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.

 

[The Hawk]

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.

Br1ck, I love your last line of advice! I'm new to Guild and new to this forum. Long ago, I decided that I couldn't afford a good guitar. My strategy from a young age was to buy used guitars that needed minor work (saddle or nut adjustments, bridge repairs, cosmetic damage, non-working electronics or tuner issues). If I saw it in a pawn shop and it wouldn't play well, a quick and low offer would follow. Then, I'd get my guitar repair book out and see if there was an easy fix. I got some good deals and learned what I could fix and what I could not fix. Until a few months ago. I played a beautiful used Guild D30 in shop. Now I won't go back. Good guitars are good guitars, and sometimes that means paying a bit more.

 

[Br1ck]

Hard lessons are learned. I've generally been able to pay for guitars that I wasn't willing to. I generally have bought used. My rule is never pick up and play a guitar that was more than 20% over budget. My last budget was $4k. I picked up a $5k guitar that would not let go. Still, it was only $200 over my 20% rule. The vintage stuff? I don't want to know what that 50s D 18 sounds like. I don't have the money, nor would I pay $7500 for a clone of my 2011 Santa Cruz D P/W. But I'm willing and able to follow my rules most of the time. And I always have to remind myself that my 70 Guild is my second favorite guitar, and it's a $1400 guitar.

I also paid dearly in traded instruments. If you give to get, you will really need to be sure. I only was out of pocket two thousand which made the deal palatable. So yes I worked up to a $5K guitar, but it took 50 years.

 

[Stagefright]

My musical mentors shared the wisdom that you couldn’t afford to waste money on cheap instruments. The thought was that a quality instrument was more likely to contribute to a successful performance and was as good as, or maybe better than, cash money. I have never lost money on a quality American made guitar. There have been times when I wished Guild had the popularity of Gibson/Martin, but you would be hard pressed to find a better instrument.

The good news is that you can get two vintage Guilds for the price of a comparable Martin. You can now afford to have rosewood and mahogany!

 

[Br1ck]

You can get a pretty fine instrument for $2k. Anything more is an indulgence. But at $2k the instrument won't hold you back.