Guild DV-52

Dreadnought, with gold Grover tuners, rosewood back and sides, a beautiful abalone work in the rosette. Ebony bridge and fingerboard.

What can I say. It's perfect. I own a Martin DC28 special order. I do believe that this DV52 is the best acoustic guitar I ever heard.

Playing since 1998 and it's still brand new.

never tried

Perfection.

Mine is a 1993 Guild DV52 NT, made in Westerly Rhode Island. I'd heard so many good things about these guitars over the years that I finally broke down and bought one. Boy, what a great sounding guitar. Solid all around, rosewood sides and back. Easily as good as any Martin I have owned or played. Guitar is tastefully appointed, but not gaudy like many expensive Martins. I wouldn't be embarassed to play it anywhere, like some of the Martins that look like something from the Italian Renaissance, and cost as much as the Mona Lisa.

I play everthing from folk to Bluegrass. Been playing for many years. This guitar has a rich and full sound, and would make any professional musician proud.

Great guitar, no flaws whatsoever.

This guitar will be around when the cows come home.

No, I've never dealt with the company. Mine is pre-Fender. But I understand that they are a decent company to deal with.

I am very glad I purchased this guitar. I have been playing for over 25 years. If stolen, I would chase down the thief and make sure he is sent to Sing Sing. (ha ha). Guitar is great, no other features needed.

1998 - Westerly, RI. I bought it new 3 months after it left the factory. 20 frets. Dreadnaught. Solid Spruce top, Rosewood sides/back, Ebony fretboard and bridge, pearl inlays but nothing too grey-poupon, gold Grover tuners, Chesterfileld Guild logo on headstock, high gloss. Neck is slightly curved - feels like a dream. I had a l.r. baggs doulbe-barrel dual-system pick-up installed two years ago and play it through an Ultrasound Acoustic Amp when needed.

The tone-woods on this beast are absolutely beautiful - Guild put quality above asthetics when making this guitar and I actually prefer the keyed down look of the dv52 when compared to other models.

I will never, ever, ever forget the first time I strummed this guitar in March, 1998. I leterally fell in love right there. This guitar's sound is quite simply - AWESOME! Unbelievably rich, textured tones resonate from this instrument. The bass is gut-wrenhcingly sick - the highs are well-balanced and the whole damn thing sounds like a symphony. I play many styles on it - jazz choards, blues and folk mostly. Whether strumming, finger-picking or leading - in my opinion the sound of this guitar is second to none! I have since learned much about guitars and played the Taylors, Martins, etc. To me - there is no equal. This thing rocks! I'd give it an 11 if I could.

I had mine adjusted by lowering the strings a hair. The only flaw is a tiny, hairlike width space between the pick-gaurd and outside design of the sound-hole. The guitar is extremely sturdy feeling and being that it's basically the only guitar I play (although I own three others) - other guitars feel light and delicate to me. This thing can take the punishment of hard-strumming and picking.

I have only had this guitar for 8 years - but from what Iv'e heard and how it has held up so far - I plan on playing it and only it for as long as I live. These guitars age wonderfully so Iv'e been told and I assume that this is due to time-proven effectiveness of the bracing employed in these Guild dreadnaughts and the fact that only premium woods were used in the contruction. Time will tell.........

don't know - haven;t used it

To me - this is the BEST sounding guitar I have ever played or been around (other musicians, etc.) I just happen to own it which still blows my mind every time I play it or look at it. I am blessed to own it.

If you ever get a chance to play a DV-52- don't pass it up.

All solid spruce/rosewood dreadnaught, ebony board and bridge, scalloped braces, herringbone trim, gold-plated Grovers, made in Rhode Island around '93 or '94. Mine seems to be minus some of the usual aesthetic features for this model (no fancy rosette and the finish is all satin, but I prefer this look); nevertheless, I give it a high (9) rating because for what it is, it's perfect, and all of its features add up to FANTASTIC output, which is all that counts.

I play just about everything, and wherever my mood takes me, this guitar is always right there with me. It sounded great when I bought it, and now - after 11 years - it sounds even better. Bright, clean, unbelievably responsive to controlled touch and, if you want it to be, LOUD. Some people would object to the amazing, gut-grabbing depth of bass on this guitar, but for me it's probably my favorite feature. This guitar has become a great friend. It knows what I want with the slightest touch and it always, always, always responds impeccably. I use light (.011 - .052) Martin SP phosphor-bronze strings although mediums could be handled with no worries.

Factory setup was, believe it or not, perfect. I've had this guitar for 11 years & have never once had to take it in for a setup or even touch the truss rod. It is incredibly easy and comfortable to play. The rosewood on this baby is so darkly beautiful that sometimes I just hold it in my lap and look at it... Gorgeous grain on the perfectly bookmatched top. Fret ends LOOK slightly sloppy but are perfectly smooth and there are no rough spots anywhere on the board. Except for the pearl headstock inlay this is in many respects a plain-Jane-looking guitar and that is one of the things I love most about it.

