Tacoma D-40 BJ versus Tacoma Ritchie Havens D-40

[JDWags]

After banging on my D-25 (1981) Guild for 25 years, I am in the mood for a new guitar. I have been looking for about a year and the Gibson J-45 TV is currently sitting in the sweet spot. BUT, I have heard several of these D-40 Tacoma built Guilds and I love their sound. I have always really liked Ritchie Haven's Guild but have not played one yet.

For those of you who have played a Tacoma built D40-BJ Guild and a D40 Ritchie Havens model, what are your impressions? I understand that the BJ has the red spruce top and the Ritchie Havens has a sitka top. Are there any other differences between these two guitars?

 

[Moose Dog]

Didn't Brent Nelson play and choose between these two models? Brent? Brent? (I think he went with the RH)

 

[Scratch]

I'm sure the BJ is a great Guild, haven't played one, however. Gotta tell ya though the D40 Richie is some kinda special... It's my go-to guitar for gigging...

I tried but failed to eBay a 70s model D40C about a month ago, then subsequently settled on a Martin D16GTE as a 'hog' backup. I'm disappointed, but maybe it just needs to open up. It is headed to Ross next week for a setup. 'Woodstock' just absolutely blows it away...

 

[Donal]

Was in my hometown of Portsmouth , Ohio a few months ago and saw a used Tacoma D40, the Ritchie Havens model, hanging in a music store there. It looked really clean. Would like to go for it, but can't see how I could swing it, so thought I'd let you guys know about it. I'm posting it here for you guys. I'm not trying to do the music store a favor. I called them this morning. Something about the woman's tone or something just turned me off.They were asking $1050 for it a few months ago, and they are still asking $1050. The woman I spoke with said that was a firm price. Here is the contact info:

Childers Music Center, Inc

930 Gallia St. Portsmouth, Oh 45662

(740) 353-4141

Good luck,
Don

 

[dogberry]

After banging on my D-25 (1981) Guild for 25 years, I am in the mood for a new guitar. I have been looking for about a year and the Gibson J-45 TV is currently sitting in the sweet spot. BUT, I have heard several of these D-40 Tacoma built Guilds and I love their sound. I have always really liked Ritchie Haven's Guild but have not played one yet.

For those of you who have played a Tacoma built D40-BJ Guild and a D40 Ritchie Havens model, what are your impressions? I understand that the BJ has the red spruce top and the Ritchie Havens has a sitka top. Are there any other differences between these two guitars?

The music shop where my daughter takes drum lessons had a Tacoma D-40 Richie Havens and a couple of D40-BJ's hanging on the wall. I played them (along with a bunch of Taylors) every Saturday for a year before I finally bought the Richie Havens model. The BJ's just didn't seem to have quite the resonance, quite the sound that the Richie Havens had. The highs seemed clearer and the lows fuller on the RH. That said, it's all subjective. Someone else might have picked a different guitar. One of those BJ's is still hanging on the wall, and I think it's maybe just not the best example of a Tacoma Guild. You might find a better one that you just love. I love the D40 RH I've got, wouldn't trade it for anything. It's got a great sound, does rhythm and fingerstyle equally well (at least for a hack like me ). If you get a chance at one you like, you won't be sorry you bought it. Good luck.

Dogberry

 

[6L6]

You just can't miss with either one!

I've been playing my '06 D-40BJ for almost four years now and I love it. I also still have the D-40 I bought new in 1974, and it probably is closer to the D-40RH with it's sitka top.

Fact is, I'd keep the '74 over the '06 if I had to choose (but I'm damn glad I can keep both). My ear does better with sitka than adi for tops, but then I'm not a bluegrass player. My D-40BJ beats the '74 D-40 if I'm doing a song with hard strumming. But for softer finger picking (I use a plastic thumbpick and two metal fingerpicks), I prefer the '74. I would also say my '74 sustains notes better, but then it's had 35 years of hard playing to open it up!

You just CAN'T LOSE with a Guild!

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'06 D-40BJ
'06 D-55
'06 F-412
'74 D-40
'98 Collings D-1
'98 Martin D-45V
'09 Martin D-35 Custom
'03 Taylor 214

 

[JDWags]

Has Ritchie Havens always played a D-40 since way back in the '60's?

 

[hansmoust]

Has Ritchie Havens always played a D-40 since way back in the '60's?

Hello JD,

Richie has pretty much always used a D-40 since the '60s but at some point during the '70s he also started using a G-41, which he still owns and uses from time to time.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[Ian]

....i've never played a D40, but the one guitar I was really, really tempted by before I bought my D55 was a J45 sunburst. (that's in a whispering tone so as not to upset anyone.)

 

[c70man]

Has Ritchie Havens always played a D-40 since way back in the '60's?

Hello JD,

Richie has pretty much always used a D-40 since the '60s but at some point during the '70s he also started using a G-41, which he still owns and uses from time to time.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
http://www.guitarsgalore.nl

Is there a difference, other than the top, between a Richie Havens D40 and the D40 Bluegrass Jubilee? And if so, does the adirondack warrant the extra $$$$?

 

[6L6]

Is there a difference, other than the top, between a Richie Havens D40 and the D40 Bluegrass Jubilee? And if so, does the adirondack warrant the extra $$$$?

I believe the top is the difference, but I could be proven wrong.

That said, as the owner of a '74 D-40 (bought new) and an '06 D-40BJ (also bought new) I can tell you that I really like both, but they are different. The Adi top likes to be hit hard with a flatpick and when that is done the axe really shines. I would say any good Bluegrass player would almost certainly opt for the D-40BJ or D-50BS. I am sure that in a good Bluegrass flatpicker's hands (a guy like kyDave for instance), an adi topped Guild will blow any Martin clear out of the room with it's volume and clarity.

However, I'm not a Bluegrass flatpicker and my ear generally prefers the warmer sound of sitka tops to Adi. My '74 also sustains better than the D-40BJ, but it's also had 35 yrs to open up!

The good news is, you can't miss with either one. Or ANY Guild, for that matter!

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