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-   -   Arched back Guild D-25's? (https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=314170)

mcbean 10-17-2013 07:58 PM

Arched back Guild D-25's?
 
Anybody know the details of when Guild made the D-25's with the arched back? Or what years they started and stopped making the arched back ones?

I have a friend who found one (what??) in his parents' garage, hasn't been used in years. I'm trying to help give him an approximate dating. I couldn't find a serial number on it...the paper inside had been removed, and it did not appear that it was ever on the back of the headstock as many are. It did have "D-25" stamped on the inside of the sound hole.

Watasha 10-17-2013 08:15 PM

If no one here has the answer, ask the guys at Let's Talk Guild:

http://letstalkguild.com/ltg/forum.php

Hans Moust (Author/Guild expert etc.) can probably tell you what the man who built your guitar had for breakfast that particular morning. ;)

mcbean 10-17-2013 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watasha (Post 3660945)

Hans Moust (Author/Guild expert etc.) can probably tell you what the man who built your guitar had for breakfast that particular morning. ;)



Impressive! Will do if nothing happens here.

PTC Bernie 10-17-2013 08:19 PM

D25
 
The arch back were made through the 70's, at least. The serial number should be stamped on the back of the head stock, it would be unusual for it not to be, and the date it was started may be stamped inside on the head block.

Let us know what you find. D25's are great instruments!

mcbean 10-17-2013 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PTC Bernie (Post 3660949)

Let us know what you find. D25's are great instruments!



Yeah they are...I'm pretty jealous of it actually. He doesn't play so I was hoping he'd offer it up nice and cheap...no dice...he wants to keep it! Sad for me, but I'm happy for him, it's a cool guitar.

3 chord 10-17-2013 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbean (Post 3660954)

Yeah they are...I'm pretty jealous of it actually. He doesn't play so I was hoping he'd offer it up nice and cheap...no dice...he wants to keep it! Sad for me, but I'm happy for him, it's a cool guitar.

If you like the D25 arched back sound, go find a nice old D4, pretty much the same guitar for around three to four bills.

dereklaney 10-17-2013 08:32 PM

arch back thru 80s
 
The arch backs were used into the 80s. My 1981 d25 is archback.

noledog 10-17-2013 08:45 PM

Loved my 75' D25m; gigged and traveled with me for 20+ yrs. and gave it to my oldest son who still plays it...wonderful instrument imho. :)

Gardman 10-17-2013 08:59 PM

Arched-back D-25s appeared in 1973. During the early transition period, there were some all-mahogany (incl top) arched back models made. By '74, most arched back D-25s have spruce tops (usually stained). The SN lists take the model as far as 1997... but I think it may have been discontinued before closing of the Westerly plant (but I could be wrong). When production moved to Corona, the all-mahogany D-25 was re-introduced with a flat back.

Although it isn't uncommon for labels to come loose and get lost, it is much less common to not have the SN imprinted on the back of the headstock. It's absence often indicates refinishing of the headstock and/or neck.

In the early to mid-70s, Guild often stamped dates on some of the subassemblies during construction. One common date stamp can often be found on one of the thin braces flanking the soundhole... which can be seen with an inspection mirror and flashlight. When present, this date marks completion of the top assembly, before the body is glued up. Final completion can be months later... but at least this will get you in the ballpark.

Good luck...

Athana 10-17-2013 09:26 PM

Sounds familiar.. was it a maple back & side Sitka topped guitar ?
In around later 1980's my wife & I bought a new arched back Guild dreadnaught
made in the USA for my brother in law.
We paid like $900 and had to pay an extra $100 for the case.
That was a good amount of cash back then but though it was the best we could afford..and he still has it..I think it sucks.
Regret not being able to get him something better its just in late 80's its the best we could do,

Gardman 10-17-2013 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Athana (Post 3661014)
Sounds familiar.. was it a maple back & side Sitka topped guitar ?

A maple arched back Guild dread from the early-mid 80s would be a G-37 (renamed the D-30 around 1987).

mcbean 10-18-2013 09:55 AM

It's got that cherry colored top you see on a lot of them...I'm guessing that's the stained sitka?

billgennaro 10-18-2013 10:15 AM

i believe those arched back D25's had laminate back/sides. i worked at the Westerly factory in the early 80's. always thought those Guilds were kind of heavy and chunky feeling, almost like a tank. still, they sounded pretty decent. i know they were still building them when i left there.

Gardman 10-18-2013 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcbean (Post 3661458)
It's got that cherry colored top you see on a lot of them...I'm guessing that's the stained sitka?

Yes, it would be stained spruce... probably Sitka, but someone on LTG once mentioned some might be Engelmann.

Gardman 10-18-2013 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billgennaro (Post 3661480)
i believe those arched back D25's had laminate back/sides. i worked at the Westerly factory in the early 80's. always thought those Guilds were kind of heavy and chunky feeling, almost like a tank. still, they sounded pretty decent. i know they were still building them when i left there.

The arched back is definitely laminated... for the D-25, the outer plies would be mahogany, and (according to Hans Moust) the inner ply might be poplar, soft maple, or something else.

The sides on a D-25 are solid mahogany.

They are on the heavy side... I have 8 Guild dreads right now, ranging from 4#4oz (a '72 D-35) to 5#15oz (a 1981 D-46 with ash back and sides). My D-25 falls in the low 5# range.


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