Questions a bout a '77 D-50

[Charlie Bernstein]

I found a '77 D-50 for sale, very good condition, and I'm interested. Two questions:

- How much will it sound like my '76 D-35? (If it's real close, I won't bother.)

- How reasonable is the $1,800 asking price? (I love haggling, but only when it makes sense.)

Thanks!

 

[PreacherBob]

I found a '78 D-50 for sale, very good condition, and I'm interested. Two questions:

- How much will it sound like my '76 D-35? (If it's real close, I won't bother.)

- How reasonable is the $1,800 asking price? (I love haggling, but only when it makes sense.)

Thanks!

Is that the one on reverb? With two offers before just lowering the price, you better snag it if you’re really interested. It’s the best looking vintage D-50 I’ve seen in years. 100% original, including saddle and nut. Doesn’t look like anyone has screwed around with it. Action is great with saddle left. My rosewoods sound nothing like my mahoganys. Different tone altogether Through the bass and treble strings.

 

[GAD]

Moved to acoustics

 

[chazmo]

I haven't seen the guitar, but $1,800 seems borderline high to me. if the condition is really good it might be worth it.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is that the one on reverb?

No.

With two offers before just lowering the price, you better snag it if you’re really interested. It’s the best looking vintage D-50 I’ve seen in years. 100% original, including saddle and nut. Doesn’t look like anyone has screwed around with it. Action is great with saddle left. My rosewoods sound nothing like my mahoganys. Different tone altogether Through the bass and treble strings.

What do you think of $1,800? (Correction: It's a '77.)

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Moved to acoustics

Thanks! Should've thought of that myself.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I haven't seen the guitar, but $1,800 seems borderline high to me. if the condition is really good it might be worth it.

The pictures are gorgeous. Haven't gone to see it. (Correction: '77.)

Can you comment on sonic differences?

 

[Norrissey]

I've owned both and I love both sounds. Hard to describe sound. My '71 D35 has a soft warm sound, mahogany is a softer wood than rosewood which might explain that. The sound seems to resonate and stay in the guitar more. My '76 D50 that I foolishly traded away had a deeper low end and a brighter high end and the sound really projected out of it. Both guitars project well but the D50 had a louder crisper sound.
There's a lousy attempt for you : )

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

I've owned both and I love both sounds. Hard to describe sound. My '71 D35 has a soft warm sound, mahogany is a softer wood than rosewood which might explain that. The sound seems to resonate and stay in the guitar more. My '76 D50 that I foolishly traded away had a deeper low end and a brighter high end and the sound really projected out of it. Both guitars project well but the D50 had a louder crisper sound.
There's a lousy attempt for you : )

Interesting! Not what I expected. My D-35 is brash and bawdy, which suits my style. Sounds like I should go test drive the 50.

Any thoughts on the $1,800 pricetag?

 

[Norrissey]

Interesting! Not what I expected. My D-35 is brash and bawdy

Interesting! My D35 is definitely has a warm softness to it, it's kind of mid-tone heavy. But mine is a '71, lighter build. From '73 on the D35s were built heavier so maybe that explains the difference between mine and yours who knows? Could just be different strings and playing style. My '76 D50 was very low end and high end heavy, less mids. I could see a D50 being good for 'brash and bawdy' but you should buy a beat up one for that! : )
But seriously, the D50 in the photo looks super clean. If I liked the guitar, if the neck was straight, the frets were in good shape and it had a nice action with plenty of saddle I would probably pay $1800 for it. But be sure to haggle!

 

[GardMan]

I have a '72 D-35 (light build), and had a '78 D-35 (heavier build), and a '76 D-50.

The '72 D-35 (lighter) has a mellow, woody tone... quieter, certainly a bright, folksy tone, with sparkling trebles, but with a nice, warm bass presence.

My '78 D-35 (heavier) was louder, and had much more emphasis on the mid-range. It had sparkling trebles, strong mids, but I always felt it was a bit lacking in the bass register. It had brash and "in-your-face" presence...

My '76 D-50 also had an "in-your-face" presence, but had a much stronger bass presence typical of rosewood, while retaining bright sparkling trebles. I loved its tone for strumming, but it also sounded great fingerpicking ballads. Unfortunately for me, it had a very narrow neck... closer to 1-5/8" nut width (spec is 1-11/16"), and the fretboard had been (IMO) excessively rolled/rounded, requiring even closer string spacing and making the neck seem even narrower. Combined with a deep C profile, I found the narrow, deep neck fatiguing to play, and harder to finger cleanly. I finally sold it after buying my third DV-7X...

 

[General Dreedle]

There’s a D50 1979 here on sale for $2900 sounds and looks fantastic, but seems high

 

[richardp69]

Love my 1980 D 50 which I bought from a fellow LTGEr It is likely my most favorite Guild RW Dreadnaught model.

 

[chazmo]

I will just say, Charlie, that the comparison you're suggesting is about as subjective as you could possibly ask for. Comparing these two guitars is like apples and oranges, in my opinion.

I was always a mahogany dreadnaught guy until I started collecting and trying many different guitars back in the oughts (when I could afford them). The D-50 is my own personal Guild favorite because it is "boomy" and loud. I haven't played enough D-35s to even begin to compare, but rosewood has become my favorite over time compared to mahogany bodies. Again, totally personal...

I suspect you'll hear a very large difference between these two types of guitars. But, in any case, my original comment about price stands.

If you have the money, heck, buy it and make your own comparisons. We'd love to hear it!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

. . . Comparing these two guitars is like apples and oranges, in my opinion. . . .

That means I might need both, right?

=O]

 

[Br1ck]

In a word, yes. While I prefer mahogany, I own and like a Martin D 35 Custom. When I got it, I found myself playing Eagles tunes which I never thought I'd do, and Neil Young tunes too. My D 35 is very dry for a D 35, but still has that rosewood resonance. My 70 Guild D 35 is a very different beast as is my Santa Cruz D P/W, to say nothing of my 65 Texan. Variety is good. But we're all different and people do have six or seven D 28s.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

In a word, yes. . . .

Heh heh. Bad influence!

What I'm hearing here is that they won't sound the same and it's not a bad asking price.

I need a couple hundred more in the bank before I make an offer. I'll keep you all posted on what happens.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Love my 1980 D 50 which I bought from a fellow LTGEr It is likely my most favorite Guild RW Dreadnaught model.

Good to know! Now if I could just get the guy to answer my emails. . . .

 

[F30]

Take a close look at the bridge saddle height. Ask about string height at 12th and respective height of saddle off bridge.
A neck set could be a deal breaker at that price. But looks really nice though. If it works out please let us know how you like it.
Best of luck with the deal.

Note:
If you look at this picture the saddle looks super low especially on the High "E".
This could be of great concern with respect to the asking price especially if the truss rod is already set.
There is no room for movement - just want you to be well informed.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Take a close look at the bridge saddle height. Ask about string height at 12th and respective height of saddle off bridge.
A neck set could be a deal breaker at that price. But looks really nice though. If it works out please let us know how you like it.
Best of luck with the deal.

Note:
If you look at this picture the saddle looks super low especially on the High "E".
This could be of great concern with respect to the asking price especially if the truss rod is already set.
There is no room for movement - just want you to be well informed.

Thanks!

I've answered the Craigslist ad four times. No response. He's probably not checking his spam folder.

He has it posted on Reverb, but I'd like to try it before I buy it. Grr.