I'll say it again: 11 years of playing the heck out of this thing & never one visit to a luthier, never once touched the truss rod. Treat this guitar well (if they can stil be found) and it'll last a lifetime. I leave the guitar in its case - with a humidifier - when I'm not using it. I can do this for weeks and it'll come out of there in perfect tune. I've heard people describe Guild guitars as tanks. The comparison is fitting. This is a very well-constructed, solidly built guitar.

I've never needed to contact them. However, on entirely separate matters I will say it seems impossible to even figure out HOW to contact Fender or any of its subsidiaries with a repair issue. Their websites don't seem to provide any coherent contact information whatsoever, and I think this is a shame.

I've been playing for 30 years, and this is unequivocally the best guitar I've ever played - not just owned. If it were lost or stolen, I would grieve the rest of my life because it's nearly impossible to find this model anymore except for an occasional appearance on ebay. When I bought it 11 years ago, I'd tried out every Gibson, Martin, Lowden, Taylor I could find on 48th Street, and the Guild just spoke to me. It was brand new at the time and sounded like it'd been broken in years ago... It's an awful shame this model isn't still being produced. I think I'm a Guild player for life.

This is an all solid wood guitar, rosewood back and sides, AA spruce top, eben fretboard and bridge, grover tuners, pearl inlays rosette.

overall, these are the top appointments for acoustic guitars.

Guild is not cheap on wood, and the guitar is not lightweight, many manufacturers build with very thin wood for tops back and sides. It is not the case with those.

This guitar is ageing wonderfully, many friends, musicians, comment on it everytime they hear it. It is also very loud drowning all other acoustics. It is a blues beast but it will also perform wonderfully in any style I use it for. From folk, to blues, to rock or jazz. It is also very even in tone all the way up the neck

I had to order my left handed from the shop and it was perfectly set up right out of the box. Ths finish, natural, is not very strong and chipped after one winter and a bad humidity thermometer, Kept it like this until one day, the rain poored on it on the porch. A shower in the middle of the night...

Cried all the way to my luthier who clearly had seen worse. He sanded it down, straigtened it up, and a new very thin high gloss finish was applied. This took three months. WOW!

I can depend on this guitar!

When I spoke to them about our dry winter and my two humidifiers, they were still unwilling to refinish the guitar.

I love the tone of this guitar for blues especially, top notch.

I have had Alvarezes, a Gibson, Seagull, Larrivees, and the Guild is a keeper.

Especially for the price, solid rosewoood, spruce, eben, mahogany.

Solid Spruce Top, Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany Neck. I think is a rosewood fingerboard...maybe ebony. Very Tight wood grain. Satin Finish. Manufactured in 1994 at the Rhode Island Factory. Grover Tuning machines, bone nut and saddle. I had a pickup put in. The Dean Markley under the saddle model. No Controls. For the amount I'll have it plugged in, it'll do fine. Came with The hardshell case.
Standard Dreadnaught guitar.

This is by far the best acoustic guitar I have ever heard. It has tone that my ears love and thats all that matters at the end of the day. Its big, bold and has enough top end to cut and not be tinny. I'll put it up against any guitar. I searched for years trying to find the tone. A Friend of mine has a 1997. Same model. I loved it. Nothing I came across had the tone. Its got the balls you'd want out of an acoustic guitar. Play with out a pick and its very warm and big. Still retains clarity. Hit with a pick and it just sings at you!
Perfect 10 in my opinion!!

The neck is well played...hence being used. It feels like an old friend that you've known for a long time. It fits my hand perfectly. I usually complain about acoustic necks being too fat and wide. Not this one. It just works. Thats all I can say.
The action is excellent. Low enough to play quickly if I want and when I really hammer it, it doesn't buzz out. I had the saddle compensated for Intonation...big improvment. The Binding on the body was starting to come off...no probs. Took it into the local repair shop and had it fixed up in no time. Its used, so it looks well played. So I can't give it perfect 10, if it was new, and I've seen some newer guilds...it'd get a 9. theres some finish flaws at the neck and body joint. No biggie...I'm not picky that way...its about the tone.

Well...its a 1994 and the previous owner did nothing. I had 6 frets put in and dressed and had the guitar setup again. Few minor repairs and its good as new. Built very well. Anyone I've talked to about guilds say a few things come off but its in time. I have yet to see a guild so bad that it isn't playable. I'd take this to any gig that I might play. End of story. Its road worthy.

Never deal with. So...NO Opinion.

I've been playing guitar for about 13 years. Been looking for a good acoustic. Finally got it. I have a few Electrics and such. Never had a good acoustic. If it was stolen, lost or anything like that, I'd definetly try to find another one.
If you see one, try it out.

1996 Rhode Island factory, DV52 with spruce top, rosewood sides and back, mahogany neck. Satin finish, gold hardware;

This is my workhorse accoustic. Keeps a great tone with Martin accoustic strings, sound is reliable for blues; my lighter strings keep the bass tones modest; great guitar for rhythm and folk work;

Factory set up was excellent; needed one neck adjustment in 7 years; fit and finish are first class; bracing work inside is flawless; saddle and nut were perfect; a friend who is an excellent player, and owned a shop sent this to me on the blind knowing that it was an instrument I would appreciate.

