Guild D-40 – USA 1989

Here is a Guild D-40 dreadnought acoustic guitar, a finely built instrument that showcases the brand’s reputation for rich, powerful acoustic tone and traditional craftsmanship. The dreadnought body pairs a tight-grained solid Sitka spruce top with solid mahogany back and sides, delivering a voice defined by strong low-end focus, warm and expressive mids, and crisp, articulate highs. The result is excellent note separation with a bold, dynamic response across all playing styles.

This combination of tonewoods gives the D-40 its signature balance—deep, controlled bass without muddiness, singing midrange presence, and clear top-end articulation. It is a guitar that responds well to both light touch and more aggressive playing, offering strong projection and a distinctive tonal character that stands out in the dreadnought category.

Construction details include a one-piece mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and bridge, 20 frets, and a 25 5/8" scale length. The nut width is 1 11/16", with a body width of 15 3/4" and depth of 5", delivering a familiar and comfortable dreadnought feel. The nitrocellulose lacquer finish allows the instrument to resonate naturally while developing character over time.

Aesthetically, this Guild is beautifully appointed with mother-of-pearl dot inlays, decorative soundhole rosette, pearl Guild headstock logo, and the signature Chesterfield pearl inlay. The craftsmanship is further highlighted by the striking one-piece mahogany back and traditional Grover tuners, completing a visually refined and classic design.

Specifications: 

Year: 1989
Country: USA
Model: Guild D-40 dreadnought acoustic guitar
Finish: Nitrocellulose lacquer
Body: Dreadnought body with solid spruce top and solid mahogany back and sides
Neck: One-piece mahogany neck
Fingerboard: Rosewood with mother-of-pearl dot inlays
Scale: 25 5/8"
Bridge: Rosewood
Tuners: Grover 3-per-side tuning machines
Case: Original Guild hard case