❌SOLD❌ Guild D-25-CH Dreadnought Cherry, 1977

Built from 1968 to 1999, the Guild D-25 came in several colours, and from 1974, with a Sitka Spruce instead of Mahogany top. Intended as a lower cost yet quality instrument, it quickly gained acceptance in the Bluegrass community. Reflecting this, its name was changed around 1978 to the Bluegrass D-25.

Construction of the Guild D-25 differed from most other flat-top Dreadnought steel string acoustics, the largest difference being a heat pressed, arched laminated Mahogany back. The pressed arching removed the need for bracing and provided a lot of strength and projection. Until 1974, the D-25 had a Mahogany top, with Mahogany for the sides, back body blocks and neck; during 1976 a Spruce top was available and became popular. The fingerboard and bridge were Indian Rosewood. Decoration was minimal; there was no separate head plate and the gold-coloured Guild logo was stenciled onto an intermediate finish layer. The tuners were open-gear models, either on a strip or as separate units, though later Grover Roto-Matics became standard. The finishes available were Cherry (d-25-CH) and Mahogany (D-25-M) and less commonly Natural (D-25-NT)

Here we’re looking at a Guild D-25-CH with Spruce top built during the first half of 1977 at Westerly, Rhode Island. As the name indicates, this has the Cherry top finish. It is in overall good condition with wear expected for a 46 year old instrument, with a few practical changes. The original tuners were replaced with (non-locking) Martin-branded Sperzel models, and a passive Barcus Berry pickup mounted to the bridge plate, with an end-pin jack. Fret wear is light to heavier at the first position. The nut has been replaced with a well-made bone piece. The saddle is relatively low but the action is still quite playable.

These guitars were popular with the Bluegrass community for several reasons. They were more affordable than Gibson or Martin models. They also had comfortable necks, a distinct, solid construction and tone that holds up under heavy playing, and they tend to be fairly loud and project well, all important factors if there’s a banjo in the area!

The original hard shell case is included.