Cheap vs. Expensive Guild Acoustics | D-40 Traditional vs. D-140

[@paul_sebastian1154]

Great video, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t prefer the D40, but in all honesty I’d be happy with the D140. Always had a soft spot for Guild, never owned one but have a real hankering for one. 👍

[@davidohara6515]

The man can play. Then some. Another great review of an under appreciated brand. Gotta get a Guild!

[@TwentythreeCrows]

Great demo Cooper. I played a 1976 D50 for more than 40 years until i was afflicted with old man shoulder. Nothing else sounded like it, that Guild was absolutely great, I could play any thing on it, miss that expansive sound terribly when I play the smaller guitars now. Guild dreads are really magnificent instruments. As always, great review.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

I had a D-50 too and that thing was a cannon. It played as easily as an electric guitar. I was so stupid to sell it. I wish I had it back now. It's the same as a D-55 without the bling.

[@martinbullivantart]

I have been playing guitar for a little short of 50 years. I have owned dozens and dozens of guitars, acoustic and electric. My very first serious acoustic guitar was a Guild F30 NT, which (after a few years) I had to sell as a young man with no money and two kids. For the last 20 years, my only acoustic has been a Martin 0000-28 - H. An absolute turbo Bentley of a guitar. I recently bought a second acoustic, a Guild D - 140 CE. Now, after 20 years with a high end Martin on my knee, I am not easily impressed. I’ve tried Taylors, Gibsons, allsorts of instruments. This Guild is utterly wonderful. It has a different voice to the Martin having mahogany back and sides, and being a dreadnought. The Martin has a warmth and complexity of tones that lends itself to a huge range of styles, and when it first arrived, the Guild, like most new guitars, felt and sounded tight, and restricted. So did the Martin, frankly. However, after a few months of enthusiastic attention, and a good set up, it is opening up into a beautifully voiced, articulate instrument, with a fabulous string separation, a lovely capacity to cut through a band whether played acoustically or amplified. There are warm resonant overtones to the bass that make me smile. One of the things I have always loved about Guild guitars is it they do not try to be Martin, Gibson, or Taylor clones. They have their own warm, Woody, rounded voice. If someone decries one of these instruments, because it is Chinese made, they are missing the point completely. I own many many thousands of pounds worth of guitars and this instrument is utterly beautiful and gets better every day. My two main electrics are 1981 Gibson, Les Paul, custom, and a 20-year-old Gretsch Silver Falcon. I’m not easily impressed. (Just in case some cynic is wondering, I’ve got nothing to do with Guild guitars, and I don’t get paid a bean for saying any of this). So, there you have it. An utterly beautiful guitar.

[@michaelbrowning2625]

Big fan of sounds you made w/ that D 140. Great comparison and explanations.

[@Nickster60]

I own a D-140 and is was really tight out of the box. I played it at a BG jam and sounded like a different guitar the next day in a very good way. The bottom end just came to life. My guitar doesn’t have any fretwork issues. Really good guitar for the money.

[@wasperminingco]

I have the 140 as well. Ive owned it for almost a year and it definitely sounds better now than out of the box. I raised the action to just under 3/16th (at he 12th fret) and I prefer it now to any of my other acoustics.

[@ryanlevesque8463]

I have a D-150 with rosewood back and sides I call it the Martin slayer for the price sounds as good as d -28 for 1/4 the price I love them it makes me want to buy a D55 USA guild instead of a Martin or Gibson

[@G_Demolished]

@@ryanlevesque8463 Lol no it doesn’t

[@stanleybroniszewsky8538]

​@@wasperminingco- I own both a Yamaha FG700S as well as a Sigma (unsure of model since I never look). The Sigma has no issues with the neck as it stays in tune whereas the Yamaha is a real p.i.t.a. always needing a neck adjustment even though they're both in the same environment. I really like the D140 as it'll likely be my next guitar.

[@brucefrye2292]

I learned how to play,on a small Guild my sister had for school. I'm 70 yrs old now,and have had this D-140 for 5 years now. And it keeps getting better, every time I play it. I'm very happy with it!

