NGD American Patriarch X-500 Stuart

[Rich Cohen]

Just landed, my new love: a 2014 American Patriarch X-500 Stuart. Guild got hold of a 1956 X-500 Stuart and in 2014 as part of their American Patriarch series (3 models comprising the M-75, X-500 and Artist Award) and reproduced it in every detail. The only difference between the old and new, as far as I can tell, is the 2014 version's top of its headstock is the "modern" one as opposed to the moustache profile. I love the overall look, and especially the "frequency tested" single coil pickups in white soapbar casings. The abalone triangles on the fretboard are in the size of the 1950s models. The Guild "G" on the headstock logo is abalone and shimmers with colors. The harp piece is, well, gorgeous. There's nice tiger maple on the back and neck. I even traded my 1956 A-500 for it, and am not disappointed. The two pups give me more sound, tone color options. I feel good about trading my A-500 to a professional player and guitar teacher over in Providence, Rhode Island. The backstory of this particular guitar is that as Fender was closing the plant in New Hartford, a Fender executive grabbed this one before it was listed as "for sale." Thus, though it has a serial number stamped on the back of the headstock, there is no label inside the guitar.

 

[BradHK]

Beautiful! I love that they used a brown case to match the original

 

[chazmo]

Beautiful, Rich. Mazel Tov!

 

[Rich Cohen]

Beautiful, Rich. Mazel Tov!

Geez, Charlie. You have an amazing collection!

 

[zulu]

Wow, gorgeous. Congratulations!

 

[AcornHouse]

I don’t think I’ve seen the Gotoh 510s in that style before.

 

[GGJaguar]

Stunning guitar, congrats!!

 

[Rich Cohen]

I don’t think I’ve seen the Gotoh 510s in that style before.

I guess they were looking for something that would resemble the original Kluson Deluxe tuners.

 

[zulu]

I love that they recreated the best knobs in Guild history.

 

[HeyMikey]

Stunning guitar Rich, major congrats! I love that the burst is carried onto the rear and neck. So classy. How would you describe the tone from those pickups?

What are those volume and tone knobs -
they look like a type of speed dial?

 

[GAD]

Stunning guitar Rich, major congrats! I love that the burst is carried onto the rear and neck. So classy. How would you describe the tone from those pickups?

What are those volume and tone knobs -
they look like a type of speed dial?

They're awesome. Hans describes the originals as transparent plastic that was painted on the bottom with gold or silver depending on the finish in his book. The often fog up over time and finding actual vintage ones that are clear like that is a delight, though a smart seller will charge a lot for them. Accurate recreations are a rarity, too IMO. Look at this '50s Aristocrat:

 

[jp]

Oh my! Quite a stunning guitar, Rich. I really like how the triangle abalone inlays are slightly rounded. I don't think I've ever seen that in the fancy Guilds before, or maybe I just didn't notice it. Of course, I love the knobs!

 

[SFIV1967]

I don’t think I’ve seen the Gotoh 510s in that style before.

https://g-gotoh.com/product/sd510/?lang=en

Ralf

 

[Rich Cohen]

Oh my! Quite a stunning guitar, Rich. I really like how the triangle abalone inlays are slightly rounded. I don't think I've ever seen that in the fancy Guilds before, or maybe I just didn't notice it. Of course, I love the knobs!

JP,
Actually, in the fifties when the fancy Guilds were made, the abalone inserts were like that, smaller and slightly rounded. The NH folks in the custom shop really tried their best to recreate the 1956 X-500 in this American Patriarch re-creation.

 

[Cougar]

Just landed, my new love: a 2014 American Patriarch X-500 Stuart.

Wow! Jazz me, baby!

 

[twocorgis]

That's just beautiful Rich! Enjoy.

 

[DjangoLang19]

JP,
Actually, in the fifties when the fancy Guilds were made, the abalone inserts were like that, smaller and slightly rounded. The NH folks in the custom shop really tried their best to recreate the 1956 X-500 in this American Patriarch re-creation.

Here's my 59' X-550 for some reference

 

[walrus]

Beautiful guitar, Rich! Wow! Enjoy it!

walrus

 

[jp]

JP,
Actually, in the fifties when the fancy Guilds were made, the abalone inserts were like that, smaller and slightly rounded. The NH folks in the custom shop really tried their best to recreate the 1956 X-500 in this American Patriarch re-creation.

Here's my 59' X-550 for some reference

I had no idea. I've just seen the straight inserts mostly on the fancy acoustics. Very cool!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

That's a beautiful guitar, congrats!