Vintage VS Reissue! The new D40 from

[@monkeysweeperguitar]

Richie Havens played a D-40 at Woodstock. You can’t get much cooler than that.

[@rzh3443]

The ‘71 version has the big advantage of time for the wood to age and warm the tone. Nice to see the new company restoring the name and quality of the Westerly guitars.

[@samuelosterloh6502]

I have a 1973 Madeira A30M maple Dreadnought (Japanese Guild) because I always wanted/loved the early/vintage Guild sound. There's nothing that compares.This video is amazing... captures it perfectly. Oh my. Makes me think I just need to put the money into the little repairs needed in my Madeira...or, go for one of these bad boys. Amazing sound. Thank you Jeremy. And thank you John Denver.

[@abeellis4470]

Great video. I preferred, by far, the sound of your 70’s model. Loving the frequent videos!

[@Gratefulman1965]

One more thing. Yamaha guitar company is now the owner of guild sold by Cordoba to them a couple months back. I do hope they continue the American guitars being built in Oxnard California.

[@646oleg]

Yamaha bought all Cordoba music group

[@Gratefulman1965]

I have bought and sold several guilds over the years. I have kept only one for myself. I have gifted a DV-52AB to my youngest son which he loves and it’s a very nice rare guitar. For me though I’ve kept a 92’ D4NT. It is hands down one of the best feeling and sounding guitars Ive ever owned. I own a few other acoustics but that old Guild is special and I paid only 399.99 for it. Love your show Jeremy and I Love Guild guitars.

[@itsjustmeMike527]

I bought a new D4 in 1992. Very nice Guild. Arched Mahogany back, right? I had to sell it a couple of years later. I've managed to acquire all four of their newer Oxnard dreadnoughts, now they come up with this Standard line. I think the jury is out on how strong the tops are with the forward shifted bracing. Sounds great.

[@stevebernard221]

I'm sure Yamaha will make sure Guild continues to be done right!

[@philipdeppen3189]

Fact. A friend of mine purchased a guild d40 traditional a few months back it sounds pretty good. 2 weeks ago I purchased a Yamaha Chinese made ll16m that sounds really good but it was just a little to bright but after trying dr rares and dr sunbeams and ghs bronze strings all three of those strings made my ll16 sound better than my friends d40 traditional. He even admits it and he now bought a ll16m tried same strings with same results. He’s actually considering selling his guild because he don’t even play it. His guild doesn’t have the clarity nor sustain or punch like the Yamaha not to mention both his and min have a much prettier voice. Keel in mind the ll16m goes for 799. I got lucky and found one for 500 bucks new clearance sale an hour and a half away from where I live. Was so worth the drive to say the least

[@wilhathaway1987]

@@philipdeppen31891985 and earlier Guilds are the best. The new ones don’t compare. If you’re going to buy a guild buy a vintage. Your friend should have done his research on that

[@DustyDingoPhotos]

@@philipdeppen3189 Fact. My experience with a brand new D40 Traditional runs totally counter to you and your friend's experience. 1- all? I should add, I didn't take the first D40 Traditional offered me, but the second one . . . oh my!

[@philipdeppen3189]

@@DustyDingoPhotos yeah I would love to hear and play a good d40 I know they exist lol

[@yakiclone1]

Dude I feel the exact same way about Guild guitars.. that old one you have there sounds like an absolute dream

[@wmarklanders]

I bought a new D-40 about a year ago. It's also my first "real" acoustic purchase. Love this guitar.

[@danielschroeder1449]

Totally with you on Guild. The modern D-40 is the stuff. I have this sort of fantasy that someday I will acquire a D-55. Guild has had some cool headstocks. My D-6 has the chesterfield inlay. Good to see you singing again. A guitar is half an instrument if it isn't accompanying. A voice is like a good guitar, gets better the more you use it.

[@travisgilbert1008]

good to hear you sing. more of this please.