[@charlesbranch4120]

Thank you, Cooper. I’m with you on appreciating the larger nut width, and the higher quality of gig bag. I bought two B-stock demo Breedlove concert (more auditorium size, larger than the Taylor Academy 12) giving a 12e and the Breedlove Eco Concert E solid Adirondack spruce/African mahogany to my guitarist son in law. Just brought The Dude’s signature version with me for his comparison some time. The signature gig bag is stiffer with added Velcro neck rest pad, padded shoulder straps and embroidered signature, motto, and Breedlove. Sounds great! The Cole Clark is too nice to travel with….

[@Jasper_Yay636]

I still cannot release my fear. Even my bang on campfires have hard cases. Reckon if I was still young humper, dragging my sea bag at the same time, definitely. Semper Fi

[@spencerbliscano]

Hey Cooper- its a pleasure watching you play, my friend. There's alot of proficient players out there over the years and playing today, but not my of them you could say it's a true refreshing experience and lesson in the guitar to watch. Thanks man.

[@1958CaddyMan]

I just love a Cooper review! Very informative and educates the buyer to make the best choice. Keep them coming Cooper!!!!

[@GavinEhringer]

I went to a big guitar store and sampled dozens of acoustics, finally landing on a D-140 solely based on tone. It beat out some Martins, Yamahas and Takamine's I sampled. I ended up buying one. Couldn't be happier! I am an intermediate player, so cost was a consideration. I felt I got great value and tone for the money. It's also really nice to play.

[@ronaldkaminsky7736]

You gave a good honest option on both models. Very well done.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

Thanks Cooper. Excellent reviews. Love my (antique sunburst) 140.

[@gam1471]

A good review, thanks. The D-140 to my ears had more of an open warmer sound, whereas the D-40 sounded punchier, tighter, more focused. I've owned a couple of D-40s, also a D-35 and a D-50 over the years. Guilds are first class guitars, and I think it's good that they're able to offer a more affordable line as well.

[@shawnsnow6413]

Turn your hearing aid up lol

[@bobaldo2339]

It took 4 years for the low end of my Guild D-40 Traditional to open up.

[@Fernwald84]

Thanks a bunch for your very generous playing comparison of these two fine guitars, Cooper. We're all more fortunate for Guild's rebirth under Cordoba and Red Ferguson's expert leadership.

[@jackorbit7258]

Good honest review. Thanks, Cooper.

[@seanhallahan14]

So so so great to see the quality competition. Ever so humbly, nothing is said about the difference in voicing steps steps between the admittedly rising tide of off shore factory knowledge transference and capabilities, and extra labor steps that add ever so diminishing returns to the exquisiteness of the more expensive guitar. The golden age of acoustic guitars just keeps getting goldener and goldener. Perhaps think about a weight to sound quality video. You guys ROCK, as always. Thank you!

[@billyhughes9776]

To my ears -- the D140 was sharper sounding on top (not bad) and didn't have the punch in the lowend. That said, I think it sound really good,..especially for the price. The D40 sounded bigger on the bottom, warmer more focused mids and smoother top. Great playing par usual Cooper -- dig it.

[@Mrsournotes]

Nice video Cooper. I still play my Guild D-40 I purchased new in 1977.

[@romererunamerika9437]

lol just broke out my 1977 Guild 40NT that I have had since 1980. My first guitar teachers guitar given to me by his widow after he passed in a car accident at 27 in 1980. I thought I would die when he did, he meant that much to me. Beautiful soul and incredible talented guitar player and teacher. Hit by a drunk driver coming home from work as an Engineer. Still think about him 40 years later. The guitar is in great shape although it hasn't been played in likely 30 years. I just retired as a physician with 30 years service. I have kept in my closet safe and sound all these years. Maybe I have to pick it up again and play. I was going to give it to my youngest daughter when I pass but maybe not? LOL Maybe I'll take it with me to the afterlife?

[@VovvenGromit]

Take it out and play it now. A lot. Then pass it on to your daughter when the time comes. That way it won't just be "that guitar my dad always kept in the closet and I mentioned from time to time", but it'll be "my dad's beloved guitar that he played ad nauseam and drove us all crazy with, but that I absolutely love having now as a memory of him".

[@salciaburri5133]

Sorry about the loss of your friend/guitar teacher. I got my D40 back in 1978 ,paid 300 dollars which included a hard shell case. Like yours, my was untouched for about 20 years. Then in my mid forties got the guitar bug back. In my sixties now ,retired and finally have the time to really enjoy it. Still sounds really nice.

