How about the new DV?

[flatt]

Very soon I'm going to be in the market for a dread/jumbo type ... I have a beautiful 60's Martin 00-18 and yearn for a bigger sound to supplement it on recordings. However price dictates I stay in the Larrivee/Sanford/Blueridge/Breedlove area - which also includes the new DV4 and 6.

I still own a Blueridge "000" - and, although I love the Blueridge (it will go to pay for the new one), I would prefer to have something NOT built in that Chinese factory that seems to make all the others!

Has anyone had any contact with these Mexican Guilds? And any comments on the 4 against the 6? My neighbour once leant me a 70's D-25 for a recording and - oh, my it sounded so sweet!

By the way - I'm in the UK (London)

Thanks

 

[dreadnut]

Or you could pick up a vintage D-25 or D-15 for around the same price...

 

[Nigel Wickwire]

Or you could pick up a vintage D-25 or D-15 for around the same price...

The Ensenada DV-4 is mahogany and the the DV-6 is rosewood, both with flat backs. This was true of the Tacoma built versions, as well. So Dread's suggestion is a bit of an apples to oranges proposition.

LTG member learnintoplay62 has a Tacoma DV-6 for sale, I believe. I might suggest PM'ing him an enquiry. I suspect he'd make you a heckuva deal..

Edit: and welcome to LTG, flat!!


~nw

 

[GardMan]

Welcome to LTG!

I don't have any experience with the new DVs made in Mexico, but I'd also suggest considering a used Westerly- or Tacoma-built Guild. It looks like the "street price" for a new DV-6 is ~$850... With some patience and care, that $$$ could get you a nice Westerly D-25 (~$500-700; arched mahogany back), D-30 (arched maple back; $500-800), D-35 (mahogany; ~$400-600), D-40 (mahogany; $600-900), maybe even a DV-52 (rosewood; $800-1000) (ranges are approx ranges on eBay). If you're lucky, you might even score a nice (rosewood) D-50 in that $$$ range (tho' they tend to sell in the $1000-1200 range). I haven't seen one in a while, but Tacoma DVs were also occasionally popping up on eBay at reasonable prices.
Dave

 

[jrporter]

Welcome to LTG!

I don't have any experience with the new DVs made in Mexico, but I'd also suggest considering a used Westerly- or Tacoma-built Guild. It looks like the "street price" for a new DV-6 is ~$850... With some patience and care, that $$$ could get you a nice Westerly D-25 (~$500-700; arched mahogany back), D-30 (arched maple back; $500-800), D-35 (mahogany; ~$400-600), D-40 (mahogany; $600-900), maybe even a DV-52 (rosewood; $800-1000) (ranges are approx ranges on eBay). If you're lucky, you might even score a nice (rosewood) D-50 in that $$$ range (tho' they tend to sell in the $1000-1200 range). I haven't seen one in a while, but Tacoma DVs were also occasionally popping up on eBay at reasonable prices.
Dave

And at the risk of strumming my own strings....viewtopic.php?f=10&t=20445

 

[flatt]

Welcome to LTG!

I don't have any experience with the new DVs made in Mexico, but I'd also suggest considering a used Westerly- or Tacoma-built Guild. It looks like the "street price" for a new DV-6 is ~$850... With some patience and care, that $$$ could get you a nice Westerly D-25 (~$500-700; arched mahogany back), D-30 (arched maple back; $500-800), D-35 (mahogany; ~$400-600), D-40 (mahogany; $600-900), maybe even a DV-52 (rosewood; $800-1000) (ranges are approx ranges on eBay). If you're lucky, you might even score a nice (rosewood) D-50 in that $$$ range (tho' they tend to sell in the $1000-1200 range). I haven't seen one in a while, but Tacoma DVs were also occasionally popping up on eBay at reasonable prices.
Dave

And at the risk of strumming my own strings....http://letstalkguild.com/phpBB2/viewtop ... 10&t=20445

Yes (sigh) - in the US maybe .. here in the UK? No!

 

[GardMan]

Yes (sigh) - in the US maybe .. here in the UK? No!

