NGD: D40 Traditional

[HeyMikey]

Congrats Dave. Beautiful playing BTW. You could probably make a cardboard box sound good. I’ve read other very good reviews on the new D40’s. Seems like a real home run for Oxnard.

From your video it has the clarity, overtones and general sound of my Orpheum SS 14-fret mahogany. I’d be curious if anyone has both and can chime in on a true comparison.

 

[davenumber2]

Congrats Dave. Beautiful playing BTW. You could probably make a cardboard box sound good. I’ve read other very good reviews on the new D40’s. Seems like a real home run for Oxnard.

From your video it has the clarity, overtones and general sound of my Orpheum SS 14-fret mahogany. I’d be curious if anyone has both and can chime in on a true comparison.

Thanks. If I’m not mistaken, @twocorgis has/had both. I could be remembering incorrectly, though.

 

[twocorgis]

Thanks. If I’m not mistaken, @twocorgis has/had both. I could be remembering incorrectly, though.

I have, and actually prefer the D40T. I've had two Orpheum SS 14 frets, a rosewood and a mahogany, and while they were still great guitars, they couldn't hang with the D40T, or my Bourgeois Slope D-140.

 

[HeyMikey]

I have, and actually prefer the D40T. I've had two Orpheum SS 14 frets, a rosewood and a mahogany, and while they were still great guitars, they couldn't hang with the D40T, or my Bourgeois Slope D-140.

Wow, that’s saying a lot Sandy. When I got my Orpheum SS I then A/B’d it against my more expensive Santa Cruz OM Grand (0000) mahogany. I sold the Cruz.

I guess that begs the question, Is the D40 Trad the best guitar to come out of Oxnard? Or maybe at least the best in terms of price-performance value?

 

[twocorgis]

Wow, that’s saying a lot Sandy. When I got my Orpheum SS I then A/B’d it against my more expensive Santa Cruz OM Grand (0000) mahogany. I sold the Cruz.

Honestly, both the D40T, and the Bourgeois Slope D are very special guitars. I foolishly sold a '99 Slope D before I found this one, and regretted it, because if anything, it was even better than the one I have now. The Slope D is like an Advanced Jumbo on steroids, and the best round shoulder I've ever played.

 

[Walter Broes]

Congrats Davenumber2, the ones I've played were spectacular- boutique guitars at factory made guitar prices!

 

[davenumber2]

Thanks! When you consider the used prices the value is ridiculous.

 

[twocorgis]

Congrats Davenumber2, the ones I've played were spectacular- boutique guitars at factory made guitar prices!

Agreed. I've played a total of four of them, and all were outstanding. So much so that I sold my also outstanding '66 D40, because I think this D40T will be even better as it ages.

 

[chazmo]

Agreed. I've played a total of four of them, and all were outstanding. So much so that I sold my also outstanding '66 D40, because I think this D40T will be even better as it ages.

Hey, Sandy, did you say that your Oxnard D-40s have that pyramid brace in front of the X-brace? I think we need to start a new thread on that soon. I mean, if Ren thought it was important enough to add...

 

[twocorgis]

Hey, Sandy, did you say that your Oxnard D-40s have that pyramid brace in front of the X-brace? I think we need to start a new thread on that soon. I mean, if Ren thought it was important enough to add...

Indeed it does Charlie. I'm not sure of everything Ren did to tweak the design of these D40s, but whatever he did sure worked. It can hang with any of my hog dreads, all of which would cost at least twice as much these days.

 

[Ksounds]

That sounds fantastic! Really nice guitar.

 

[chazmo]

Indeed it does Charlie. I'm not sure of everything Ren did to tweak the design of these D40s, but whatever he did sure worked. It can hang with any of my hog dreads, all of which would cost at least twice as much these days.

FYI, new thread about the Oxnard bracing change(s) here:

New bracing techniques in Oxnard

From what I understand, when Ren Ferguson took charge in 2016 over Oxnard (VP of manufacturing and R&D), they've redesigned all USA Guild bracing (from D-20 and up to F-512). There are those distinguished "peak" bracings seen near soundhole in F-512 (pics attached). Here is his quote : "THE...

letstalkguild.com

 

[davenumber2]

Another quick little demo. I’m loving this guitar.