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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Freeport, IL | Hi,
Any of you folks ever play or own one of these? Have a chance to pick up a Guild D-4 for a song - looks like a pretty good beach/campfire type guitar. Looks from the photo like it has an arched back. This one is American made in Westerly, RI - from 1997.
Thanks for any input,
Jon Van Gilder |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | ..had one ages ago... deep box, slightly rounded back, color of grasshopper spit... very nice booming sound. :cool:
It was actually the rounded back that made me really consider Ovations. I guess I owe Guild a debt of graditude! :D
Enjoy it! :D |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15682
Location: SoCal | Guilds are great guitars. I've got a buddy who got a Guild True American, about 10 years ago. First time I picked it up, I knew that it was going to age wonderfully, it was that good. Now I play it and even tho' it's got battle scars on it, I love it. |
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Joined:
February 2002
Posts: 1817
Location: Minden, Nebraska | I played Guild guitars exclusively for my acoustics for many years before converting to Ovation, and the primary reasons were the neck and the electronics that Ovation offered.
The True American series offered hand made American quality and a comparative budget price. I never had a D-4, but I have had quite a few of the DCE series (which have cutaways and Fishman electronics). They are good for the money. But they tend to have that muddy middle mahogany tone.
However, as a beach or campfire guitar the D-4 may be a good buy if the price is right. |
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Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | I have a Guild JF-55-12 twelve string.
It has a great neck and a very good projected full sound. Probably my favorite 12 string to play.
I would stay away from the Guilds made after the move to a new factory. I have heard that the quality took a hit. |
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Joined:
April 2002
Posts: 202
Location: Orlando, Florida | Hello all and God Bless;
It's been awhile since I posted, but the last few months I've been "sittin' back copying the mail" (any former CBers out there?). Anyway, I owned a brand new '97 Guild D-4 that I bought in late 1997. First off, let me say that the sound and the feel on this guitar is great. With the natural, hand rubbed finish, it had a broken-in, wide open sound that was better than the higher priced Guilds (think of the feel of a great pair of Levis'). Terrific bass response, with a very articulate high end. I put a set of GHS Bright Bronze lights on it, and I literally did'nt change the strings for months because the sound remained so good. The neck is thin and very fast as well. The only cautions about this guitar would be that it is very affected by changes in the weather. You need to get a good humidifier. I used one by Planet Wave (with the syringe) that worked great. Also, get an education in truss rod adjustments, because the neck also changes with the weather because it's thin and has that natural finish. The finish also doesn't protect from dings and dents, so be careful about banging it around. I sold it a few years ago because of it's size. The thing is gigantic! I prefer a smaller guitar. I replaced it with a '97 Balladeer that suits me better. If you don't mind the size, it's a great guitar.
Joe |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | They made good guitars in Rhode Island. Sorry to see the factory leave there. |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Freeport, IL | Hi,
Well, I picked up the Guild D-4 (True American) this afternoon from Spruce Tree Music in Madison, WI and am pretty well pleased with it. Lots of sound and a very fast neck - kind of understated, but lots of class at the same time. Put some Elixer 11's on it and tweaked the neck a little and it was good to go. Nice box, I think.
Thanks for the input,
Jon Van Gilder |
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Joined:
April 2002
Posts: 202
Location: Orlando, Florida | Hi Jon;
Just out of curiosity, how much did you pay for the D-4? You stated earlier that it was for a "song". I paid $479.00 new, but they're pretty hard to get these days.
Thanks;
Joe |
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Joined:
February 2004
Posts: 116
Location: Freeport, IL | Joe,
I paid $400.00 + tax - included the OHSC which was in mint condition. Maybe a song and a dance? In any case, pretty nice instrument for the money.
Jon Van Gilder |
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Joined:
April 2002
Posts: 202
Location: Orlando, Florida | Jon
I think you did great. I paid the $479.00 and an additional $79.00 for an SKB case. Enjoy it!
Joe |
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info needed on Guild D-4
