Hardly heresy. It's good to hear!
Oxnard built acoustics
- Thread starter richardp69
- Start date
I've never played an Oxnard D20, but if it's anything like my D40 Traditional, I believe Glenn!
I believe Glenn, too. 
Sandy, the D-20 is all mahogany, so I'm sure it has a pretty unique sound.. Probably unlike the D-40, but hey... the proof is in the pudding.
Sandy, the D-20 is all mahogany, so I'm sure it has a pretty unique sound.. Probably unlike the D-40, but hey... the proof is in the pudding.
Br1ck
Senior Member
The beauty in a 70 D 35 is you don't have a huge investment to protect. Now you can feel free to take it camping or play in bars. It's old, it's supposed to look like that.
As to the OPs question, when Oxnard started up, they built only D 20s, then they added models as their crew got up to snuff. Smart. I think by the time they built D 55s, they had a lot of experience. I would not be too worried.
As to the OPs question, when Oxnard started up, they built only D 20s, then they added models as their crew got up to snuff. Smart. I think by the time they built D 55s, they had a lot of experience. I would not be too worried.
Rad
Junior Member
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My quirk……I can never relax when I have an expensive guitar in my hands, especially if I’m carrying it around.
Stating that makes me chuckle because my current D18, and my previous Guild d40 and Gibson J45 guitars are what I consider not real expensive guitars. How did that happen to me, thinking $3,000 guitars are not real expensive.
It's all perspective, my friend. I strongly suggest that you fight that impulse and just enjoy the experience. Instruments are meant to be played!My quirk……I can never relax when I have an expensive guitar in my hands, especially if I’m carrying it around.
Stating that makes me chuckle because my current D18, and my previous Guild d40 and Gibson J45 guitars are what I consider not real expensive guitars. How did that happen to me, thinking $3,000 guitars are not real expensive.
Cougar
Enlightened Member
I'd say you should be good to go. I've got a 2018 F512 that is just spectacular.
adorshki
Reverential Member
Actually Oxnard started with M20's. Just like Westerly, easiest guitar to build to get the new builders up to speed.
And IIRC they then went straight to the D55 to get some "flagships" out there, but quick.
On reflection, it might have been the D40 next, because they offered a version with NCL, their first use of it. The first couple of years of M20's were catalyzed varnish, not NC lacquer, so they needed to get up to speed with that as well.
GGJaguar
Reverential Member
You know, I've always wondered if the earliest Westerly guitars were below par just for that reason (newbies building them).
adorshki
Reverential Member
Not sure if you're joking or not but my perception is that early Westerlys are respected almost as much as Hobokens because they were still building 'em "light". "Built like a tank" seems to have started coming in in mid-to-late '70's.
Also, after M20's, I don't recall ever seeing which models were next up, although I assumed it would have been the ones with most demand: F20, F30, D35 (for the first few years it massively outsold the D25), and I don't recall heaing about any particular issues with 'em?
It's earlier than that Al. My '73 D50 (May build) is an absolute boat anchor. And that's probably a good thing, given the way I treated it for most of its life. I wasn't malicious really, just clueless.
My two D 40 Traditionals and my F 55 GSR are three of the finest instruments I've ever owned. I know it would not make sense to some but I'm thinking of having them cremated with me.
Br1ck
Senior Member
Yes, 72 was the last light build year. One reason I find them desirable is they don't command Hoboken prices but retain most of the build attributes.
I too have fallen into the $3k is a moderately priced guitar mindset. It really is these days which is why I lovingly refer to my D 35 as my beater. I have always wanted battle scared older guitar for their worry free nature. Now I have a $5k very good condition guitar that makes me worry constantly. It also broke the 5% better, $2k more barrier.
I too have fallen into the $3k is a moderately priced guitar mindset. It really is these days which is why I lovingly refer to my D 35 as my beater. I have always wanted battle scared older guitar for their worry free nature. Now I have a $5k very good condition guitar that makes me worry constantly. It also broke the 5% better, $2k more barrier.
Al, I think the D-20 was right on the M-20's heels. Not sure though.Actually Oxnard started with M20's. Just like Westerly, easiest guitar to build to get the new builders up to speed.
adorshki
Reverential Member
You sure about that? Because that s/n "should" be the first one out of Oxnard given a serial number, but I'm very sure they were M20's. Or at least that's what they shipped first.
You could be right. Much like New Hartford I wasn't paying close attention because they weren't making what I wanted. (In this case, an archback and 16" lower bout F-body.)
It would make more sense to tackle those before the D55, and I think they were varnished originally, too.
D-55 was much later on. And, I don't think that they were ever finished with the catalyzed varnish.
SFIV1967
Venerated Member
All the traditionals (like the D-55) were always finished in NCL right from the beginning of the Oxnard factory. The early standard models M-20, D-20, M-40, D-40, F-40 used a catalyzed varnish finish which Ren said would save Guild quite some money in the finishing process.
Oxnard changed to 100% nitrocellulose for all models in early 2020 (not 2018).
Ralf
adorshki
Reverential Member
I know that, but you and Chaz are treating my statement as if it referred it the D55, but
".... and I think they were varnished originally, too" referred to the D40 that "would make more sense to tackle those before the D55....", "and" following a comma being the distinguishing conjunction, as opposed to "which", which would mean yes now I was talking about D55's.
D40 being originally varnish finished confirmed. Thanks.