Guild D44M vs D46 Ash

[Sprucer]

Hi all, longtime lurker new to the forum. I've been searching for a maple body dreadnought and the D44M looks appealing (though I'm also considering the D30 and the G37).

I had no idea that the D46 existed until this afternoon. It looks like a very intriguing guitar, but I have no idea what an Ash body dreadnought sounds like in comparison to maple, though from woodworking experience I presume it's in the same wheelhouse, maybe? Youtube videos are basically nonexistent.

Does anyone have any hands-on experience with one or even both of these guitars? Thanks for all the help, this forum has been invaluable while making previous Guild purchases.

 

[Boomstick]

My dad owns a D46. It projects differently than most acoustics. You might not like the way it sounds playing it, but if you were to mic it or have someone else play it and stand directly in front of the sound hole it'll sound pretty solid. The projection is much more direct in that sense than any other acoustic I've ever played.

I have never played a D44 (pearwood or maple) or a D30 but I own a G37 and it's a fantastic guitar. I would best describe it like a SJ-200 primarily in the pick attack but with less bass and low mids but a fairly balanced sound and the notes are very even in volume up and down the neck. My dad gave it to me as a "beater" but it's way too nice to use as a beater, and I really like the guitar as soon as I got the DR Dragonskin strings that he had it off of it.

Here's a video of me messing around with That's The Way and some improv when I didn't know the rest. It's only on my cell phone, but I'd say it captures the sound fairly accurately.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhZmMB-Fz0_2j6RuDVV4--aQebKT6g?e=jzoQqA

Finally, here is a video I made a few months later for comparison with my maple F-50 which in my opinion is not only the best maple acoustic, but probably the best sounding acoustic I've ever played. Like the G37 you can hear it has a lot of mids but it also has a very deep bass as well. If I had to pick one guitar, it would be the F50 but for this song I think I prefer the G37.

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AhZmMB-Fz0_2j68TgNi_He3Jq08ktw?e=v43JBD

 

[Sprucer]

Thanks for the reply and the videos. It helps a ton to have something to actually listen to! The G37 sounds very nice, but that F50 sounds phenomenal. I don't know if I'm in the market for a jumbo six string right now, but wow!

The D46 is very intriguing, but I hesitate to buy something so "exotic" without actually playing it first. It's tough though if you don't live in a major guitar mecca.Your description helps contextualize it.

I've heard nothing but positive things about the G37, which is an arch back, if I'm correct?

Thanks for such a thoughtful reply.

 

[Boomstick]

Thanks for the reply and the videos. It helps a ton to have something to actually listen to! The G37 sounds very nice, but that F50 sounds phenomenal. I don't know if I'm in the market for a jumbo six string right now, but wow!

The D46 is very intriguing, but I hesitate to buy something so "exotic" without actually playing it first. It's tough though if you don't live in a major guitar mecca.Your description helps contextualize it.

I've heard nothing but positive things about the G37, which is an arch back, if I'm correct?

Thanks for such a thoughtful reply.

Yeah, the G-37 is an arched back (like the F-50).

I definitely would suggest playing a D-46 first. It doesn't quite sound like anything else and the way it projects may not sit will either. But I've ran into a good number of people who own them and like them too. But if I had to pick between the G-37 and D-46, I'm going to pick the G-37, it really is a fantastic guitar. I'm also partial to maple

I just posted this on another thread about the F-50 but this demo does the sound of the guitar justice so I'll post it here as well. The guitar works equally well finger picked or picked heavy, but playing stuff like this is what I like it best for.

 

[GAD]

1985 Guild D46 | GAD's Ramblings

This review is of a 1985 Guild D46 acoustic guitar which, believe it or not, is the first Guild six-string acoustic guitar I’ve ever owned. It is also the first acoustic guitar I’ve ever reviewed, so please accept my apologies in advance should I get any of the terminology wrong or if I just flat …

www.gad.net

There are sound clips and everything.