[@Lucenafoto]

for shure I am not too specialist but I feel like an equalize can make sound vitrual the same. Amazing play! Amazing sound!

[@jon8021]

NGL, I skipped to the sound demos to hear Cooper’s playing. Great stuff as usual!

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Now do D40 Traditional vs D40! Or maybe better yet… Martin D-18. Would be fun to hear the differences. You do some of the best guitar nerd videos on KZbin! The way you play really lets me hear the character of the guitars. Not always the case with some players (might be my issue more than theirs!)

[@ochoron7430]

Listened with eyes closed to both samples never looking at which he chose to play first. The D-40 bass and tone was night and day to me. I've been playing guitar 55+ years and that's my opinion. Now if I can start a GoFundMe maybe someday I'll be able to own the D-40 😊😮

[@GK-vj9dz]

i just played a d-40 trad (sunburst) for the first time ever today at a famous guitar store in LA. it was a cannon. the first thing i usually do with a hanging guitar is strum the low e string. i'm not kidding when i ay that the room (it was small) practically shook. i played it for about ten minutes before putting it down. if i had continued, i may have come home with it. i was only at the store to get strings. it was a phenomenal instrument.

[@dennispurdy3533]

I don't know which is better but you are a great player.

[@stevebrisson3236]

I've had a 74 guild d25m for eight years, did a ref ret a couple years ago. Excellent sounding and playing guitar.

[@johnsee7269]

Glad you mentioned a price range!

[@jonadams9410]

To a player of my skillset, they sound exactly the same. Because i have no skills. Excellent playing Cooper!

[@finemeat]

Same

[@ScrewballMcAdams]

I still own my 1970ish D40CNT - made in USA, solid mahogany + spruce, hard case. I probably paid about $450 for it back then, when virtually all guitars came with a hard case and were made in USA. It has withstood the test of time and still sounds amazing. It is possibly one of the first ever acoustics to have a cutaway which was why I bought it. It has a rich, mellow, balanced tone that records beautifully. No, I will never sell it.

[@charlesdavis5942]

Your playing is awesome 👏

[@transcendenttv]

I’ll tell you man… I bought the Guild F240 jumbo simply because the price was right and I love jumbos. Not only does it sound amazing (tuned down to an open A or G) with a giant sounding bassy warmth filled with overtones, but it also has its own unique sound compared to all the other jumbos in the collection. Been really surprised by it.

[@GaryGBrown]

Huge difference in sound. The 140 sounds good, no doubt, but there is a discernible difference in tone to me. I’d continue to save my pennies and get the D40.

[@ScottCommon632]

I'm with ya on that. the notes just blend harmoniously with D40. Warmer. Better for songwriting.

[@cchavez248]

IMHO, the D40 handled the transients way better! If you play mostly plugged in, the difference between these might not be worth the price to upgrade to the D40. For me, the difference in sound played acoustically is worth the upgrade, those choked sounding notes would give me buyer's regret! Great demo! D40, worth it!

[@jlhgaming595]

The d40 is more than three times the price tho

[@cchavez248]

@@jlhgaming595 I guess that's why we all need to assess our needs and wants for a guitar. I play acoustically very often, the difference in price, for me, is more than worth it for me because the slight flaws in the ,D 140 would eat at my soul, unless I were able to fix the problems completely with some work on the guitar!

[@JeremyLeech]

$800 vs $2600 isn’t exactly “Pennies”

[@robertfields1964]

Nice presentation, great playing!

[@Derek-rv3ee]

It was only mentioned once, but this is the D-40 Traditional. 3 piece neck, nitro, chesterfield logo, Adirondack bracing. The regular D-40 is one piece neck, regular spruce bracing, satin finish, no chesterfield. Both great, I'd like to see a comparison

[@davidkadams1]

Great playing!

[@santosvasquez6229]

Coop !!! thank you !!!

[@billdedrick1914]

Great playing..demo.. I do not hear $1700 difference in sound from the D40..I have played a D140 and first impression was wow...especially for the price..