[@ChrisOttoMusic]

Thanks for the video. I picked up an M-120, all mahogany Guild, a couple years ago, and I love it. I play other stringed instruments, and I was working my way into guitar. It wasn't the guitar I went to buy, or look at, but when I had it in my hands, it felt like the guitar I was looking for.

[@scottpickett9779]

I got my 73 D-40 in 74. Still have it and it sounds great. And its been from coast to coast. Thanks Jeremy.

[@megastick9324]

As the owner of an 86 D25 sunburst and a 93 DV52 HG, I share your love of Guild guitars. I wanted a Guild since I saw and heard John Denver’s 12 string in concert. I’ve had several 12s but never that 512…yet. Having stories to go with guitars makes them that much more appreciated in the bigger picture. Selling a beloved instrument to help a friend is a kind and selfless act to be admired, it’s so hard to part with a favorite instrument. Those D40s both sound great, with time the new one should warm as the older has.

[@BlindTom61]

Sounds fabulous. And you sound pretty great as well.

[@tomformanek3312]

I adore my Oxbard D20 and Chinese D1212 12 string. Both are all mahogany. Would love a new D40. Thank you Ren Ferguson for the effort you made to reclaim Guild's heart and soul.

[@gam1471]

My first encounter with Guild was hearing a D-40 in the late 1960s. The owner was a brilliant flatpicker - he'd worked out by ear several of Doc Watson's classic tunes and also absorbed Don Reno's style exactly. He used heavy gauge strings on his D-40, and the tone and volume he got out of that guitar was unbelievable. Some time later, his D-40 was being repaired, and he'd borrowed a D-18. There was no comparison - the Guild wiped the floor with the D-18. It was much louder, with a fuller richer tone. How that D-40 withstood the tension of those heavy strings I'll never know!

[@marcbrodeur630]

My brother plays a 80s guild and it's a sweet guitar. Always admired the company.

[@terrymattingly6843]

OMG. Look at the cross grain on that new D-40 top! Ren Ferguson is CRUSHING IT, when it comes to building this brand back. I showed a new M-20 to my local luthier (a Guild-licensed repair pro) and he said it was the best Guild he had seen in several decades, in terms of build quality. Clean as all get out.

[@Gratefulman1965]

If you are not aware Ren has not been part of Guild Since late 2019. He helped implement the new Oxnard facility and he moved on to building his own guitars with his son. He left guild with some great goals to strive for though. We will have to wait and see what transpires now that Yamaha has bought Guild.

[@terrymattingly6843]

@@Gratefulman1965 Do you have a URL for that Yamaha sale? I had not heard that.

[@lovie479]

I had a New Hartford D40 BJ once, got it as a clearance closeout J&R store NY. Had to let it go as I moved oversea, and still miss it almost every day. Best Mahogany Dreadnought I've ever played.

[@alanpettibone]

Thank you for throwing in the “Last of My Kind” Jason Isbell rendition. Made the video for me. 👍🏼

[@macmorgan6685]

I had a D40 that I bought new around 1964-65. I’d had an all mahogany guild that I traded in on the D40. In October 65 I was drafted into the army and a year later was off to German. My parents shipped the guitar to me and I unfortunately left it with a touring Swedish band The Wizards and that was the last I ever saw of it. A few years ago I managed to find a member of the band on the internet and sent him a note but the Guild was long gone. I remember it fondly as it was as close to a D-18 I could afford and Martins were as scarce as hens teeth. I do remember that it didn’t have the same X bracing as Martins had but that didn’t matter.

[@nealmusic5049]

I have a 72 D 40 that i love . I prefer the sound of the original but the newer is good souding too

[@joedzekevich2407]

While I have four Martins, I picked up a 1972 Guild D44M Blonde maple guitar a few years ago. It had a little humidity issue just forward of the bridge, but I put two humidifiers into the case for a season, and that is good now. It is a cannon and a great guitar.

