1970s Madeira (by Guild, Japan-made) D-15 Jumbo Guitar

Madeira-branded guitars (basically Guild's "Squier" in the '70s) aren't all that uncommon but I'm mostly used to seeing models that are ply-bodied Martin-style dreadnought copies with x-bracing.

This instrument is ply in the body and Japan-made like those, but its body shape apes a Harmony Sovereign H1260 (or Yamaha jumbo) while its bracing is "tic-tac-toe" pattern -- two tonebars with some cross/ladder-bracing that makes the shape of a tic-tac-toe board under the top. I worked on a Rose-branded guitar from the '70s that also had the same pattern, so I'm guessing the same manufacturer made this Madeira as well.

This pattern gives it good sustain, a warm but clean/crisp sound, and snappy response that works really well for fingerpicking. Post-repairs it plays spot-on and it's good to go for the long haul.

The top is ply spruce while the back and sides are ply figured mahogany. The neck's mahogany and it has a rosewood fretboard and bridge.

Repairs included: a neck reset, fret level/dress, new bone saddle, cleaning, and setup.

Setup notes: action is low and fast at 3/32" EA and 1/16" DGBE at the 12th fret. Strings are gauged 52w-11. The truss rod works and the neck is straight but the rod is near the end of its adjustment ability.

Scale length: 25 3/8"

Nut width: 1 3/4"

String spacing at nut: 1 7/16"

String spacing at bridge: 2 1/8"

Body length: 19 3/4"

Lower bout width: 16 1/8"

Side depth at endpin: 4 1/2"

Top wood: ply spruce

Back & sides wood: ply figured mahogany

Bracing type: tic-tac-toe / tonebar

Fretboard: rosewood

Bridge: rosewood w/bone saddle

Neck feel: medium-big C-shape, flat board

Neck wood: mahogany
Weight: 4lb 1oz

Condition notes: it's all-original save a new bone saddle. There are no cracks. There's plenty of minor wear and tear throughout, with playing-wear at the pickguard and on the lower-bout-top.

It comes with: a funky but functional hard case.