Yes, locale would make a difference... both in availability and pricing. A couple years ago, used Guilds really were commanding a premium in the UK. I thought things had moderated some... but they would still be pretty scarce, I'd bet. And shiipng from the US would be expensive...
D

 

[West R Lee]

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=19166&p=205923&hilit=Mexican+DV6#p205923

West

 

[flatt]

Thanks for all the replies! However - I am in the UK, and all these wonderful alternatives are completely out of the question, as lovely rare old "finds" just don't exist over here! There is no such thing as a D-25 "snip" for $550 (that's about 350 quid - huh! you can't buy very much guitar in the UK for that ... maybe a Crafter plywood thing)

So it's back to my original query .. are the Mexican DV's any good? and do they compare favorably with (for example) the Czech Stanfords - everybody seems to rave about them? ... or Larrivees? Both NOT made in that renown Chinese factory!!

However I WOULD like a Guild ..... (sigh)

 

[killdeer43]

Welcome to LTG, Flatt.
If you're in the UK, just make a lot of noise and JerryR will find you!
He should be along sooner or later. :wink:

Enjoy,
Joe

 

[flatt]

Mexican DVs :?:

I guess that's a NO! then? :lol:

 

[poser]

Check out the thread "unfortunate purchase" on this board. It's one person's experience with a new DV-6. Whether this is representative of most of them, I don't know.

 

[chazmo]

I wrote up my impressions here: viewtopic.php?t=12999

 

[solenoid lopez]

I think it would be pretty blinkered to write off the Mexican Guilds without trying some out. I've got a Mexican Fender Telecaster that can stand up any of it's American cousins (except maybe for the pickups but you can't have everything!!!) just like you can't have a glossy finish on a Mex DV.

My Tacoma DV6 is one of the best sounding and playing acoustics that I and many of my friends have ever played. It sure is a plain looking old thing (I happen to prefer plain by the way) but it's tone sure as hell aint.

 

[flatt]

I wrote up my impressions here: viewtopic.php?t=12999

Excellent! This gives me all the ammo I need, thanks. I shall check them out.

As a songwriter, I really have to play an instrument, or rather it has to play me! ... it has to "talk to me". And in the UK these days it's getting hard to find shops that stock the ones you want to try out!

 

[chazmo]

I'll be curious to hear your opinions, flatt. By the way, my understanding is that there is no raw wood on the guitar; it's what's called a hand-rubbed finish, I guess. Varnish, perhaps? I don't know. It's definitely not a sprayed lacquer.

As I noted, it *feels" raw, but I've been told otherwise.

 

[Ridgemont]

Very soon I'm going to be in the market for a dread/jumbo type ... I have a beautiful 60's Martin 00-18 and yearn for a bigger sound to supplement it on recordings. However price dictates I stay in the Larrivee/Sanford/Blueridge/Breedlove area - which also includes the new DV4 and 6.

I still own a Blueridge "000" - and, although I love the Blueridge (it will go to pay for the new one), I would prefer to have something NOT built in that Chinese factory that seems to make all the others!

Welcome to the forum Flatt. I have not tried any new Mexican DV4s or DV6s but have heard mixed reviews. You can see those in all the links provided from other forum members. This is quite common and you are definitely not alone in this, but I find it funny that there is such a stigma with Chinese made instruments. But for about ~$800 (American) you can get your hands on a DV4 or 6 that is probably made in the same Mexican factory as Taylor's 100/200 series. I have no proof of that, but I wouldn't be surprised.

But like others said, the best way to know is to try them out for yourself. But I wouldn't dismiss Larrivee or Breedlove as potential suitors. At least you know with them that there is only one guitar brand made in those factories. :lol:

 

[bluesypicky]

Welcome flatt.
If you are recording, get a used DV-52. It's unbeatable and worth every extra penny you will put in international shipping (if you can't find one on the Island :shock: ). No matter what mic you use and where you put it, that thing always comes up shining on recordings.
Good luck regardless and keep us updated!

 

[poser]

Flatt,
I'm not sure what your budget is, and this is not a Guild, but there's a guy on the AGF board with an Avalon he'd like to sell.
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=193926

 

[Ian]

Hi Flatt,

Welcome from NZ. check member neildealdylan out, he's in York and has a bunch of Guilds. BTW I dont think you will find shipping US to UK too bad, figure on around $175 USD via USPS. If you are dealing with Elderly they have a really sharp rate via FEDEX. Strretsounds is another Guild dealer who seem to have some pretty sharp deals, but I havent found a contact address and dont know if they ship internationally. As always keep an eye on the FS/FT column. (I think two corgi's has a D40 for sale at present ???)

Cheers, Ian