Oxnard built acoustics

[richardp69]

I've been spending major time with my Oxnard builds the last few weeks. People can say what they want, and maybe I just got lucky, but I have four pretty superb examples here with me.

-The first is the 2019 F 40E. This is actually a NGD which I just received yesterday but I need new Lithium batteries for my camera (old ones died) so can't post any pics. I will when I can. I started out looking for the F 40T but this "non T" became available at a really good price so I nabbed it. OHSC, minty condition and the rich, full sound I remember from the last 2 I owned. This one is staying this time.

-The second is the 2022 D 40T I just bought from fellow LTGer Roger just the other day. I did post pics etc. of this one. Again, minty condition with an enormous voice. Love this guitar.

-Third is the 2018 D 40T Deluxe. (purchased new) Same comments as above. This is the one Sweetwater called a GSR but it officially is not. Very low production numbers, something around 20 if I remember right. This has the fancy board inlays and more bling. In truth, it is much more a GSR model than many Oxnard actually labelled as such.

-Lastly, is the 2020 F 55E GSR in the Oxblood color (purchased new) Yes, I know some of you don't think it looks like Oxblood and that's ok). It's one of the finest Guild Maple Jumbos I have ever owned.

I've also owned the D 20 and M 20 (both gone now) which were fine guitars as well.

If you get the itch and find an Oxnard build that gets your attention, you may want to give it a try. Pretty sure you'd like it.

 

[GGJaguar]

I only have two - an F-412 and F-40 Traditional. In terms of playability and sound, I agree that they are incredible, but like Guilds from any era, there are some that may have less than perfect fit and finish. My F-412 is flawless, but the the F-40 Trad has some finish wonkiness and we've recently seen a D-40 Traditional that also had some finish issues. I got the F-40 used at a great price so it doesn't matter to me, but I would have been very unhappy paying full price for it new. Still, I would highly recommend checking them out.

 

[twocorgis]

My experience with Oxnard builds is limited to three D40 Traditionals, including the one I own, but I heartily agree!

 

[twocorgis]

I only have two - an F-412 and F-40 Traditional. In terms of playability and sound, I agree that they are incredible, but like Guilds from any era, there are some that may have less than perfect fit and finish. My F-412 if flawless, but the the F-40 Trad has some finish wonkiness and we've recently seen a D-40 Traditional that also had some finish issues. I got the F-40 used at a great price so it doesn't matter to me, but I would have been very unhappy paying full price for it new. Still, I would highly recommend checking them out.

According to Kim K, Oxnard has had its share of quality control issues, but I think most of that was early on. My D40T is flawless.

 

[GGJaguar]

Oxnard has had its share of quality control issues

This is where a little infusion of money from Yamaha could help. Maybe hire a couple of QA/QC folks.

 

[schoolie]

I bought the Oxnard F-40T and M-40. The F40T does have a neck angle issue. I bought it last year, and it's about ready for a neck reset. I can also feel the neck's center lamination, near the nut. However, it's very light and has an excellent sound. This was the last of this model left at CME, so I think I bought the outlier.
The M-40 has zero issues, a really well made guitar.

 

[twocorgis]

I bought the Oxnard F-40T and M-40. The F40T does have a neck angle issue. I bought it last year, and it's about ready for a neck reset. I can also feel the neck's center lamination, near the nut. However, it's very light and has an excellent sound. This was the last of this model left at CME, so I think I bought the outlier.
The M-40 has zero issues, a really well made guitar.

Assuming you're the original owner, have you contacted Oxnard about the neck angle issues on your F40T? I'm curious to see what they say.

 

[schoolie]

Assuming you're the original owner, have you contacted Oxnard about the neck angle issues on your F40T? I'm curious to see what they say.

I really should. I think I'm going to do the reset, this summer, but it would be nice to have it covered under warranty. I'll report back their reply.

 

[Boneman]

Seeing as I live a few hours from Oxnard, can't help but GAS for one. As these are relatively newish, anecdotally you don't need a guitar to have 20+ years of the top vibrating to unleash incredible tone. I supect if the vintage market heard this, they might wonder why am I chasing old instruments when the new stuff is better?.

 

[twocorgis]

I really should. I think I'm going to do the reset, this summer, but it would be nice to have it covered under warranty. I'll report back their reply.

Guild under Fender covered a neck reset on my '73 D50 in 2010 after 37 years, but I have heard not such great things about CMGs policy on the same. Still worth a try though; worst they could say is no I guess.

 

[ReevesRd]

I've had zero issues with my Oxnard M-40. It's a well-built acoustic guitar.

