Guild D50 Standard or Gibson J45 Faded

[yosen91]

I've found two good deals for these models. There's nowhere close by to try them in person and wanted to get some opinions from people who have. I have a slight preference for rosewood, however, my fingers would prefer the short scale on the Gibson. The Guild would be 150 more than the Gibson. Is there a clear winner between the two?

[mas30066]

You can always do the detune a half step for short scale tension and capo at one thing.

Everyone's got a J. Get the Guild.

[LawrenceMollard]

They are two radically different guitars, really. You can't just point to one and say that one is "better". I have a J-45 Standard and love it, if it was my only guitar I'd be set up for life.

I also have a long scale rosewood dread and if that was my only guitar I'd be set for life. It's a Gibson J-60.

My vote is going to be for the Guild. I have two Guilds. They make amazing guitars- so does Gibson.

But the Guild D50 is pretty close to their flagship guitar, and the J-45 Faded is kind of a stepped down J-45.

[JKA]

Love a Gibson J45. Love a Guild D50 betterer

[bobster7]

Another vote for the Guild.

[Murphy Slaw]

I'm a Gibson guy, so...

[rdamato]

I visited Acoustic Vibes in AZ in May. An excellent shop with nearly every high end brand available. The Guild D50 was the best sounding dread in the shop.
Just a great guitar.

[KenL]

Is it a newer Guild or vintage?

I ask because I had an '80 D-50 in antique sunburst that was an outstanding guitar. I only let it go because I also had an '81 D-46 that was very similar.

[rollypolly]

Seagull S6.

[NC Strummer]

I'm not clear from your post if you have EVER played a J-45 or D-50, or if you're just not able to play these 2 particular guitars. As someone has already pointed out, they are 2 completely different animals with totally different sound profiles. One thing you may want to take in account is the different neck shape/thickness of the two. The D-50 has C shape neck that is comfortable but a little on the chunky side. I'm not sure about a Faded J-45, but a Standard has a fairly slim neck. The Guild also has a slightly narrower nut width.

I'm a huge J-45 fan, but as LawrenceMollard pointed out, I'd take the gloss nitro flagship Guild over the lower model Gibson. Now a J-45 standard however.......

[JGarofalo3]

Another vote for Guild however you will be disappointed with either

[Charlie Bernstein]

The price difference is almost insignificant. I wouldn't factor it in.

I have a Guild D-50. It's a far better instrument that the Martin D-28 I sold a few years ago. The D-50 was designed to compete with the D-28, and to my ears, it blows it out of the water. Rich, full, and fat, yet highly articulate, and it plays like greased butter.

I haven't played the Gibson, but it sounds like another can't-go-wrong instrument. The only reason I'd avoid it is the "faded" part. It sounds phony, like a relic'ed guitar.

But some folks like imitation age. It's probably why they lie on tanning beds. Your choice!

[BlueBowman]

The Guild in a heartbeat. I'd have one of their dreads if not for the necks. They feel skinnier than even most 1 11/16" to me. I've played some fine-sounding J-45s, but not a one has been a "faded" model. I'm sure there are some good ones out there. It's always best to play both, but if ordering online, I would go with the Guild. And get a good return policy.

[6L6]

For me it would be the Guild for sure.

[DCCougar]

Good to see so many choose the Guild. Myself, I skipped over the Guild dreadnought and went with the Guild jumbo F50 (of the rosewood persuasion). Cured my 6-string GAS altogether.