Guild D4 Acoustic Guitar Lefthanded Vintage 1999

Up for auction is my left handed 1999 Guild D4 HR Dreadnought. The top is spruce the neck and sides are mahogany.The fretboard is Morado - similar to Rosewood. The guitar also has an unusual (for a dreadnought) and lovely arched back of laminated Mahogany. The HR stands for the 'hand rubbed' satin finish, which is quite beautiful. Also, you'll notice that I upgraded the bridge pins to snakewood with an abalone dot.  

Some History:

I acquired this Guild in September 2001 from Matt Umanov, the famous boutique Guitar Shop, in Greenwich Village, New York. It was a few weeks after 9/11 and the atmosphere in lower Manhattan was strangely surreal. I and everyone else seemed to be wandering around in a daze. The horrible smell of the the destroyed and still burning World Trade Center permeated the air and the streets were empty. Many shops were still shut down after the terrorist attacks, but lo and behold there was Umanov's Guitars, like an oasis,  open for business.  I strolled in, the sole patron in the store. Matt wasn't in, but guy behind the counter seemed happy to have someone to talk to and offered to let me play anything I wanted. So, I proceeded to play several fine left handed instruments. I had no intention of buying anything, as I already had about 12 guitars.  But then the Umanite (as Matt Umanov staff are known)  pulled down this lefty Guild D4 with an arched back and I had to admit it was a very lively, responsive instrument. True, I already had an amazing sounding Guild (my 70's era D40 - which I'll never part with... well maybe for  a few K I might), but this D4 model, with its sexy arched back, spoke to me. That and the fact that I thought Matt Umanov's could use the business back in those bleak post 9/11 days. So, I bought the guitar and, late as usual,  went directly to meet a fellow musician friend for tea at a Bleecker Street cafe. Thanks to my new Guild, we ended up playing an impromptu concert of sorts for the few cafe patrons and passerby.  A memorable experience. Hard to believe 10 years have passed since then.

But I digress. This D4 is one of the last Guilds to be crafted at the old Guild, Westerly, RI facility. And its lineage can be traced,  if not to the Venerable Bede, then to the venerable Guild D25 line. The guitar has been very lightly used -- mostly because it is not my main guitar.  I mostly fingerpick, which translates to no discernible scratch marks on the pick-guard or body.  The guitar is in fabulous, even pristine shape overall with no major dings.  The only issue I ever had was  was buzzing on the high E string, due to slot wear at the nut.  The nut is repaired and the intonation is dead on.  The action is set comfortably low and the Spruce soundboard has aged nicely over ten years. There is a Matt Umanov label on the back of the headstock (see pic) and the tone has a nice punchy midrange.  You'll love it. And if you don't (gasp!) -- I'll take it back.

APPROVAL PRIVILEGES:

That's right, intrepid guitar shopper, you can return it (in the same condition received please) for a refund, minus the shipping and insurance costs. Just get in touch with me for shipping and insurance authorization and instructions within a reasonable amount of time, lets say 2 days. Very good of me, isn't it. But then I appreciate the difficulties and risks of buying an instrument online. Therefore I am offering a no hassles, easy return policy. However, you must get shipping  and insurance authorization from me in advance. No exceptions. Upon return and successful inspection of the instrument, a  refund will be promptly issued. It's true that Mandolin Bros will offer you three days approval, but then they are the gods at the center of the guitar universe, whereas I am a mere mortal, flotsam in the sea of life. After two days (48 hours) all sales are final, finite.

On the other hand, if there are any issues at all please do contact me and I'll do everything I can to make things right. I have 100% positive feed back and I work hard to maintain it. 

PAYMENT AND SHIPPING: 

Payment via PayPal  and I  only ship to confirmed, verified PayPal  addresses.  PayPal is easy and secure for both buyer and seller. The instrument will be shipped upon receipt of cleared funds, usually within two days, unless you and I agree otherwise. The guitar will ship carefully packed and  fully insured.  The price does include the  case.  If you have less than 10 feedback responses, please contact me prior to bidding. International buyers are welcome; contact me for a shipping and insurance quote.  The Buyer  is responsible for any and all applicable taxes, duties and customs fees. Please check with your local tax/customs authorities before bidding.   I reserve the right not to ship to countries plagued by fraud or to anyone who hates green eggs with ham.

I also reserve the right to end bidding early.  Here is  your chance to get a great deal on a very fine example of Guild Craftsmanship from the original Westerly, Rode Island shop. However, be forewarned: I won't be giving the guitar away. Good luck and happy bidding.

MORE STUFF: 

I emailed the serial number to Guild (now owned by Fender) and Jeff Krause, of Fender, was kind enough to provide the following details: 

Guitar Completion Date: 10/27/1999

Guild D4 HR Specifications:

Model Name: D4 HR

Model Number: 350-0100-(Color#)

Category: Traditional Dreadnought Guitars

Body Style: Dreadnought

Scale Length: 25 5/8"

Top: Solid Spruce Top

Bracing: Standard

Back: Arched Laminated Mahogany Back

Sides: Solid Mahogany Sides

Neck: Mahogany

Width at Nut: 1-11/16"

Fretboard: Morado (12" Radius)

Bridge: Rosewood

Hardware: Chrome

Electronics: Optional

Finish: Handrubbed Satin Finish (Polyurethane)

Colors: (021) Natural less case,

*(721) Natural *with case,

(051) Natural Mahogany less case,

*(751) Natural Mahogany *with case

Unique Features: Dot Inlay,

Tortiose Shell Pickguard

Case: Optional, Uses Standard C4500 Hardshell Case p/n 3501075204

U.S. MSRP: $899.99 Price without case, *add $100.00 for C4500 hardshell case

Options: 350-0105  D4 (as above with Fishman Transducer)                 $1,099.99

350-0106  D4 (as above with Fishman pickup and preamp)   $1,199.99

350-0120  D4 (Left hand)                                                                    $899.99

350-0125  D4 (Left hand with Fishman Transducer)                 $1,099.99

350-0126  D4 (Left hand with Fishman pickup and preamp)   $1,199.99

Specs: Prices and Specifications Subject to Change Without Notice

Strings: Guild L350 Phosphor Bronze, 

p/n 3500350000,

Gauges .012, .016, .025, .032, .042, .053

Source: U.S.

Introduced: 1991

Discontinued: 12/2001