Guild D-25 Made in USA

[IBKuz]

Originally Posted by KenL

Guild also made a couple of braceless models with maple. Very pretty guitars.

I don't recall the model designations, though.

The maple Dread model was the D30, flamed maple B/S and two piece neck, looks like a Sitka top. I got mine about 15 yeas ago used ($800 CDN w/ original case), plays great and is a stellar guitar (a real “looker” as well). I played a couple D25’s at the time, great all round guitars.

[RussL30]

Originally Posted by abn556

I have been a lifelong fan of ES-335s which are laminated maple/poplar/maple arched backs and tops. I don’t know anyone who plays a lot of 335s who complains about their tone.

I don’t know why I never noted the braceless back on the D-25M. Its a guitar I have played a few times a year for decades at my buddy’s place. Learn something new every day…

+

The old Guild guitars are really great guitars. From your signature it looks like you like Gibsons. Gibson has used that design too. I have a Gospel reissue that has the braceless arched back and it is such a great and powerful sound. Taylor also uses it on the GS mini.

[Br1ck]

The flatback D 25 was made for a few short years until 72 or so if I recall correctly. These were all mahogany. If yours has a real mahogany top it would be quite rare. Many were stained to look like mahogany. This is the norm.

If I needed a gigging workhorse I'd go looking for one. But my 70 D 35 serves me well, so I have no reason. Guilds have been saddled with the poor man's Martin tag for far too long. But in reality, many were sold to poor students back in the day.

They also suffer from the not worth fixing tag because you can buy them for $1000 plus or minus, and people don't want to sink neck reset money into them. I bought my D 35 needing all the work, but got it cheap.

[Athens]

Originally Posted by EZYPIKINS

Mine 1979 D-25M I think is is Spruce top though.
Attachment 93688

That would be a D-25 “C”. It was a spruce top in what they called a Cherry stain. I had a ‘73 model.

[Sarah1F]

I have my dad’s 1974 Guild D25M (made in Westerly, RI), which I believe my dad purchased in 1975, preowned. It is an absolutely beautiful instrument, but since it hasn’t been played in many years, I don’t even know what it sounds like. I’ve had the strings off because there’s a bit of a gap under the bridge, and I don’t want to string it up and play it only to risk damage.
I never noticed that before, but you are absolutely correct… It does not have any back bracing!!

[zombywoof]

The first new guitar I ever bought was a 1970 D25. It had a brown rather than cherry stain and a flat back. It occupied that sweet spot in price between a Harmony Sovereign and a Martin D18.

[Pickcity]

Originally Posted by IBKuz

The maple Dread model was the D30, flamed maple B/S and two piece neck, looks like a Sitka top. I got mine about 15 yeas ago used ($800 CDN w/ original case), plays great and is a stellar guitar (a real “looker” as well). I played a couple D25’s at the time, great all round guitars.

The G37 was another arched back, maple Guild. I had one and let it get away. It is one of my bigger regrets, looking back. It was a very nice sounding guitar.

Yeah this is a thread resurrection. I was looking into D25’s because I found a pretty good local deal and am considering it. I’m still undecided. I think I would rather have another G37…

[FingahPickah]

My 1987 Guild JF65-12 jumbo 12 string has a Sitka top / solid maple sides with a brace-less arched laminated maple back. Big, powerful voice.

[JKA]

A Guild D25CH was the first decent guitar I ever bought around '78 from a tiny music shop in Reading called Biggles. Played everything in the shop but nothing took my fancy. The owner suggested the guitar hanging from the rafters I'd ignored as I wasn't keen on the colour. From the first stum I knew I was buying it.

That guitar travel with me for years and played many gigs in Berlin when I was stationed there with the RAF.

I don't know why I got rid of it but it set me on the road to appreciating fine instruments.

Been a life long Guild fan ever since and have ended up with my forever D55.

[Tuberoast]

I have a 79 Cherry stained D-25. They have a unique sound, closer to Gibson than Martin (at least with mine). The Brazilian bridge is nice.

[abn556]

Back in the day, Guild used to make an incredible arch top called a Guild Artist Award. Very rare guitar. From what I can tell, only a few hundred were ever made. The one in the pic came to me when a buddy passed away in Austin a couple years ago. His older brother had been a collector and dealer and had a couple of Artist Awards and a few Martin 45s.

IMG_1798.jpg

[rollypolly]

I’ve played a couple at my local Guitar Center. They’ve always struck me as well built, solid guitars with plenty of volume and good tone. The only thing for me is the nut width is a little thin, but perhaps that varies by each guitar? For the lower end of their price range I’d seriously consider picking one up. The older all solid, all mahogany with back bracing looks really nice as well but usually commands a higher price.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by abn556

I have been a lifelong fan of ES-335s which are laminated maple/poplar/maple arched backs and tops. I don’t know anyone who plays a lot of 335s who complains about their tone.

I don’t know why I never noted the braceless back on the D-25M. Its a guitar I have played a few times a year for decades at my buddy’s place. Learn something new every day…

+

ES stands for electric Spanish. They're electric guitars, which sound good with plywood backs and tops. A 335's center block of solid maple adds sustain, and the air spaces under the f-holes give resonance. That's why they're favorites with blues players, along with Les Pauls, Telecasters, and Stratocasters.

It's on folk (a.k.a. acoustic) guitars that you can hear some deadening. Guild's solution — the unbraced arched back — was an elegant solution.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by abn556

. . . despite the laminate back and sides the guitar was quite loud.

Yup. They're howitzers.

[Charlie Bernstein]

PS re made in USA:

Not only that. It was union-made. Good provenence! I'm told the only other union-made American guitars are the ones from Gibson's old Boseman shop.