[@johnmcrae3221]

That was a great discussion! Thanks for doing it. The 2 guitars both sounded great though some different. I think for all the reasons you mentioned, having either for a long term will show auditory differences. The 40 will sound better. If one has a goal of having forca short time, then spend on the 140. The reasons you gave for the 40 will hold true making this a super instrument. I think with the exception of the Hoboken years, the current time may be the better period for Guild just because Cordoba wants it to be a top quality.

[@dukesnyder9705]

Great review. Thank you!

[@fourocker]

Damn you're a good player, the D140 is sounding fantastic and I'd be perfectly happy with it but the D40 is simply the best sounding acoustic ever made, amazing projection and shimmer.

[@ryanbloom1738]

I have the Guild D40 Triditional great guitar lightly built got some power.

[@judithcoffing6326]

About 6 months ago I was in the market for an acoustic/electric 6-string. I had wanted one for some time as I did not own one. (I was playing in the pit for summer stock theater.) I have been a 12 string player for a long time in P&W, gospel and pit orchestra for musicals. I also play electric 6's and 12's in the pit. To say the least I was "needing" a good acoustic/electric 6. I tried a couple of the Guild 140's, amazing guitars. I played other brands at three different GC's and (as I live close) ended up at Sweetwater. My spousal unit came with me to all these places and would not look at the guitar I was playing so she wouldn't be swayed by the look of the guitar. I played many different brands. I finally tried a Martin D-10e. One strum of an "E" chord and she said, "that's it!". I have not been a big Martin fan, but she preferred the Martin over the Guild. They are pretty close in price. As you imply here the "bang for the buck" with the 140 is pretty compelling. Also, with guitars like the 140 and the D-10 if anything would happen to them, you're not out near as much and could more easily replace them. The D-40 does sound really good. But in a mix with other guitar players and musical instruments I'm not sure you could hear the difference? Great vid kiddo! Really love y'all's vids.

[@Malagrass]

Great video I really liked it. Personally I think the differences are here between the two guitars is in the finish. The nitro finish long with the Adirondack braces made it a better sounding guitar, that’s not saying the 140 is bad by any stretch of the imagination. For $800, I’m not sure the D 40 is worth the extra money but that’s me.

[@400_billion_suns]

I love Guild’s acoustics. They are very nicely made, have a gorgeous tone, and punch WAY above their price point. As with pretty much any guitar, a good setup will make the most of them, but they are fantastic instruments.

[@stanleybroniszewsky8538]

I began entertaining the thought of getting a Guild as my next acoustic. I already have a Yamaha as well as a Sigma. I actually prefer the Sigma over the Yamaha. But I want to move up. Guild looks really good.

[@scoggers1628]

I dig the George Harrison-like licks at the start of the demos and your playing throughout is excellent as always, Cooper. I'm not in the market for a dreadnought, but I think I'd be happy with either the D40 or D140.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

The first guitar sounded good, but I instantly heard a silky smooth refinement when ha switched to the traditional D40

[@TheHenkka65]

Brilliant review. Thank you. Gotta get that D-140. 👍🌹‼️

[@catherinepowell638]

Ok got it now, about price. Just a LOT of info too take in. That said, Thank you very much for the presentation!

[@munchenerfreiheit]

The difference is immediately apparent. The D40 sings more. That said, the D140 is excellent at its price point.

[@thewanderer7630]

what a huge difference between these two. The D40 is close to a miracle.

[@LPGDivorce]

Great review Cooper. I also find more money means better quality but usually not warranting the price. Then the question becomes--do I have the dough at the time.

[@adamhicks24]

It would be cool if you guys posted the song or tune you demo the guitars with cause they're all typically great pieces. Unless they're just off the cuff which is pretty cool

[@ScottCommon632]

BEST DEMO chords / variety of styles EVER>. thx

[@aaronlarsen7447]

I hear a tiny difference and I like the pick guard on the 140 and string spacing. I'd get some bone on the d 140 and call it good.

[@lowellcalavera6045]

My D-140 came from the factory with bone nut and saddle.

[@dannysiacovouguitar]

great playing!!!!!

[@transcendenttv]

I also tend to agree w other players re old vintage Guilds. I’ve got a few 70s Guild dreads including the all mahogany M20, and yes of course they are in a class all by themselves. Can’t compare them to newer Guilds no matter “where” they are made. They’re just a stellar line of guitars by an often overlooked great company.

