Guild D-55E Review

Amazing tone, questionable finish

After drooling for years over the acoustic version of this, I finally decided to get it (unfortunately it wasn't available at SW). But the guitar I got had some markings in the lacquer (top, back, sides, headstock) and there was even a fingerprint in the neck!! I took it to a luthier and he pointed out the case was marking the guitar. Indeed he was right. The markings followed the… read more same quilted pattern as the case padding! I called Guild and they said I can return it but that would take 6-8 months for an answer/fix/replacement. So I decided to return the guitar. A few months later I learned that it was being discontinued so I decided to try my luck again. I again received a beautiful sounding guitar but it also had some minor marks on the back (possibly minor because this one didn't spend so much time in its case), and it did have scuffs and other markings in the neck binding. On top of it the frets ends were too sharp and uncomfortable. Overall, this is a guitar with great resonance, harmonics, etc. but the quality of the finish is not what I would expect for a $4K "flagship" guitar. My other Korean-made Guilds didn't have these issues. And my US-made Guild D20 was absolutely perfect out of the box.

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Worth the wait!

Once ordered my D-55 i was told i had to wait due to backorder and shortage of materials that caused the process to be delayed. At one point i was told not to expect it until December of 2021. Well, i received it in October. I was also expecting to send the guitar to not sound perfect and may have to send it back and get another copy if i did not like this particular one, but its… read more absolutely perfect. The folks over at Guild really made a beautiful D-55. the tonal quality and the finish are stunning on the guitar. Sounds exactly as i wanted it to! thats all you can ask from it.

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I am 100% happy with this guitar.

My brand new guild D55E natural is an amazing guitar. I first played one of these In 1985 and the experience was amazing. All these years later I finally own one and the quality is exactly the same as it was in '85. When it arrived I adjusted the neck to compensate for my elixir HD light strings. The action is low and it feels fabulous. The sound and tone quality reminds me… read more of a Martin guitar. The transducer and microphone has top notch sound and accurately reproduces the tone of the guitar.  The design and styling of this guitar is beautiful. I love the gorgeous headstock with the inlaid brand name Guild, the G logo, and large V inlay on the ebony fretboard. I could go on and on about the details as I look at it sitting on the guitar stand in front of me.

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My new Guild D-55E matched my memory!

I recently bought a new Guild D-55E, and it has been a joy to play since I unpacked it. Here's the story of how it took 43 years to get myself one. When I was 17, my dad took me to see John Renbourn play in a little club in Seattle, and between sets I worked up the courage to go backstage to tell him how much I loved his playing. He was touring with a Guild D-55 with a lot of miles… read more on it, and it sounded wonderful. He was having a beer and smoking a cigarette. He thanked me and then asked if I played guitar. I shyly said I did. He handed me his guitar to play. I sat down, and with shaking hands, played a couple short original instrumentals. He was very kind in his judgement of them! I handed him back his guitar, and thanked him for the privilege of playing it. Cut to earlier this year, and my 60th birthday. Something brought that memory to to the surface, and I decided to order myself a D-55 from Sweetwater. Everything about the purchase went so well, and the guitar plays like a dream. I especially love the low end on Guild Dreadnaughts, and the articulate voicing of the top, which works so well for fingerstyle and open tunings. The onboard electronics are great too! This beauty will be with me as long as I keep having birthdays.

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Best Guitar I Could Hope To Have

As the title states, It's the best guitar I could have hoped to own. For the last two years I have saved and tried several different acoustic guitars ranging from $1500.00 to 3000.00 Taylor guitars, a $1500.00 Yamaha KOA guitar, a Gibson Rosewood Hummingbird, and a Martin D-18,D-28. and D-35. At Sweetwaters Gearfest last year I tried the Guild D-55 and fell in love the the sound,… read more feel, and looks of this guitar. Unfortunately I was not in a position to spend that much money on any kind of guitar so I had to wait. On "Black Friday" I drove to Sweetwater and got a fantastic deal coupled with the extra money I'd saved and bought this guitar. I'd like to take this opportunity to plug Sweetwater as there's more to this story than I can write down and they are the "real deal" when it comes to their customers. I'd like to mention the names of the sales contact person that keeps in touch with me: Tiberius Huiu and the salesman on the floor that helped me without any pressure and very knowledgeable: Andrew Fisher.

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Excellent Guitar, Excellent Service

I love this guitar. I pulled it out of the case and it was still in tune. The guitar has a pleasant, well-balanced sound. There was no need to adjust the action as it was ready to play. I would recomment this guitar to anyone looking for a high end dreadnought. Sweetwater gave excellent, personalized service, making the entire purchase very enjoyable.

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My most prized possession!

I've tried all of the big hitters (Martin, Gibson, Taylor, etc), and while they all boast great guitars, the Guild D55e outshines them all. When taking the guitar out of its case for the first time I was blown away by the attention to detail and the meticulousness of all of the fine appointments. You can tell the luthiers at Guild take pride in the instruments that they are currently… read more creating. Not only are the aesthetics of this instrument top notch, but the first strum of an open E chord rang like a bell with incredible sustain and overtones, of which will only get better with age! This instruments is incredibly responsive as well making it wonderful for both fingerpicking and strumming alike--if you really dig in you can make this baby growl and shower yourself in rich bass and shimmering highs that is truly a spiritual experience. It also comes with a fantastic case! All in all, you cannot go wrong with this guitar. The Guild D55e is an exemplary acoustic guitar that is unparalleled at this price range. I plan on enjoying this guitar for my lifetime; the beauty and pleasure it brings is priceless. Thank you Sweetwater for your impeccable service and thank you Guild!

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