Both guitars are big and powerful, with a warm sound, but one stood out with its crisp note definition in all registers: the GAD-25! By comparison, the D-25 sounded muddled, especially in the middle ranges. Thinking it might be the strings that were due for a change, I repeated the comparison with the D-25 strung with my favorites: Elixir medium-lights. Although the new strings sounded better, it was still an obvious win for the Chinese-made GAD-25 (on the right) over the Westerly, RI-made D-25 (on the left). The finish work on the GAD-25 is also impressive. The Mahogany wood binding around the body is particularly striking (although the 2012 model now sports a more prosaic black binding). And you can get it brand new for less than what you would have to pay for a vintage model in good shape. Who knew?
I like mahogany guitars. My first guitar was a Goya N-21. Still have it. Only drawback is that it doesn't have a truss rod but is, instead, reinforced with an inserted steel rod. Still love the feel and the sound but I think that in the next few years a neck reset might be called for. Take a look.
ReplyDeletehttps://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT1ZEqDoywDFbMIXsKwdCGVHo_D96IhyuTehFOg4P0S5TkrecWT
Nice looking guitar Ted. The profile looks very comfortable.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Oh wow! Great blog! I just now found you so expect to do a lot of visiting here.
ReplyDeleteI love mahogany & maple guitars. I have a Martin D-18 s well as a vintage Framus Falcon 12 which is maple. I bought it because I couldn't afford the one I *really* wanted way back then...the Guild F412. But I've never been unhappy with my Framus - a guitar that seems to get constant criticism from many...it is a 1964 & my soul mate.
I more recently bought a Guild GAD50 after a lot of thought. I was scared to death of the fact it was made in China, but figured I'd take a chance on it. And so happy I did!
Everything about this guitar is beautiful & I hope Martin isn't reading because frankly I prefer the neck on my Guild to my D-18. Not that there's a thing wrong with the D-18 neck but you see what I'm saying? Anyway, wonderful blog & I'm looking forward to reading more. ♪
Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words Ginger! My first guitar was a D-18, so it's kind of my touchstone. Love Martins, but I love the Guild necks too (Gibson necks just do not work for me), and the Guild GAD series guitars are some of the most under-appreciated axes available at great prices relative to other guitars with similar features. Happy pickings!
ReplyDeleteLike Ginger I also am taken with this neck profile. It’s the sweetest most comfortable neck i I have ever experienced. Actually the neck was what convinced me to buy it. I also have two Martin 28’s which I’ve played on for three decades and there necks leave a lot to be desired after handling the GAD 25. I been searching for someone to change one of my Martins neck to be like the CAD.
ReplyDeleteThese new computerized woodworking can copy anything and duplicate it. That an indication of just how much I am enamoured with that Gad neck.