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  #1  
Old 04-08-2020, 03:01 PM
Telecastoras Telecastoras is offline
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Default Guild D40E or Yamaha FGX5

I am torn between those 2 Dreads. Unfortunately i can t try them and i can only order by internet.

Any info on those 2 models and which one i should buy. I am in a search of a dread to play rock songs and acoustic blues. Strumming mostly but i want to practise some fingerstyle also. It will be my only and my main acoustic at the moment at least

Any help appreciated
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  #2  
Old 04-08-2020, 04:16 PM
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personatech personatech is offline
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I've not played a Guild D40E while I have played a Yamaha FS5 (smaller body, no electronics). It would be difficult for me to offer much of an opinion ... but...
  • Both the Guild and the Yamaha are all-solid and have sitka spruce tops with mahogany back and sides and mahogany necks.
  • The Yamaha has a torrefied (A.R.E.) top, the Guild does not. I think torrefied tops have a short-term edge - every one I've tried has super tone out of the bos, not sure about long-term.
  • The Guild has an LR Baggs Element pickup, one of the nicer USTs out there. The Yamaha has a new, more sophisticated 3-source "Atmosfeel" pickup system that blends UST, soundboard, and mic sources and has been getting excellent reviews.
  • The Guild has a more traditional dread shape, Yamaha claims theirs is, well, an "FG" body shape. It's perhaps a bit less square than the Guild. Personally, I prefer the looks of the Yamaha.
  • The Guild has a 25 5/8" scale, the Yamaha has a slightly shorter 25" scale.
  • The Guild has a 1 11/16" nut; the Yamaha's nut is 1 3/4".
  • The Guild has a gloss nitrocellulose finish; the Yamaha has a semi-gloss finish. Since Yamaha doesn't say it's nitro, I suspect it's a thin poly coat but maybe someone can correct me.
  • The Guild is USA-made, the Yamaha is Japanese.
  • The Yamaha costs $500 less (new vs. new)
Personally, looking at the two, I'd go for the Yamaha - it just appeals to me in many ways that the Guild doesn't. I prefer wider nuts and shorter scales, the torrefication process sounds great, and it doesn't bother me that the Yammy is built somewhere other than the USA. If I could afford a Yamaha FSX5 right now, I'd have bought one. But that's me - if you're leaning towards the Guild, don't let me (or anyone else) dissuade you. Whoever you buy from, make sure they have a generous trial period.
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Last edited by personatech; 04-09-2020 at 07:11 AM.
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Old 04-08-2020, 04:21 PM
Dbone Dbone is offline
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All the cool kids are buying FG5s these days...If they can find one to buy...

I vote for the Yamaha. They are great guitars. I played one and was very impressed. Fun guitar.

To be fair, I’ve never played this Guild, or any other Guild for that matter.

Best of luck
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Old 04-08-2020, 04:31 PM
lowrider lowrider is offline
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Well, the guy at Alamo Music calls the Yamaha the best guitar of the year!

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Old 04-08-2020, 05:43 PM
YamahaGuy YamahaGuy is offline
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I just played my FGX5 today. Boy does it sound good plugged in direct to a PA system. Sounds great unplugged too. Sorry I can't say much about the Guilds other than the two models I've played. One was a jumbo model with tons of bass. The other was an all mahogany model that seemed over built.
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  #6  
Old 04-08-2020, 10:23 PM
rwmct rwmct is offline
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Guild all the way. The D-40 is a classic dread.
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Old 04-08-2020, 10:47 PM
JohnW63 JohnW63 is offline
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Guild Demos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOnsLNo7AoI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s31v1nqSVZ0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNxjkMzcjtg

these are three very different players and playing styles. Just happened to be the first three I found

Yamaha Demos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDwQePAGNv8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJeL5FSATz8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5vF-eGuCBo


I know what I would pick, but... I'm biased.
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Old 04-08-2020, 11:53 PM
Cool555 Cool555 is offline
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I’ll go for a FG5 or a FS5. They are great guitars!

But I’m bias as I’ve never played a Guild guitar before.
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  #9  
Old 04-09-2020, 07:37 AM
rwmct rwmct is offline
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I am a little surprised at the number of people who say they have not played a Guild before. Guild may have been number three to Martin and Gibson, but they were at least in the conversation. I had no idea they had fallen off the radar to that extent.
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  #10  
Old 04-09-2020, 07:47 AM
Wellington Wellington is offline
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It’s true, they are usually off the radar, not really sure why, I’m sort of discovering them lately, though I’ve always known of them. I just never see people playing them on YouTube unless I search for guild, but I’m tally drawn into their stuff right now, just watched a Martin D28/Guild D55 comparison, holy moly that guild was so full and warm yet clear!
I’m
The last few days I’ve been watching reviews of the westerly love, man I’m falling in love but am hesitant about the chunky neck. Wish I could play one.
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d40e, fgx5, guild, yamaha

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