THis guitar gets moderate play. Never a worry about reliability.
All hardware is great. This guitar sets a great standard for dreadnaught style.

One incident; they responded well;

Played for 20+ years. Would always consider a Guild over Gibson and Fender due to workmanship. I hope the sale to Fender doesn't kill the quality. Would by their guitars anytime

Mine is pre-Fender buyout. The Tonewoods are wonderful, the rosette and headstock have pearl intlays. Solid spruce top with solid rosewood back and sides. Eben bridge and fretboard. Fishman natural II Left-handed version

This is a great guitar with professionnal stable sound and tone all along the mohogany neck. There is a definite blues side to this guitar, this is where it really shines. It is also loud. People around agree that among the 30 or so musicians I play with, it beats Martin, Larrivee and even Taylors.

Had the guitar high glossed after satin finish was destroyed when it rained on the guitar for 7 hours. Was surprised to save it. The woods have really opened up with time.


Natural finish was like ...vintage.. as they wanted the guitar to
look old ans scrap from day one.

This is the guitar I depend on.

Fantastic instrument

1993 Waverly,R.I. factory. Standard Guild Dreadnaught. Solid Spruce Top,scalloped braces, soilid rosewood back and sides. Mahoghany neck,ebony bridge and fingerboard. Bone nut and saddle,gold Grover tuners. High Gloss on the complete guitar. Factory installed Fishman AG-125 piezo saddle transducer and AGP-2 preamp(w/concentric bass/treble and separate volume knob.

I ordered this from Guild after I had a Washburn Prairie Song D-66(a nice guitar) stolen from me. This was a new model at the time and had nice features and good value.
I'm writing this review basically because I believe this guitar deserves it. It's sound is deep and rich. The highs and the lows are balanced. I didn't like the electronics at first but then I learned how to apply them with the right e.q.'s and amplification. The action is very nice and it plays well in all positions. It is a good fingerstyle guitar but probably could hold it's own in a bluegrass enviroment.(I also own a Martin D-35). I guess there is nothing about this guitar that I don't like.
It has it's own personality for sure. The bass is deep and piano like. The mids are there as well. The high end does'nt have that "Taylor" sparkle but they are sweet and pronounced. There is good sustain with this guitar. The instrument is weighty compared to my D-35.

I have not had to do any adjustments with this guitar in 11 years! Can you believe it! The intonation is great as well. Guilds are built extremely well. I've looked at some new Fender made Guilds and they seem to be following this tradition, albeit they don't seem to be as heavy.

I also own a '76 Guild D-40 and it too is like a rock. Guilds are VERY underrated. Probably snob appeal. I gig frequently with this and my D-40...no problems.

I hope Fender will support past Guild owners. Never needed anything from the old Guild people.

I've been playing since I was 7... I'm 42 now(ouch!)
I used to be in the R&R seen B.C.(before Christ). Now I play praise and worship. I also play electric. I have a bunch of guitars and equipment...Gibsons,Fender,Heritage,Washburn,etc. I really like this Guild. It really has a unique flavor!(you Guild owners know what I mean)

1996 Guild ATB HG (Antique Burst, High Gloss) - old Waverly Factory
Same features as below, all solid wood, spruce top, Ind rswd back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, chesterfield logo.
give it a ten as for any regular dreadnought it has tasteful adornments (abalone rosette, logo inlay)

I've had a Tayor 310, Own a Larrivee LV-05. I've played all others. I was looking for a box that could be punished like a Gibson, could develop a bass response of a Martin D-28, and would provide smooth, blended chord response - strong and articulate with that shimmer (Takamine sound?)
This old gal had it all. I found this older Guild's neck the most comfortable of anything i've tried before. It has a slight eliptical neck shape.

It's a '96 and I just bought it Nov 28/03. It's practically flawless except for where the high gloss finish coversthe ends of the frets - its a little opaque but will be worn down with further use.
I placed custom 12-54's on it and the low E rattled a little. Put back on the 52 and problem solved. I prefer a touch more bass response so I'll likely get a new bridge so the same specs as this one but with one that provides a little more room for a larger low E.

It's a tank! I have to be careful with the Larrivee as it's appearance is immediately affected with any ding or scratch. But with this Guild any marks will only add character. So Im more likely to pick it up and play anywhere in the house.

It's fender now, right? Look for an older Guild for a sound with stand-out character.

The model was advertised as a 1994 but Mr. Gearhead website indicates its a 1996. Who cares! I was looking for a solid rosewood dred that could spank. Compare this to anything used for under 1200US and this one stand head and shoulders above anything out there. The only thing better, I've found, is a Collings but price tax would be over 3500US.
Finger picking still articulate but will likely sell my Larrivee LV-05 and pick up a collectible/functional Martin OM.
If stolen I would definately try to replace it BUT ONLY with an older Waverly, Rhode Island built one.