76/77 Guild M-80 resto

[Ernest]

Hello, I got this guitar back when I was in highschool in the early 90's. I got it from a school friend who inherited it from an uncle. He didn't like it because it was too heavy and didn't look rock n roll enough, so I traded him my Fender Squier Strat for it. I played it in a few garage bands over the years then It started falling apart and I have been focused on fingerstyle acoustic guitar playing since I disassemble the M-80 and put it away in it's case for over 10 years now.

I got it back out recently and have been debating what to do with it....so I decided to put it up on an enthusiast forum to see If I can get some advice.

Honestly, I just want to fix it up so I can either trade or sell it and end up with a nice American made acoustic. I would love to get ahold of a D-25 or similar acoustic. I play a nice Korean made JBP artist series acoustic and also a Chinese Rogue resonator but I must someday own one of those finely crafted American acoustics.

The previous owner modified the tailpiece to make it whammy and routed out some some of the wood in the process. They also drilled two holes for more switches of some sort....? I've always had it wired normal. So now I need to figure out how best to address this problem. Do I cut some plugs of mahogany and hope the seam isn't too noticable? possibly add some inlay to hide a seam? or am I better off painting it a color? Keep in mind this is for resale....maybe....

So, I'll keep posting pics of my progress and please feel free to post your input.

 

[Csquare4]

Welcome Ernest.

Wow...I think you have your work cut out for you. Are you planning on restoring it yourself? If not, my expectation is that you are going to probably pour almost as much money into it as it would be worth on the market. I can't really suggest what to do on this one, you may be better off selling it as is, as a "fixer upper" for someone that may want a highly modifiable body, or even parting it out, and taking your couple hundred dollars to apply to that sweet acoustic you want. I could see maybe trying to do something, such as plugging the holes and painting it solid, but even then you are probably getting into the $300-500 range, especially if you are replacing the pickups with something half decent. Even if you sanded it down and re-veneered the top, you are going to get into some real dinero pretty quickly.

Personally, I just wouldn't invest a whole lot into restoring it, I have seen mint copies go in the $600-800 range...I have no idea how much you would pay to get it done right, but I can't imagine there would be a whole lot of return on it.

I can't speak for others, but it looks like whoever did the work, did a hatchet job as far as I can tell. As much as I would like an M80, I would have to pass this one by. No offense, but I just think this one is pretty far gone. But there is a buyer out there, always is. Good luck on that.

If you just want to get it into decent playing condition, that could probably be done reasonably...you may want to try this and sell it...or keep it and enjoy it for what it is.

Again, welcome aboard. And good luck.

Craig

 

[Ernest]

Yeah, I've already talked with Mr. Thane Shearon of Fender/Guild and there is no way I could afford the work. I have to do it all myself, I'm pretty handy though, as long as I take my time.

 

[Ernest]

started stripping the top and found the best match I could to make a mahogany plug to fit the cut out. Depending on how it turns out.....I'll decide if I want to paint it or not.

I've debated whether or not to replace the tail piece with an original, I thought some on a string through body design which was very tempting but I finally decided on a HIPSHOT Baby Grand Guitar Bridge in black.

 

[Ernest]

 

[Csquare4]

That looks like a pretty decent match on the grain there. Good for you, maybe you can pull it off, though I never doubted you

 

[Ernest]

shaped the plug and made the best fit I could tolerate. we'll see...

 

[Ernest]

 

[Ernest]

not so close a match as I'd hoped.

 

[Ernest]

applied some stains last night, now getting a better look at it and it's just not going to cut it. now I know.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

A solid green would be nice! :wink:

 

[Ernest]

I still think there is a way to finish it without covering the mahogany entirely.

first thing that comes to my mind is a reverse sunburst, could look kinda wicked with all the black hardware.

 

[Qvart]

first thing that comes to my mind is a reverse sunburst, could look kinda wicked with all the black hardware.

That might not be a bad idea - dark area around the plug and once the bridge is on there might not be a whole lot to notice. I don't know about that hipshot bridge but an original Mueller with angled tailpiece would be nice, but might not blend well with the appearance of the repairs. Get yourself some HB-1's though! :lol:

 

[Ernest]

I'm a electric guitar layman. what's wrong with these pups I have now? other than cosmetically?

 

[Ernest]

I don't know about that hipshot bridge but an original Mueller with angled tailpiece would be nice, but might not blend well with the appearance of the repairs.

the hipshot is going to be the same post distance so it could always be turned back if someone doesn't like it.

 

[Qvart]

I'm a electric guitar layman. what's wrong with these pups I have now? other than cosmetically?

I have no idea what kind of pickups those are. They may be fine. Many of us around here are fans of the Guild HB-1's, which would have been the stock pickups in this guitar.

For example: on Ebay

(Don't know about that price)

 

[Ernest]

These pups are T Top humbuckers. Pat no.2737842 stamped Sep 14 1975

I can find some random info on them but I get confused on which years are the good ones, Pat no. sticker versus stamped in the metal, etc...

 

[Ernest]

Could use some more advice here.....I have a feeling I'm going to hate the reverse sunburst idea as its going to be too obvious I'm hiding a defect of some sort. I'm leaning towards a solid color on the top now and leave the neck and back mahogany. One vote for green.....I'm partial to gloss black.... or do you feel that it's all just pointless at this point considering the damage? I would like to hear your thoughts on this.

I'm going to finish it regardless, I'm just not sure if it will be something I could sell or if it's going to be my guitar forever because I could never make enough on it to justify selling.

I think I'm set on Acrylic Lacquer unless someone could convince me Nitro would be better....

 

[Qvart]

It'd be a shame to cover up that grain, but if you have to go with a solid color I'd say black. That should cover the defects/repairs and it'll look period-correct.

 

[Ernest]

second plug goes in. starting prep for paint this weekend.