New Member Intro and Questions Regarding my ST303

[DaveGoodrich]

I just found this site while looking for info on my guitar. What a cool site. I love friendly forums that seem to have a community feel to them. This seems like one of those.

Anyway, I have a 1971 ST303 in Cherry finish. I bought it at a garage sale in about 1987. I have searched this forum for ST303 and ST302 and didn't find anything, so it is either a rare model, or I am in the wrong place. In my Googling, I also haven't found much, except for the year (based on the serial #) and the fact that this was the first year for this type of pickup, and since this was the last year for the ST303, 1971 must be the only year ST302/303 with this pickup type. Here a a few pics:

As you can see, it has the Bigsby Tailpiece, which is apparently what distinguishes between the 302 and the 303. The inside label actually looks like it was written as 302, and then overwritten as 303. Could someone (dealer, etc.) have installed the Bigsby and then changed the label? If so, would this be a negative in terms of the value?

The ivory (?) material where the front strap button is located is cracked (see pic). Would this be a difficult repair?

Any info anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated. I have always loved this guitar, even though I am an amatuer player who really can't do it justice. I keep telling myself I need to take some Jazz lessons, and put this thing to better use. Someday...

(I also have a 1971 Guild D-25 with a mohogany top. I've never felt a nicer neck on an acoustic guitar)

 

[dane]

Hey Dave,

Welcome to the Let’s Talk Guild Forum! Your ST303 is a real honey! We really are one of the friendliest groups you’ll ever find on the net, and always willing to help, encourage, and at times razz each other, all in good fun. You’ll find there is a wealth of information here on all things Guild. Our resident expert, and author of The Guild Guitar Book, Hans Moust is a regular here, and is always willing to answer questions about our beloved Guilds. I’m sure he will be along soon to answer some of yours.

It would surprise me to find that a dealer installed the Bigsby, and change the label. More then likely the guitar started out being constructed as a ST302 and in the factory finished as a 303 to fill an order and it was Guild that changed the tag. This would have no bearing on the value what so ever. As far as the damaged heal on the neck…well, I can tell you its plastic not ivory. I would imagine a qualified and experienced luither could replace it, but it may not be easy to mach the color with the patina of the binding. But then again a good luither may be able to pull it off.

Dane

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Hello Dave and welcome to the board!

You have one of the more rare Guilds there. They didn't make a whole lot of the ST series. (Apparently they were only purchased buy imitation rini Lopez fans! :wink: )

Here's a photo of my '68 ST302;

As you can see it has the "mickey mouse" pick-ups. Your guitar has the Guild "mini-humbuckers".

My guitar also has the dreaded Guild headstock faceplate shrinkage! Although it looks like binding, it's just the white layer of plastic below the faceplate showing!

The worlds authority on Guilds, Hans Moust hangs out here and if you're lucky he might stop by and fill you in about your guitar.

 

[krysh]

welcome and congrats, great guitar.

:wink: and your TRC is upside down.

 

[Thunderface]

welcome and congrats, great guitar.

:wink: and your TRC is upside down.

That's kind of like the guitar equivalent of ... "your fly is open." :lol:

Welcome Dave, and congrats on the ST-303. For the longest time there was sunburst '68 ST-303 at the Tinicum Guitar Barn in Pennsylvania that was labeled a Studio III Deluxe. Hans helped set the record straight.

In typical Guild fashion this is a typical mix-up of model designations.
During this period, a Studio 303 with humbuckers would be called a Studio 303 Special
The block inlay fingerboard and the Grover RotoMatic tuners are upgrades, which would make it a Studio 303 Deluxe.
The Roman III is a regular Starfire designation.

Don't have the slightest idea why they decided to call it a Studio III ST Deluxe, but there it is!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust

It was a pretty one...

 

[DaveGoodrich]

Thanks for the responses. Those are a couple of nice examples of these guitars.

Wow, that took me a while to figure out what a TRC was... had me scared there for a minute. I'll make sure I take care of that before I put any more pics on this board! Speaking of TRCs, are these available for sale anywhere? My D-25 is missing the cover, and I'd love to find one that is authentic looking.

Thanks again,
Dave

 

[matsickma]

Your guitar is one of the later models with the large HB-1 pickups.

How is the action on your guitar? The ST303's I've handled have pretty high action. The neck angle is not very sharp so the bridge has to be raised when the bigsby is installed. There is a guitar like your at a Guitar Center in NJ. You can check it out at the Guitar Center web site under "Used Equipment".

M

 

[DaveGoodrich]

Your guitar is one of the later models with the large HB-1 pickups.

How is the action on your guitar? The ST303's I've handled have pretty high action. The neck angle is not very sharp so the bridge has to be raised when the bigsby is installed. There is a guitar like your at a Guitar Center in NJ. You can check it out at the Guitar Center web site under "Used Equipment".

M

The action on my guitar is excellent. Thanks for the sighting on the Guitar Center site. I wish it had more details on the condition of that guitar, to give me a better idea on my guitar's approximate value. Not that I'm selling, but it would be nice to know...

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I never saw another ST302 besides my own before coming to this site. I've since seen another like mine for sale in the Boston Craigslist from it's original owner (forget the year) and would have bought it, but I think his price was a bit out of what I'd pay.

Mine is a 69 that my parents bought me new. Your post reminds me to go to more yard sales! I've only picked up used cheap Squier stuff at yard sales to resell on craigslist so far.....but dream of that day of finding something like a blonde version of my own guitar.

 

[dogman]

.
M[/quote]

The action on my guitar is excellent. Thanks for the sighting on the Guitar Center site. I wish it had more details on the condition of that guitar, to give me a better idea on my guitar's approximate value. Not that I'm selling, but it would be nice to know...[/quote]

Dave, welcome aboard. Nice ST you have there. I looked at the one in NJ. Not in great shape, actually in pretty bad shape. Both peghead wings are coming loose, action is high with no room to move. I'm supprised they haven't lowered the price. Yours looks much nicer.

 

[Thunderface]

I waffled back and forth on this one for some time, scared off by matsickma's report that it likely needed a neck reset. Still, looking at the photos, I kind of wish I would have taken the plunge now...

 

[bluesypicky]

I waffled back and forth on this one for some time, scared off by matsickma's report that it likely needed a neck reset. Still, looking at the photos, I kind of wish I would have taken the plunge now...

I hear you bro. I'd love to hear the HB1'S on this hollow body... killer I'm sure.

Welcome Dave, very nice guitar! 8)