Couple of Guild S-300-D Questions...

[DasBeef]

Right, as I'm always on the look out for good deals, I stumbled upon an S-300-D. So my two questions are....

What pickups should be in a 1977 S-300-D?
What would you say a good price for a pretty clean looking example would be?

 

[Russian Guy]

Dimarzio PAF in the neck and Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge. Hence the "D". S-300s that have Guild HB1s (like the ones in your S-100) tend to fetch more than the ones with Dimarzios since people started discovering how good they are. But I'd say around $1000-1250.

But I'm an amateur when it comes to pricing. Let more seasoned folks chime in.

Also S-300D has mahogany body and Dimarzio pickups, S-300 'hog body and Guild pups, S-300AD - ash body and Dimarzios, S-300A - same ash body and Guild HB1s.

P.S. Also The Guild Guitar Book by Hans Moust is extremely helpful when it comes to all things Guild. A little plug

P.P.S. This here is a pretty good example of a reasonable price. Whereas the second one is plain outrageous considering the refinish. Note that the knobs on both are replacements.

In the end I think it's safe to start with $700-800 and go up from there rather than bust out too high an offer and then realize that there's no way back.

 

[DasBeef]

P.S. Also The Guild Guitar Book by Hans Moust is extremely helpful when it comes to all things Guild. A little plug

This is all starting to sound right, with the exception of my decreasing bank balance! Damn you GAS!

What would be the best way to acquire such a book? I just had a quick look on Amazon?

 

[Russian Guy]

P.S. Also The Guild Guitar Book by Hans Moust is extremely helpful when it comes to all things Guild. A little plug

This is all starting to sound right, with the exception of my decreasing bank balance! Damn you GAS!

What would be the best way to acquire such a book? I just had a quick look on Amazon?

Yep. That's how I got it. Don't get me wrong you'll get plenty of tips on pretty much everything as far as Guilds are concerned (and beyond that, like for example how to manage your bank account correctly and keep the "Guild flow" at the same time :lol: ) but after a while you'll just want to get it yourself. I love to hold the real physical photos of Guilds that are sprinkled in the right doses to go along with the history of Guild.

 

[fronobulax]

What would be the best way to acquire such a book? I just had a quick look on Amazon?

Here's a link on Amazon.com. That should give you enough information to determine the best way for you to get it outside of the USA. Amazon really is trying quite hard to redirect me to the USA site so I can't find it on Amazon.com.uk for you. It is in print so your friendly neighborhood bookstore should even be able to special order it for you.

 

[DasBeef]

fronobulax - Cheers. I have found it on a couple of UK sites. I may have to purchase it!

 

[fronobulax]

fronobulax - Cheers. I have found it on a couple of UK sites. I may have to purchase it!

"may" is not the right word. "will" is. Given that your interest is in instruments before 1977 you really need to have it. When it went out of print, prices soared and a few paperbacks traded hands at prices over $50 US. I don't think anyone who has the hardcover is selling because that is out of print and likely to remain so forever unless the volume Hans is now writing ("Vol. II") is somehow bundled with an updated, reprinted Volume I.

 

[DasBeef]

Second day here, and I've already bought a book. You guys would make a terrible support group! Darn enablers!!!! :wink:

But cheers for the heads up. I was in need of some literature....

 

[fronobulax]

Second day here, and I've already bought a book. You guys would make a terrible support group! Darn enablers!!!! :wink:

But cheers for the heads up. I was in need of some literature....

Just wait until you say you are looking for a guitar....

 

[GAD]

Man, I am SO glad to see more people interested in these fabulous S300s. I've had lots.

Though, it will suck when there are more people battling for some killer deal on eBay.

Here's one of mine, just because we're all enablers together.

 

[Russian Guy]

Second day here, and I've already bought a book. You guys would make a terrible support group! Darn enablers!!!! :wink:

But cheers for the heads up. I was in need of some literature....

Good on ya, DasBeef! Here is another S-300D with the BIN price of $775. Chipboard case though is a serious drawback here.

 

[DasBeef]

Cheeers dudes.

Basically I have like the S-100, and the S-70 and have been really impressed with the sound quality, feel, playability and general construction of these 70's Guilds. I'm always keeping an eye out for new gear at a good price (aren't we all :roll: ), and that's when I stumbled upon an S-300-D. It was sitting at £850 for a while, but the price has dropped to £700 (approx $1100). The one Russian Guy has found is considerably cheaper, but by the time I paid import charges and shipping it would probably end up the same. (Thanks for the link BTW Russian Guy)
These vintage Guilds don't come up too often over here, so I like keeping an eye out. Because they don't turn up that often either, it's then difficult to gauge exactly how much I should be paying. I could find no previous sales of either the S-100 or S-70 when I bought them. The S-100 was a no brainer because I had always wanted one, and I traded a bunch of effects I wasn't using. The S-70 just seemed like a good deal, so I went for a look and ended up bartering a bit, then taking her home.
So, maybe I should try a bit haggling if I get serious about the S-300-D. I recently got the Kurt Cobain Jaguar which I'm pretty sure has the same Dimarzio Super Distortion in the bridge, albeit a newer one. I love the sound of that Jag, so that's why my interest levels are picking up. The Guild will also most likely be made of better wood, which should make it sound better.

 

[DasBeef]

I now have 'The Book'. Only read a wee bit so far, and I have some serious GAS. Thanks for the warnings guys. I've been searching the net for Guilds all night...... :roll:

PS. Nice effort Hans. Some really interesting stuff so far!