My new 09' NH D40 bluegrass fits that bill spectacularly. I'm so in love with it that in the last month that I've had it, I've spent way more time than I should reading this forum and others just to see who else has noticed what a wonderful guitar it is.
YOUE OPINION PLEASE
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killdeer43
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Suuuuu-eeeeeeee! :lol:Scratch said:
Joe
Scratch
Enlightened Member
My GF-25 arrived a couple of days ago to replace the one I let get away (The Fonz). Got it to back up the D40 and I can't keep my paws off either one. Something about that wonderful 'hog' sound...
I've never played a D-40 I didn't like. I sometimes wish I had bought one instead of the D-50 last year. One's on my short list of guitars to get, although right now my guitar budget is slim, actually none.
Brad
Brad
I've never owned a D40 or D55 so my opinion may not count much here. I do however have a Tacoma D50BS in my stable that I really like. It's just ok on the high end but has great mids and lows which I happen to like. Still pretty new though.
Nigel Wickwire
Member
Re: YOUR OPINION PLEASE
Here you go, Joe !:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/2116809948.html
I know you don't want a burst, but C'mon man, it's too close to home to ignore. :wink:
Helpfully yours,
~nw
killdeer43 said:
Here you go, Joe !:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/msg/2116809948.html
I know you don't want a burst, but C'mon man, it's too close to home to ignore. :wink:
Helpfully yours,
~nw
killdeer43
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Re: YOUR OPINION PLEASE
Nice enough and a decent price, but a couple of strikes against it (for me)....burst and cutaway. :shock:
Joe
Thanks, NW, but I'll pass.Nigel Wickwire said:
Nice enough and a decent price, but a couple of strikes against it (for me)....burst and cutaway. :shock:
Joe
Dubbaround
Member
Though I am a mahogany dread man to the bone, I think this is what you want.
http://www.guildguitars.com/index.php/jumbo/overview/F-50/
AND one of these to keep it company..
http://www.guildguitars.com/index.php/12-string/overview/F-412/
http://www.guildguitars.com/index.php/jumbo/overview/F-50/
AND one of these to keep it company..
http://www.guildguitars.com/index.php/12-string/overview/F-412/
You're spot on about the F50 - I've played the D 40 and D50 series, and the D50 is looking more interesting. You're reading my mind on the 12 string...But it's looking more like the 512 for me. There's a lifetime's worth of playing, huh?
Bill Ashton
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I cannot believe I am a cheerleader for this, but...
I think you should try some of the Standard Series models. At LMG, at least to my ear, the D40 and D50 were the ones that cut through the crowd noise the most easily. Having tried a D40 in the quiet setting of a store's acoustic room, and after the zingy-ness of the D'Addario strings wears off, to me the D40 Standard is the better sounding guitar...I am wondering if my ear is hearing the difference between the Sitka and Red Spruce tops?
Of course if you are committed to the Traditional series, thats cool...perhaps the Richie Havens deserves a look?
I think you should try some of the Standard Series models. At LMG, at least to my ear, the D40 and D50 were the ones that cut through the crowd noise the most easily. Having tried a D40 in the quiet setting of a store's acoustic room, and after the zingy-ness of the D'Addario strings wears off, to me the D40 Standard is the better sounding guitar...I am wondering if my ear is hearing the difference between the Sitka and Red Spruce tops?
Of course if you are committed to the Traditional series, thats cool...perhaps the Richie Havens deserves a look?
Bill Ashton
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I can't believe this is still listed! Here ya go:
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=582935
http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=582935
I went with D50 Burst (New Hartford) last fall. A month later had it adjusted just a wee bit because it shipped new with Medium gauge strings and action slightly higher than I like. Now it's like conversing with a deity at times (Hint: Lose the D'Addario strings immediately and go with Martin 80/20 phosphor or regular bronze --doesn't matter).
D40 is going to be a matter of your personal taste. I have been in and out of the store both before and after my purchase, and I love the D40 as well. One thing you'll probably notice up front: They have lots of volume to them. But don't be fooled, they're sweet, too. The D50 has a bit more complexity in the middle, but a most cavernous low end that so far has not ceased to awe. D-28s only wish they sounded like that (I am talking the 2010 New Hartfords, mind you, and can't speak for Tacomas). My 30 y/o HD-35 still rules the roost in terms of overall sound and playability (but then, it took years for it to sound so good).
I guess, if I were in your shoes (and based on the posts on this thread so far), I'm going to agree with those that recommend the NH D-40 (but make sure that you test out the 50 and 55 as well, as their respective wood choices may be more to your liking).
D40 is going to be a matter of your personal taste. I have been in and out of the store both before and after my purchase, and I love the D40 as well. One thing you'll probably notice up front: They have lots of volume to them. But don't be fooled, they're sweet, too. The D50 has a bit more complexity in the middle, but a most cavernous low end that so far has not ceased to awe. D-28s only wish they sounded like that (I am talking the 2010 New Hartfords, mind you, and can't speak for Tacomas). My 30 y/o HD-35 still rules the roost in terms of overall sound and playability (but then, it took years for it to sound so good).
I guess, if I were in your shoes (and based on the posts on this thread so far), I'm going to agree with those that recommend the NH D-40 (but make sure that you test out the 50 and 55 as well, as their respective wood choices may be more to your liking).
Bill Ashton
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I must agree with Mr. Horse about the D'Addario strings, especially on a new Guild.
