Artist Award Question

[a.modernist]

Hello Guild Folk. I've been lurking for a while now and finally am close to perhaps rejoining the ranks of you Guild owners (I played a beater of a Starfire for a couple of years back in the mid-90s). I have my eyes on a 1971 sunburst Artist Award. It's way over my budget, but I've played it and it is beautiful so perhaps I can find a way to it. I was hoping perhaps some Artist Award owners might be willing to give me some advice as to what to look out for the next time I inspect this guitar? Is there anything AAs, particularly from that time period, are prone to? I own a couple of guitars and have a fair amount of vintage guitar experience, so basics aside I am just curious if anyone has any wisdom to share.

I am also curious if anyone has a sense of the rarity of the sunburst versus blonde model AAs during this time period. I feel like I see more blondes than SBs in general (and am partial to the former).

Thanks in advance for your input.

Nick Rossi
www.facebook.com/nickrossimusic
San Francisco, Calif., U.S.A.

 

[jmac]

Nick,

I can't answer your question, but I took a look at your facebook page. VERY COOL.

Jake

 

[a.modernist]

Thanks Jake! I appreciate it. 'Hope you enjoyed the sound clips.

 

[Ian]

Hi Nick,

I cant answer your question either, but I also took a look at your FB page: It's a small world we have a mutual friend !!!

Cheers, Ian

 

[a.modernist]

Cheers Ian. It's a small world indeed and things like Facebook (and this message board) make it smaller everyday.

 

[guildman63]

Hi Nick,

The oldest I have is a 1984 X-500, so I can't help you either. I am not aware through my searching of anything unusual with that era of Guild. As for a comparison between the most recent AA as tweaked by Bob Benedetto and the prior models the following site may be of interest to you. I can't say how the prices compare, but I'm sure neither are in my range.

http://jazztimes.com/articles/20124-gui ... rd-archtop

If you have not already played one try and find an X-500 or an X-175 (basically an X-500 without the gold hardware and bound f-holes [I think]. Also, the pick-ups will vary depending on the year). They are laminated instead of carved, but in my opinion they are very nice.

Perhaps Hans will chime in at some point as there is not a better Guild reference.

Best of luck!

Dave

 

[Chris Metcalfe]

Nick
In the absence of any other replies, I had an 80s blonde AA for a year or so a few years ago.
It was by far the most responsive acoustic archtop I have ever played. As a consequence, it would feed back at very modest volumes, making it difficult to play electrically at any volume. Mine came with the Guild OEM pickup, a no-polepiece humbucker, and it was a most unusual pickup; very low output, similar in tone to a gretsch pickup, and I hated it. I subsequently put an ebay dearmond 1100 pickup on it, and it sounded much better, but still was unusable for all but the quietest setting - and so I sold the guitar, getting my money back quite easily and quickly.
I'd say that it's one of, if not the, best low volume archtops I have ever played, wonderful neck profile, wonderful action, wonderful sound ; but it's not a band guitar IMO - I now used a lam-top franz X500 which is far more suitable. Mine had very small frets, but i have noticed that fret size varies almost randomly with guilds, so the one you're interested in might be quite different.
No doubt other AA owners will weigh in.....

 

[a.modernist]

Thanks Chris. This is all very good information and very much appreciated. Fortunately, most of my gigs the past year or so have been in trio settings and very low-volume. But I definitely will take your words into consideration.

Dave, I appreciate the recommendations as well. I've been fortunate to try out a few Guilds the past 3-4 years including an X-175, A-150 (?), and another AA. I realize something like an X-500 might be a bit more versatile, but I think I am willing to deal with that. That said I would love to find a nice late-1950s X-500. I have also discovered that Guilds pop up on the West Coast far more infrequently than they do East of the Rockies.

Again, thanks everyone.

