First introduced in 1968 as a special-order top-of-the-line model, the D-55 was so well-received that Guild added it into the regular production line by 1974. Famously played by Tommy Smothers on the Smothers Brothers Show in the late 1960s, the D-55 grew in both popularity and longevity over the decades. The most anticipated return of a Guild acoustic to date, the 2017 Guild D-55 is back and better than ever. The D-55 remains true to all the premium appointments of its 1968 predecessor, including a AAA Sitka spruce top, solid Indian Rosewood back and sides, ebony fingerboard and bridge, and nitrocellulose finish. Internal refinements include scalloped Adirondack bracing as well as an improved dovetail neck-joint, hand fit to make this generation of D-55 the lightest, loudest, and best-sounding yet. The D-55 showcases Guild’s most recognizable headstock which is fully bound and features the Guild “Peak and Shield” inlay combination over a figured ebony overlay. The matching ebony fingerboard is also fully bound and inlayed with Guild’s iconic abalone/pearl “V-Blocks” and multi-line “railroad track” purfling on the bass and treble sides. The D-55’s fingerboard is set on an all-mahogany neck with beautiful walnut center seam running the length of the heel to headstock. The D-55’s nitro finish is available in natural or Antique Burst and is hand sprayed for minimum thickness and maximum resonance that will only get better with age. An LR Baggs pickup system is available as an option, and each guitar includes a hand-signed certificate of authenticity and ships with Guild’s Premium humidified hardshell case.
Body Shape |
D - Dreadnought |
Body Top |
Solid Sitka Spruce |
Top Bracing Pattern |
Scalloped X |
Soundhole Diameter |
4" (102mm) |
Rosette |
Abalone and ABS Ring |
Top Purfling Inlay |
Black and White ABS |
Body Sides |
Solid Indian Rosewood |
Body Back |
Solid Indian Rosewood |
Body Binding |
White ABS |
Neck Material |
Mahogany with Walnut Center Strip |
Scale Length |
25 5/8" (651mm) |
Neck Shape |
C Shape |
Nut Width |
1 11/16" (43mm) |
Neck Thickness 1st Fret |
21mm |
Neck Thickness 9th Fret |
22.5mm |
Truss Rod |
Dual Action |
Truss Rod Wrench |
8mm Socket Wrench |
Fingerboard Material |
Ebony |
Fingerboard Radius |
12" (305mm) |
Fingerboard Inlays |
V-Blocks - Mother-Of-Pearl and Abalone |
Fingerboard Inlay Location |
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17 |
Frets Total |
20 |
Fret Type |
Jescar 43080 |
Color |
Natural (NAT) |
Finish |
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer |
Bridge Material |
Ebony |
Bridge String Spacing |
2 1/8" (54mm) |
Bridge Pins |
Bone |
Saddle Material |
Compensated Bone |
Hardware Finish / Plating |
Nickel |
Nut Material |
Bone |
Tuning Machines |
Gotoh® SE700 Open-Gear |
Endpin |
Ivory Colored Plastic |
Pickguard |
Tortoiseshell |
Electronics |
N / A |
Controls |
N / A |
Strings |
D'Addario EXP16 - Coated Phosphor Bronze Light (.012 - .053) |
Included Case |
Guild Premium Humidified Archtop Wood Case |
Upper Bout Width |
11 5/8" (295mm) |
Lower Bout Width |
16" (406mm) |
Body Depth Upper Bout |
4" (101mm) |
Body Depth Lower Bout |
5" (127mm) |
Body Length |
20" (508mm) |
Overall Length |
41 3/4" (1061mm) |