NGD: D-25 Anniversary aka D-26

[Br1ck]

I spent part of the day comparing the D-26 to some of my other dreadnaughts and I find that it is very articulate with excellent note separation. I think it would be an great choice for recording. I still prefer my Martins, but there's no denying that the D-26 is an excellent sounding guitar and makes for a very nice change of pace from what I'm used to. It's probably one of the best sounding D-25 type guitars that I've played and I think the scalloped bracing is this the secret ingredient here.

Indeed. I did a recording exercise with my 70 Guild D 35, my Martin D35 custom, And my 65 Texan. I recorded a rhythm strum track with all three. The balance of the Guild needed no EQ. It just sat in the mix. The Martin was the worst both in terms of frequency and muddy overtones. The Texan was pretty good but the bass frequencies were too prominent and needed EQ. The Guild is my go to for a basic strumming Rhythm guitar track. The guitar that sounds great while playing in a room is not necessarily the guitar for recording, even as the only instrument for vocals.

 

[Aristera]

If it better strings on it, you very well may have taken it home! It had half-dead 11 gauge D'Addario 80/20 bronze strings. I really came to life after I put on a set of John Pearse PB 12s.

Can't beat a set of JP PB.

 

[chazmo]

Can't beat a set of JP PB.

Those are my go-to as well.

 

[GGJaguar]

The D-26 was on the playlist for today and I noticed that the front part of the X-brace (by the sound hole) is scalloped. I find this unusual because, at least on all the scalloped braced dreads I've had, only the rear section of the X-brace is scalloped. The front section is either straight or slightly tapered. Interestingly, my scallop braced Guild F-40 (really an F-48) has a sharply tapered front section of X-brace. New discoveries are fun.