Guild D-140 - That Classic Guild Tone!
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- Опубліковано 5 лют 2025
- Today we have a sweet Guild with a great price! This thing has that classic Guild Mahogany dreadnought tone without breaking the bank! What do you think?
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I just bought one of these within the past week. The strings WERE in fact dead upon arrival. They had browned over during shipping under who knows what conditions. Anyway, I replaced them with a fresh set of D'Addario XS 12s and wow, did it ever come to life. I think I am going to be connected with this guitar for a long time :)
Same here. I put some Elixirs 0.12 and it sounds amazing!!.
I have one of these (the natural version) and I effing LOVE this guitar.
I also own a Martin D-28, and they both compliment each other very, very well. The D28 has a slightly pronounced bass, crystal top end, with a somewhat scooped and focused midrange. The D140 has a pronounced, woody, and somewhat airy midrange with a glassy top end, and present but not overwhelming bass. Both guitars are overall balanced, not having one tonal aspect that jumps WAY out in front of everything else.. but each have their own signature personalities. The D28 works very well for flatpicking and arpeggiated chords while the D140 shines at fingerstyle and strumming.
I think the D140 is a more overall usable guitar than the D28 because it's sounds almost as good with flatpicking, single note lines, and arpeggiated chords as the D28....but works WAY better with strumming and fingerstyle than the Martin. IMO....you know. And just because I think it's an important distinguishment to make, you can purchase five D140s for the price of one D28. Let that sink in.......
My D140 is flawless. I've literally gone over it with a magnifying glass (I'm serious) and the only flaws I can find are the neck/headstock joint was made at not quite 90° to the neck so it looks a little strange if you stand the guitar up and look at the back of the neck toward the headstock. The neck is perfectly straight and in line with the headstock.....just the slightly visible line where the two pieces of wood were joined is not at a perfect 90°. There also is a tiny, tiny bit of glue squeeze-out above the nut, and on a couple of braces inside the guitar. And I mean tiny amount. None of this is affecting the playability or tone of the guitar.
Also, the top isn't bookmatched.....I wouldn't imagine a $750 guitar would be, and I'm not convinced it has any noticeably negative affect on the sound.
Everything else about the guitar is absolutely perfect. The back is from a single, quality piece of African mahogany....which has beautiful grain and a nice elegant arch. The sides look fantastic and don't appear to have any unsightly grain anomalies. The top has very straight and uniform grain structure, and doesn't have any weird striping, shading, or other unsightly issues.
All the binding and inlays are absolutely PERFECT....no wild lines, gaps, or squeeze-out. The neck and bridge joint are airtight. The neck is straight and the frets are immaculate, although I think it's going to need a light fret leveling and when the guitar is done settling in......welcome to the world of precision construction with organic materials. Also, I think the guitar would probably benefit somewhat from a change in saddle, nut, and bridge pin materials.
The gig bag is very nice, also.
I can't say enough good things about this guitar. I don't know if I managed to get an exceptional specimen or what, but.....especially at this price....these things should be flying off the proverbial shelves.
I love Guilds. Own a 1960's M-20, great sounding piece of mahogany, but these new 'Westerly' series of Guilds sound great also. Have a newer 240 also. It was about $400 bucks and can hold its own with anybody really.
Happy New Year Keep doing what you are doing guys, most enjoyable. Love hearing you play Quinton
I've owned a D-120 in the cherry for about 8 years now, which is also made in China like the D-140. Had I known that 6 months after I bought it Guild was going to start making the D-20 in the US, I never would have bought the D-120(even though the D-20 does not have the cherry finish as an option, which trust me looks awesome in person). That being said, it is a fantastic bargain for what you get for $700 and I have written many songs on it since, as well as recorded with it, so there is value in that. However.....the passage of 8 years and seeing close friends purchase a vintage Martin and the other a very nice Taylor that plays like butter and sounds incredible has me noticing the tremendous difference in tone (and craftmanship) between those guitars and the D-120. Will probably move up to a D-20 or even a D-40 in the future. Tonight though....restringing the D120
Awesome freaking playing!
great tone
Nice review! I have a Guild D140, great sounding guitar...exactly the sound I want. Every copy can sounds a bit different, but that counts for every brand. One of the great things of these Westerly Collection is that the nut is a bit wider 45mm, great for finger style players.
nice review guys. totally get what you are talking about w/ regard to the sound. quinton said it best, good to have another option. specs on this guitar are pretty impressive, would like to play one to see how it feels.
It’s great. I’ve played the D-40 with gloss and they are very comparable. That said, the new satin D-40s are incredible
As usual great info, great interaction between you gents, great demo...nice little guitar for around $800 so, correct, nice price point making it an affordable Guild for many.
