guild d35

[kydog]

waiting for my my new old guild d35 with guild case to return from the luther. Picked up a used D35 at the pawn shop the other day serial number 123079 I believe that it is a 1975 but not sure. :?: There was a small crack in the lower bout and I didnt even try to play it Took it strait to the shop. could anyone that has one please let me know what I can look forward to. Will post pic's when I get it home

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

Gardman has one and lives very close to you.
He loves his.
I have played it and if yours is anything like his, you will be very happy with it.
You may have to try several different types of strings to see what sounds best on it but I suggest trying a set of DR Rare medium gauge strings.

By the way, if it doesn't have a bone saddle in it, have one installed while the Tech has it.
You will see a big improvement in the sound and tone.

Who is working on the guitar for you?
TMG

 

[kydog]

took it to acoustic music on 4th and 9th for the repair and new bone nut and saddle.

 

[GardMan]

I do love my '72 D-35... which I bought new in '73. It has a nice, bright tone... not my loudest (saddle's getting too low), but is no shrinking violet. Mine spends most of its time in CGCGCE for a Dougie Maclean (Celtic) song I do... of all my Guilds, it's the one that sounds best in that tuning (bass from the rosewoods and D-25 are too overpowering, and the G-37s trebles don't match the sparkle of the D-35). On the other hand, for the last few weeks I have had it back in standard tuning... just to get it some more air time. I have been trying to learn some acoustic blues... and that flat mahogany back has the best "bluesy" tone in my stable, with surprisingly good bass and sparkling trebles.

My D-35 is older, and quite light (by Guild standards)... only 4 lbs 4 oz. I'd expect your '75 to be heavier built (5 lbs plus), louder, and perhaps more of a mid-range voice than mine. I play John Pearse Phosphor bronze and silk med-lights on my D-35 (and D-44). Sound a bit like broken in PBs from the start, and the silk underwinding seems to suppress a little of the finger squeek... (not as much as elixers... but quieter than typicl PBs or 80/20s).

I have most of my set up work done by Tom Midlin at Local Music at 8th and 8th... Tom makes a nice bone nut and saddle for a good price. He also did a nice job gluing/cleating the cracks and leveling the frets in my D-44. But... you do have to plan on spending an hour listening to stories and talking, before you'll get him down to business...

Enjoy your D-35s!
Dave

Added: and yes, your SN does correspond to a '75.

 

[killdeer43]

kydog,

I think you can look forward to adding a nice new voice to your herd.
My current D35 ('82) is a real gem and much like my previous two ('75 & '78), it's a really sweet, no-frills Guild.

Like Dave, I keep mine in an alternate tuning (Open G) for a few tunes that I'm working on and just for fun. The D25s and 35s are some of Guild's finest, IMHO.

Rejoice,
Joe

 

[shepke]

I recently bought a slightly beat up 1979 D-35. It needed some work and had obviously not been very well cared for, but once I got it set up with a bone saddle, bone pins and a Tusq nut (I do my own set ups and I hate slotting those damned things), as well as adjusting the truss rod for a very slight relief with the action at around 3/32”, I was surprised at the sound balance between strings – noticably better than a lot of dreads I’ve played. I bought it for flat-picking but I find that it’s a breeze to finger pick as well. The string balance brings out subtleties that a lot of dreads miss when playing finger style. I was really surprised. A great all round guitar. Not quite as much bass as some dreadnoughts but still a full bodied and pleasingly bright tone with good smooth sustain and that unmistakable Guild voice. I think you’ll be happy with yours.

 

[Qvart]

Not quite as much bass as some dreadnoughts but still a full bodied and pleasingly bright tone with good smooth sustain and that unmistakable Guild voice.

Well, I've had my '83 for two days and limited play time, but I gotta say it's a sweet dread. The 'hog gives it a nice warm tone, but I'll have a better report after I put on the new strings (D'Addario PB lights).

I sold my DCE1 last night and the guy looking at it asked to see my D35. He said "yep, you have tastes like mine. Those Guilds have a nice 'nutty' tone." I hadn't thought of that description, but compared to, say, maple, mahogany seems more of what I think of as "woody." I always say it's "warm," by which I mean sort of mellow with great lows and mids. The highs are bright enough, but not too bright and well-balanced.

Next will be a setup with a bone saddle, possibly a new nut, and end pins. Tonight will be new strings and a fretboard cleaning. Might have to tweak the truss rod a bit too.

The way the money worked out it was essentially an even trade between the DCE1 and the D35, and I'm happy with my choice. But I gotta say the DCE1 had a great 'hog sound as well (essentially like a D25 with a cutaway and Fishman UST). I'll probably get something rosewood in the future but it's all 'hog for me right now, including two out of three solid bodies (the other is ash).

Enjoy! And don't foget to report back with analysis, description, and 8x10 cdolor glossy pictures with circles and arrows and a paragraph on the back explaining what each one is!