 

[Brad Little]

I agree with Chris, it is not really suited for louder situations. I've only plugged mine in a few times, and only in low volume situations, so it might work well in your trio setting. For full blown electric situations I use my X-170. But, the AA is really a joy to play, neck, fretwork everything. The first time I picked it up it just begged to play some swing rhythm progressions. Mine has the Dearmond 1100, so I can only speak to it.
Brad

 

[a.modernist]

Thanks Brad. Yes, this one has an 1100. I am already a big fan of DeArmonds in general and have a fair amount of experience with them. I have an FHC "Guitar Mike" that I use with a '40s Epiphone on some gigs. Otherwise my main gigging guitar these days is a Japanese Gretsch with TV Jones version of the DeArmond "Dynasonics". In fact, I've never met an DeArmond I didn't like.

 

[Ravon]

I had a new '81 blonde and through youthful ignorance I didn't keep it, but only because I felt it was more guitar than I was worthy of. I regret that decision to this day (that and sold a Mk V ) I never quite had the volume/feedback problem most seem to experience. As I've posted here before, when I recieved my AA I was told it was unique in the fact it had a maple top (no flame). I never thought to look at the label to see if I could verify it being so that way. As someone said here before it was probably a one of a kind. It was a bit brighter sounding than spruce and wasn't necessarily loud acoustically but man it played and sounded beautiful when plugged in. I played in a big band and it cut through the horns just fine using a Princeton Reverb. When the stars align I'll one day have a similar year AA as before because I like the DeArmond PU and stairstep pickguard. I think the sunbursts are gorgeous and as with most brands, sunbursts seem to fetch a bit more than blondes.

 

[a.modernist]

That's interesting Ravon. One of the aspects of the guitar that I am really struggling with (money matters aside) is the concept of the guitar being "more than I am worthy of". I am a decent musician. I've played for music for 26 years and 2/3 of those years in professional settings. And yet, I have a mental hang-up of not quite being "ready" for an instrument of this level. The mind is a an interesting, interesting thing, isn't it? Perhaps if it was named the "Artist Assistance Tool" I wouldn't be typing this...

 

[Ravon]

If I had to keep only a guitar I was worthy of Nick it would have to be my $98 Korean Dan Electro :lol: ! To me all my purchases now are investments. Thats why I'm sticking with Guild, still relatively inexpensive compared to the other guys... for now . Go for it Nick! And its sunburst with the DeArmond as well :wink:

 

[a.modernist]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Ravon. My hesitations are probably the result of my Catholic upbringing mixed with my socialist leanings. Nothing like a little guilt to color one's judgement!

 

[adorshki]

Nothing like a little guilt to color one's judgement!

Or a little "Guild". :lol: (hint, hint)

 

[a.modernist]

You know that pun crossed my mind, but I showed restraint. I am glad someone else didn't!

 

[Ravon]

Thanks for the words of encouragement Ravon. My hesitations are probably the result of my Catholic upbringing mixed with my socialist leanings. Nothing like a little guilt to color one's judgement!

My life as well Nick. I think your more than worthy after listening to your music. I love what your doing man, I'd love to be doing something like that. It would reallybe hip up on stage with that sunburst AA. Who cares what guilt trip those old nuns laid on us way back when...no sacrilige intended :shock: !

 

[a.modernist]

Thanks Ravon, I appreciate the kind words.

 

[twocorgis]

I had a new '81 blonde and through youthful ignorance I didn't keep it, but only because I felt it was more guitar than I was worthy of.

That's funny Ravon, because I had the exact same feeling when I went to look at a beautiful '86 AA about six months ago. You start playing it and it's an instant inferiority complex. :shock:

My '59 suits my meager playing ability much better. :lol:

 

[a.modernist]

Part of the way I am putting it into perspective is by asking myself, how many sax players do I know who play "good year" Selmer Mark VIs any given night of the week here in town. The answer? Quite a few. Again, I find it really interesting how our minds work. When it comes down to it and to paraphrase Barney Kessel, it is just a tool, right?

OK, a REALLY nice, expensive tool - but a tool nonetheless.

Plus, twocorgis, I am sure you are selling you and your '59 short...