1988 Guild D-25 – Natural – Includes Original Arched Hardshell Case and Original Bill of Sale – Used Excellent
The Guild D-25 has been one of the most beloved and enduring acoustic guitars in American music since its introduction in 1968 — Guild's affordable dreadnought workhorse, built at the Westerly, Rhode Island factory and refined over three decades into one of the most consistently satisfying guitars a working player can own. The 1988 examples represent the mature Westerly era at its peak, and the engineering that defines this model is worth understanding. The solid Sitka spruce top sits over Guild's signature arched laminated mahogany back, created through a heat-pressing process that builds a natural arch into the back without requiring internal bracing. The result functions acoustically like a speaker cone — the arched back projects sound outward with a directness and volume that flat-backed guitars of similar construction cannot match. Solid mahogany sides and neck, rosewood fingerboard and bridge, X-bracing, nitrocellulose lacquer finish, 25.5-inch scale, and Guild's sealed tuners complete a straightforward and honest instrument built with Westerly's characteristic seriousness of purpose.
It would be hard to find a better example of the D-25 than this one — and we have seen quite a few. The neck angle is exceptionally healthy, the finish is outstandingly glossy and hard for a 37-year-old guitar, and the overall condition is genuinely remarkable. There is some bridge belly that is typical and stable for the model and age — a normal characteristic of these instruments that does not affect playability or structural integrity. Big and punchy with a nice blended strumming voice, and clear and projecting enough for fingerpicking — a genuinely versatile and satisfying dreadnought that will provide many more decades of faithful service. The original arched hardshell case is in great shape and the original bill of sale from 1988 is included.
- Make: Guild
- Model: D-25
- Year: 1988
- Serial number: confirm from label
- Country of origin: USA (Westerly, RI)
- Body: Square-shoulder dreadnought
- Top: Solid Sitka spruce, nitrocellulose lacquer finish
- Back: Arched laminated mahogany, heat-pressed, no internal bracing
- Sides: Solid mahogany
- Bracing: X-brace
- Neck: Mahogany, C shape
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, pearloid dot inlays, unbound
- Bridge: Rosewood
- Nut width: 1-11/16"
- Scale length: 25.5"
- Frets: 20
- Pickguard: Tortoise pattern
- Binding: 5-ply top, single black back
- Tuners: Guild sealed
- Finish: Natural, nitrocellulose lacquer, exceptional gloss and hardness for age
- Bridge belly: Present, typical and stable for model and age
- Modifications: None
- Condition: Used Excellent – exceptional example, healthy neck angle, outstanding finish condition, stable bridge belly typical of model
- Includes: Original arched hardshell case (great shape), original 1988 bill of sale
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
