"Upgrade" to a D40 from a D25? Would you do it?

[Ridgemont]

So I stumbled into a local vintage acoustic shop yesterday to search for anything 1981, and happened to come across a D40. So I casually picked it up and tested it out. Had new strings so it was bright and crisp. It had a good amount of saddle left. The action good but on the higher side for my tastes since there was a little bowing in the neck. I would hope a truss rod adjustment could take care of this. It is Westerly and built sometime from the late '80s+ because of the tapered headstock. Overall it was in pretty good condition with just a couple of nicks and dings here and there. There was some finish wear on the side of the guitar where the arm rests (probably the biggest cosmetic flaw). Sounded great btw.

So here is what crossed my mind. I mainly fingerpick. I tend to not use the D25 for comfort reasons but also I notice the increased sustain in the D25 makes fast songs a little blurry due to a decrease in note separation. I believe a flatback should alleviate this issue, at least partially since it still is a dread.

They are asking $799. Is that a good price? I am sure I could wheel and deal to reduce it somewhat.

What would you do? Is this an upgrade? I would almost argue that it is not necessarily an upgrade because the archback D25 and the D40 are so different. Many members here have both. And I already have the F30 for fingerpicking, and it is by far my favorite guitar (THANKS TREEM!).

And the spruce top has the widest graining pattern I have ever seen in a Sitka top. Any chance they could have used Adi in Westerly? I have seen plenty of Adi tops just like this.

 

[Dr Izza Plumber]

$799 is $880 bucks in My book, and that seems a bit high for a D40...especially one with up and coming issues.
I'd hang in there a bit, and keep My eyes on flea bay, craiglist, and check other guitar forum/sales threads, as well as this one.

For $800 bucks You can likely do much better, perhaps even a decent D50.

fyi: I paid only $900 in Oct '09 for a pristine condition '01 Westerly JF30-12 with a burst finish, and factory case.

Good luck with your quest!
Just My .02 :wink:

 

[killdeer43]

Gee, this search for a birth year Guild is getting to be a little confusing to innocent bystanders! :lol:

OK, shift gears for a bit....are you considering getting rid of the D25 or just adding the D40 to the stable?
Do you have 800 to swing the deal now and still have the funds to cover that '81 that could be around the next corner? (If that's too personal, don't feel obliged to answer.)

Seems to me that someone is experiencing some serious GAS. I understand how it is to get on a roll when you're wheeling and dealing, so just follow your heart/gut and your bank account. Buy 'em, sell 'em, keep 'em....it's all good. :wink:

Joe

 

[Ridgemont]

You guys are quick. Thanks.

To the good Dr. Plumber, if the price is high, then it is high. Simple as that. I did not know the $ range for a D40. But I am not really in the hunt for a better/different dread. I just was not sure if there was an opportunity here.

To the wise Joe who sees all, you are right. It does seem like I am losing focus. I posted this mainly to see whether there was an opportunity of a good deal. And to answer your question, the D40 would replace the D25. Now, if we assume that this was a good deal (which of course, I now know it is not), I would buy the D40 and unload the D25 (hopefully quickly) to minimize the overall out of pocked expense. So in a perfect world, my hunt for a 1981 guitar is only slightly compromised. But if I bought the D40 today and the 1981 pops up tomorrow, I would be in a bit of a pickle, eh?

Just to clarify, I am not actively searching for a D25 upgrade, nor do I plan to start. I just stumbled across something and wanted to check with the experts as to whether it was a good deal.

 

[Scratch]

Agree that 800 is too high for it as described, Ridge... I'm a real D40 fan, but I think you could find one in better shape for 800. I paid that for my 2005 Tacoma crafted D40 Richie Havens model four years ago. It was eBay listed by a west coast guitar store (can't recall the name) as NOS. One of the best guitar purchases I ever made.

I had a D25 (since sold to Tony T a couple of years ago) and my D40 at the same time. You're right... The only real thing in common is that they are both 'hogs'. The D40, to me, was more comfortable. Love that AAA Sitka Spruce; I just never adapted to adi tops on the Bluegrass model D40s and D50s...

