G 45

[DaleStephens]

I have a guild G45. By the serial number it looks like it was made around 1981. I’ve been looking for others on line just to compare and see what it might be worth, but all I can find is information about the Hank Williams Jr models that were made much later. NOTHING on a regular G 45. Looks like they made about 80 of them if I’m seeing things right. Is this a rare guitar? Any idea what it might be worth?

 

[Rambozo96]

I always thought those were an official Hank Jr signature. If I’m not mistaken they did a second run with his name engraved on the pickguard.

 

[Stuball48]

Welcome Dale. You have asked a question on the most knowledgeable guitar forum on the internet.
I just bought a 1983 G45 from a fellow LTG member. I gave $2060 shipped. Mine is number 34. Think 1st run made in early 80s and 2nd run in early 90s. Think you are about right on total made.
The only way mine sells for $2060 is back to member I bought it from.
A really nice maple.

 

[DaleStephens]

Mine’s number 24

 

[DaleStephens]

Thanks for the reply. Mine is number 24. Have had it for about 30 years. The tone is maturing nicely lately. Had light gauge strings ‘cause I wasn’t playing much, but just put some mediums on and am really impressed with the sound.

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! According to George Gruhn's book the first run of the "G-45 Hank Williams Jr. model" was from 1982 to 1986. They came in Blonde and in Sunburst. It was reintroduced with a snakehead by 1993 based on a D-30 and discontinued 1996. In 1998 reintroduced as D-60 without Hank William's endorsement.

Ralf

 

[GardMan]

Looks like SN go to GD100089 in the first run, from 1982-1987... taken at face value, that's 89 in the first run.

SNs to FG450005 and then FG000067 in 1994. If both 1994 SN series started with 001, that would make a total of about 72 in the second run.

We all know that the Guild SN lists are incomplete, but from what is listed, I would estimate ~160 total in the two runs.

Another similar model was the D-65S, a limited run of 20 guitars made for Guitar Ctr in 1994.

 

[DaleStephens]

I would post some pictures, but can't figure out how to do that here. Serial # GD100024. Sounds pretty similar to the one you just acquired, Stuball. A few LITTLE dings on the front, and the frets have probably been filed down for the last time before needing to be replaced (so the action is really nice right now), but other than that, it's in great shape. Original Guild case. Had some light guage strings on it 'cause I wasn't playing much and the fingers were soft, but a luthier suggested some mediums recently - so I did. Increased the sound incredibly (of course the light guages were antiques of their own right, so I'm sure that didn't help). Anyway - I'm a hack player - so I'm 'over intrumented' for my skill level. Still, it's nice to have an instrument capable of responding when I accidentally do something nice .... Thanks for the info. My middle daughter will end up with it when I pass on. Bought her a breedlove from a guy at her church a couple of years ago. THAT'S a nice sounding guitar too !!!!

 

[DaleStephens]

All I can find on-line is information about the ones with the name on the pickguard. Mine doesn't have that ....

 

[DaleStephens]

 

[DaleStephens]

 

[Stuball48]

Great way to keep the G45 in the family. You will not find a better home.
And I put EJ16 light D'Addario strings on mine and love the sound. Plus plays a smidging easier

 

[DaleStephens]

Thanks everyone .... so, for clarity .... Does anyone know whether ALL G45's are Hank Williams Jr. models? Or is it just the ones that have the name on the Pick Guard? It just seems like where ever you look on-line, when the topic of a G45 comes up, it's connected to "the rare" Hank Williams, Jr. model. Just wondering if there's any kind of difference at all depending on whether the guitar has the name on the pickguard or not..... Thanks again !!!

 

[Stuball48]

Thanks everyone .... so, for clarity .... Does anyone know whether ALL G45's are Hank Williams Jr. models? Or is it just the ones that have the name on the Pick Guard? It just seems like where ever you look on-line, when the topic of a G45 comes up, it's connected to "the rare" Hank Williams, Jr. model. Just wondering if there's any kind of difference at all depending on whether the guitar has the name on the pickguard or not..... Thanks again !!!

My thinking is that all were Hank Jr. models but some of the first run did not have his name on pick guard. We have one of the rare ones (ha) without. Glad mine is without.

 

[DaleStephens]

My thinking is that all were Hank Jr. models but some of the first run did not have his name on pick guard. We have one of the rare ones (ha) without. Glad mine is without.

I'm glad about that too .... I probably wouldn't have bought it if it had had the name on there. Have owned it for about 30 years now, and still remember the day I first saw it hanging in the shop ... went back to get it when I got some money, but it was gone .... asked about it .... shop owner said it had been on consignment and didn't sell, so the owner came and got it .... called him, and he came up and met me at the shop .... the rest is history ....

 

[JohnW63]

I'm a hack player - so I'm 'over intrumented' for my skill level. Still, it's nice to have an instrument capable of responding when I accidentally do something nice

I think I am in that group too. I can't tell if I'm still in " hack " level or not. I suppose my instructor would say I'm not.

That's a nice end to the " I came back to the store and it was gone..." story. Most end up as "The guitar that got away." tale of regret.

 

[DaleStephens]

I think I am in that group too. I can't tell if I'm still in " hack " level or not. I suppose my instructor would say I'm not.

That's a nice end to the " I came back to the store and it was gone..." story. Most end up as "The guitar that got away." tale of regret.

Well - If I had, or had ever had an instructor, I suppose they could give me that kind of feedback also .... but then again, my lifetime lack of one may answer the 'Hack question" all by itself ....:wink-new:

 

[superblue]

Could Someone please make a video or share a link to one of these Bigfoots? I'm not sure that they really exist. I'm going to get a chance to buy one shortly, I've seen one in New Zealand going for 4K. I'm hoping for under 2K. When I get one I'm going to make a couple of videos. Thanks SB

 

[dreadnut]

The "Hank Jr." was actually inlaid in the pickguard not sure if MOP or MOTS.

 

[SFIV1967]

Even if it is an old thread from March...In the absense of Hans' volume II here is what I found so far:
The first generation G-45 Hank Williams Jr. models had the more traditional Guild headstock and were made in the 1982-1986 timeframe. Pickguard available with engraved name or optional simply black pickguard.
Both "DG1000xx" and "GD1000xx" serial numbers.

The reissues had the narrow snakehead headstock and came out around 1993 till 1996. They had the name on the pickguard.
Both "FG0000xx" and "FG4500xx" serial numbers!

Here's the first generation from the 80ies with the traditional headstock:

And the Hank pickguard version:

March 1983 pricelist:

And the second generation from the 90ies with the snakehead and a different pickguard shape.

Actually there was a "final" model with that same DNA, means laminated arched maple back, this time with traditional headstock again, which was the D-60 model that came out 1998, but without any Hank Williams Jr. endorsement anymore:

Ralf