1976GuildD55
Junior Member
Here’s a chance to show off the play wear just from years of use and performing with your Guild. Here are shots of my 47 year old D55. I bought it new in ‘76 on Sunset in Hollywood. Show us yours!
Play Wear to Be Proud Of On My Guild
- Thread starter 1976GuildD55
- Start date
HeyMikey
Enlightened Member
That’s legit. It’s a good sign that the guitar was both taken care of and played a lot, which to me translates into a nice instrument. I always worry more about closet queens that sit for years and are not regularly played, inspected and maintained.
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Very nice! Is that a padauk neck or mahogany?
Do you feel edges with your thumb where the worn off lacquer meets the finish? I know that would kind of bug me and I'd probably coat it with clear lacquer just to smooth the edges and preserve the mojo.
Do you feel edges with your thumb where the worn off lacquer meets the finish? I know that would kind of bug me and I'd probably coat it with clear lacquer just to smooth the edges and preserve the mojo.
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
Chazmo, I do know that the neck is bare wood-- I feel it if I think about it. It has gotten that way so gradually though, so it doesn't affect me much at all. I think of it as a naturally created speed neck. 
It is padauk with a maple center strip. You know your woods!
It is padauk with a maple center strip. You know your woods!
This kind of natural wear from use I can buy into. I get it and you obviously care for and respect your instruments. I'm with you on this level of care 100%
What I can't get behind is an attitude out there that gouged, scratched and abused guitars are "well loved". And.... well... it's their guitar so they can care for it the way they wish.
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
I agree tonepoet. I still think she looks great but this is honest wear while I was playing it daily for 47 years. Traveled and performed with this one. Kept in a case. I don’t think we need to bang up a guitar just for mojo.
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
A better perspective— 
My 51 year old G37. Pick wear at the sound hole and just off the pickguard ...
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
Great shape and just the necessary wear. You’ve kept it in beautiful condition. 51 years! Pick wear us just part of the joy of playing our axes, right?
Absolutely!
Br1ck
Senior Member
For about 20 years, I lived in Palo Alto and after work Mondays, Gryphon was a regular stop. I played everything that interested me and it was an education. On the top of my experience list were that ten year or older D 28s that were in pristine condition were never great guitars. A guitar with greater than normal wear was always a pretty good guitar. I figure the better examples were played by serious bluegrassers or gigging musicians. You could always identify the pick wear a bluegrass player caused. I'm sure this is universal for other models, it's just that the D 28 had a very large presence. Usually at least one new used D 28 per week. I'm thinking the hours played and the aggressive play contributed greatly.
Love, love, love your D 55's patina.
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
Hi Br1ck, That’s right! We’re both California guys. I envy you being near Gryphon’s up in Palo Alto, I think. We don’t have a store near me anything like that one. I look at their instruments online now and then. You are sure right about D28’s. Your description of the wear on the better sounding and playing ones makes sense. I appreciate your comment about my ol’ guitar. It means a lot, my friend.
Br1ck
Senior Member
I have lived in San Jose the last 20 years. That limits my visits to Gryphon, but increases my visits to Sylvan. But advancing age and a few great guitars has given me no reason to go to either guitar store other than to buy strings. That limits my exposure to three to four visits to Gryphon in a year. That didn't prevent me buying the Santa Cruz. I didn't even play anything the last time, and I scratched my itch for a nice F style mandolin three years ago. If I had no need before I bought the Santa Cruz, I REALLY have no need now.
Thankfully after six months I like my other guitars again, particularly the Guild D 35. There are as many negatives as positives to living in proximity to great stores. I've had to be very disciplined to stick to my parameters, self imposed for my mental and financial health. I've got a budget plus 20% rule for playing guitars. My last budget was $4000, but I goofed and played a $5000 guitar. But I'd have no idea where to find new USA Guilds in my area, probably just as well.
Thankfully after six months I like my other guitars again, particularly the Guild D 35. There are as many negatives as positives to living in proximity to great stores. I've had to be very disciplined to stick to my parameters, self imposed for my mental and financial health. I've got a budget plus 20% rule for playing guitars. My last budget was $4000, but I goofed and played a $5000 guitar. But I'd have no idea where to find new USA Guilds in my area, probably just as well.
You may be suppressing it, but you still have GAS, Br1ck!
1976GuildD55
Junior Member
Wow! A Santa Cruz, Br1ck. Those are among the best acoustic guitars ever! I would love to see and hear it.