Is there a D35 registry?

[plain old bob]

OJ 1644 here. 1970 Westerly with Hoboken label.

I firmly believe what was considered flawed spruce was used in this model. Mine has a fair bit of bearclaw. Others show irregular grain. I don't consider myself having overpaid for all the work I had done, only that the market would not reward me with a profit. The attribute that stands out to me is the overall balance across the strings. Blugrassers would say this is a lack of bass, but that is what Martins are for.

Tuners are undoubtedly cheap three on a plate style, until they had those squashed pyramid clunky cheapo enclosed tuners. The open back tuners on my guitar work and I don't see the need to change them. I think they changed somewhere in the 75-78 years. You have to consider what they could do to cut production costs, and cheaper tuners, decal logo, simpler binding and "reject" wood were some cost saving measures. What remains is everything you need for a good sounding acoustic.

What makes these sound great now is 50 year old wood, and what was then inexpensive mahogany is now marketed as premium Honduran. Times change.

Yes, OJ 2400 (early to mid 70?) at my house has plated strip tuners, nice grain with no claws (santa or otherwise), scratched up label, one piece neck and an amateur player with a weak grip. but it is a joy to hear. when i get a good grip it purrs, yes sir. thanks for all your info.

 

[adorshki]

I joined the club in 2010, scored it off of craigslist on a cold day in parking lot just off I-95. 1970, Serial # 4699* Guy said he had just inherited it.

This thread inspired me to play it. Haven't in months. Strings are at least a year old. I am reminded how amazing it is. Never had a neck reset, but still has a good neck angle, plays easy, good break angle. Even with those old strings, it rings and chimes out! The neck is deceptive. It is big but plays small, if that makes sense. Those craftsmen knew what they were doing.

Just a few nicks and dings as you would expect, black binding, frets sound, tuners good and stays in tune. Best of all, that early Guild mojo: Short pickguard, Guarantee shield label. White line shield truss rod cover.

I tried to give it a better home a few years ago here. Lots of interest but no one followed through.

"C", don't know if you're still checking in, but funny you should mention that. For about the first year I couldn't figure out why my '04 D40 felt like the action was too high, but it spec'd out perfectly. One night while bonding with her I realized she has the classic "baseball bat" neck profile that D35's and D40's are commonly said to have. It took a few years but now I find it more comfortable for things like leads on the higher frets, and I can actually get a little cleaner when close down to the nut.

Not sure if it's just my hands aging but neck profile really is important in overall feel, it's the reason I bought my specific D25 from display even after being offered a "new one in the box", and it's actually got a pretty narrow neck.

 

[adorshki]

Curlington, cool pics - your 46994 and my 2253 look nearly identical - did notice that
bridges on both guitars appear original, but your 46994 has a thinner, more elegant taper.

Mmmmmmm.......lookit that silking! On a "standard" top, no less! Can you even get that on a new comparable price guitar these days?

 

[hansmoust]

Curlington, cool pics - your 46994 and my 2253 look nearly identical - did notice that
bridges on both guitars appear original, but your 46994 has a thinner, more elegant taper.

The bridge on the earlier one (the one on the right) was originally much thinner; a piece of rosewood was added to the bottom side.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Hobbesickles]

Here are some pics of my '68 D-35 serial number OJ 469. I purchased this guitar from the widow of the original owner around a year ago. She did not know what it was worth and was trying to price it based off later D-35s. I paid her more than she was asking even though it needed a neck reset and the bridge reglued. The luthier I took it to botched the neck reset and had to refinish the heel area which does not look pretty but it does play well and sounds fantastic.

 

[chazmo]

Beautiful, old beastie, hobbesickles.

 

[Westerly Wood]

Here are some pics of my '68 D-35 serial number OJ 469. I purchased this guitar from the widow of the original owner around a year ago. She did not know what it was worth and was trying to price it based off later D-35s. I paid her more than she was asking even though it needed a neck reset and the bridge reglued. The luthier I took it to botched the neck reset and had to refinish the heel area which does not look pretty but it does play well and sounds fantastic.

wow, look at the trim around the stock....! Was that a thing in 1968?

 

[Hobbesickles]

The veneer shrunk exposing the unfinished wood beneath it. It's all stable now and looks kind of cool!

The guitar spent a large portion of it's life in Nevada and Arizona. It was purchased new by the original owner in Wisconsin while he was in college.

 

[wileypickett]

wow, look at the trim around the stock....! Was that a thing in 1968?

I suspect what you’re seeing is the result of the plastic headstock overlay having shrunk over time.

This has happened on a few of my old Guilds, and models from certain years have a white Formica-like layer under the plastic. When the plastic shrinks, the white edges underneath become visible.

