Guild D-25M

This is a supplement to my earlier review based on spending a good bit of time playing the instrument. Solid mahogany top, laminated mahogany back with a bow shape to the back. My guitar shows that it has been played over the years, I bought it from a pawn dealer. There were numerous scratches on the surface and around the soundhole of its solid mahogany top. I repaired the scratches myself using matching stained polyurethane, not a pro job but it looks great. Cleaned up she looks great, albeit plain. The Guild headstock is distinctive and it is well balanced and comfortable in my lap. When I took it to my luthier, he straight away saw she needed a neck reset. With that done, it's playing as good as the day she left the factory. I give it a plain jane rating for this category only because it is not an ornate guitar, but it is beautiful in its own plain way.

Beautiful and balanced. Great projection. In the upper register the sound is magical. The arched back gives the body lots of volume. It sounds wonderful strummed lightly, distinct and clear when strummed hard. Picking is clear, well defined. Great sound all around.

After all these years the guitar is solid as a rock. It is heavy. The neck is straight as an arrow, and with the neck reset the action is absolutely perfect (thank you Noll Guitars out of Cranston, RI -- the best). Noll set the action to factory using .10 strings. They perfectly complement the guitar. There is no bulging at all in the top. I had the guitar fully checked over during the neck reset, all is solid today. Tuning keys are open geared tuners and they are solid and responsive, hold tune very well. The guitar responds well to changes in humidity, and I do keep it humidified (most of the time). The saddle si solidly attached, a previous owner shave it down to compensate for prior high action from need of neck reset. The neck was reset with this in mind, and it is dead perfect, easy to play. One problem was finding bridge pegs to fit this guitar properly. I had a set of ebony pegs that fit pretty well, and have ordered a bone set from ebay that are supposedly made for Guilds which require an uncommon size. I had a bone nut and saddle installed with the bridge reset. Perfect job which enhanced and brightened the sound.

I don't gig but after having owned a dozen acoustics, this is the most solidly built guitar of the lot. It will outlast me if I take care of it. Everything is rock solid. I want more Guild guitars.

Guild of RI where this was made no longer exists along with most of the industry in my barren state. I have had repairs done by Noll Guitars of Cranston RI. They are professional, reasonably priced, fantastic friendly serviced and they did right by this old Guild. Given that the company itself at least in its original form doesn't exist, I will have to rely on Fender which I assume can't service the guitar.

I have been playing for 2 1/2 years. I own a Martin HD 28V, Seagull Entourage Rustic Jumbo. This Guild is a great guitar, and I am immensely glad I bought it.

1975 D-25M. Arched mahogony back and mahogony sides, dread size. Grover Tuners. No electrics. This guitar is meant to be played, not looked at (especially mine).

Unbelievable. I play country, blues and rock (indie rock). I'm a recording musician/songwriter so sound is much more important than looks (more on this below). This things rings out like a brass canon. A strumming masterpiece by Guild! The intonation is absolutely perfect (something that usually drives me nuts). This thing has been sitting somewhere, not cared for for many years and it is still spot on.

I bought this guitar at a way discounted price because it had been broken and then repaired. The entire side under the high E string had a gaping hole about 7 inches by 2 inches. The repair is not pretty but does not affect the sound in any way. I cannot rate this category because of this. The action on the fingerboard is high (but comfortable) and perfect for strumming. Neck is very solid feeling and smooth enough (how fast does it have to be for this application anyway?)

This poor baby seemed to have some rough times. Obviously somewhere along the way it was very played as evident by some fretware and wear marks on the neck (right near the 1st and 2nd fret). At some point the guitar seems to have been neglected as there was a lot of gunk buildup on the frets and the strings were very rusted. It came pretty beat up, but not terribly beat up. With a little elbow grease she cleaned up nicely. Tuners are still perfect. After a new set of strings she tuned up perfect and stayed that way for the 2 hours that I could not put her down.

I would gig with this (if i did that anymore) in a heartbeat. This thing would survive a friggin' bomb going off.

