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Guild D-55 (2017)
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miconmac miconmac
Published on 02/27/08 at 08:46
Created in the late 60s, the Dreadnought model has quickly become the "star" of a brand that was known for its Jumbo. This new Guild had the advantage of inheriting the full and balanced his sisters while meeting the market&#39;s enthusiasm for the Dreadnought shape (which became very fashionable). I confirm that the similarity in sound reproduction with rosewood Jumbo (the Guild F50R) is really amazing. To say that this guitar is a jumbo atypioque "re-bodied" in Dreadnought, there is not that I not cross. But in terms of architecture and sound it is obvious that the D55 does not match the standard "D" as invented by Martin and taken up by many other brands.

Level violin, the D55 models rivals much more expensive at Gibson, Taylor and Martin. It has a quality finish that has little to envy to a Martin D45 or Gibson J200 one.
Personally, I prefer the simplicity of a D28 or D45, the look and feel very "lespaulien" of the D55. But first we choose a guitar for her and then .... ben .... I confess that it is very easy these beautiful woods, these mechanical Rolls, ect .... The only detail a bit "too-much", it is encrusted with shells on the table ;-)

UTILIZATION

It is a massive guitar is extremely comfortable. I am not a "wide gauge", instantly I found my bearings while I was initially more attracted to the "lightness" of a Martin D28 or Gibson J45. In fact, the D55 is among all the guitars I tried, the one that seemed best to combine "held" and "flexibility", "density" and "responsiveness". I play very often amplified and I think the rigidity of the guitar part to its excellent resistance to feedback. I tested my system electro (LRBaggs M1) on guitars lighter that actually proved to be more feedback-prone.

The handle is perfect for me easier to play than my telecaster ;-)

It&#39;s easy to live with a guitar: it collects the changes in temperature and humidity in stride.

SOUNDS

In my opinion, the D55 has an excellent projectivity without affecting the tonal balance of the guitar.
The bass are present but without emphasis (compared to a MartinD35, for example). The spectrum of mediums is broad, rich in harmonics .... it&#39;s really "singing". The highs are soft and very warm without missing a definition or clarity. Less air than a Gibson J200, the timbre of the D55, however, is broader, deeper .... much larger as well. Less explosive than Martin, the dynamics of the Guild is much less oriented "blue grass" / "roots". It&#39;s really not in a register "rustic" but not without paying a preciousness to Taylor.
Guild is traditionally known for its very "nature" of these guitars and the D55 is no exception: no characteristic "hyper typed" but always made a full, hot, and which finds its natural place in any style.

On his last? No, obviously not! and it would be naive to think that even scratches can bring all the qualities of the earth. But I still can not imagine anyone could be "disappointed" by this guitar is what can be so tight to a scratch that does not sound Martin? or would it make so many D55 "bad apples" in circulation?

OVERALL OPINION

I was actually recommended the purchase of a recent Guild: The "Corona" (the name of the Fender factory, which had taken over the mill&#39;s historic Westerly) and those from the very beginning of the era " Tacoma "which is the current plant (and the same as the Tacoma guitars that are also part of the group Fender). However, I tried a new D55 (thus Tacoma) last year that sounded very well. As well or better - still in its genre - other new models I tried in the store (Gibson J200, Hummingbird, Martin D45 ... D28, HD28, Taylor ... ...). For my part, I have an old model of Westerly ten years which gives me total satisfaction.

Hopefully Fender (the owner of Guild for 95) will work to perpetuate the skills of a brand that for 50 years had managed to cultivate "his" difference. But since Fender has announced that the Guild factory would move again in 2008 (the third relocation in 7 years!) Aficionados of the brand fear the worst: after being hosted by Fender in California and in Tacoma in the state Washington is soon in New Jersey in ... Ovation (one of the last acquisition of FMIC) that the production unit will redeploy United States Guild ...

I document a lot, I try a lot of guitars and really brainstormed before investing in this guitar:
I fanstasmais for years on a Gibson J200 ...
The reason I said "not seek 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. ---> Martin D28 "....
I had been a two fingers to fall for a good old J45 nasal ...
And it is ultimately a big blow to the heart that has tipped the balance
If it again? .. ben really hesitate shorter ;-)