[@MisterJWJ71]

1971? That guitar is as old as I am! And looks better for its age!

[@HenryPipes]

Wow, this one sounds great! It's very reminiscent of a good D18!

[@andrewbowen6875]

Love the Guild and Isbell is a good example of someone getting it right.

[@sv2935]

I love guild, beautiful sound that is warm inviting and original not trying to imitate other makers. I have a gad-50 e around 2005? And just acquired a '69 D-40 . It had been in the closet at my dad's house so I changed the strings and hung it up to let it "wake up again" interesting how the sound came back, like learning to sing all over again.❤

[@gam1471]

I've owned a few Guild dreadnoughts over the years. I acquired a sunburst GAD-50E made in 2005 earlier this year - a top class guitar with a lovely tone and plenty of volume. A solid spruce top and solid rosewood sides, plus a one piece mahogany neck, Grover Rotomatic tuners and much more - incredible value for money. The only thing I didn't like was the pickguard - I'm a bluegrass flatpicker, and I like to lightly rest my little (pinkie) and ring fingers on the top. I don't anchor these fingers, they move around as I go from the top to the bottom strings. They kept grazing over the junction of the pickguard and guitar top - this was a distraction, so I bought a traditional Guild-style self-adhesive pickguard via the company website. The 'guards on offer are for the D-150, but they fit the GAD-50 perfectly. The old transparent one peeled off quite easily (I was very careful) and now the guitar's just right for me. Enjoy your GAD-50!

I have had several D-40's in the past. 1980, 2004, 2006 Ritchie Havens Double pickguard and a 2018. The last 3 were bought brand new! Sold them all! They are light now especially the Oxnard made! I would say they are better than the Martin D-18 that I once owned and played! Great sounds and just so easy to play!!

[@lh3428]

The ‘71 outshines the new one. But who knows how the new ones will sound in 50+ years?

[@edwardsparks7493]

Great video..as always! I'm a Guild fan from way back and I currently have four in my collection! I have to say that their new "stuff" is excellent, even the imports!

[@elasticman66]

I enjoy your videos and your enthusiasm Jeremy. I just picked up a 64 D40 that I'm having "leftified "

[@jdray7813]

Well Jeremy, you can't hide the mountain in your vocals, which sounds cool to me!

[@bleufishtv]

I’m so excited, tomorrow im buying a d40e ! It may be satin but im so excited to add another. I currently have a starfire v !

[@hoyttorras3391]

A fine review. I’m impressed with the D-40 and your cool video.

[@warrenginmartini]

Guild D-40 made in 1963 and 1964 were fan braced. Big difference, the sound is mellower. Those are the good ones.

[@nicbordsy]

Love the look of the guild. Love the Iris DF shoutout even more!

[@joeblack7841]

The vintage is much smoother and warmer sounding. The notes blend together much better than the new one. Listen to them back to back. The highs poke out on the new one, they stay tame and blended on the vintage. Maybe thats just age, I dont know, but I do hear a difference for sure.

[@MrDaveKC]

I mentioned it to you before, but I had a mid 70's Guild jumbo body 12 string at a Salvation Army thrift store. Just before covid hit I took it to have it looked at, and a really good luthier worked on it went through it and now it plays like an absolute dream. Love my Guild 12 string.

[@JeremySheppard]

I'm so jealous! That's a monster guitar. I want a great 12 string.

[@MrDaveKC]

@@JeremySheppard the finish shows it's age and it probably got wet in its past, but it's so sweet now.

[@hr2186]

I own a 56' gibson country western, 56' martin 00-18, 87 D-28 and 77 Guild D-35...the guild kills...doesnt play as easy but the tone is something else. Had them all for years before prices became ridiculous.

[@johnwashburn3793]

Thank you. Imagine how it will sound in 50 years...

