On this point, my concern would be not being able to use the guitar long enough to really bond with it before needing a major repair. I'm a bit apprehensive about buying a guitar online. But given the rarity of the two, seems I'll have more luck looking on reverb and eBay than in my area. So really I guess I would just need to know what sorts of questions to ask and knowing what avenues or sellers ill have better luck through than not.
In the Market for an Affordable Vintage Guild (D-15 or 25). What to look out for?
- Thread starter GeoffHW
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I see the thought behind this. I had a similar thought. I imagine the vintage guilds and current ones are not reflective of one another. My thinking is I should expect a vintage guitar to sound better with the extra age.
I've experienced the aging process myself with one guitar before when I first started several years ago. The tone really is a top priority for me. I originally started my learning over again when I bought my martin. And really the thing that keeps me playing is the sound a wood instrument can produce. I don't exactly like how quiet it is (00 body) but I love the richness of tone.
I don't like theory much and practicing comes hard to me. But if I can't help but want to strum my guitar, I inevitably pick it up on a free day and that's when the real learning happens to me. Five minutes of picking and strumming turns into 8 hours and bruised fingers which I quite enjoy.
Back on the note of tone and age. When I got back into guitar early last year, I popped into a Guitar Center to check out the used section. My first guitar was a Seagull S6 in 2017. I knew I was looking for another seagull but wanted a smaller body. I just so happened to see a old Seagull Mini Jumbo on the way out and picked it up for $200. It taught me a lot and made me love guitar again. It was laminate back and sides. It changed me from being a solid wood elitist.
After a few months, I wanted to upgrade. Tried out a bunch of guitars. All I knew is I wanted a Martin. Eventually settled on a 000-17. But I came home and couldn't help but want to pick up my seagull. It wasn't solid wood. It wasn't very pretty compared to the Martin. But to my ear it sounded "broken in". The extra bass of the larger body helped too. I took my 000-17 back after a week for a refund. Went back the next month (this passed December) and picked up a Martin 00-18. Ultimately got it because of shoulder issues and being told the larger D body would be hard on me. And I wanted to finger pick.
Now it's February. I play mostly sitting and the Mini Jumbo never gave me issues playing for long periods. I miss the bass from my dread and mini jumbo (sold the seagull as I anticipate getting a Guild and dont have the space in my apartment) and I've learned quite a bit on guitar. I like bluegrass, rock, blues, a little bit of everything. Lots of strumming and a bit of flatpicking. I discovered Guild through the D-20E. Learned I actually do like all mahogany guitars (hence the D-15 and D-25) as well as hog back and sides. Not a big rosewood fan. Quite love the look of guilds and something about them sounds good to me. I've heard people say you either love or hate the unique sound of a guild and I love it. Or at least what I think it is.
So now I am dead set on owning a vintage guild (pre-fender ownership for me) and it just so happens they make a few models in my price range that I quite enjoy the look of. Not to mention every Guild I have handled so far feels like it could go through a few wars and still make it out in one piece.
Harp Tail
Senior Member
They are the most outstanding value in US classics but please don't spread the rumor.
Harp Tail
Senior Member
Sure, but don't neglect Craigslist and - as you seem to already know - Guitar Center and their "no questions asked" return policy.
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Two years ago I had none, but now I have a '70 D-25 (flat back), and '73 D-35 (a less blingy D-40) and a '74 D-25 (arch back). I went this way because I like the old wood. I find the '74 arch back has a more focused tone (less resonant) and it plays well with a K&K pure mini. It is also the heaviest of the bunch at 5lbs-6oz. It seems loudest, but my decibel meter says they are all about the same. If you like a lighter guitar, go for a '70-'73 flat back D-25 or D-35. If 5lbs4oz-5lbs9oz is ok, then any D-25 or D-35 made in 1974-1990s should do it for you. And DV-52 and D-4 might fit the bill too.
Option 1, get one from Guitar Center, have it shipped to a local store and get 3-45 days to have a luthier check it out (vintage is supposed to be 3 days only, but most times, old D-25s are just listed as "used" so you get 45 days. Their prices are pretty fair most of the time. I generally call a shop and talk to a tech. For the '74, the tech was like "get this guitar!" and he was right. For two others, I have had them warn me off.
Option 2, ask the seller for the low-E action at the 12th fret (dist from top of 12th fret to bottom of the string) and also the distance between the low E and the top of the guitar at the bridge. If the action is less than 6/64" and the string is > 0.4" above the top at the bridge, you probably wont need a reset for some time (but might eventually). If the action is 5/64" and the height > 0.40", you are really GTG. This string height is better than the saddle height as bridges often got sanded down to avoid a reset, causing all sorts of problems.
Option 1, get one from Guitar Center, have it shipped to a local store and get 3-45 days to have a luthier check it out (vintage is supposed to be 3 days only, but most times, old D-25s are just listed as "used" so you get 45 days. Their prices are pretty fair most of the time. I generally call a shop and talk to a tech. For the '74, the tech was like "get this guitar!" and he was right. For two others, I have had them warn me off.
Option 2, ask the seller for the low-E action at the 12th fret (dist from top of 12th fret to bottom of the string) and also the distance between the low E and the top of the guitar at the bridge. If the action is less than 6/64" and the string is > 0.4" above the top at the bridge, you probably wont need a reset for some time (but might eventually). If the action is 5/64" and the height > 0.40", you are really GTG. This string height is better than the saddle height as bridges often got sanded down to avoid a reset, causing all sorts of problems.
E-Type
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Perhaps a '77? Used., so likely 45 days.
GC D-25M
www.guitarcenter.com
GC D-25M
Used Guild 1970s D25M Acoustic Guitar Burgundy | Guitar Center
For greater savings check out our Used Guild 1970s D25M Acoustic Guitar and get a great deal today!
www.guitarcenter.com
thanks for the info! Might need to call around some guitar centers.
