Guild D-25 Made in USA

[abn556]

Has anyone here ever seen a D-25 - all mahogany - that has no back bracing of any kind in the guitar and no evidence that there ever was any. The guitar was quite heavy for an acoustic. I assume a back with no bracing that is arched could be made of laminate like a 335 and have the arch heat pressed into it.

Anyone familiar with these? A buddy brought it over to the house today. It needed a serious fretboard cleaning, new strings, and the top was badly hazed by arm sweat. I took care of the maintenance and got most of the haze off the top with Virtuoso. Owner estimates the guitar to be over a late 70s to early 80s model.

I’m very curious about the total lack of back braces.

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[Gordon Currie]

I owned a 76 D-25 with arched back. The back is laminated and braceless.

I bought it because I couldn't afford a Martin at the time.

Mine was a deep cherry red/brown stained spruce top.

Do a search and you will find threads about this very topic here on AGF.

[rllink]

The early D-25s had an arched back that was laminate. I don't know if the laminate was continued later when they later made them flat back. If you ask your question on LTG, https://www.letstalkguild.com/ltg/index.php , you will get some more knowledgeable answers.

[Athens]

They were great guitars and lots of folk had them “back in the day”. I bought mine, a 1973 archback with a cherry stained spruce top, as a high school graduation present to myself.

Tom Petty played a D25-12 string at times.

It was a very successful guitar for Guild.

[Wellington]

Very popular guitars, there's definitely a fanbase for them, I've never played one!

[abn556]

This guitar is owned by a good friend who has it it for 40+ years. I believe he got it in Singapore when he was a drilling manager for Esso International (Exxon) there. I have played it over the years. It sounds quite good - very loud. I had just never noticed that it had no braces. I’m obviously not very knowledgeable on Guilds.

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[KenL]

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

I don't recall the model designations, though.

[abn556]

Forgot to mention that I did look at the top bracing with a mirror with lights. It had a rosewood bridge plate and a x braced top which appeared to be solid mahogany. I played along with him on my 000-18 and the D-25 was a louder guitar. I know dread vs a 000….. Was mainly noting that despite the laminate back and sides the guitar was quite loud.

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[AE-19]

I recently picked up one of these. It's a 1975 Guild D-25m. Dark red/brown stained spruce top, with the arched back. Must have been a case queen, no neck problems, body in mint shape, all I did was lower the nut slots a little. It's a cannon...loud and clear. No buyer's remorse here. I would prefer a 1 3/4 nut width, but I am getting along with the 1 11/16 no problem.

[schoolie]

It's the laminated, arched back that makes this model so special. Everybody needs a D-25 or D-15m in their life.

I think the Oxnard factory is still using the same lamination press that was used in Westerly.

[EZYPIKINS]

Mine 1979 D-25M I think is is Spruce top though.
d25m.jpg

[DCCougar]

Originally Posted by abn556

Was mainly noting that despite the laminate back and sides the guitar was quite loud.

Yeah, Guild's braceless, arched laminate back is a feature, not a drawback. The D25 is Guild's workhorse. Some are flat backs, which are solid wood. They've got lam maple archbacks on their higher end models: F50 and the iconic F412 12-string. Guild jumbos are spectacular.

[Charlie Bernstein]

Originally Posted by abn556

I’m very curious about the total lack of back braces.

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The wood is laminated and arched. No need for bracing. It would just dull the sound. That's why those old unbraced D-25s sound so good.

For a more thorough discussion, visit www.letstalkguild.com. It's a friendly crew, they know everything, and as the name implies, they love talking Guild.

[abn556]

Originally Posted by DCCougar

Yeah, Guild's braceless, arched laminate back is a feature, not a drawback. The D25 is Guild's workhorse. Some are flat backs, which are solid wood. They've got lam maple archbacks on their higher end models: F50 and the iconic F412 12-string. Guild jumbos are spectacular.

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…

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[Tony Burns]

I own that very same guitar - a '78 Guild USA made D25CH ( red stained top )
laminate back solid sides with a sitka top ( also has a Guild Hardshell case of that era ) - it has an amazing tone
They are commonly called the Work horse for short . Basically all the guitar a professional needs
They honestly are that good - I replaced the in line tuners with gotohs , changed the saddle to Bone , installed ebony abalone centered bridge pins -
( threw the old plastic ones away ) it also came standard with a Brazilian rosewood bridge - The top is also extremely tight and nicely silked -

At the time it was made they sold for about 200 dollars ( with a hard case ) basically Guilds starting Dread -





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