The guitar is 34 years old so this DNA

Whhhooooooooaaaaaa Baaaaaaaaby!!!!!!!!! Finally the winds of fortune blew in my direction!! I just earlier tonight purchased this from a guy on Craigslist for $150. I took a chance to get my hands on a '70's Guild, and bought her sight unseen (I didn't even strum her once in the parking lot as it was ouring rain). An unbelievable amazing happy story!! I have played many many guitars and this is as good as ANYTHING I have ever wrapped my hands around. This guitar can hold it's own on anything Martin, Taylor and Gibson can throw at her (I have own a D-28 and played practically everything else). I cannot believe I got this awesome, sweet thing for a hundred and fifty bucks..somebody please PINCH ME.....c'mon, for real- this didn't happen!!!! This is how guitars should be made.

Finish on this guitar (neck and body) is a dark brown color, sort of a reddish chocolate. Sweet chocolate at that. Not sure of the age, but must be approaching 40 years. It is a gloss finish with some checking, nicks and scratches. Tuners are good silver open tuners that hold tune very well. The neck is substantial, very comfortable. Radius is good for my somewhat small hands. Not sure of nut width. I believe the nut and saddle on this baby are bone which could be after production replacements. The nut has been taken very far down. I have not messed with the setup at all for fear of screwing up a good thing. Fretboard looks like rosewood. No fancy inlays. There are fret markers on the neck. This guitar was made in Westerly, Rhode Island. The top is solid mahogany. The back is laminaged mahogany. Sides are also mahogany, not sure if laminated or solid. The only accessory is sweet marvelous sound. The fret wire from this baby are pretty much worn down and need to be replaced, it has been played and justifiably so. I bought this from a pawn shop in California. I give it a 5 for simplicity purposes. No "ornate" features to speak of, just understated brilliance.

Just astonishing. It just rings out with clarity and volume. Articulation of the notes is clear and concise. The intonation of the guitar is pretty good at the upper frets, falling off about a half note from the middle of the neck on down. This will be fixed up with a set up. Bass notes are full and make your heart drop. Trebles define the word sweet. I love the sound of this guitar. I am torn between having it refretted and making other changes, but I am going to invest in it and have it done. With a set up and frets, I can't imagine a better sounding guitar. It compares favorably with my Martin HD 28.

After all these years, the guitar shows some age, but only from constant play. There is some wear around the soundhold from pick which I sanded lightly with fine grit sandpaper and varnished with a minwax varnish that is right on color wise to stabilize the wood. After laying on a few more costs and sanding with very fine grit sandpaper and wax, it will look original. I was lucky the tinted varnish (cherry color, Minwax) is so close. There are finish checks only, no cracks in the body. The neck is arrow straight is attached to the body very solidly. The interior of the guitar still seems tight although I intent to go over the interior tonight using a mirror. I don't expect to find any loose bracing at all given the marvelous sound. Just solid as a rock. The guitar is heavy and substantial, very comfortable dreadnought size. The back is laminated with a bow that enhances the volume of the guitar. Simple, understated, great looking guitar. The rating is high, but dropped to reflect the played condition of my guitar only. New, it must have been a solid perfect 10.

I don't gig, just play for relaxation. The guitar was built to last and if I treat it right it will outlive me. The tuners are excellent. I haven't fiddled with the truss rod but the neck is straight. There are no strap buttons. Finish is showing some crazing which is typical of a guitar of this ilk and age. It does not take away from the guitar's understated beauty and in a sense enhances it. I hated to patch the worn soundhole but it needed to be done and will blend in well and not detract from the guitar when I finish the job. It is very dependable every time I take it out of the case. The tuning holds well. Well built guitar, made to last.

Never saw the need, and the builder no longer exists in its original form. I doubt Fender would service the guitar given the change in company ownership and its age.

I have been playing for 2 years. I own a Martin HD 28 and a Fender JSC 26E. Own a few electrics also. The guitar feels wonderful and substantial and just rings out with sound, beautiful, crisp and clear. As stated, the sound compares favorably with my Martin. The sustain is not quite there, but is has greater clarity and brightness than the Martin. A different sound, but equally good. I will never part with this guitar. I am adding it to my insurance policy so that if it is stolen (god forbid that) I can buy another one right away. This guitar has sparked my interest in old Guilds. Being from Rhode Island, I feel a special affinity to it. If you are considering this model, don't hesitate to buy one. I am glad I did.

1975 D-25M. As previously stated, nothing fancy-Though the top does have a bear claw marking which is somewhat hard to see under the mahagony stain. And the back is pretty. Sometimes plain and simple is enough.

This is the reason I bought it. It was on the wall in one of the music stores that I haunt. I picked it up and would not let go-deep and sweet. The arched back rumbles and projects like a gun. As warm and full as some of the 40+ year old D-18's I have had the chance to pick up.

Nothng fancy, but it has aged so nicely everywhere.

32 years old-plenty of scuff marks, dings and minor scratches. A hole drilled by the end pin for some now lost reason. But, no cracks anywhere-solid. No sigh of a neck reset and it does not need one. Bridge is solid. I will use something less than Med. guage strings to not tempt fate.

No idea

I have been playing for 40 years. I have a HD-35, Taylor 510, Stelling RHD-125 (SN#75 of 102) and a dozen lower units. I recently purchased a Guild GAD-25 and have played it for 6 months. Love it. However, it now sits in the case while I play the D-25M. If you can get one, snap it up-you will not be sorry. Mine was made in 1975, which is the same year that I gradutated college-nice to own something from a special time.

T

Well, I'm not sure what kind of features one would expect from an acoustic, steel string but the feature that really matters with this guitar is the "M" in the D25M. Some of these, like mine, are solid, 100% mahogany, top back and sides. It makes a million dollar difference in tone, much better, inmho, that the spruce, dyed models. I believe that 1976 was the last year for mahogany tops. After that, guitars issued as the same model number used dyed spruce tops primarily. the difference in sound is remarkably different. My personal opinion is the spruce tops sound cheaper and less unique. So because the feature I wanted is on my guitar - it gets a ten.

Though mine has an arched back, it's less pronounced than other D25M's I've seen.

The fretboard is rosewood, I think and it stays in tune though the one I settled for may have some minor issues with the machine heads.

I'm told it's probably a 1969 model.

The finish is in pretty good shape for the age though the previous owner mounted a pickup and jack (removed before sale) which lessens the value considerably. Still - the sound is incredible.

I have been on the hunt for one of these since the 70's. I have purchased 4 and sold three. Two were represented on Ebay being mahogany topped and were not. They were returned. I found a "pure bred" for $300 at a guitar show as a special. It was special because it stank. Mildew probs. It played sensationally with a bright bu warm sound and recorded fantastically but after awhile, I could not take the smell and sold it. I should have bought one I found for $600 about 15 years ago, with quite a bit of finish checkin, at another guitar show but I thought I could find a better bargain. I never saw another in that great a shape. I bought the one I have now off E-bay for $250.

The guitar is perfectly set up despite the years of use and abuse. I am sure that the original owner(s) never did much to adjust it. Old Guilds are built like tanks. A Luthier once told me that Gibson quality is spotty. Martins eventually need neck resets but Guilds just keep on going. The finish is in great shape for the age and use this guitar has had. It plays like a Guild which, to me is the best thing anyone can say about an acoustic guitar.

Will this guitar withstand live playing? Absolutely

Does the hardware seem like it will last? The machine heads have a lot of play in them like a lot of old guitars but for the price, life is good.

Is the finish good enough to last, or does it seem thin and easy to wear off with lots of playing? It's in remarkable shape for a 36 year old guitar that has seen a lot of wear.

Are the strap buttons solid? No because the fellow who owned it before me had pulled one and put a pickup jack in it's place. I should spend some money to fix that. I have the original strap button.

Can you depend on it? Absolutely

Would you use it on a gig without a backup? Yep

I will probably get work done on it at some point.

I've been playing since 1962 or 63. In terms of acoustics I own an old Ovation stereo electric/acoustic from the late 70's, a mid 90's, pre-Fender Guild JF-30 (LOVE IT!). An Alvarez AC60SC nylon string and an Alvarez AJ60SC-12 (12 string). I like them all in their own way.

The JF30 is the only comparable guitar to the D25M. Where the Mahogany topped D25M is bright clear and warm, the JF30 has deep, rich tones because of the maple and spruce design. The feel the same when fretting though. You can dig into a Guild

I am still looking for the perfect D25M, made before 1976. I feel they are one of the best sounding, easiest guitars to play, period.

I bought my 1976 D25M from a part time player who had purchased it new in '76. I coveted it from the first time I played it and eventualy it came to me. I have played alot of different guitars, but this deep red Guild always attracted me. I paid $1000.00 Canadian dollars with no case! I spent another $130.00 having the frets dressed and the action tweaked. This guitar is amazing.

I write and play anything that comes up in my explorations and fing the sound of this particular D25M outstanding. I'm pretty sure mine is special sounding as I can't believe this was a "low end Guild".

when I bought it the action was high but after a fret dressing and intonation adjustment, the touch is "butter" I don't think I have ever played a bar F at the nut more effortlessly. (this is a good test for me for an accoustic; although I like to be able to stretch and pull off around the 12 and up without intonation problams - this guitar does it).

Can't comment on durability but she's 30 and no problems yet

N/A

I don't usually use superlatives, but this acoustic is a sleeper. Gotta give a 10. I know! Martins make me ...... but I can't say enough about this particular "76 Guild D25M"

Nice looking - not much in the way of FLASH - just a great looking guitar - I changed the open tuners when I bought the guitar from a local pawn shop in 1986. It's not the cherry red but the deep dark burgundy color. The guitar dates in the mid 70's

The sound is remarkable. I have done plenty of recording with this guitar. I did one totally acoustic recording and the engineer said "this is where I usually get my Martin out for recording but this guitar sounds great, no need"! I use Dean Markley Alchemy strings on it. Incredible bass, mids, and highs.

I got it off the pawn shop wall. I have had fret work and action work done on it.

Gave it an 8 cause I don't want to get carried away. I have made plenty of trips to the U.K. with this guitar and never had any problems with airports, weather or going from gig to gig. The finish is cracked but there's your character. The Guild on the head stock is fading but I know what it is!

I started playing the day after the Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan show. I pretty much play my Taylor now BUT will not part with the Guild D25M EVER!

I'm sure that there are better guitars out there but hey! this is an American made Guild guitar. What more can you say?

As I mentioned before this isn't a looker - and there no special features. No pickup, no fancy inlays or anything like that. If you wan't a smashing looking guitar, look somewhere else - but if you wan't the best sounding guitar in this price range, this is the guitar to buy.

I'm gonna keep this pretty short. This guitar is all about the sound. It's got a crisp, warm sound like no other guitar in this price range. I use it for strumming and picking, mostly in the studio, and it works like a charm. I play a pretty soft country-ish, singer/songwriter-style of music, and for this it works great. No, more than great.

The Guild D25M isn't a looker as far as I'm concerned. I quite like the deep redish brown color, but there are no inlays or things like that. As I mentioned before: It's all about the sound. I bought mine used - it's originally from '76, and it's still in pretty good shape. I think the tuners have been changed since it's birth. I heard that the original tuners were less than great, but these look alright. The action is a bit high from the 12th fret. No flaws as far as I can tell.

This guitar is older than me, but it definitely looks better. I think it'll last a long, long time. I don't play a lot of gigs, so I don't know if i'd use it without a back up, but for studio work this is very dependable.

I bought this one used - so no warranty. And I never had to deal with the company.

I tried a LOT of guitars before choosing to buy this one - new as well as used - everything from Takamine and Gibson to Furch and Yamaha. I don't excactly know why I chose this over all of the other guitars, but I just fell in love with it. Also I think that this gives the best value for the money (of course - I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't think that). I've been playing for about 8 years now, and this fits almost all of my needs. When I get very, very rich I'll buy a top of the line Gibson, but even then I will still hold this one dear.

I bought my D25-M/6 (#101416) new in 1974. Full mahogany. Rosewood bridge and fingerboard. This is an arched back model. It came factory with open tuners which have since been replaced by a nice set of Schallers.

There are literally no "features" as in decoration. Yet, no decoration makes this jewel even more appealing. Nice black binding. It came stock with black pins. I've have worn them out and replaced with white pearl dot pins which spruce it up a bit.

Other than the most beautiful shade of red, this is a rather plain guitar. But don't even let that fool you/

Now we get to the reason this guitar was built. You must know this is an arched back model. Build similar to a violin. There are no back brace bars. The arch back is wide open to reverberate the entire spectrum of acoustics. Rich? Full? Yessir. Up until recently I used Martin 80/20's on the D25. With the arch back resonating the sounds, and running a slightly heavier low strings, a very cool low end sound is created. Even with the heavery gauge strings you are guaranteed some great low end. Especially if you doing bluegrass riffs or Merle Travis style finger picking.

Even more incredible is the high end. The D25 can really put it out. Many guitars, include Martins, Gibsons and the myriad knock-offs tend to be tinny. The Guild D25 is never going to be tinny. Even with light gauge strings.

The D25 was flat ready to play. It needed no help. I would say I have medium sized hands, and the action was spot on, and has remained so 30+ years later.

Not an issue. It's workhorse. Play it. Thats exactly what it was meant to do. This isn't sweet little parlor guitar. This is whach the bejeebers out of those strings an make it wail!

As far as the finish is concerned. The D25 was issued with a clear coat. I have no idea what they used. I would assume an acrylic clear of some sort. The finish has begun to check a very small amount on the sides. I had worn the finish off the neck and had it recoated about 10 years ago.

Solid? It sure is.
Depend on ? You sure can/

I've done nothing but solo's with this D-25 for 30 years. Nothing to "hide" the absolute beauty of this guitar.

Never needed it. I sent in the Factory Warranty card and that was that. I don't recall exactly the warranty period, but I believe over-all it was three years? I may be wrong on that.

The D25 Series was meant to be played. It was not meant to be stuffed in a case and put away for special occasions. As someone else mentioned, it's a work horse. As well as the D25, I have a 76 Guild F212 Twelve String which is a joy to play.

So the deal is ... The Guild D25 is well worth the bucks. It is a lifetime companion. And unless you just get stupid, the D25 will not let you down. I've played Martins, Gibsons, Larivees and a ton of other name brand and knockoffs. Short of popping $2 or $3 large for a low end Taylor, you won't find a more reliable and usable acoustic than a D25 for the money. The D-25 rocks.

Let me put my high regard for the "Pre-Fender" Guilds in perspective.

I've got the D25-m/6 and the F212/SB. I have just ordered a Rickenbacker 360/12 FG to keep them company.

The D25 is my acoustic of choice. And The Rick? Well, nuff said.

This is an all-mahogany dreadnaught I bought new in 1977. I thought "all-mahogany" was odd at the time, but it was the best sounding guitar I could find in Nashville for what I had to spend--and I can't recall how much it cost--probably 2 or 3 hundred dollars. My day job at the time was as a cook, and my funds were limited. I don't know what sort of tuners it has--but they're not the greatest. Other than that, I thought it had great features.

I always liked the sound. I don't know what people mean by "rich", or "full" or "bright". It always sounded really good to me. It is loud and balanced with nice sustain on all strings. When I first bought it I used it for flatpicking, finger picking (with Dobro plastic finger picks), blues and slide. Nowdays I use it exclusively for slide (blues, country, whatever). I still like the sound better than any comparable off the rack guitar I have ever tried--but it doesn't sound as nice as the higher end spruce or cedar topped guitars.

The guitar had no manufacturing flaws that I could see. There's nothing fancy about it--no great inlays or anything like that. But I was looking for a workhorse and not a prima donna--and this guitar is a workhorse. The action was perfect for me--but I don't like the action too low. I now have it adjusted a little higher for slide.

This guitar has been through the mill. It has been cracked into mike stands, kicked over by overly exuberant bass players, dropped off guitar straps, had beer spilled on it, been rained on, been out in all sorts of weather, and so on. It was my number one guitar for years. It is a well built guitar, and took everything I dished out--and that's saying something. It was a great guitar for live performances. It was loud enough to deal with bands, sounded good with various pickups, and was a tough, durable guitar. It bears its scars proudly.

I've never dealt with Guild, but I've had a luthier work on it twice. I had the neck adjusted once and the tuners fixed. Recently, the bridge came loose and I had that fixed.

I have been playing guitar for forty years (more or less), and have had a variety of guitars. Some have sounded better, but none has had the overall down-in-the-trenches usability of this guitar. For the price, I couldn't have done better. If I were still a cook in Nashville and it was stolen, I would definitely replace it; but 28 years later, I wouldn't--primarily because you can't replace an old and dear friend.