NGD D40 standard

[RBpicker]

Having sold my D40 Traditional and having regrets, I added a D40 standard to join my D20 in the family. The standard is a few hundred less than the traditional and lacks the dovetail neck joint, but features red spruce bracing under the Sitka top, like the Traditional. That combination is a real winner in my book. The neck profile is exactly like my D20, which fits my hand perfectly. The Traditional was a wee bit different somehow, and wasn’t as easy for me to play for some reason, despite having the same specs on paper.

This guitar weighs 4lb, 4oz and has a “vintage gloss” finish…very thin and really cool looking. It feels like an old pair of jeans already. I tweeked the E and A string nut slots slightly (the others were perfect for me). Also adjusted the truss rod slightly to straighten the neck a bit more. Now it plays like a dream. I have Monel Retro 12s on it with some ebony pins and the sound is so sweet, rich, and full already. In a few months, I anticipate it will begin to blossom into a phenomenal guitar. Already it’s a joy to play and suits my singer/songwriter/folky style.

I love the classic Guild simplicity. I know I’m preaching to the choir, and you all are more steeped in Guild than I am, but I’m solidly in the camp with the addition of this guitar. Maybe I can record a tune an post it soon.

Roger

 

[Iceman]

Congrats!
Guild standards are great guitars

 

[HeyMikey]

Congrats Roger! I’m a huge fan of the NH standard series. Great wood selection, build quality and sound. Everything you need, nothing you don’t. I hope beecee chimes in here because I did get a chance to play his D40 Std and it is a fantastic guitar. As you said it’s perfect for singer songwriters. I think I’ve referred it to it in the past as the D18 killer.

 

[walrus]

Congratulations! Enjoy it!

walrus

 

[GGJaguar]

Fantastic, congrats!

 

[schoolie]

Beautiful! I really like the color of the mahogany. I wonder if they have changed their tint on the B&S...
Have fun with it!

 

[Stuball48]

Just a beauty Roger. Enjoy to the max.

 

[RBpicker]

Thanks folks. This new model is a winner. I hope Guild sells a ton of them. I like the tint of the back and sides too, Schoolie. Goes great with the white binding.

Roger

 

[chazmo]

Looks great on the Ubatuba granite countertop, Roger!

I agree on the tint of the finish that they're using on the mahogany. Looks really nice. Can you post a picture of the back too?

 

[GGJaguar]

I really like the color of the mahogany. I wonder if they have changed their tint on the B&S...

Good observation! We'll have to see more examples to know for sure. I like it, though!

 

[chazmo]

I'm guessing they did change the process/tint, schoolie. The sides seem a little lighter red than "usual," but I'm not sure. Does anyone have a D-40 Traditional to compare? @RBpicker do you remember your Traditional model and whether this is different now on the Standard?

 

[RBpicker]

Here are some more shots of the back and sides. The color is less red and much lighter than my Traditional was. Also, there is significant bear claw figuring in the Sitka. This didn’t show up in the Sweetwater photos, so it was a nice surprise when the guitar arrived. I like the bear claw effect…some don’t, I guess.

As a side note, I installed some Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings (12-54) and bone pins. This combination really works well on this guitar. I fingerpick for the most part, so the action is set pretty low with minimal neck relief. It’s a real joy to play and I LOVE the neck. These old hands and fingers are becoming less tolerant these days, so I am pretty picky I guess (or just lazy maybe). Also, the thinner finish results in a very responsive instrument. It takes no effort to get the top moving, producing a dynamic sound.

Roger

 

[karlo]

That looks great! I want white twisty buttons on my D40

 

[Cougar]

Having sold my D40 Traditional and having regrets, I added a D40 standard to join my D20 in the family.

Very nice! Smartly done!

Maybe I can record a tune an post it soon.

Yes!

 

[GGJaguar]

That's nice looking wood.

 

[jeffcoop]

Roger, thanks for the report on the new D40 Standard, which is the first hands-on report of the Standard series I've seen (I apologize if I've missed any). It sounds like a terrific guitar and a worthy addition to the Guild lineup.

 

[chazmo]

Here are some more shots of the back and sides. The color is less red and much lighter than my Traditional was. Also, there is significant bear claw figuring in the Sitka. This didn’t show up in the Sweetwater photos, so it was a nice surprise when the guitar arrived. I like the bear claw effect…some don’t, I guess.

As a side note, I installed some Ernie Ball Aluminum Bronze strings (12-54) and bone pins. This combination really works well on this guitar. I fingerpick for the most part, so the action is set pretty low with minimal neck relief. It’s a real joy to play and I LOVE the neck. These old hands and fingers are becoming less tolerant these days, so I am pretty picky I guess (or just lazy maybe). Also, the thinner finish results in a very responsive instrument. It takes no effort to get the top moving, producing a dynamic sound.

Roger

Thanks for posting those, Roger.

Yeah, that bear went to town on that one. Love it!

 

[WaltW]

What a beautiful guitar! The mahogany color is very unique and the Stika is so silky looking...wow! Nice catch and best of luck with it.
I hope the two of you make beautiful music together.

 

[ReevesRd]

That's a nice-looking guitar, Roger. Congratulations!

 

[adorshki]

Beautiful! I really like the color of the mahogany. I wonder if they have changed their tint on the B&S...
Have fun with it!

Yes especially in Westerly tints varied, but they seem to have been more consistent since then, with fewer options. D40's were traditionally lighter than the "burgundy" colored stain used on my D25 NT for example, and we've seen very lightly (or unstained?) 'hog with a downright golden hue. Some D15's and the very late Westerly M20 ('98 IIRC) come to mind, and the D26 special run for Guitar Center (D25's with slightly altered cosmetics)