D66 vs D55

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

Have stated, previously, that my next Guild will be a D55 and have one located in McLean, VA. Seller is not in hurry to sell.
Recently, a D66 appeared and has taken some of my GAS away from D55. The D66 is a beautiful guitar.
My questions to the forum are - for comparison between D55 and D66:
1. With same strings and setup which plays best/easiest
2. Which has best quality woods
3. Your opinion on "sounds better"
4. Any other comparisons you can make

SFIV1967 · Aug 1, 2019

A D-66 is certainly a special and rare guitar compared to a D-55. Hans had said about 10 years ago: "The original 6 Gruhn designed flattops were a separate group within the Guild line with structural and cosmetic specs that had not been traditional for Guild guitars." I don't know what the specific structural differences were, and I guess Hans would want to tell about in Volume II. A couple of members have or had D-66, so let's see if one will respond.
Ralf

wileypickett · Aug 1, 2019

I’ve owned / own both. I had in my stable two D55s, a Westerly and a New Hartford. Both were fine guitars, but I let ‘em go. Neither had the edge on my Braz back D50.

I still have a D66 — though I’m thinking of selling that too, not because I don’t love it but because I just gotta make room in our poor little house

I’m partial to the Guild models in the DV series, of which I own a couple, and which the D66 most resembles, sound-wise, at least to my ear.

Don’t know if this answers any of your questions — just my subjective take.

Congrats on acquiring a D66! If you’re wondering whether you “need” a D55 too, or are considering trading the D66 for a D55, IMO that’s not a decision the LTG community can make for you. You gotta try out a few D55s yourself.

Glenn

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

Thanks Ralf and Glenn. Trying to gather as much information as possible. Have strummed a 2000 D55 and really liked it but my attention to a D66 has been awakened.
Neither the D55 or D66 are within a reasonable driving distance so plan is to keep gathering information before I make a final decision. Both set of comments help.

awagner · Aug 1, 2019

D55s have changed specs over the 50+ years they have been around, so it is impossible to state how they generally compare to other models.

I own 2 D55s (1970 and 1977) and they are very different from each other in both specs and how they sound. And I know that modern D55s are more lightly built than vintage ones.

I also own a D60, which is a renamed D66, and I definitely prefer it to my 1977 D55.

Given its rarity and quality, I would go for the D66, if you cannot try either guitar first.

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

awagner:
After looking at your signature, your opinion is noted in CAPITAL letters.
Afraid I am leaning your way-D66

awagner · Aug 1, 2019

Obese people are not necessarily experts on food, but I'll take the compliment.

GAD · Aug 1, 2019

wileypickett said:
I’ve owned / own both. I had in my stable two D55s, a Westerly and a New Hartford. Both were fine guitars, but I let ‘em go. Neither had the edge on my Braz back D50.

I still have a D66 — though I’m thinking of selling that too, not because I don’t love it but because I just gotta make room in our poor little house

I’m partial to the Guild models in the DV series, of which I own a couple, and which the D66 most resembles, sound-wise, at least to my ear.

Don’t know if this answers any of your questions — just my subjective take.

Congrats on acquiring a D66! If you’re wondering whether you “need” a D55 too, or are considering trading the D66 for a D55, IMO that’s not a decision the LTG community can make for you. You gotta try out a few D55s yourself.

Glenn

I may be interested if/when you sell depending on condition/price/etc.

The Guilds of Grot · Aug 1, 2019

Obviously it's 11 better!

adorshki · Aug 1, 2019

SFIV1967 said:
A D-66 is certainly a special and rare guitar compared to a D-55. Hans had said about 10 years ago: "The original 6 Gruhn designed flattops were a separate group within the Guild line with structural and cosmetic specs that had not been traditional for Guild guitars." I don't know what the specific structural differences were, and I guess Hans would want to tell about in Volume II. A couple of members have or had D-66, so let's see if one will respond.
Ralf

For sure there was the "snakehead headstock" for one, and there are those of us that believe even headstock mass has a subtle effect on voice (via the neck and heelblock), but I suspect that was also used with the other "untraditional" structural specs in mind as "part of a whole", not purely cosmetic.

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

The Guilds of Grot said:
Obviously it's 11 better!

But if our numbering system was base 4 instead of base 10--it would be 23 better.

chazmo · Aug 1, 2019

The Guilds of Grot said:
Obviously it's 11 better!

That's so funny. I was just going to say this. I watched "Spinal Tap" with my son last night and we laughed a lot.

davismanLV · Aug 1, 2019

D55's come up for sale all the time. And they're great guitars. D66's? Not so much. I think I've seen one for sale before. Didn't make that many of them. I'm sure it's a great guitar too, but I really like that you don't see so many of them. Doesn't really make them more valuable (except to a certain mind set that thinks unique = valuable) but they are more rare. Might be easier to sell if it doesn't speak to you. But it probably will. Plus I like those diamondish shaped fretboard inlays. If you're good with the snakehead style headstock, go for it.......

Whoa, both D66's on Reverb are gone! Did you buy one?

adorshki · Aug 1, 2019

GAD said:
I may be interested if/when you sell depending on condition/price/etc.

From here:

wileypickett said:
Our house flooded last year and Nora and I had to have all our floors replaced, which meant moving, literally, every single thing we own. Nora and I still haven't recovered from the discombobulation this caused us -- lots of stuff still piled up in boxes -- but the experience has got me rethinking the wisdom of keeping an absurd number of guitars around. (There are at least 60 here, most of them Guilds.)
Andrew came along with his offer just as I was coming to grips with the idea that maybe it was time to thin the herd.
If anyone else in LTG-land is looking to add to their collection, PM me with what you're after and I'll let you know if I can "help"! (Helping you helps me!)
Glenn

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

davismanLV said:
D55's come up for sale all the time. And they're great guitars. D66's? Not so much. I think I've seen one for sale before. Didn't make that many of them. I'm sure it's a great guitar too, but I really like that you don't see so many of them. Doesn't really make them more valuable (except to a certain mind set that thinks unique = valuable) but they are more rare. Might be easier to sell if it doesn't speak to you. But it probably will. Plus I like those diamondish shaped fretboard inlays. If you're good with the snakehead style headstock, go for it.......

Whoa, both D66's on Reverb are gone! Did you buy one?

No, have not. Waiting on price of my Bozung Super to see, exactly, what my "guitar money" account has in it? Should know in two weeks.

richardp69 · Aug 1, 2019

davismanLV said:
D55's come up for sale all the time. And they're great guitars. D66's? Not so much. I think I've seen one for sale before. Didn't make that many of them. I'm sure it's a great guitar too, but I really like that you don't see so many of them. Doesn't really make them more valuable (except to a certain mind set that thinks unique = valuable) but they are more rare. Might be easier to sell if it doesn't speak to you. But it probably will. Plus I like those diamondish shaped fretboard inlays. If you're good with the snakehead style headstock, go for it.......

Whoa, both D66's on Reverb are gone! Did you buy one?

I know there is still one more there.

Stuball48 · Aug 1, 2019

richardp69 said:
I know there is still one more there.

Saw that one and the very one that garnered my attention plus the seller is very reputable LTG member. A great price and could be gone by the time my two week delay has passed.

GAD · Aug 1, 2019

adorshki said:
From here:

Thanks!

adorshki · Aug 1, 2019

GAD said:
Thanks!

Hey I know I can be a putz sometimes so I try to make up for it.
(and posted publically to help Glenn get his message out)
:smile:

Westerly Wood · Aug 1, 2019

awagner said:
Obese people are not necessarily experts on food, but I'll take the compliment.

LOL wagner, that is a good one.

D66 vs D55

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