More D52

[mudney]

I've been reading around this siteand found it to be a good place, with good people, and good information.

My opener was a D-52NT question. Hans answered it by identifying my D-52 NT EK100077 as made in 1985. That is good to know. Now Id like to follow it up with more questions:

1. Was '85 a 'bad' year? I ask because the inside of the guitar has some spots of glue spattered about; outside of the back bracing under the sound hole. It looks bad, kinda sloppy, like they whad a couple of beers before the top was fitted on. (a Friday Afternoon Lemon?) Did Guild lose quality control in that time?

2. Why does the D52 talk here center on the DVs and not the straight Ds? Is it because there are fewer D52s than DV52s? Are the D52s not as good, musically? (I really dig mine but have little to compare it to)

3. What are the D52s worth if they are in good condition?

Finally a comment: My 52 IS definitely a tank; it has a heavy gloss finish. I've read folks here saying the Guilds are heavy and my take is that finish is a big contributor to the weight, though the wood must account for some of it too. (I cant believe the headstock adds too much)

Again, I'm enjoying this place a lot.

regards

 

[GardMan]

Hey Mudney,
Don't know if I welcomed you to LTG... so, welcome!

I think DV-52s receive more attention than D-52s because the latter are not seen as frequently... made only a few years in the '80s. The DVs are more recent, have a bit more bling, are relatively common on eBay, and sell for a decent price. They can often be found in the $750-1000 price range (tho' some go higher), making them one of the best values in a rosewood dread. I would guess the straight D-52s would price similarly to a D-50, or between a 50 and 55... Very dependnt on the market and buyer, but anywhere from $800-1500. For a while, I was looking for a "real" 52... but then found my 50 locally at a reasonable price.

I fact, it isn't common to see a dread labeled as a D-52 that is actually a DV-52 from the 90s... there was some "mis-labeling" that went on during the early production runs of the DVs.

As for quality issues... if it sounds good, I don't worry much about glue inside. My D-46 has some glue runs... not bad, but not as "clean" as most of my Guilds. My D-44 is even a little rougher... not as heavy a finish with obvious grain and saw marks on the back... but she still sounds great.

Weight wise, Guilds from the mid-70s thru 90s are a bit on the heavy side... my 46 weighs in at nearly 6 lbs. I don't know how much comes from the finish, but the bracing and such definitely got heavier in the mid 70s (by comparison, my '72 D-35 weighs in at only 4.25 lbs).
Dave

 

[mudney]

Dave

Thanks for the answers. For years--25 of them if my math is correct--I just played it. Recently I've become more curious. Your response(s) have begun the process of scratching that itch.

Thanks

...and please folks, keep it coming.

Jeff

 

[GardMan]

I fact, it isn't common to see a dread labeled as a D-52 that is actually a DV-52 from the 90s... there was some "mis-labeling" that went on during the early production runs of the DVs.

Just to expand on this comment... the way to tell the early mis-labeled DV-52s from the "real" D-52s (aside from the SN, but SN lists can be confusing between the D-52s and DV-52s) is the headstock. The "real" 52s will have the older "center raised" or "domed" headtock which flares outwards (wider at the top). The DV-52s will have the newer "tapered" headstock, which still has the center raised, but is tapered so it is narrower at the top.
D

 

[adorshki]

I've been reading around this siteand found it to be a good place, with good people, and good information.
1. Was '85 a 'bad' year? I ask because the inside of the guitar has some spots of glue spattered about; outside of the back bracing under the sound hole. It looks bad, kinda sloppy, like they whad a couple of beers before the top was fitted on. (a Friday Afternoon Lemon?) Did Guild lose quality control in that time?

I've seen some references here to the Friday afternoon soda bottle...in which something else had been substituted for the soda! :lol: Otherwise I don't remember any specific references about '85 as a "good" or "bad" year. I think what you're describing is simply what the quality standards of the day were for what was basically just a "production line guitar". I suspect their "top of the line models" got a little more attention paid to those kinds of details though.

 

[GuildFS4612CE]

(I cant believe the headstock adds too much)

Have you ever lifted up a box of replacement machines? :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink: