Guild D-25M

I have a 1976 D-25M, D stands for dreadnaught, M stands for mahogany. It has the bowed back and I believe everything is mahogany, even the solid top. Fingerboard and bridge are rosewood. I still have the original hard shell case. Pretty basic as far as features go, dot inlays and non-enclosed tuners, nothing real fancy but the red finish is different than most other guitars. Just had a Baggs pickup installed under the saddle, WOW does it ever sound nice through my Crate CA-125 acoustic guitar amp!

I play a lot of bluegrass, and everything from the 60's and 70's, from Stones to Croce, Elton to Beatles. I fingerpick a lot, although this guitar is also great for bluegrass flatpicking and blues leads. I like playing though my amp, but being a purist at heart, my favorite setting is acoustic. This is one of few guitars I've played that has an even solid tone across all six strings. By the way, I usually play D'Addario phosphor-bronze medium strings. Best bass response of any guitar I've played and rich, ringing high end. This guitar is the standard by which I measure other guitars. My friends with expensive Martins and Taylors agree, they love to play it too.

Nicely made, but again, basic. However, action is superb, low E sets about 1/8" off the 12th fret, and no buzz. The great action and payability combined with the sound that comes out of it make it a joy to play every time.

Some finish checking, but I think this is to be expected after all these years and campfire jam sessions. Neck has remained straight and solid as a rock. Just had it re-fretted for the first time.

This guitar is an absolute workhorse. I can only guess how many thousands of hours I've played it. I can count on it to be in tune when I take it out of the case. Really quite heavy compared to most other dreadnaughts. Reliability? 25 years of heavy use speaks for itself.

Just reconditioned by an independent luthier, but he is an authorized Guild service center. He did a wonderful job refretting and repairing a couple small top cracks (stupidly induced by yours truly by banging into microphones, drum sets, etc.) I'm very happy it came back sounding and playing as great as ever.

I own several other instruments, guitars, banjos, and a mandolin. This guitar, although one of the least expensive of my instruments, is the hands-down favorite. Quite frankly, I wanted a Martin, but in 1976 I couldn't afford it so I "settled" for the less expensive Guild. Actually, the Guild was much heavier and sounded nicer than the Martin.

I'll give up my Guild D-25 when the pry my cold dead fingers off the frets.