Very nice guys. Guild makes me think of 12 strings also. Will you do a 12 string guitars video one day? Cheers! 👍
This guitar sounds incredible with a set of GHS Contact Core Bright Bronze 12-54 strings. With these strings, it rivals a guitar costing 3 or 4 times as much. These strings add the "ring" and "overtones" some people might miss.
Thanks guys
Sweaty palms here. I've discovered Gibson Guitar Polish for the neck of my glossy J-45. Game changer.
I didn't see the Guild D-140 on your site.
I just got this guitar. It's my first all solid wood guitar. I really like it. The action was a little low so I shaped a new bone saddle. Anybody have a suggestion about a pickup to install in this guitar? I have a KnK Pure Mini in an Epiphone Jumbo that I really like. Would that be a good pick up for the Guild D-140.
Restring! This is a bit too metally. I have one too, quite satisfying
I really am interested in an OM 120. I wish there were an American version available, but there isn't anything as of now in that size with a mahogany top. The M-20 is legendary, but it is a bit small for what I want. The D-20 is also spectacular, but I'm not comfortable playing a dreadnaught...
Right now, I think Guild is building guitars on par with Martin and beating them on price!
@@timnewman1172 I have an OM-120. It’s a great guitar. I love playing it, but it is NOT on par with a Martin. I bought it because I already have a D18 and the Guild was half the price of a 000-15.
If someone wants to trade a 000-15 for my OM-120 straight up, I won’t hesitate.
There is something on or in my 3 Guilds; my first a ThinLineFCENT rosewood spruce is 30 plus years now…last November year 2021 I got a dreadnaught y before that an OM(3 ago fr this date…I would order Martin 000sm but it would take 3/4 mos to have it delivered…so…but I knew what my best options too; I love to sing and play even on my solid wood studio European made studio piano…that sounds like either Martin or Guild…true(:…) happy new year guys y TY!)btw made in the USA( however random defects are expected y could be returned if one is patient…even on other major name brands…I got two Martins dread y gpc y a solid koa wood concert size ukulele…he does not know how to use ideal adjectives for this model(made in China); you don’t need baby powder…lol…ty guys…
"SOUNDS LIKE A LAMINATE BACK AND SIDES????" WHAT A THING TO SAY!!!!
Great video y'all. Beautiful looking guitar. The highs and mids were bright 🌞 There is something off about the bass. If I compare to a low end Martin there is something not there with the Guild. I can't put my finger on it. Anyone else?
I just bought one of these guitars yesterday. I own a Martin D28, and I think I know what you are referring to. Martin dreads are known for a lot of bass. Martin has tried to build on that reputation by focusing on bass response in their cheaper guitars. I believe in doing so, they have kind of forced a bunch of bass out of an instrument that doesn't naturally sound that great. The cool thing about the upper end Martin's is that they are very balanced with a slight pronunciation in the bass. The lower end Martin's have too much bass, and therefore not enough midrange....so they get lost very quickly in any sort of an ensemble. It can be novel and quite fun playing solo, though.
My D140 is overall balanced with a woody and airy midrange and glassy top end , while my D28 is overall balanced with a slightly pronounced bass, crystal top end, and a slightly scooped and more focused midrange. The D28 works very well for flatpicking and arpeggiated chords, while the D140 is perfectly at home with fingerstyle and strumming.
They are both great guitars that are well built and sound fantastic, each with different yet equally viable talents.
And I'll just add that you can buy five D140s for the price of one D28.
Hope this helps.
@@samjenkins5868 I have the original D1 and a D28. The D1 plays much better than the D28 believe it or not. This is before they went composite. Next to the Taylor GT it is brilliant for fingerstyle (jazz). Ever played one? I think mine is '96.
I agree about the bass. The D-140 has Ladder Bracing and a cheaper Polyurethane Gloss. Both of those specs might play apart in it sounding a little flat on the low end.
@@lighthouse7iit has scalloped X bracing
@@darrenc5394 - The 2024's have scalloped, but at the time of this video, Guild used Ladder Bracing on the D-140, which that series is now discontinued.
All solid guitar. It needs time to open up. Restring, proper setup and you're done.
Hola saludos desde España,felicidades por el vídeo👏👏👏😄👍yo tengo esta guitarra la Guild D-140 y me encanta esta guitarra pero tengo unas dudas,yo afino la guitarra en D#,qué calibre y que altura me aconsejan?gracias y un saludo cordial,👍😊
Nice demo guys! Love Paul's description here "feels like it got laminated back and dead strings, but in a cool way" 😎👍
Dear Quentin and Paul, I think you shoulf do a one-off wine tasting video where you only use guitar vernacular.