I fought and fought with my D55 (new 2008 Tacoma) before I finally brought it to a Guild authorized luthier who set it up properly...and changed the strings. Still not as easy a play as my GAD or Gibson J-30, but her sound makes up for it. I think that GHS Bright Bronze are the ticket for this rosewood dread, and your fingers will thank you.
Never realized how much tension the D'Addario mediums had until I put a set on my Gibson...whoa! Bridge Cables! Yup, sound great but nearly unplayable. Now, that may be part of the sound, but I think you must get back to the compromise of playability v sound.
All that said, tried three D-50's at Music Emporium yesterday...well, two really. 197x-something ($1700), nice shape, kinda eh-sounding, wonder if it has a neck reset in its future...another looked like it had worked for a living, or perhaps was dragged behind a pickup truck! Passed on that...then they broke out the 1966 D-50 Brazilian. Looks like it shoudl have been one of my guitars, a pristine edge-of-the-bed guitar. Amazingly it had the signs of an expert neck reset, perfect job. Played wonderfully, with a much thinner neck not unlike my Gibson. Only played it fingerstyle, very very nice...but she didn't speak to me more than what I have at home...not worth losing my bed for $4800...
I still wonder about that one above listed at MF...
I fought and fought with my D55 (new 2008 Tacoma) before I finally brought it to a Guild authorized luthier who set it up properly...and changed the strings. Still not as easy a play as my GAD or Gibson J-30, but her sound makes up for it. I think that GHS Bright Bronze are the ticket for this rosewood dread, and your fingers will thank you.
Never realized how much tension the D'Addario mediums had until I put a set on my Gibson...whoa! Bridge Cables! Yup, sound great but nearly unplayable. Now, that may be part of the sound, but I think you must get back to the compromise of playability v sound.
All that said, tried three D-50's at Music Emporium yesterday...well, two really. 197x-something ($1700), nice shape, kinda eh-sounding, wonder if it has a neck reset in its future...another looked like it had worked for a living, or perhaps was dragged behind a pickup truck! Passed on that...then they broke out the 1966 D-50 Brazilian. Looks like it shoudl have been one of my guitars, a pristine edge-of-the-bed guitar. Amazingly it had the signs of an expert neck reset, perfect job. Played wonderfully, with a much thinner neck not unlike my Gibson. Only played it fingerstyle, very very nice...but she didn't speak to me more than what I have at home...not worth losing my bed for $4800...
I still wonder about that one above listed at MF...
taabru45
Enlightened Member
In case any one's still interested in my 09 NH D50....same price as the D40 just mentioned....but I'm getting closer to changing my mind...and might once I try the Martin strings :wink: :lol: Steffan
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/m ... 55951.html
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rds/m ... 55951.html
Bill Ashton
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I had to re-read this thread to figure out why you were selling the new D50...then I saw you had another one...OK, got it!
Good luck on your sale Steffan, I would agree that it may well be a better buy than the MF advert' one..
Good luck on your sale Steffan, I would agree that it may well be a better buy than the MF advert' one..
taabru45 said:
Steffan,
Sorry - forgot you had a NH D50. If you try the Martin strings, go with the 80/20 Phosphor Bronze in Medium-Light --I only ask because I think we'd have a near-testing lab precise comparison, as those are what I recently put on my 2010 NH D50. (At about the same time had a local luthier shave down that saddle just a wee bit, too, which really ~~and I mean really~~ made a difference).
Anyway, if you happen to try those, I'd love to get your opinion of the experience either here in this thread, or via message. I just found them to be such a perfect match-up. Next I'll try the same brand in med-lite, only in regular bronze, just to compare.
I really think that New Hartford's on to something these days, something special. Sadly, they're shipping a lot of the stock out with the action too high and (bleh) those D'Addario strings --in medium gage, no less! I am not understanding the obvious "disconnect" that's happening up there (maybe it's a Connecticut "thing"?) -- I only know that the wood quality and the overall craftsmanship is very pleasing, and I think (though market gossip is of distant secondary importance to me) highly competitive given the pricing.
taabru45
Enlightened Member
Happy new year Horse...I tried a set of the medium wounds they recommend or ship out with....couldn't stand them after a couple of weeks, currently have a set of J.P. 80/20 ph/br. on it and the action is kind of like the action of an electric now. They say that lowering the action lowers the volume, but this baby has all the bark you could want. Getting real close to not wanting to sell it at all :roll: . I'll try the Martins. I've been happy with them before. There is so much right with these guitars. I really like the tortoise binding. I'd like it more if it had the old school black pickguard and maybe herringbone trim....This has the adi top, I believe the new ones have sitka. Maybe we'll have to find a way to play together.... :lol: Steffan
Ok, then you pretty much already know the difference, S, with the action down and another string brand. I am by no means wedded to Martin strings, it's just that they were available and they sounded great. I'd love to see if I can do better. I may try some of the others recommended here on the site.
Yes the ts binding is beautiful. Mine's a sunburst which is what I wanted to get (just to mix things up for a change). Adi spruce top is also a boon. Right now my only concern is that I haven't had enough time to play it, what with work and all. But then, that is what New Years resolutions are for.
Yes the ts binding is beautiful. Mine's a sunburst which is what I wanted to get (just to mix things up for a change). Adi spruce top is also a boon. Right now my only concern is that I haven't had enough time to play it, what with work and all. But then, that is what New Years resolutions are for.