 

[krysh]

Here is a recording with my former D-46. For me one of THE reference dreadnoughts.

celestial breath by krysh

celestial breath - a small jazzy tune rough and dirty recorded. #alternative #rock #love #funk #jazz #groove #guitarist #germany #latin #hamburg #afrobeat #gitarrist #jazzPunk #dasGruhf #fusionWorldmusic #gruhf #michaelKrisch

soundclick.com

I only sold it because a dread is too bulky for me.

 

[MLBob]

I had no idea that the D46 existed until this afternoon. It looks like a very intriguing guitar, but I have no idea what an Ash body dreadnought sounds like in comparison to maple, though from woodworking experience I presume it's in the same wheelhouse, maybe? Youtube videos are basically nonexistent.

Does anyone have any hands-on experience with one or even both of these guitars? Thanks for all the help, this forum has been invaluable while making previous Guild purchases.

Sprucer,

Hope you took time to check out GAD;s sound-clips on the "Ramblings" post he did on it. Based on those + what he had to say, I acquired that very same guitar from him some years back, and have been nothing but pleased with it. When I got it from Gary, I had a K&K Powermix Pure Mini dual passive pickup system installed. It is a great sounding guitar both plugged & unplugged. Falls somewhere in between rosewood & maple, leaning to the maple side, and the passive system properly EQ-ed through a good pre-amp sounds great when playing out.

A solidly built guitar, and I just had the top refinished in a burst with a tortoise-shell pick guard, as I plan on keeping it a looooong time.

 

[Sprucer]

1985 Guild D46 | GAD's Ramblings

This review is of a 1985 Guild D46 acoustic guitar which, believe it or not, is the first Guild six-string acoustic guitar I’ve ever owned. It is also the first acoustic guitar I’ve ever reviewed, so please accept my apologies in advance should I get any of the terminology wrong or if I just flat …

www.gad.net

There are sound clips and everything.

Fantastic review! That's basically everything I could hope to know. I really love the look of the ash. It's just so unique. Definitely a bright and punchy sounding guitar. Really do wish I could play one in person, but that's an unlikely scenario.

This forum is a great repository of Guild knowledge. I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts on the differences between the D-30, G37 and D44M. I'm familiar with most of the build differences. Likewise, is there a reason to go maple dread vs. maple jumbo beyond the size differences? The maple F series guitars always sound so great.

 

[Boomstick]

Likewise, is there a reason to go maple dread vs. maple jumbo beyond the size differences? The maple F series guitars always sound so great.

The maple jumbos end up having a fairly deep bass that you don’t get from the dreads.

 

[Boneman]

I second the D46. Here’s a clean one, single owner, a bit high priced, but they are getting up there in used prices. Maybe make an offer, and if you don’t bond with it for whatever reason, you can flip it pretty quick. Good luck in the hunt!

Guild D-46 | Reverb

Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.

reverb.com

 

[Norrissey]

I'd be interested if anyone has any thoughts on the differences between the D-30, G37 and D44M.

I've owned all three in the past. Describing sound is hard but I'll try. My D-30 sounded really pretty, spacious mids and treble tones, but it had a very slight thump sound the in low end that bothered me so I let it go. I don't know if the thump was specific to just my guitar or if all D-30s have it. My G37 was a dud all around but don't let that guide you, there are people on this forum who adore them so there must be some good ones out there. My D44M was a killer guitar - I regret selling it. Really nice, even, clear tone across the spectrum. They are all pretty large, loud, meaty dreads.

 

[Norrissey]

I'm not a fan of shipping acoustics in the winter but if you are okay with the risk there is a nice looking D46 on the Denver Craig's List for a reasonable price. No affiliation.

EDIT: just looked at the pics again and the bridge on this guitar is lifting a little

Guild D46 acoustic guitar from early 80s - musical instruments - by owner - sale - craigslist

Guild D46 from the early 80s. Made in USA. With nice original Guild case. Guitar has very little wear and is in good shape. $1500 SE Denver

denver.craigslist.org

 

[wileypickett]

Good price and looks in nice shape.