NGD 2020 D-40

[D30Man]

That's right, @Boneman. It's before they had the new standards. I think it was just called a D-40 at that time, but it is certainly is nearly the same as the D-40 standard. I'm not sure if it's the catalyzed varnish finish or if it's NCL. I think the former (which would make it different than the current products).

That is correct, Chaz. They zhooshed (sp) it up for the standard with chesterfield and gloss etc. I like the simple beauty of this one. I bet it sounds great. Oxnard puts out the goods IMO... A D-40 / D-35 is an age old recipe that is just hard to beat. Congrats!

 

[D30Man]

It's funny. I sold my '70s G-312 a few years ago (12-string version of a D-50) and so seeing a Guild dread on my guitar stand really stands out in my head. What a beautiful shape (IMO). And the Guild pickguard and bridge look just so "right" to my eyes, as does the white ABS plastic binding. Also, we could discuss whether a Chesterfield or a plain, "standard" headstock makes the whole package, but I quite like the plain one.

It also occurs to me that I now have 3(!) "standard" Guild guitars. I'm going to have to take a group shot soon as there really is a family resemblance even though New Hartford did not use white bindings... I'll do that later!

It often comes down to the dreadnaught for me... I love my F-47 and I know I will fall in love with the JF65 ( I am about to acquire ) as well as the F55 I owned in the past. However, there is something magical and familiar about a dread. Kind of like the way a strat feels in my hands compared to teles, Les Pauls, Hollowbodies, etc..

 

[Boneman]

I think what sets them apart(and might be corrected) but these new standards have bolt on necks, where the D40 like yours was not called standard, just D40 as opposed to Traditional, but it has a mortise & tenon neck joint, and finally the Traditionals still use the dove tail neck joint.

 

[chazmo]

I think what sets them apart(and might be corrected) but these new standards have bolt on necks, where the D40 like yours was not called standard, just D40 as opposed to Traditional, but it has a mortise & tenon neck joint, and finally the Traditionals still use the dove tail neck joint.

It continues to be highly irritating to me that Guild is not forthcoming about their neck attachments. It's possible that the new standards use bolt-on necks, Boneman, but I have not seen that mentioned anywhere. I may have missed a post somewhere on that, though.

I suspect the new standards are built with a mortise and tenon (non-dovetail style) joint. I'm basing that on opinions that we had a while back that a mortise and tenon is the joint they originally used in 2016 when they started producing guitars. I also think mortise and tenon is what's used on my D-40. Here's another post from last year on the subject:

New D-xx Standards vs Traditional

Hi All, thanks for having me here! I have a very specific tone in mind for the bass notes that I’ve only found so far on a used recent D-55 Oxnard. However I’m not much for bling, and to save a couple grand I’d really like to try the D-40 (Stand. & Trad.) & D-50, bc from online samples/YouTube...

letstalkguild.com

As far as I know, the big difference between my guitar and the new standards is the finish... I'm pretty sure my guitar has varnish whereas the new standards have NCL -- Guild calls this application "Vintage Gloss".

 

[davenumber2]

It continues to be highly irritating to me that Guild is not forthcoming about their neck attachments. It's possible that the new standards use bolt-on necks, Boneman, but I have not seen that mentioned anywhere. I may have missed a post somewhere on that, though.

I suspect the new standards are built with a mortise and tenon (non-dovetail style) joint. I'm basing that on opinions that we had a while back that a mortise and tenon is the joint they originally used in 2016 when they started producing guitars. I also think mortise and tenon is what's used on my D-40. Here's another post from last year on the subject:

New D-xx Standards vs Traditional

Hi All, thanks for having me here! I have a very specific tone in mind for the bass notes that I’ve only found so far on a used recent D-55 Oxnard. However I’m not much for bling, and to save a couple grand I’d really like to try the D-40 (Stand. & Trad.) & D-50, bc from online samples/YouTube...

letstalkguild.com

As far as I know, the big difference between my guitar and the new standards is the finish... I'm pretty sure my guitar has varnish whereas the new standards have NCL -- Guild calls this application "Vintage Gloss".

Are the M/T and bolt-on the same thing? Martin used to bolt their M/T joints. My 2017 D20 definitely has a bolt that can be seen through the soundhole.

 

[chazmo]

Are the M/T and bolt-on the same thing? Martin used to bolt their M/T joints. My 2017 D20 definitely has a bolt that can be seen through the soundhole.

@davenumber2 , thank you for posting that pic!!!!! Did you post that before? I don't remember it from before, and that's definitely a bolt. Definitely what you're saying could be correct!

I just took some of mine, and it's the same. See below.

There are, of course, two possibilities here. That could be a bolt for the neck, or it could be the end of the truss rod (doubtful). I have already done truss rod adjustments from the headstock cavity, so I doubt it... But, when I have my D-40 apart next, I'm going to find out.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Congratualtions on the dred. A D-40 is in my future!

 

[davenumber2]

@davenumber2 , thank you for posting that pic!!!!! Did you post that before? I don't remember it from before, and that's definitely a bolt. Definitely what you're saying could be correct!

I just took some of mine, and it's the same. See below.

There are, of course, two possibilities here. That could be a bolt for the neck, or it could be the end of the truss rod (doubtful). I have already done truss rod adjustments from the headstock cavity, so I doubt it... But, when I have my D-40 apart next, I'm going to find out.