Good luck in your continuing quest.

 

[Treem]

Yeah, I agree with the guys, the price is a bit high! ...and your welcome Ridge! :mrgreen:

 

[taabru45]

What is your year of conception...? :lol: :lol: Steffan

 

[Dadaist]

The whole birthday year guitar quest is interesting....to a point, though the only advantage of being around longer than Guilds been making guitars...is that one could justify almost any guitar by year...as some significant milestone or event,... took place in your life.

The pawnshop D-40 your looking at would probably be a great $500-$600 guitar...when you consider the possible issues that would have to be dealt with. Yeah...you want a nice guitar from '81 or whatever year...but also want a guitar that's a great looker and player.

I've played a number of D-25 style Guilds...D-17s, D-35s and at the top end, D-40s. The biggest difference, besides the upgraded cosmetics, is the sound from an arched-back versus the flat-back. They're all 'Hogs. The AB projects in a different way. That said, if you want to really make a change.....which will keep you from doing this all over again in six months...is just find yourself a nice, clean vintage D-50.

Just ask Tristan/Treem....as He's got the All-Rosewood, All-The-Time...All 'Burst acoustic collection. For fingerstyle, there really isn't anything as nice as Rosewood, though a Maple Jumbo....is a close second. There are deals to be found on our own FS/FT.


David

 

[Taylor Martin Guild]

As I read the OP report, I didn't see any real "issues" with the guitar.
Sounds like it's in normal condition with a few nicks and scratches.

I don't think that $800.00 is all that high.
How much would all of you with D-40's be asking for yours?

We want to pay little but get a lot for guitars.

As far as an Adirondack top goes, I still don't think that Westerly D-40 or D-50 guitars had Adirondack on them.

The only problem I see is that it isn't a birth year guitar, so that quest would still have to go on.

 

[Scratch]

My D40 is not for sale!!! :wink:

 

[West R Lee]

And one more tidbit Ridge. I ran a string experiment last year, quite unscientific I might add, and one thing became very apparent to me. I don't know what kind of strings you're using, but PB's have so much ring, I found the overtones to spill into the other notes while playing fingerstyle. 80/20's alleviate that for me, very distinct when fingerpicking, without a ton of sustain, but with a beautiful tone. Just a thought.

West

 

[Ridgemont]

And one more tidbit Ridge. I ran a string experiment last year, quite unscientific I might add, and one thing became very apparent to me. I don't know what kind of strings you're using, but PB's have so much ring, I found the overtones to spill into the other notes while playing fingerstyle. 80/20's alleviate that for me, very distinct when fingerpicking, without a ton of sustain, but with a beautiful tone. Just a thought.

West

Hey West,

Funny thing about that. I have been an avid 80/20 user for a little while now. Everything is strung with them including the D25. When comparing the F30 (or any small guitar I have) to the D25, I can still hear some of the full blurriness caused by the added sustain. Yesterday morning, I restrung the D25 with PB JP lights and aaaaahhhhh...... The bright ring, the overtones, so much that I just do not know what is going on. Yes you are right, for fingerstyle on the D25 (or maybe any dread) the 80/20s provide a mellow tone where you can hear some note separation even with the greater sustain.

Now, on the other hand, PBs and a small guitar make for a pretty nice combination, especially when they mellow out. This is something I recently rediscovered when I started testing out PB strings.

 

[West R Lee]

And one more tidbit Ridge. I ran a string experiment last year, quite unscientific I might add, and one thing became very apparent to me. I don't know what kind of strings you're using, but PB's have so much ring, I found the overtones to spill into the other notes while playing fingerstyle. 80/20's alleviate that for me, very distinct when fingerpicking, without a ton of sustain, but with a beautiful tone. Just a thought.

West

Hey West,

Funny thing about that. I have been an avid 80/20 user for a little while now. Everything is strung with them including the D25. When comparing the F30 (or any small guitar I have) to the D25, I can still hear some of the full blurriness caused by the added sustain. Yesterday morning, I restrung the D25 with PB JP lights and aaaaahhhhh...... The bright ring, the overtones, so much that I just do not know what is going on. Yes you are right, for fingerstyle on the D25 (or maybe any dread) the 80/20s provide a mellow tone where you can hear some note separation even with the greater sustain.