No fingerpicking demoing this guitar ? So i have to rememberJohn Renbourn's old Guild to imagine how is the tone of a fingerpicked Guild ? Even though i apraciate the very short playing in bluegrass style, *please* don't forget fingerpicking when démoing an acoustic guitar !
Hi Adhémar - thanks for watching and thanks for the reminder to include fingerpicking in the demos - clearly forgot to do so for this video. Will definitely try to remember moving forward!
@@quintonking9960 thank you 😉
Westerly Guilds are pretty great guitars. For that brand, it makes a big difference where the guitar was made because that connects to who owned the company. I would not give you much for one made when Fender owned them. But from the first years, from the Westerly location and now, they are good. Cordoba owns them and wants them to be top guitars. That is a real plus. Also, I suggest you comment more on strings used because that is significant in regard to sound. Hpw can dead strings be good?
It has a big deep tone, but it looks like Quentin is having to work a little to get that big sound out. I have never played a Guild.
Would appreciate it if you just let him play. Too much doodaaanh... Having said that, always enjoy you guys videos.
Guilds have a jangle like a vox amp does.
I've owned this Guild for the past year or so, and it cost me 750 Euros ($850) new. Well, if someone can still find a similarly priced used d-40 (or whatever American-made model with similar specs), that's the way to go. If one can afford a new D-40 (the regular being price around $2200), that's also the way to go. The third best solution is getting this one, provided that you want to own a Guild. Yeah, it's a Guild. A bit muted, not exactly loud and with issues. I improved the volume some 15-20% by upgrading the bridge pins (cheap Chinese bone ones from ebay did the trick). I also replaced the bone bridge with a tusk one. Can't exactly say what physics or magic did that, but that's the result I got. The bone pins opened up the guitar a bit, as well as the year of intense playing. Also using nickel bronze strings helped. The biggest issue with the one I own is the intonation of the lower E string. It's verry difficult to get the acceptable tuning, but it can be done. The second one is the truss rod being too bloody short, and the nut is very difficult to access. In my opinion the way the sound is described-focused etc... it's correct. Sounds closest to something like a D-25 with a mahagony top, which is strange, but there you have it.
Hmmm. Your guitar sounds like a nightmare.
@@maxwellfan55 Well, not exactly a nightmare. More lika a challegning bastard. Every single guitar that I own has a quirk. What makes a guitar less boring to play is when you need to fight it a bit. :) I don't know will I sell this one eventually, but I'm fine with it. For now... The only one who has nightmares is the guy who does my setups. :D
@@bobrock23 Thanks. Yes I agree, it's sometimes good to have a guitar one has to fight for a decent sound and volume, can make one play better. That's to say, preferably if all the basic components (solid woods etc) are there. I have guitars for pure pleasure and pride that I'm concerned taking out to pubs, plus one that's a beater, beach guitar type I've carried out many repairs to. It's a love/hate thing with this one (incidentally that guitar's a Martin DX-mostly I hate it!).
I for the life of me cannot figure out what's wrong with the bass sound on this guild. The best word to describe it is off.
@@BrianJohnson-or5hw I can't tell. Mine is tuned to D# and I put 13 gauge strings on. It definetly has bass, but it is less prominent than on my other acoustics. This guitar is not a bluegrass machine. More like a church band strummer or a folk guitar. :)
THEEE best acoustic reviews on YT. Bar none.
I clicked the link and did not see that guitar. SAw another guild. I would like to know the price of that particular one. How do I find out?
I'd say Larrivee is another unsung hero of domestic make.
Used to be built in Canada, but fantastic guitars.
Paul, you should stick to the specs of the guitar and let Quinton talk. You’re not doing that guitar any favors!
It sounds like it has dead strings and is made of laminate, but in a good way!
Quinton, how would you compare this to the D-40 by Guild made in CA? From what I researched, the guitar specs are so very similar. I just bought the 140 and am loving the volume and punch, but not so much the overall overtones. Thanks.
Hi Ryan. Yes, specs are similar, except a few things. The US model has a smooth thin varnish finish where the import model (the one Quinton is playing) has a thicker gloss poly lacquer finish. Another thing - which to me actually is a BIG advantage to the import Westerly - is that the D-140 has 1 3/4 nut width and 16" fretboard radius whereas the D-40 has 1 11/16 nut width + 12" radius.
I have the D-140CE and I play it more than my HD28....now I'm considering trading my HD28 for a D55....LOL
WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you review a Guild D 120?
Guild
Seems like great value and good materials in their construction.
What would be a good Guild for beginner?
