NGD D40 standard

[GGJaguar]

and the D26 special run for Guitar Center (D25's with slightly altered cosmetics)

And scalloped bracing.

 

[Br1ck]

If you don't like bear claw, you'd have been shocked to get that. I for one am glad bear claw is getting used these days, and a lot beats a little IMHO. The color is much closer to what mahogany looks like unstained.

 

[RBpicker]

Yes, I think someone who didn’t know what bearclaw is (or someone who doesn’t like it) would have been highly disappointed upon receiving the guitar. My guess it would have been sent back to Sweetwater. Glad I like it.

There is some stain, but it is very subtle. Just right. I’ve had Larrivees with unstained mahogany and this is clearly darker, but not much.

Roger

 

[beecee]

Very pretty back & sides!!

Thanks for the pictures. Al mentioned the D26, a GC special run of D25's. The stain looks very similar and really highlights the wood.

I like the bling of a D55, F412, etc. but mine...and apparently yours...are real sleepers...just good old honest guitars with boatloads of sound. Flat picked or finger style it just makes me smile.

My NH Standard was hanging on a wall and I took it down thinking it must have lost all it's humidity as it was so light compared to my previous experience with Guilds. Like you the neck just felt right.

One strum and it came home with me. First brand new guitar I purchased in 30+ years.

I've toyed with clearing out the last of my higher end guitars as I've gone down the wristwatch rabbit hole but I'd never sell my D40.

Enjoy!!!

 

[beecee]

And scalloped bracing.

I did not know that.

 

[chazmo]

Yes, I think someone who didn’t know what bearclaw is (or someone who doesn’t like it) would have been highly disappointed upon receiving the guitar. My guess it would have been sent back to Sweetwater. Glad I like it.

There is some stain, but it is very subtle. Just right. I’ve had Larrivees with unstained mahogany and this is clearly darker, but not much.

Roger

That could be, Roger. All the better for you!

 

[Br1ck]

It is so very hard to separate the instrument from the possession. I, for a lifetime, have been drawn to the tone of D 18 type guitars. I'm very fond of my D 35. But I've wondered how Martin never made a D 18 with some bling. Just some herringbone would do. Ironically, ended up with herringbone on my SCGC mahogany D P/W. A rare guitar as SCGC does not charge extra for herringbone, nor do they discount for mahogany.

Talking guitar as an instrument, it makes not a bit of sonic difference. Hope the D 40 gives you much pleasure, as my D 35 has done for going on a decade now.

 

[RBpicker]

I think Martin is very true to the tradition that says factory standard 18 level instruments are without bling. So, in the standard offerings, you need to move up to a 28 level to get bling from the factory as in HD28 for herringbone, and on up from there to the 45. Of course for a price you can get anything you want on a 18 level instrument including herringbone and abalone. I guess in the end, tradition only goes so far.

thanks for the good wishes, Br1ck, I’ve always favored mahogany, with the possible exception of a 2009 D35 that I sold to a buddy….that I’d LOVE to have back. It was phenomenal.
roger

 

[WaltW]

RBpicker, the D35 is a beautiful instrument. Very responsive and the resonance is uniquely different than a 2 piece back Dred. Back in the 90s I had a M36 Martin which is an OM(0000) with a 3 piece back, an aged toner Sitka top and custom 45 style sound board and bridge appointments.. I regretted selling it the moment the deal was complete and I am considering Custom Shopping another. I have a D42 1996 that I just pulled out of storage at my son's house along with my 1978 Guild G312SB.(pics on bridge pin thread)

 

[RBpicker]

Walt, I’ve had an M36 and liked it well enough. The bass notes were a little unfocused, but generally it was a nice guitar. Size was great.
After having had a few Martins, I’m really enjoying the clarity I get from my Guilds.

roger

 

[Br1ck]

I owned an M 36 as my one and only for 20 years, probably more. But in that time I tired of nail maintenance and became a flat picker. The M 36 became too lush for me. I bought my Texan, the my Guild D 35, then my Martin D 35. The M 36 went to a good home. I have the Martin, well, because you should have a Martin rosewood dread, and Bryan Kinsey said it was the best one he'd played. It's very dry and punchy for a D 35.

I'm pretty happy with three main dreads, all different flavors. Opps, four dreads counting the SCGC. Funny that however many guitars you have, one more seems reasonable, to a point.

 

[wileypickett]

Funny that however many guitars you have, one more seems reasonable, to a point.

Apparently I haven't reached that point yet. . . .

 

[WaltW]

I'm pretty happy with three main dreads, all different flavors. Opps, four dreads counting the SCGC. Funny that however many guitars you have, one more seems reasonable, to a point.

I understand exactly what you mean with "one more seems reasonable"........ I haven't purchased a guitar in 20 years; of course I just started playing again 6 weeks ago after a 15 year hiatus and now there's a Taylor Grand Concert 12 string(362e) arriving tomorrow....HA! I was going to have a Martin 00028 custom made 12 string, talked to Martin and it's doable, but the Taylor is less than 1/2 the price, all Mahogany.
The 362e is the smallest 12 string I've ever played and the sound is what I've been looking for. I come like Parlor Size guitars recently for their size and I'm once again playing for myself so smaller sound is better.

 

[Wellington]

Beautiful Roger, enjoy it! Making me jealous of the white binding, that's the only thing I don't like about my traditional, I like white binding not dark.

 

[twocorgis]

But I've wondered how Martin never made a D 18 with some bling.

Martin actually has made some D18s with bling, like my D18 David Crosby Signature.

And it's very tasteful bling, too.

2002 Martin D18 David Crosby Signature

Explore this photo album by Twocorgis on Flickr!

flic.kr

 

[RBpicker]

I agree about the white binding, Wellington. And, once it starts to yellow a bit, it’ll be even more cool. I liked the tortoise binding on the Traditional, however. It’s such a dignified look.

Roger

 

[1976GuildD55]

She’s a beauty! Good find!

 

[RBpicker]

I just posted a sampling of this guitar in the Members Music section. I hope you like it…loving this guitar.

Roger