 

[Westerly Wood]

I suspect what you’re seeing is the result of the plastic headstock overlay having shrunk over time.

This has happened on a few of my old Guilds, and models from certain years have a white Formica-like layer under the plastic. When the plastic shrinks, the white edges underneath become visible.

well it sure looks cool, I wish mine would shrink.

And you know what this means, Glen? His D35 is a GSR.

 

[GGJaguar]

Nice! Glad to hear it plays and sounds great despite some of the neck re-set cosmetics.

 

[Br1ck]

The finish issues are why many run from Guild resets. Lots of area to steam. It just occurred to me that I have no idea of what my neck was like originally. I bought it with the finish sanded off. Whether they took off more than just finish I do not know. It's my favorite neck. Very light lacquer respray on it now.

 

[plain old bob]

I suppose that is why I try to get used to my 0J2400 just the way it is. The bridge has a crack but no buzz and the strings stay put even though the pegs are black ones and not the white ones on the pictures here. Maybe if I get rambunctious and noisy they will move. Don't know if I could give it up long enough for a repair or whatever. I think I have a baseball neck as it is deeeep and a lot to handle. I let someone touch my 59 jr. once but won't again as I was so nervous and not as appreciative of the work done as I should have been. Out of sight was not out of mind. They are a bit like children.

 

[chazmo]

I suppose that is why I try to get used to my 0J2400 just the way it is. The bridge has a crack but no buzz and the strings stay put even though the pegs are black ones and not the white ones on the pictures here. Maybe if I get rambunctious and noisy they will move. Don't know if I could give it up long enough for a repair or whatever. I think I have a baseball neck as it is deeeep and a lot to handle. I let someone touch my 59 jr. once but won't again as I was so nervous and not as appreciative of the work done as I should have been. Out of sight was not out of mind. They are a bit like children.

Welcome aboard, Bob.

You should probably have that bridge crack looked at as it can spread and might indicate that you have something going on there that needs some repair.

Too bad you had a bad repair in your past that's causing you to hesitate. If you tell us where you are, one of our members might be able to help point you to someone good.

 

[Curlington]

"C", don't know if you're still checking in, but funny you should mention that. For about the first year I couldn't figure out why my '04 D40 felt like the action was too high, but it spec'd out perfectly. One night while bonding with her I realized she has the classic "baseball bat" neck profile that D35's and D40's are commonly said to have. It took a few years but now I find it more comfortable for things like leads on the higher frets, and I can actually get a little cleaner when close down to the nut.

Not sure if it's just my hands aging but neck profile really is important in overall feel, it's the reason I bought my specific D25 from display even after being offered a "new one in the box", and it's actually got a pretty narrow neck.

"A", I'm still here. I usually check in once a week or so these days.
The variable hand carved necks, in the old days, allowed a player to find what best suits. I like a fuller neck than the current Taylor and Martin necks.
I liked the necks on my late 60s/very early 70s D35 and D40. I sold both in the last couple of years from the classified on this forum.
Dreadnoughts are hard on my old body, so I've been selling them off. I have two remaining, G37 1972 and D25 1970.

 

[Westerly Wood]

"A", I'm still here. I usually check in once a week or so these days.
The variable hand carved necks, in the old days, allowed a player to find what best suits. I like a fuller neck than the current Taylor and Martin necks.
I liked the necks on my late 60s/very early 70s D35 and D40. I sold both in the last couple of years from the classified on this forum.
Dreadnoughts are hard on my old body, so I've been selling them off. I have two remaining, G37 1972 and D25 1970.

the neck on my '71 D25 is electric guitar thin. the C shape is barely noticeable.

 

[Br1ck]

Bryan Kimsey had a video recently saying he was through messing with necks. Says the hand can feel .005 inch. Can't duplicate to that tolerance. I guess pre CNC use, necks are all slightly different.

 

[wileypickett]

I suspect what you’re seeing is the result of the plastic headstock overlay having shrunk over time.

This has happened on a few of my old Guilds, and models from certain years have a white Formica-like layer under the plastic. When the plastic shrinks, the white edges underneath become visible.

See the the third photo here for another, more extreme, example. This 1968 D25 also has the layer of Formica -- or whatever it is -- under the shrinking headstock overlay.

Guild D-25 Bluegrass 1968 - 1973 | Reverb

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

reverb.com

 

[Westerly Wood]

See the the third photo here for another, more extreme, example. This 1968 D25 also has the layer of Formica -- or whatever it is -- under the shrinking headstock overlay.

Guild D-25 Bluegrass 1968 - 1973 | Reverb

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

reverb.com

GSR!

 

[wileypickett]

What is this "GSR" of which you speak?