(Ie good playability, still have nice sound)
Thanks
Love my 140. Mine's a 140-NT (and truthfully, I do like the finish in this video more, but I have a newer DS240 Guild for that). But man, what a guitar, think I honestly like it more than my Martin acoustic -- but then, I did also grow up right down the street from the factory it was made in. It's a 96 or 97, so it is technically a "fender-years" Guild, but... they were still building them all at the Westerly, RI Guild factory, with all the same tools, and most importantly, all the same staff/luthiers/techs, etc., and THAT, my friends, is what made all the difference. Guild, as a company, could have changed hands hundreds of times, and if the simply had the good sense to keep that factory open and keep making the guitars at that plant in Westerly, they'l be producing arguably the best U.S.A. made guitars - acoustic and electric - of *any* single company right now.
Sad as it is.... still really looking forward to my new Polara/Kim Thayil landing soon :)
Build are not all made in USA?
No, made in China like rest of the Westerly Series.
He said it sounds like a laminate body with dead strings, but in a good way. There would be nothing good about a guitar that sounds like that. I'd still like to try one out for myself, although I'm not confident I'd like it. Based on his review and the so so demo, I would not buy this one sight unseen.
Just took ownership of one 2 weeks ago. The strings on it were indeed crap. I restrung it with a set of D'Addario XS Phosphor and it was a huge improvement. It still has a very focused sound but certainly not dead. So far, I really like it.
Something that has always kept me from pursuing a Guild is the narrow nut width on most of their models, which I just can't get along with.
I think this model has the 1 and 3/4 nut
This is 1.75", as mentioned below.
Was gunning for a martin dx2e in burst but then stumbled upon the d140 and haven't seen a bad review yet... what would you say is the better guitar??
Well, I haven't try the laminated Martin, but I have this all solid Solid D140 and I loved it since the first strum. The sound is getting better every day. If you can get one, do it before they cut the body away as they did with the D150 and the F150(I have one and couldn't be happier).
Sorry for my English.
@alejdr your English is good !! And thank you for the reply... the fact the d140 is solid is definitely winning me over... I think I will be going with the d140. Thank you 👍
Heard one of those Martins and wasn't impressed.
Go with solid wood even if not a premium axe.
Doesn't sound that good IMO needs some setup work maybe...also Quentin seemed to get better at strumming it during the course of the video but he was bangin it too hard in the intro and she wasn't into it lol... when he mellowed out she got more open
Ya, but, it’s not an American made guitar. I don’t think you mentioned that? They have had their 100 series made in China (yuck), but Korea too.(good). I’m interested in the 1512 but would prefer the 512, obviously. If made in China, I’m out.🇨🇦
the guy on the right looks like brain Greene the theoretical physicist
“Dead strings…but in a good way”. I’ll pass lol 😂
I got this guitar and it was very unimpressive and I returned it. I was thinking it would be like the old D 25 from 1980 but no such luck. It feels very flimsy. Very lackluster.
Big difference in the 100 china series and USA line. I had an OM-150 rosewood and it was awesome, ended up trading it towards a Gibson though
I’m no further in forming an opinion.
This Guy Can play definitly.... but something l dont liké about him l can't spot why and why but unconfortzble
Probably his personality or visage, or some combination - I feel the same way . . .
@@quintonking9960 no way lol poor Guy l should respect his work but some. Darck ok his personaality polcastro before good looking Guy was playing with h same thing to make me pistoff but still lov hid oersonnailty
For the love of guitars…. Please stop talking at the same time over and over.
WTF is it with these two - do they think they just have to put up with each other or what!!!
I agree.
@@danherrick5785 Good question… Have a plan, a format that’s consistent, a beginning-middle-end, SOMETHING!
*** These boys is using YT and google and paying them to get all their vids on TOP. That is aggressive CRAP. *** Sick of it.
Such mumbled vague review. I've learned very little from these two guys who in addition managed to talk on top of each other, and lots of Kinda or Sorta. Frustrating
Why are you both talking at the same time? I stopped watching after a few minutes.
I think Quinton gets carried away, bless him. Paul being forever diplomatic!
They're best pair of guys making guitar reviews on Y/Tube. When they talk (and play), we listen.
Thanks maxwell - it's definitely a bad habit of mine and 3 cups of coffee before we start rolling doesn't help - Paul is definitely diplomatic and very patient with my incessant ramblings . . .
Stop talking at the same time !!
Sounds absolutely crap compared to their new Oxnard D40's - Muted sound with no resonance! Spend the extra and get a proper Guild!
Agreed! I just wish the D-40 had a 1-3/4" Nut, which is more comfortable for my chubby fingers.
Terrible video
Non stop bickering.
Stop talking and interrupting over each other and let the instrument speak.
Lord
Not a fan of the Chinese Westerly Collection. Please review a D-40 Traditional when you get one in. Thanks!
For the price.....oh my...