Guild Mark IV question

[Heath]

I have a ‘64 Guild Mark IV and I’m curious about the top. I’m trying to tell if the top has been altered at all. I’m not sure if it originally had a glossy top or if this just normal. Here are some pictures (and one of the back)

 

[silverfox103]

I've had 3 Mark IV Pearwoods. That top definitely doesn't look like any of them. If I were to guess, someone tried to refinish and was not successful. I would bet a good luthier could finish it correctly.

Tom

 

[Heath]

I don't know that I will only because it still sounds great and Id likely be into more than it's worth (not the first or even second Guild that would be the case with), but more I'm just curious.

 

[gilded]

Hi Tom! I heard my pearwood MIV the other day and it sounded really good! I concur with the finish.

Best, gilded

 

[SFIV1967]

What I noticed is that the rosette looks extremely dark. Almost like the guitar was sprayed with a darker finish over the rosette and somebody didn't like it and removed the dark finish but didn't dare touching the rosette (a decal?). Compare to the right picture.
It could also be that some solvents reacted with the decal.



Also what I noticed that around the bridge it looks like unremoved old red colored lacquer:



Ralf

 

[chazmo]

I think Ralf's got a reasonable explanation. As for the tint around the bridge, that could be some bleed off from the rosewood bridge from over oiling. I'm not quite sure that bridge is original.

In any case, no way I'd refinish if you like the way it sounds, Heath. That is a beautiful soundboard with tons of silking and it looks great to me. Even the dark rosette kinda looks cool.

 

[Heath]

You’ll probably also notice the last fret that was changed as it goes OVER the soundhole! (Giving two notes that otherwise were not available)

 

[silverfox103]

Hi Tom! I heard my pearwood MIV the other day and it sounded really good! I concur with the finish.

Best, gilded

Hi Harry, long time no talk. Hope all is well. Like many are saying, if Heath is happy with it, save your money. Once you start throwing money at it, you'll be underwater pretty quick.

Tom

 

[Heath]

I was thinking of selling it but likely I won’t now since I wouldn’t get what I paid given the issue. Thanks for the insight!

 

[silverfox103]

Heath

Play it and enjoy it. I'm sure it plays fine and sounds like a Pearwood. But it just looks a little different, so what. What 60 year old guitar hasn't had work done to it or tinkered with. Kind of like us humans.

Tom