Now, on the other hand, PBs and a small guitar make for a pretty nice combination, especially when they mellow out. This is something I recently rediscovered when I started testing out PB strings.

I don't think anyone has ever told me that, and at first, it was hard to put my finger on (no pun intended), but it makes perfect sense to me. I definately hear the difference. Now if I were a flatpicker, I'd probably prefer the PB's.

West

 

[killdeer43]

I don't think anyone has ever told me that, and at first, it was hard to put my finger on (no pun intended), but it makes perfect sense to me. I definately hear the difference. Now if I were a flatpicker, I'd probably prefer the PB's.

West

Everyone knows that I go both ways (flat pick and fingerpick, that is) and I have no problem going back and forth, regardless of my string choices.
Are you guys that "good of hearing" or what? 8)

Joe

 

[Curlington]

I paid $800 for my D40 from Vintage Instruments in Philly, before the internet. I was coming back to playing after, alas, a long hiatus. I played it and had to have it. I just put $200 into her, for a new nut, re-glued bridge (preventive maintenance) and set up. I have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to guitars relative to my ability, so I am going to sell some of them, but not in a hurry to do so. $799 is probably a fair asking price for a well-maintained D40 from that period, with original case. Mine is marked as a second so that might negatively affect the value even after 30 years. Any Guild from my birth year would be unaffordable to me – I wish I was younger, ha. I really should should have some dry powder in reserve so I can score another bargain vintage Guild when one pops up around here again. Dave

 

[valleyguy]

I paid that for my 2005 Tacoma crafted D40 Richie Havens model four years ago. It was eBay listed by a west coast guitar store (can't recall the name) as NOS.

The D40, to me, was more comfortable. Love that AAA Sitka Spruce; I just never adapted to adi tops on the Bluegrass model D40s and D50s...

Wow, $800 for a NOS Tacoma D40 is an incredible price, congrats.

All the Tacoma D40 and D50s have adi tops, however.

 

[Ridgemont]

I don't think anyone has ever told me that, and at first, it was hard to put my finger on (no pun intended), but it makes perfect sense to me. I definately hear the difference. Now if I were a flatpicker, I'd probably prefer the PB's.

West

Everyone knows that I go both ways (flat pick and fingerpick, that is) and I have no problem going back and forth, regardless of my string choices.
Are you guys that "good of hearing" or what? 8)

Joe

Nope, just have too much time on our hands.

 

[Scratch]

I paid that for my 2005 Tacoma crafted D40 Richie Havens model four years ago. It was eBay listed by a west coast guitar store (can't recall the name) as NOS.

The D40, to me, was more comfortable. Love that AAA Sitka Spruce; I just never adapted to adi tops on the Bluegrass model D40s and D50s...

Wow, $800 for a NOS Tacoma D40 is an incredible price, congrats.

All the Tacoma D40 and D50s have adi tops, however.

Mine is a Richie Havens with AAA Sitka Spruce. The D40 Bluegrass Specials have Adi tops.

 

[Curlington]

It sure is a buyer's market, and, as with the economy in general, there are whiffs of desperation afoot. For example, this D55 Burst Tacoma asking $1100 (I'd want to see the original sales receipt):
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/msg/2164979488.html

 

[valleyguy]

I paid that for my 2005 Tacoma crafted D40 Richie Havens model four years ago. It was eBay listed by a west coast guitar store (can't recall the name) as NOS.

The D40, to me, was more comfortable. Love that AAA Sitka Spruce; I just never adapted to adi tops on the Bluegrass model D40s and D50s...

Wow, $800 for a NOS Tacoma D40 is an incredible price, congrats.

All the Tacoma D40 and D50s have adi tops, however.

Mine is a Richie Havens with AAA Sitka Spruce. The D40 Bluegrass Specials have Adi tops.

Good to know, thanks.