[@stephenkennedy7347]

The D40 is way better (actually an awesome guitar) but it should be for the price - the D140 by comparison punches well above it's weight for it's price.

[@ronaldjmartin]

I don't know Cooper, I love the sound and would be happy with either. What I really want is the tabs to that sweet little tune you were playing...hook a fellow Texan up.

[@jackiedixon5076]

I like your honest review. I like the slightly lower pronunciation of the American. Which to me is the cornerstone of a dread. Both seem to have good mid clarity. Of course, most of the things like bone nuts and saddles and string heights are easy replaceable. Tone is really hard to determine in a video. Deep pockets should go with the American, of course. But for jams and and non-pro level playing the upper class of Asian acoustic are all pretty comparable. My own opinion, of course.

[@kaushalsuvarna5156]

great playing

[@bobaldo2339]

The Guild D-40 traditional has African Mahogany (as opposed to Honduran) back and sides. It also has a 12" fretboard radius ( as do all the US made Guilds). The Guild D-140 has a 16" (flatter) fretboard radius. I don't know what sort of Mahogany the back & sides are made from on the D-140.

[@noahr4951]

I dig your playing.

[@shred5]

The D-140 sounds alright, but a little bit tiny or boxy where the D-40 sounds proper, full and rich. That said, I played a D-150CE recently and was amazed how well it sounded - liked the sound as much as two Martin D-35s I played.

[@be.kind.to.animals]

Love your reviews and humour lol

[@philcottone2247]

I usually can't tell much of a difference between the cheap and expensive comparisons but not this time. The D40 was significantly better in my opinion. The D140 sounded tinny with not much bass. The D40 had a clear bright sound with an excellent low end.

[@glennhedman1415]

I just bought a Guild M40 and absolutely love it but would love to see a comparison with the M140 By the way I live right next door to westerly and esterol and actually toward the westerly Guild facility in the eighties and nineties

[@kh77]

I had a chance to play the new Guild M40 and wow it was a pleasure to play and growing up next to Westerly just makes it that much cooler

[@Gavdrums]

Great comparison, really clear and mellow. What was the name of the song you played?

[@MyMateGeorge]

Nice comparison and great playing. D40 sounds lovely, but not an extra $1500 lovely. (And some of the sound difference was, I think, that the D140 was a little out of tune there? 😊)

[@timnewman1172]

As the owner of two Nazareth-made Martins, the new Guild guitars are absolutely fantastic! As far as the imports, I think the Westerly Guilds are just better than the road-series Martins... yes, I said it.

[@timnewman1172]

Listening to the two, not to slight the D-140 but the D-40 just plain is a better-sounding guitar... Now if I were going to play live a lot with a pick-up, I would probably get a D-140 to take out to gigs.

[@transcendenttv]

I tend to agree with you on that. Not that I dont LOVE Martins. It would be silly not to. But this westerly collection really hit it out of the park.

[@pertjacanape]

D40 much stronger mids D140 better separated highs The song bridge sounded 10x fuller on the D40, the high runs better articulated on the 140. Overall the 140 had noticeably better power and lovely balance, but the highs on the 140 were stronger and they pierced in a very nice way. Gorgeous song and playing.

[@stanleybroniszewsky8538]

I already own both a Yamaha FG700S as well as a Sigma (unsure of model as I never check, bought it from Amazon). I wanted an Epiphone Hummingbird, but I really prefer the Guild D140.

[@sixstringstak]

Awesome video mate! D40 all day man. Noticed a distinct difference instantly. Now is it possible to order a D40 in the charcoal burst? I aboslutely love that finish!

[@AshwinShankar-ns4gq]

I think the truth here is that you can make any guitar sound fantastic :D

[@j.carlosporta9134]

Hola,saludos desde España,primero felicitarte por los vídeo y su comparativa,😄👌 verá,yo tengo una Guild D-140 y la afino en D# qué calibre y que altura de cuerdas me aconseja? Estoy muy perdido con este tema,gracias y un saludo cordial

[@robertdavis5495]

Awesome guitars! Just bought the 140! BTW what kind of pick is that?