 

[E-Type]

I've been spending major time with my Oxnard builds the last few weeks. People can say what they want, and maybe I just got lucky, but I have four pretty superb examples here with me.

-The first is the 2019 F 40E. This is actually a NGD which I just received yesterday but I need new Lithium batteries for my camera (old ones died) so can't post any pics. I will when I can. I started out looking for the F 40T but this "non T" became available at a really good price so I nabbed it. OHSC, minty condition and the rich, full sound I remember from the last 2 I owned. This one is staying this time.

-The second is the 2022 D 40T I just bought from fellow LTGer Roger just the other day. I did post pics etc. of this one. Again, minty condition with an enormous voice. Love this guitar.

-Third is the 2018 D 40T Deluxe. (purchased new) Same comments as above. This is the one Sweetwater called a GSR but it officially is not. Very low production numbers, something around 20 if I remember right. This has the fancy board inlays and more bling. In truth, it is much more a GSR model than many Oxnard actually labelled as such.

-Lastly, is the 2020 F 55E GSR in the Oxblood color (purchased new) Yes, I know some of you don't think it looks like Oxblood and that's ok). It's one of the finest Guild Maple Jumbos I have ever owned.

I've also owned the D 20 and M 20 (both gone now) which were fine guitars as well.

If you get the itch and find an Oxnard build that gets your attention, you may want to give it a try. Pretty sure you'd like it.

You made me Google oxblood F55. Wow that’s a great looking model!

 

[richardp69]

You made me Google oxblood F55. Wow that’s a great looking model!

Yup, it's a fine looking Guild for sure.

 

[D30Man]

My F-55 ( RW ) continues to please me and those who hear it. I think Ren brought the heat when he got that shop going and it shows.
It's still a relatively new shop so not surprising that there would be ocassional issue here and there. However, it's not like they are on the cheap end of the spectrum.

Rich that Oxblood is such a boss of a guitar man. That thing is just superb looking. Sweet maple. Maple is inching up the tone wood favorites list for me these days. My DCE3 and my F47M get a lot of play time. If one surfaces at the right time, I am throwing in. I'll sell a couple if I needed to.

 

[1978D40Sunburst]

I’m looking at a 2017 D-55 for sale on reverb but noticed 2017 was the first year at Oxnard. Anyone have experience with 2017 D-55s and QC? Or any 2017 Oxnard Guilds QC?

 

[Roland]

I really like my D-20, manufactured in 2021. I've not played the sheer number of guitars that a lot of people have for comparison, but I belong to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association and jam with a country/bluegrass bunch here in Iowa. A lot of the people I play with know their guitars and I get lots of compliments on the look and the sound of it. I have never felt out gunned playing it with anyone playing anything.

 

[chazmo]

I’m looking at a 2017 D-55 for sale on reverb but noticed 2017 was the first year at Oxnard. Anyone have experience with 2017 D-55s and QC? Or any 2017 Oxnard Guilds QC?

I think there was a D-55 built with the wrong type of wood for the bridge that we talked about here recently and was replaced... I'm not aware of anything else that we've heard about Oxnard having any teething problems with the D-55.

Well, the good news there is that if you run into anything, I'm sure Oxnard will stand by it. Even if you bought it second-hand, they'd be foolish not to.

 

[Rad]

I sold my wonderful sounding Oxnard D40E due to some annoying issues, mostly cosmetic. I probably should have lived with it, the guitar sounded amazing but it just annoyed me every time I picked it up and I could not get past it.

Having said that, Oxnard ain’t alone if there are quality control problem. Come join me on the Martin forum, I have a D-18 and a O-18 that I love but the quality control issues are there for more than a few owners. You can read about all about the neck resets and separating binding issues. Martin no longer covers all neck resets. I just accept that one or both will need a neck reset sooner that most marquees. The neck reset and refret on a Martin 000-28 Eric Clapton I had cost me $1,000 at Gryphon.

To funny, the 53 yr old Guild D35 I just got is nothing but finish issues but for some reason I’m ok with that….Go figure

 

[GGJaguar]

You can read about all about the neck resets and separating binding issues.

And don't forget the whisker cracks. I had two Custom Shop Martins with those.

 

[wileypickett]

I really like my D-20, manufactured in 2021.

I'm with Richard -- my Oxnard D20 is outstanding.

It'll be heresy to some, but I prefer it to any D25 I've ever owned, and I've owned several: real mahogany and stained mahogany, flat-back and arch back.

Check one out if you can.