[@OssianEMills]

Just before you mentioned it, I was thinking about headstocks. For me, the headstock design does more for sales than just about any other feature/benefit of the guitar. There’s got to be a diagram out there…

[@tinman8518]

Back when the Guild Guitar factory was still in Rhode Island, I would go to my local guitar store (in Michigan) and try out the line of Guilds they had. It always seemed like they were twice as heavy as a Martin or Gibson. They played well and sounded good but I passed on them.

[@aficionadolurecompany700]

Jeremy, I really enjoyed your song at the end.

[@NotTelling51]

I had a 1991 D-40 that was possibly my fav of all time. I also had a D-55 that the best sounding guitar I've ever heard to this date. The 40 was just easier to play.

[@epp8382]

Can’t wait for the D-50 review

[@JeremySheppard]

Me too. We don't have one on the books but I'll try

[@DonAntonioCasanova]

The skinnier headstock on the newer one look‘s more classy, but either the pickguard shape or it’s material look as nice as the old one

[@davidscotbrown3241]

Hi Jeremy, in 53 years of playing guitar, I had never owned a Guild. So I bought a new M-40... a disaster was delivered. This was largely the fault of the dealer. Very poor setup, tight truss rod (any tighter and it would have exploded) rusted strings. The guitar itself, excellent fit and finish, not a drop of glue to be seen under braces or lining, beautiful balance, light and responsive, just a real little beauty. Then there is the Guild branded open-back tuners. Two failed within the first two weeks. Guild, if you're reading this... lose them! There are so many decent tuning machines out there, why choose a second-rate partner to supply such a critical component. Love the guitar... hate the hardware. Oh yeah, it was packed in a great HumiCase. Lovely touch.

[@pauldockery1747]

Thank you

[@DavidHBurkart]

I really aspire to a D55. Agree with you regarding Fender. There was no appreciation for what Guild brought to them and what it could have been had they simply did what Cordoba wisely recognized of the Guild brand and history. Today's versions take no back seat to those originals, bringing in Ren Ferguson (of Gibson Montana fame) to help capture and restore Guild quality, the iconic tone and reputation. There is still an import line also, which is quite good these days, many of which represent the changing eras of Guild.

[@shanealexander3889]

Agree 100 percent

[@taylorwerner384]

Got a DV-52 from ‘93 and a Guild D-35 from ‘74. Both daily drivers for me.

[@Sonicguy95]

The DV-52 is an absolute workhorse. My only complaint is I wish it had the wider headstock like a D50

[@Oculus729]

Nice Jason Isbell cover.👍

[@shoer5151]

So happy that Guild is now owed by Yamaha

[@kevingill648]

Brian May plays Guild Guitars! if they are good enough for him then they are good enough for me.

[@kfm908]

I used a GF 30 as my main guitar for 30 years. People always comment on how good it sounds. Roadworthy too!

[@Malagrass]

Cool video

[@dalesearcy5734]

A Martin D-28 that was built in the 40's is not the same as a Martin that was built this year. They are both Martin D-28 guitars but the builds are not the same. So it goes with Guild and all of it's changes over the years. So YES a 2023 Guild IS a Guild!

[@olivierbasile7809]

Thé old one is the best

[@BobWadeGuitar]

Paul Simon played Guilds on the S and G records. Nothing else sounded like that. Most mahogany guitars sound dry, but Guild has more of a lush sound.

[@dr_lulz]

Set it up on a Tonerite for a good few days and the sound will be much closer. I just bought a Guild M20 VSB. Are the tuners Guild’s own (made in-house) or are the Grover made?

[@stevephilbrick1237]

If it could work a keyboard, my 1977 Guild D40C would "Like" this video.

[@claylippert7203]

Played a guild F-40 last week. Definitely better than an SJ-200. If I ever wanted a Jumbo I’d go with guild. Luckily I like my D-28 to get anything else….for now

[@jeanlucboireau4555]

Je ne possède que des Guild et suis très intéressé par la D55..

