Help identifying my newly acquired 1953 Flattop

[nashvilleguitars]

My first Guild, new to the group and looking for help identifying exactly what I have. The stamp on the back of the headstock reads, "A1 1008"
The label inside reads F-3?, assuming this is F-30 but someone glued a piece of laminate over that half of the label to repair a back crack.
It has a solid spruce top and solid mahogany sides and back. All indications I read was the early F-30's were maple and laminate at that with mahogany not being offered until 1959.
Can anyone confirm that this serial number as being the 8th guitar built in 1953? And if not, please explain how their serial numbers work?
I'm also curious about the "A1" stamped in front of the serial number on the headstock.
Thank you

 

[GGJaguar]

Welcome to LTG! The A1 is probably AI. I think Hans explained that they used 1 for I during a certain period. That would make it a mid-1960s F-30. Can you post a photo or two?

 

[SFIV1967]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, as GG said, AI 1008 is a 1966 made Guild Aragon F-30.

From the 1966 catalog:



I guess I have old pictures of your guitar, unless the below is not AI 1008 but AI 1003? Does your one have such replacement Schaller tuners?

EDIT: That is 1003 and not 1008, so no match.





Ralf

 

[7GuildsandanSG]

AI? AI was around back then? Now I'm scared.

 

[Cougar]

The label inside reads F-3?, assuming this is F-30 but someone glued a piece of laminate over that half of the label to repair a back crack....

Ha! I guess that doesn't throw off the super sleuths we have around here! Congratulations on entering the Guild Universe and welcome to the boards! Of course, we love photos!

 

[adorshki]

AI? AI was around back then? Now I'm scared.

Born in '56, I was. Yes, be very scared.

 

[nashvilleguitars]

Thank you everyone for the help. Like I said, i've wanted one for years, never been able to get my hands on a true vintage Guild, but I do now and I can't wait to hear the tone.
I am still a little confused about the serial number though. Here are some pictures of the new pick fiddle.

 

[nashvilleguitars]

Welcome to LTG! Yes, as GG said, AI 1008 is a 1966 made Guild Aragon F-30.

From the 1966 catalog:



I guess I have old pictures of your guitar, unless the below is not AI 1008 but AI 1003? Does your one have such replacement Schaller tuners?





Ralf

Great pictures and thank you for sharing. I believe you do have 1003. Mine doesn't have a headstock repair, but it also has some extremely old Gibson Deluxe Kluson tuners in gold with the ivoroid tulip knobs. Was your's bound in ivory binding like the add above states for the catalogue or tortoise shell like mine? I'm wondering if that was only used in certain years as well in my attempt to date it.

 

[GGJaguar]

Cool guitar. I'm sure it will clean up nicely!

 

[hansmoust]

The A1 is probably AI. I think Hans explained that they used 1 for I during a certain period.

They did that, but you're mixing up two different stories and serial number systems. The guitar in this thread is from the '60s and the capital letter I is part of the two-letter prefix. The one I explained where they used the capital I as a number 1, was during 1974 after going from a 5-digit serial number to a 6-digit number.

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl

 

[GGJaguar]

Thanks Hans!

 

[chazmo]

Cool guitar. I'm sure it will clean up nicely!

Definitely!

And for goodness sake, turn that truss rod cover around!

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thank you everyone for the help. Like I said, i've wanted one for years, never been able to get my hands on a true vintage Guild, but I do now and I can't wait to hear the tone.
I am still a little confused about the serial number though. Here are some pictures of the new pick fiddle.

Well that's more like it! What a great-looking little battleaxe.

Welcome to the chosen few, Nash!

 

[SFIV1967]

Great pictures and thank you for sharing. I believe you do have 1003. Mine doesn't have a headstock repair, but it also has some extremely old Gibson Deluxe Kluson tuners in gold with the ivoroid tulip knobs. Was your's bound in ivory binding like the add above states for the catalogue or tortoise shell like mine? I'm wondering if that was only used in certain years as well in my attempt to date it.

AI 1003 is not my guitar, I only found those pictures. And yes, that confirms that it was 1003 as your 1008 looks different. Actually that 1003 looked much worse, so your AI 1008 is better. The truss rod cover is mounted upside down by the way...

Ralf

 

[Westerly Wood]

wow, love the top.