~1985 Guild D-15M
Made in the famous Westerly, Rhode Island, Guild plant from 1983 to 1988, the classic Bluegrass D-15 dreadnought has been dominating lesser—and many much more expensive-- instruments for about 35 years. This D-15 has been played regularly, and it has the resonance of its aged woods to prove it. The reddish satin finish makes it stand out in a crowd, but it’s the huge sound that will make other musicians turn around to check it out. In other words, think of it as a larger Gibson LG-0 with better wood and much more volume!
This Guild D-15 has a solid mahogany top and solid mahogany sides and neck. The dreadnought style body is 15 ¾” wide and has a classic tortoise pick guard, and a rosewood bridge with white pins. The solid mahogany neck has a 25 ½” scale, and the 14/20 fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay ends in enclosed Grover tuners and the screened headstock logo. Like the acclaimed Guild M-20, it has no binding or bling, but the natural beauty of the wood makes it a very attractive guitar.
This guitar is truly ready to jam, with very few dings or scratches other than a cigarette burn on the pick guard, but there have been some modifications. It appears that the headstock decal, nut, strap pin, tuners, and the compensated bone saddle are all replacements. In addition, there is an L.R. Baggs under-saddle pickup and an end pin jack if you have a gig in Yankee Stadium or something. The neck is straight and true, and the action consistently low and fast (a hair over 3/32” at the 12th fret) all the way to the 20th fret. The top is flat, the neck joint is solid, the bridge is tight, and the frets are in good shape, with only a bit of wear under the B string. I can only add that it plays great, with its arched back adding even more power and projection to its great Guild sound.
Visually, this is a truly attractive instrument, but it is a real Guild, “Made to be Played”, and it has been making music and turning heads for more than a generation. Lord willing and the creek don’t rise, it will pass into the hands of a player able to make music and turn heads for a generation or two to come.
The case is a Road Runner soft case, light weight and structurally perfect. Naturally the zipper and hardware all works, the plush interior is clean and fits this guitar like the proverbial glove, and the extra-large pocket is a nice touch. While this is not the traditional heavy hard case, it certainly provides outstanding protection for this cool instrument.
Buyer pays a flat rate of $55 for insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. Payment by Paypal is preferred; cashier’s and personal checks are acceptable, but checks must clear before the guitar will be shipped.
I have made every effort to describe and illustrate this guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. Its return will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please check out the pictures and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy it.
Thank you for your interest in this vintage Guild guitar.
Payments by Paypal, cashier’s checks, money orders, or personal checks are acceptable, but all payments must clear my bank before the guitar will be shipped. I will CONSIDER reasonable offers, even including installment payments and trade-ins, but generally since I already attempt to price my guitars very competitively, unusual deals must be unusually sweet.
From henceforth [that's how retired English teachers talk], insurance and shipping to the lower 48 states is $55 due to constantly rising shipping costs unless a specific listing says otherwise; shipping costs elsewhere will be negotiated as necessary. I have sold guitars to Russia, Japan, Australia, and over 50 other countries, as well as almost every state in the USA. Since some of my guitars travel thousands of miles, I take care to use lots of packing materials, protect the neck inside the case, and of course de-tune the strings.
I make every effort to describe and illustrate each guitar and case with scrupulous accuracy. However, many of my instruments are well-played vintage items which are many years old, and I am not a luthier. One should assume that any guitar will require some set-up to satisfy your personal requirements, and that not every flaw or ding will be seen/recognized/described in the listing. Thus the return of an instrument will not be accepted unless it can be shown that it was egregiously misrepresented in this listing. Please read the listing carefully, check out the pictures, and ask any questions you might have before offering to buy.