[@williecheng7430]

Great comparison, may we know the strings did you use? Thanks

[@tomformanek3312]

The D40 also has an Adi top. The standard has a sitka top.

[@Dr.Bigglesworth]

Definitely the D-40 has much better tonality IMO, but the D-140 is no slouch, especially for the price. Now you have me curious how the D-40 compares with my DV-52...which is currently my favorite acoustic that I have. I can see why the D-40 is flying off the shelf!

[@jonizefox]

6:20 vs 8:13 and 7:14 vs 9:16

[@folkman08]

What is the song he was playing? Sounded amazing, for real. I'd listen to him on Spotify all day if he was on there.

[@AlamoMusic]

I am on there! The song I was playing in this video is called "Post Graduate" and it is on Spotify-- I've got some tunes on there just under my name, Cooper Greenberg.

[@folkman08]

@@AlamoMusic thanks man! I love it. Keep up the good work! Adding your music to my Spotify now. I’ve watched the demoing portion of this video like ten times, lol.

[@sduos-ws6ov]

Which one is worth more than it costs? Thanks.

[@77guitarts22]

In the end of the Demo, D40, more expensive, started to get out of tune ... why pay so much for a 43 mm instead of 45 mm width of the nut, and just because is made in the USA? With a little work on the frets and the little things you were saying, easily you can have an amazing D140 very similar to the more expensive.

[@addominic]

what about their fb radius, one is 12 and the other is 16 I believe. is that a big diff in terms of playability?

[@willemswenson4439]

what’s the song in the demo

[@petrotmyrcz308]

Damn my cheap headphones! I got them specifically to listen to guitar demo's, and every guitar I listen to sounds deeper, fuller and richer than they would in real life. Plus, they all sound about the same. This doesn't happen when I listen to other music on youtube. From what I gather here, the 140 sounds very good, punching above the price tag I guess. Of course, Cooper could make any guitar sound good and I can't. I'd still like to have the D40 though, and would keep my eyes peeled for a nice used one.

[@robinrayholmes4725]

id like to see a demo of the black d140ce

[@Hungry_Hunter]

I'm looking at getting a new acoustic guitar ATM and this is a really nice demo.

[@robitteilag6682]

i own a guild D-4 frim the early 90s, built in westerly (my hometown!) how is that related to the D-40?

[@climber7565]

Honestly, what awesome sounds! Cooper! Cooper Cooper! That tune you plated man!! is beautiful!, any chance you would record that music and sell it? I feel you made those guitars sing. Yea they have a factory assembling in CA, parts made in China! Also, "The Westerly Collection acoustic guitar models are made in China by our skilled factory partners." They are Chinese-made, with all that is going on abroad. NO WILL NOT SUPPORT CHINA!

[@revolutioninthespiri]

You really just can’t beat American made Guilds. And they get better over time. I have an old 1996 DV 52, and it just sings better every year.

[@contrabandjoe7974]

Gig with the D-140, Record with the D-40. But I can hear the difference in tone.

[@MidnightMiik]

The D40 has a richer more balanced tone. Creamy was the first thought that came to mind. The D140 is a bit punchier and more mid forward. The nut width is a huge selling point.

[@yomommaahotoo264]

The Traditional is also a slightly deeper body.

[@ZorbaTheGreek]

D-40 sounds much softer and sweeter to my ears. But what I've got is D-140, which is gorgeous enough to feel the spruce-mahogany sound.😂

[@dieselman7453]

Cheers copper I have a 1972 guild f50r built like a tank sings like a bird cheers copper I love your playing your s master guitarist!! Cheers Brian Ireland 🇮🇪

[@sesa2984]

What’s that song?

[@eagleheadterraceia2803]

I got the new cherry burst d 140. And for me it's a winner. And like Cooper said the wider 1 & 3/4 nut width is very good.

[@aaronlarsen7447]

Cooper is such a good player.

[@olivier5866]

The Guild Sound 👌. The D140 needs 5 or 6 months of playing to be better and better. I’m a french guitarist 🇫🇷.

[@ireneeb6592]

J'allais dire la même chose ;) J'ai ma D140ce depuis environ deux ans et c'est une merveille

[@shutterKeebs1127]

Which one is better GUILD D140 or MARTIN X DX1AE