sounds pleasing TO YOUR EAR and enjoy it.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I would imagine a D55 win out at fingerpicking, sounds a bit brighter and clearer.

 

[Boomstick]

I would imagine a D55 win out at fingerpicking, sounds a bit brighter and clearer.

That's definitely subjective. What I can say is the D-55 is a little more responsive when picking harder due to bring brighter. Also a better guitar for playing leadwork, stands out a little more.

However, I really like the D-50's sound fingerpicked a lot.

 

[Br1ck]

The D 55 is the absolute limit for bling that I can enjoy. And the fact I have never played one I didn't like counts as a plus. The D 50 I played was a long time ago. Can't remember and never side by side compared either.

 

[Cougar]

They do sound closer on the phone recording than they do in person.

Yeah, I was going to say they're pretty darn close. Good playing! Love the smoke!

 

[JohnW63]

I like the longer sustain and overtones on the D-55. I really don't think I've found the right string for me, to put on my D-55. I have a view untried ones in the box of strings.

 

[Boomstick]

I like the longer sustain and overtones on the D-55. I really don't think I've found the right string for me, to put on my D-55. I have a view untried ones in the box of strings.

I have put DR Veritas 13s and D'Addario XT phosphor bronze 13s on my dad's, and at least one other set before that of which was 12s and I cannot remember. The XTs are very bright and compliment the guitar nicely and the rich highs increase the sustain, I'd say give them a shot if you haven't.

Edit: XT's not NYXLs

 

[JohnW63]

Aren't the NYXL strings for electric?

 

[Boomstick]

Aren't the NYXL strings for electric?

Oops, brain fart. Yeah I use those often with my electric guitars. I meant XT Phosphor Bronze's

 

[chazmo]

I thought they were the same other than bling on the 55.

School me.

PS. I think I would go for well balanced over bright.

No, not really, Marc. Especially the modern variants of the D-50 that have red spruce tops.

I think that even long ago the two were braced differently. I'm not sure about that, but as we know from Martin's dreads, bracing is (almost) everything with respect to tone. It's not just materials or ornamentation that differ between the two.

The D-55 is a more well-balanced axe. The D-50 is boomier and louder. Like Sandy said earlier, I'm also more partial to the D-50 sound, but of course that's all subjective.

 

[roadbiker]

A '74 vs a '78, both are the same woods except a rosewood vs ebony bridge, yet they sound different. The D-55 does have XL 13s on it and the D-50 has Veritas 12s, but even when they both had Veritas 12s the D-55 was brighter. The D-50 isn't nearly as bright but is extremely well balanced.

What's your favorite? I can't even decide.

D-50

D-55

I have a 1980 D50 that I bought new in 1981. I played it and a D55, and the only difference I could tell was the headstock and fretboard inlays, bling, and the price of the D55. It sure looks nice though!