M-75/M-65 shootout

[BradHK]

Since I just finished that restoration on that hollow M-75 with DeArmond pickups, I decided I would get out my hollow body M-75s and M-65s for a fun shootout this morning. Other than size and being hollow, you can’t really compare them as they are all slightly different. But I thought it would be fun anyway (and I had no real plans this morning)! They all have different pickups and only two are the same construction (spruce top, mahogany sides and back with the neck joining the body at the 16th fret). The guitars I compared were a 1954 Aristocrat with franz pickups, 1965 M-65 with a frequency tested pickup, a 1967 M-75 with Anti-hums, and a 1970 with DeArmonds. My 1969 M-65 with a Mickey Mouse is not at home right now so unfortunately I could not throw that one into the mix (Next time!).

I played each back to back many times through the same amp (1961 Gibson GA-5T). I thought I would come out with one that I liked better. Feel, sound, vibe, etc.. The interesting thing is that given the similar construction and same size they all sounded and felt similar but at the same time very different. I would pick one up and think that one sounded “best” to my ears and style but then pick up another and change my mind. Some I leaned toward the bridge pickup but others I leaned toward the neck or both pickups. Really fun morning. The only thing I learned today is that now I want one with HB-1s!

family shot while I had them out:

 

[GGJaguar]

Those types of comparisons are fun! Thanks for sharing!

 

[BradHK]

Those types of comparisons are fun! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks. I am still surprised how good those frequency tested pickups sound in a hollow guitar. They are so airy sounding and also more compressed sounding compared to the others. Really nice with finger style plucking percussive songs. I wish I had one in a bridge position to better compare with the others. One of my favorite Guild pickups!

 

[walrus]

What a great collection! Very cool!

walrus

 

[Ongo Gablogian]

Since I just finished that restoration on that hollow M-75 with DeArmond pickups, I decided I would get out my hollow body M-75s and M-65s for a fun shootout this morning. Other than size and being hollow, you can’t really compare them as they are all slightly different. But I thought it would be fun anyway (and I had no real plans this morning)! They all have different pickups and only two are the same construction (spruce top, mahogany sides and back with the neck joining the body at the 16th fret). The guitars I compared were a 1954 Aristocrat with franz pickups, 1965 M-65 with a frequency tested pickup, a 1967 M-75 with Anti-hums, and a 1970 with DeArmonds. My 1969 M-65 with a Mickey Mouse is not at home right now so unfortunately I could not throw that one into the mix (Next time!).

I played each back to back many times through the same amp (1961 Gibson GA-5T). I thought I would come out with one that I liked better. Feel, sound, vibe, etc.. The interesting thing is that given the similar construction and same size they all sounded and felt similar but at the same time very different. I would pick one up and think that one sounded “best” to my ears and style but then pick up another and change my mind. Some I leaned toward the bridge pickup but others I leaned toward the neck or both pickups. Really fun morning. The only thing I learned today is that now I want one with HB-1s!

family shot while I had them out:

Wow, that's a beautiful collection! The black one in particular is really speaking to me.

 

[matsickma]

Great set of hollow body M guitars!
Interesting seeing your '67 Bluebird based on a left over Aristocrat body!
I have to admit if Guild would have offered a 2-pickup M65 with those single coil pickups that model would give the Bluebirds and Aristocrat a run for the money!

M

 

[SFIV1967]

I have to admit if Guild would have offered a 2-pickup M65 with those single coil pickups that model would give the Bluebirds and Aristocrat a run for the money!

Here you go, S/N 14414, late 1960:



Ralf

 

[matsickma]

Wow! Yea...that's what I'm talking about!!

 

[GAD]

Super rare as I recall

 

[Blues&BebopFan]

Sublime collection !

The Aristocrat is my dream guitar... A rich collectionner borrowed me one for a week, a blond one from 1958 or 1959, I was so impressed by the sound and the weight !!

Yours is from 1954, so the first year the Aristocrat was launched. Did you try others from the years after ? I'm curious if you've noticed some differences with yours. Also, are the others guitars that you have as light as the Aristocrat ?

Thank you so much for sharing !
I wish you all a good day!

 

[Walter Broes]

that's quite the collection. That black one with the DeArmonds is SO cool!

 

[Smiert Spionam]

yup, all cool — but black with dynas is the business.

 

[krysh]

…The only thing I learned today is that now I want one with HB-1s!

family shot while I had them out:

You wont get mine.



Thanks for sharing

 

[BradHK]

You wont get mine.



Thanks for sharing

I’m still looking! I found one a few months ago but it was pretty beat and it was too expensive given the condition. I made the right decision to pass but it still haunts me!

 

[krysh]

I’m still looking! I found one a few months ago but it was pretty beat and it was too expensive given the condition. I made the right decision to pass but it still haunts me!

I definitely understand this. I love mine, she‘s my no.1!