[@jeffirish3402]

Is that really a '71? By then Guild was in Westerly and they had a black pickguard and chesterfield on the headstock. That looks like a Hoboken Guild from the '60's though the painted logo seems off. I had a '67 (my son has it now) and it had an inlaid logo. Sure it isn't a D-35?

[@jeffirish3402]

I stand corrected. In doing some checking on the internet, there were some early 70's D-40's with silkscreen headstocks...

[@shred5]

Both D-40s sound like a D-40 should. Give the new one a few more years for the top to open up and it should sound like the vintage one.

[@MarkS.Holland]

Have a 1970 D40 which just gets better and better with time. I regularly play it in a large room to an audience of 50-60 people and it projects the sound very well. A wonderful instrument in my opinion.

[@martyryan3283]

What does any one know about a Guild JF 50?

[@johnhiscutt1853]

great guitar , speaking of Fender Acoustics have you played a fender Paramount Adirondack, rosewood (deluxe)

[@TomRussell-sx2xu]

Actually I have to disagree with the negative comments about Fender’s ownership of Guild. Ren Ferguson was hired by Fender to help run the New Hartford operation and that plant built probably the best quality instruments that Guild has ever made before or since it was tragically abandoned by Cordoba after it purchased the brand. I know because I am fortunate to have several of them and they simply tower over the quality of some of the Westerly or Oxnard (Cordoba) Guilds I have also owned or played in the past. I could also say the same of the Tacoma-era Guilds that Fender built. I have a few of those as well and the quality and playability is second to none. True Ren Ferguson is still involved, but the Guild brand lost some of its New Hartford-era magic with the move to Oxnard, California. Even the Chinese-made Guilds under Fender’s ownership are at least as good if not better than the guitars that Cordoba is importing today. The quality and craftsmanship put into the Fender-era Guild imports approaches perfection, particularly given their all solid wood construction, sound and playability at a great price. Again I have owed or played several of these and thus have a pretty good reference to compare to what’s being done today under Cordoba. Again I also have a few Cordoba-made Guilds domestic and import and I must say that Cordoba is OK, but I really don’t consider them to be the holy grail of acoustic guitars. Let’s hope that Yamaha brings the Guild brand to the next level both with their domestic and imported guitars. Maybe that means bringing back the quality of the New Hartford-era or even Tacoma-era Guilds.

[@fourocker]

A D40 is my dream above anything else but I'll never have one, a D18 is probably not too far behind but that's even more unachievable sadly.

[@John-cw4no]

Any chance of getting a Gibson bluebird on your channel?, ..asking for my sister ;)

[@jimmyparkermusic]

Do I hear a little white house road in the beginning?

[@DustyDingoPhotos]

And . . . the D40 Traditional?

[@deborahmcalister3936]

Dude.. open your eyes when you sing!!!

[@JeremySheppard]

Why? That's an interesting comment.

[@deborahmcalister3936]

you wouldn't listen to me, so ask a vocal teacher... they will tell you why and you will respect what they have to say.@@JeremySheppard

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Dang, they should have sent ya the d-40 Traditional. Like the vintage 1970s D-40, the “Traditional” has the full dovetail neck. The standard modern d-40 has I guess some kind of mortise and tenon. But not a traditional dovetail, thus the name… would have been a more apples to apples comparison.

[@joelpanettaonline]

Where is the album?

[@danielktdoranie]

So Yamaha owns Guild (and Ampeg) and they aren’t re-issuing the cool solid body electric guitars both companies made.

[@DesertScorpionKSA]

I wish it had the chess piece on the headstock.

[@JeremySheppard]

You and me both!!

[@Ashton-mx2bg]

Do you still have your Guild m-20?

[@aficionadolurecompany700]

I also agree that Fender makes horrible acoustic guitars. They should rename their Dreadnought, the Dreadful.

[@douglasdejager8450]

TOTALLY DIFFERENT SOUNDING GUITARS

[@JesseDylanMusic]

Different construction methods for sure (neck joint), and different wood