No, I hadn’t posted that before. Also interesting is that my D40 Trad has a hole in the same location but no bolt.

 

[chazmo]

Congratualtions on the dred. A D-40 is in my future!

Can't argue with that, RIch. I got mine at a really, really, good price. Forgetting that for the moment, it is a fantabulous guitar. Please see this thread too, which I posted before I got mine.

Anything negative Oxnard D-40s?

Does anyone have anything less than good/great to say about Oxnard's D-40s? I've been duly impressed by all the positive feedback I keep hearing about these guitars from our members! And, it seems to me, that's the model that a vast majority of our Oxnard owners have bought. Personally, I...

letstalkguild.com

 

[chazmo]

No, I hadn’t posted that before. Also interesting is that my D40 Trad has a hole in the same location but no bolt.

!!!

Dave, I think you're zeroing in on the really frustrating part of this. In any case, thank you and I think we've almost completely clarified the situation here...

 

[Boneman]

I tell you, either way, that new neck plate with the G shield and sn# stamped in is so awesome looking. But I miss the labels

 

[chazmo]

I tell you, either way, that new neck plate with the G shield and sn# stamped in is so awesome looking. But I miss the labels

Has anyone taken the plate off? I don't think I've seen any pictures of that either. I'm hoping it's velcro'd like my Ibanez.... If the neck is actually a bolt-on, I'm guessing there's another bolt under it... Or, can a mortise and tenon be properly anchored with a single bolt?

This is what I think I'm gonna' find (thank you stew-mac)... Any thoughts?

 

[Boneman]

Yes! Thats what I imagine it should look like. Hopefully the sn# plate is velcroed, and isn’t glued on, they’ve got to give easy access though right?

 

[chazmo]

@Boneman @davenumber2
Well, folks.... I snapped the G string tuning it up and decided to have a look-see at the neck attachment and do a string change. You can see what I saw below...

The bolt is definitely a bolt and not the end of the TR. I knew that, but I just proved it. I took the bolt out, but it didn't loosen the neck in any way that I could tell. It didn't seem to make a difference, and I wasn't about to bang the neck with my hand without knowing what's what.

But, unfortunately, I cannot get the plate off the block. It sticks out from the neck block, and I was able to grab the edges, but it seems they glued the plate on or did something else to fasten it. I believe that underneath that plate there is at least one additional bolt... OR the neck is just secured by the single bolt and is otherwise glued to the body. I think both of these are possibilities, and of course I have no one at Guild to actually ask.

Anyway, I refused to take a screwdriver to the plate to pry it off. If anyone knows more, please pipe up. This is as far as I can go. New D'Addario strings are going on...

 

[davenumber2]

@Boneman @davenumber2
Well, folks.... I snapped the G string tuning it up and decided to have a look-see at the neck attachment and do a string change. You can see what I saw below...

The bolt is definitely a bolt and not the end of the TR. I knew that, but I just proved it. I took the bolt out, but it didn't loosen the neck in any way that I could tell. It didn't seem to make a difference, and I wasn't about to bang the neck with my hand without knowing what's what.

But, unfortunately, I cannot get the plate off the block. It sticks out from the neck block, and I was able to grab the edges, but it seems they glued the plate on or did something else to fasten it. I believe that underneath that plate there is at least one additional bolt... OR the neck is just secured by the single bolt and is otherwise glued to the body. I think both of these are possibilities, and of course I have no one at Guild to actually ask.

Anyway, I refused to take a screwdriver to the plate to pry it off. If anyone knows more, please pipe up. This is as far as I can go. New D'Addario strings are going on...

I’d bet good money that it’s glued along with the bolt/bolts.

 

[bobouz]

I used to be a bit of a dovetail snob, but no more. Both my Breedlove OM & mandolin have bolt-on necks, and my 000 Martin has the mortise & tenon. These necks have all remained perfectly straight (less relief) for many years.

 

[Jared macneill]

The Oxnard Guild’s have a bolt on neck joint?

I got an email announcing the reopening of the Oxnard plant and saw a picture of what seemed to be a F40 with what appears to be some sort of bolt on neck joint. Nothing wrong with that of course as Taylor uses the bolt on neck and as did Martin on the Mexican made guitars just wondering if...

letstalkguild.com

 

[chazmo]

The Oxnard Guild’s have a bolt on neck joint?

I got an email announcing the reopening of the Oxnard plant and saw a picture of what seemed to be a F40 with what appears to be some sort of bolt on neck joint. Nothing wrong with that of course as Taylor uses the bolt on neck and as did Martin on the Mexican made guitars just wondering if...

letstalkguild.com

Hey, thanks, Jared. Somehow I missed that thread!

That really helps clarify what the joint looks like and that there must be a second bolt under the serial number plate which I don't know how to remove. Also, whether or not glue is used by Oxnard with this joint is inconclusive based on what was documented in that other thread.

 

[Jared macneill]

Hey, thanks, Jared. Somehow I missed that thread!

That really helps clarify what the joint looks like and that there must be a second bolt under the serial number plate which I don't know how to remove. Also, whether or not glue is used by Oxnard with this joint is inconclusive based on what was documented in that other thread.

You are welcome. Looking at the plate I’d imagine it’s glued on since it’s not flush with the rest of the neck block .

Something like Taylor and the sticker covering the bolts