Advice, Please: Choosing 1 of 2 Guitars.

[dkleiner]

Hello, all:

Recently, I posted a thread about choosing a guitar for my son in the $800 range. A lot of helpful advice was given.

Since then, I have upped my budget to the $1K range. I have narrowed the choices to a new Martin D13 or a used Guild D40. They are not a perfect apple to apple comparison, but they are close enough.

Has anyone had to opportunity to try both?

Thank you.

[vindibona1]

I haven't played both but have heard both. My preference leans toward the Guild.

[TokyoNeko]

I have played neither, but you know you're about to get another hundred or so suggestions about everyone else's favorite guitars.

[Rockysdad]

Advice already given in previous thread, it's up to you now.
Take your son to some stores and give him the options available, he should decide if he's the one going to play it.
He may not care for others choices.

[619TF]

Go for the Guild.

[Kerbie]

Here's the previous thread being referenced...

https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/...d.php?t=555726

[Larry Mal]

I recently bought a Guild D-40 Bluegrass Jubilee made in New Hartford, when they were using Adirondack tops.

I paid a grand for it, and I cannot imagine how any guitar at any price could be much better than this.

[SpruceTop]

I've always liked the Guild D-40. I haven't any experience with the Martin D-13.

[Pickcity]

Originally Posted by Rockysdad

Advice already given in previous thread, it's up to you now.
Take your son to some stores and give him the options available, he should decide if he's the one going to play it.
He may not care for others choices.

^^This is the best advice. My Dad took it upon himself to buy me a new Taylor a few years ago, and though I like it, it is not the one I would have chosen. I have always wished he would have taken me along and allowed me to choose. I will always appreciate what he did, but a guitar is personal, for what it's worth. Also, for what it's worth, I think you absolutely rock as a Dad.

[Oldguy64]

Another option, let him choose.
Or, let him choose between one of YOUR “lower end” guitars.
Call it his “musical inheritance”.
Then go shopping for a new guitar for you.

[6L6]

The Guild D-40 is an all-time classic. Go with the Guild!

[Athens]

The Guild D-40, hands down.

[rwmct]

I agree you should let him pick. That said, if I was picking, it would be the Guild.

[Tico]

Haven't played a Martin D-13, but owned a D-40 I bought new in 1974.
It was fantastic!!!
I only sold it 3 years later so I could buy my D-55.

Back and sides of the Guild are solid mahogany.
Martin's website doesn't even say solid or laminated, or even what in the world they are made of, it only says "Rosewood Color"
It's probably that HPL which IIRC isn't even wood.
Guild's fingerboard is real solid rosewood, Martin is a synthetic product.

If everything checks out, get the Guild!

[guitar george]

I also would go with the Guild, but, not knowing the age of your son and being of a younger generation, he would probably much prefer a new Martin. If you let him try both guitars he would tell you which one he prefers.