On a related note, would $900 on a D-25M be a fair price with a neck reset completed and pickup professionally installed?
Guild D-25 1974 - 1986 | Reverb
Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.
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Sounds to me like effectively having a brand new vintage guitar!
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I'd still ask for those measurements. Might be some scuffing around the saddle slot. Was it shaved? Was the reset recent or 20 years ago?thanks for the info! Might need to call around some guitar centers.
On a related note, would $900 on a D-25M be a fair price with a neck reset completed and pickup professionally installed?
Guild D-25 1974 - 1986 | Reverb
Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.
Sounds to me like effectively having a brand new vintage guitar!
But yeah, a reset is about $500 if you don't need new frets and $900 if you do, so $900 for one with a recent reset is a nice way to go.
adorshki
Reverential Member
Fair enough. I bought all 3 of mine new, so I had the luxury of enjoying all their prime years before repairs needed, albeit with my first, the D25, I needed a fret job after only 18 months. But it was my first truly good guitar, and I bought it fully intending to keep it and maintain it for life. I was tired of guitars that weren't worth the cost of the refret.
Since March of '97 I've got about $1200 into her including 2 complete refrets and about 1700 hours of playing time. She's got a few cosmetic blems but the neck is still true, always strung with lights. I figure if I sold her I'd get at least a grand. So maybe $200 for 27 years of D25 joy? (Not counting strings, but around 20 years ago i calculated she cost about a buck an hour to play if you count string and fret wear.
)99% of well-maintained US-built Guilds are worth the maintenance investment, but yeah, I get the reservation about taking the risk on a guitar you may not bond with. BUT you might get to like it enough that you could justify a repair, like Br1ck.
midnightright
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Well, it looks like that's what they've dropped the price too, unless you were talking about "all-in?"thanks for the info! Might need to call around some guitar centers.
On a related note, would $900 on a D-25M be a fair price with a neck reset completed and pickup professionally installed?
Guild D-25 1974 - 1986 | Reverb
Reverb is a marketplace bringing together a wide-spanning community to buy, sell, and discuss all things music gear.
Sounds to me like effectively having a brand new vintage guitar!
I remember years ago, before it closed, the podium in mpls, I kept hearing the then owner repeatedly say to customers, on that given day, this was about a dozen or so year s ago, maybe? . . . but the line that he gave was, ~after about 20 yrs. they're all going to need neck resets... but, the good news is: that once you have that done, then you're set for the next 20 yrs. or so!
(now keep in mind they had all kinds of boutique makers in there, as well as one wall dedicated to custom martins, as well)
It's not necessarily true, but it's surely an important factor when you shop used. Particularly important if you don't have access to a luthier who'll do the work on a Guild.
Fair price. A little high given the condition, but not bad, Geoff. I wish the seller had said which pickup was installed, that could be relevant to your decision. Normally, I think pickups are a matter of taste and not particularly relevant to the sale price.
Reverb has a 7-day return policy so your risk is limited, and any issues with the guitar will probably be apparent right out of the box (so you can be the judge).
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The 7 day return is only if it doesn’t arrive as described. I think you’d have a hard time complaining about needing a reset or new frets as action and workable fret height are subjective. Esp on a 50 year old guitar. The seller could always say “what do you expect on a guitar this old?” “3/16” action isn’t unplayable” (btw, I had a reverb seller argue with me that 3/16” is how he set them up at the Guild factory when he worked there in the 70s. Of course, he also told me he was fired because his setup work was so good his boss felt threatened…maybe that wasn’t why.
Well, I can't speak from experience, E-Type... If someone refused a return on something I felt didn't match the description (like action), I'd raise hell. Yes, it's subjective, but if a problem like that wasn't mentioned in the ad.... Well, anyway, I hope it works out.
GF60
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Somebody already mentioned the D-4. I had one from 1993. I sold it to my sister around 2001. She still has it so I play it frequently. It sounds better than it really has a right to. LOL. I've tried to get her to sell it back to me, but no luck. Anyway, it is very similar to a D-25. Satin finish, sitka top over mahogany b/s with the arched back. A very nice model that might be just a bit cheaper than the D-25.
Anyway, it is very similar to a D-25. Satin finish, sitka top over mahogany b/s with the arched back. A very nice model that might be just a bit cheaper than the D-25.Br1ck
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Don't neglect our own classifieds. Lots of nice guitars to be found there, presented for the most part in an honest manner.
Considering the case and condition, the D15 is (IMO) a better deal. I understand the attraction of the cutaway, though.
midnightright
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Yes, he did say (& I believe they were still a guild dealer at that time - w/the guitars from Hartford, C.T.) that if you don't know what you're doing, you shouldn't be buying used guitars. . . I wish they would have stayed in business. They were located conveniently near the campus of the University of Minnesota. Very, very nice man. I believe he'd told me that he'd only had like 2 or 3 guitars at home by this point in his life. And one of them was a guild (he didn't say which one). But it was a pretty old one, from what I'd gather! As all of my guesses, kept getting met with a "nope!" (so, I'm thinking maybe back to the beginning as he'd said that he liked them even better, or best from prior to, or before Westerly, R. I.) ~again, this is all coming from memory, so - just keep that in mind!
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It is crazy, I have asked sellers for clarification of "low action", "comfortable action", "still plenty of room to lower the saddle" and have gotten everything from 8/64" to 12/64" in action measurements and I had a guy suggest shaving the bridge to lower the saddle. I have never tried a return based on this, but I have no idea what Reverb considers "low action." I'd hate to test it.
midnightright
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Hence, the need for a good return policy.