Guildedagain
Enlightened Member
Nice work for sure.
Introduction and 1969 D50
- Thread starter RLane
- Start date
Wow! I have the exact same guitar: a 1969 Guild D-50, verified Brazilian by George Gruhn (who I'm told spent some time working at Guild). I've had it since about 1985, and it has been regularly played for many years. A couple years ago I had the neck reset, new frets installed and a couple cracks repaired at Mike Lull's shop near Seattle. It's in great shape now, although clearly well-used. Somebody in a different thread used the term "low-end growl", and that describes its particular sound perfectly: it's almost like overdrive on an electric guitar if you really dig in hard - like it's sort of crunchy. I asked at a guitar shop recently to see what they thought it was worth, and they looked in the 2023 Vintage Guitar Guide which said that, in excellent condition, it is worth $5200-$6800! I could hardly believe it. It's definitely not in excellent condition though. Maybe structurally it is excellent, but certainly not visually...
Welcome aboard, Simon.
I think that price range is a pipe dream, Simon, unless you're George himself selling it... maybe...
Anyway, I'm sure we'd love to see some pictures of your D-50 some time when you have a chance. Well-played and well-kept guitars are revered around here.
I think that price range is a pipe dream, Simon, unless you're George himself selling it... maybe...
Anyway, I'm sure we'd love to see some pictures of your D-50 some time when you have a chance. Well-played and well-kept guitars are revered around here.
RLane
Junior Member
Simon, welcome and thanks for the information about the potential value.
My research on actual sales is not quite that optimistic but i will add that Brazilian Rosewood instuments will continue to build value and will always be a great investment. I am hopeful that I will be able to avoid selling this D50! Everyone who has heard it are stunned by the sheer intensity and balance that it produces. We would love some pictures of yours.
HeyMikey
Enlightened Member
Just seeing this now. Fantastic restoration job RLane! The neck looks super nice. I hope you are able to keep and enjoy playing it. That old gal needs sing again. If not, there are several here who would be excellent caretakers for it and appreciate all the work you put into it.
RLane
Junior Member
Thanks for the kind remarks. Should i decide to sell it I will give the folks here the opportunity before hanging in the store or bringing it to Carter or Reverb.
Ah, so you are looking to sell this beauty? Shame.
Anyway, @RLane , you do not have enough posts yet to sell on LTG yet. You can buy an upgraded membership, or you'll have to sell elsewhere.
Best wishes.
RLane
Junior Member
No not looking to sell yet, i was just commenting that I would give forum members the first opportunity if and when I do. Sorry if my comments were misleading.
Ah. OK. Well, I hope you don't. That's a great piece of Guild you have there.
That would be funny: George could list it as "I actually built this guitar, when I worked at Guild".
I will take some pics when I have a moment. Yeah, that price seemed ridiculous. The shop actually had two copies of the Vintage Guitar Guide - 2022 and 2023 - and the '22 Guide said the value was $4000 - $5200; the '23 Guide said $5200-$6800. It is interesting to note that the supposed value jumped so much in one year, and I suppose that probably reflects the pandemic era huge spike in higher-end guitar prices. I also appreciate they are talking about a guitar in perfect condition and b) that those prices are pretty far off the mark for what people are actually able to get for them. I have always wondered what I could sell it for though, if I ever went that route. I had thought $1000 maybe a bit more. As I said, I was utterly astonished at that price, but I also did not believe it (and mine is nowhere near "Excellent" condition, anyway.) I have no idea, really, since those 60s D-50s seem to be such a rare thing. I suppose it would be like buying a house or something, in that the value of a thing is literally what you can get for it. I just don't know much about that sort of thing..