NGD: 1979 Guild D-25m

[Fender_Punk]

I purchased this on the weekend. As great as the D-17m is, what I really wanted was a D-25m. The D-17m is much mellower by comparison and I appreciate the brighter bell-like tones a Spruce top produces.

I had to travel a few hours to get this and looked at a similar D-26 (GC exclusive D-25 released in 1995) on the way. It was natural finish which was cool but it seemed to have some issues on it and I was worried it might need a neck reset on top of the new saddle and nut.

Mind you this one also needed a new saddle and nut but it's still in much better shape than the D-26 I looked at despite being older. I also really like the color and one of my favorite songwriters has a couple D-25s in the same finish.

In brighter lighting it does have more of the brownish mahogany stain look to it, but in darker lighting it looks more burgundy. I wonder if they sprayed some cherry-finished D-25s before doing this one.

It also came with the original case which the D-26 lacked.

It's fair to say I'm fond of USA Guild acoustics.

 

[ICTGoober]

I'm familiar with the models. Good stuff, in general.

 

[jeremy]

im a big fan of guilds over all, lots of good stuff out there.

 

[Fender_Punk]

im a big fan of guilds over all, lots of good stuff out there.

For years I've been listening to a folk singer named Joe Pug. He's an incredible songwriter but I've also always liked his guitar tones. I've seen him live twice and both times he played a '70s Guild D-25 and a '10s Guild D-40. His first EP Nation of Heat he used a JF-30 for most of it.

Since getting into his music I've wanted a Guild. Now I have 2.

Being able to acquire a 40-45 year old USA-made acoustic for $700-$1000 feels good.

 

[Fender_Punk]

I installed a L.R Baggs Hi-fi pickup in my D-25m earlier today. It was pretty easy thanks to the jig but I took my time double, triple, quadruple checking placement before actually adhering the sensors to the bridge plate.

I was debating between the Hi-fi and the Lyric. I'd probably prefer the more natural sound of the Lyric but I wanted something that wouldn't feedback easily which is bound to happen with any condenser mic in an acoustic.

I had considered the K&K pure mini but between the lack of a volume knob, the lack of high end, the need for an external preamp and worst of all, super gluing the sensors, I opted for the Hi-fi instead.

It sounds pretty good. It's much better sounding through a PA than direct into an audio interface. It has a bit of the piezo sound but it's more natural sounding to my ears than say, the LR Baggs Element.

Attached are some pictures I took during the install.

 

[Mincer]

Looks like a fine job! With my acoustics, it is most important how it sounds through the PA, even more than it does acoustically in a room.