New D-xx Standards vs Traditional

[jazamm]

Hi All, thanks for having me here! I have a very specific tone in mind for the bass notes that I’ve only found so far on a used recent D-55 Oxnard. However I’m not much for bling, and to save a couple grand I’d really like to try the D-40 (Stand. & Trad.) & D-50, bc from online samples/YouTube, I can hear the potential for it being in those too. (That deep humming growl that sounds like an engine meets a pipe organ or harp, w/ an extra-percussive thump).

So it seems I should know before I buy, which reading up on gave me a few other questions too:

-What are the diffs between current D-40 Standards vs. Traditionals? Are there sonic diffs between them?
-What about any diffs between current D-40 Traditionals & the recently discontinued D-40 Natural/Burst? (https://guildguitars.com/g/d-40-in-natural/)
-How bout the latest D-50 Standard vs. its previous version? (Other than the finish) Does it sound much different?
-Do all of them have that same/similar humming rumble in the bass? How is their bass vs the D-55?

Thanks so much in advance all who might know! At least one of these is inevitable

Cheers,
J.

 

[chazmo]

Welcome aboard, jazamm.

Great questions, but the Oxnard-built D-40 Standard and D-50 Standard models are brand new. We've just had one member receive his D-40 Standard, but I think that is the first one.

Regarding the D-40s from Oxnard, the Standard seems very similar to the Traditional model in terms of build, materials, etc. I imagine they sound very similar. The Traditional has a dovetail-joint neck (like all D-40s of the past before Oxnard), but the Standard's specs list nothing -- MADDENINGLY -- and so I'm going to assume it's a mortise and tenon joint. I don't know why they keep doing this, but Oxnard has been really cagey in their literature about the neck joint for seven years now and it bugs me.

There are D-40s from the recent past, pre-Oxnard, that had red spruce (Adirondack) soundboards. Those aren't available from Oxnard.

The D-50 model doesn't have a direct comparison with other Oxnard builds. Nice to see the D-50 back in the lineup though. The D-50 used to be a punchier (boomier) model than the D-55, but I haven't played an Oxnard D-55 to compare.

Anyway, good luck with the hunt, and again welcome aboard.

 

[jeffcoop]

In the New Hartford days, there was a distinct difference between the D50 Standard and the D50 Traditional, with the Traditional (and its Adironack top) sounding more forward and aggressive all around, while the D50 Standard was better balanced but less distinctive. I unfortunateer played a New Hartford D55, so I can't compare, but I imagine there was some difference there as well.

I'm very curious to see what the Oxnard D50 Standard turns out to be. I'm sure there will be sonic differences between it and the D55, I just don't know how significant they'll be.

 

[valleyguy]

Welcome aboard. That bass note you're looking for is a rosewood sound, mahogany can have a nice bass, but just not the pipe organ/harp sound you describe. You could look for an older (cheaper) D55 , or try a D50 as a comparison. I have a 2008 D50, you can get them used around $1600. Worth checking out.

Good luck in your search. Be forewarned, though, it's a never-ending search.

 

[Br1ck]

You complicated things by trying that D 55. It's the flagship for a reason. I would not expect any other Guild to match it. The two thousand extra you pay will be forgotten. Playing something else with the D 55 in your memory will not.

One of my rules is do not try that which you aren't willing to pay for. That bird has flown.