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May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Here's the latest little goodie I picked up from our friends in New Hartford. The best of both worlds ... Want to support our boys in the factory but you're craving for that big woodie sound that only a mahogany box can deliver? Here's your answer ...
The GUILD D-40 BLUEGRASS JUBILEE
Made in New Hartford by the same loving hands that have built all of our favorite roundbacks. No disrespect to Ovation but this is probably one of the nicest damn things that ever came off that loading dock. The sound is just amazing and the setup and playability is typical Ovation perfect. The neck is just to die for. Imagine a nice flat Ovation profile, a tad under 1-3/4 width, mated to one of the sweetest wooden boxes I've ever heard. Gloss finished everything (thank you) and beautiful tortie trim all around and a fit and finish that rivals anything out there.
All those years I half-jokingly said that I wished Ovation would build a wooden box guitar, and here it is. I knew they could rival Takamine, Martin and the rest and damned if they haven't gone and done it. OK, not cheap - lists for 3000. But in that price range you're going toe to toe with the best and this D-40 wouldn't flinch a bit.
Oh, you need to plug in? Ah, we got your plug in RIGHT HERE. This baby has the D-TAR electronics system. Very stealth, yet very very good. It's an 18V system and you can just drive the hell out of it. Not much on-board control (Vol and Tone hidden in the sound hole) but damn if it doesn't sound extremely natural and warm.
Top is solid red spruce
Back and Sides solid mahogany
Scalloped red spruce X bracing
Gotoh open gear vintage tuners
Rosewood bridge and fretboard
3 piece mahog/walnut/mahog neck
Bone bridge pins
Bone saddle and nut
Nutwidth just slightly less than 1-3/4
Inlaid MOP headstock logo
Tortoise shell trim
Dual action truss rod
DTAR wave-length pickup system and preamp
List price $2999.
I think the stock Guild pickguard is a little goofy looking so I bought this with no pickguard and put on my own. You really owe it to yourself to try one of these. This was one of the first they built (has no serial number) and they've probably gotten even BETTER as the factory gets more experience under their belt.
CONGRATULATIONS NEW HARTFORD FACTORY !!! |
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Joined:
March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Congratulations Dave, this guitar looks great even with this "ugly" pickguard (I don't like pickguards...)!!!
You know that I'm very tempted by a Collings since 2 years but according your description, maybe I will change my opinion especially if the wide neck option is available.
I need a "wood box" and it will be great for an Ovation fan like me that she will be made in New Hartford... ;)
J :) |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | The pickguard in the photos is the aftermarket one I added. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | The pickguard in the photos is the aftermarket one I added. |
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September 2006
Posts: 10777
Location: Keepin' It Weird in Portland, OR | Ah... So is this the Wood Box Ovation you've been dreaming about?
[Don't plug-in?] |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | We heard you the first time. :D
Nice box Dave! |
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December 2006
Posts: 6268
Location: Florida Central Gulf Coast | Beautiful craftsmanship! |
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February 2005
Posts: 11840
Location: closely held secret | Verra verra nice. |
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Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | It's a real beauty. I found this clip/review on You Tube from Acoustic Guitar. I hope you don't mind if I post it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY3GrNoi-bs |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | much better with that pickguard.
Since it has no s/n next time you change strings go in and write the date of mfg. You can guess it close enough. It will mean more years from now. It's what I did with mine. |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | Very, very nice Dave.
I look forward to playing one that came out of New Hartford.
If (and that's a big if), there is ever another factory tour it will be very interesting. |
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March 2005
Posts: 5567
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains | Great addition Dave...and very nice craftsmanship from the folks at New Hartford...
Thanks for sharing... |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | Originally posted by Old Man Arthur:
Ah... So is this the Wood Box Ovation you've been dreaming about? Don't plug-in? Oh yeah it plugs in. I never even heard of the DTAR system until I got this and I gotta admit it's really quite nice. V and T controls are on the upper edge of the soundhole and inside there are high end and low end trim pots. The battery is built into the endplug which is a little ugly but works great. Somehow they take 2 AA batteries (3V) and turn it in to 18V by some cosmic mojo. Proof is in the pudding and it sounds great. |
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Joined:
May 2008
Posts: 4996
Location: Phoenix AZ | That's a nice review/demo. Except that the guitar sounds like shit. That's the beauty of the internet. Based on that clip I would never think of buying one, yet based on my personal experience I'm completely blown away. It's not just me, I believe a dealer who never closes also owns one of these and has had glowing things to say about it. |
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March 2004
Posts: 1388
Location: Paris/France | Sorry Dave, I didn't want to hurt you. :(
I wanted to say that I don't like any kind of pickguard.
J :) |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | I've got a buddy who's got, basically this guitar but from about18 years ago. It's a cutaway and was called the True American. When he got it, it was a great guitar and he's played the hell out of it. Looks like ka ka now, but sounds even more wonderful.
Guild has almost always made a great guitar..... |
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August 2007
Posts: 494
Location: Location Location Location | That's a nice review/demo. Except that the guitar sounds like shi Yeah, I know. You'd think AG would get it right.. |
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April 2006
Posts: 1017
Location: Budd Lake, NJ | My Guild dread was a wonderful guitar; she really sang, had a very rich, warm, mellow tone. The only reason I don't still have her is that she wreaked havoc with the bad shoulder, so someone else is playing her now. If I could play them, I'd get another one, absolutely--even more so, having seen Dave's pictures.
--Karen |
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February 2002
Posts: 5750
Location: Scotland | Edit |
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July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | What's up with the back?
It's got... like... sharp edges on it.... |
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June 2006
Posts: 7307
Location: South of most, North of few | That is a very sweet looking guitar Dave. |
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Joined:
February 2005
Posts: 212
Location: France | Congratulations Dave! Very nice and once again a part of New Hartford 's history in your hands!
Thanks for sharing.
Tom |
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The Latest New Hartford Masterpiece
