GGJaguar
Reverential Member
Let’s get ready to rumble S-100 style! And what a strange comparison this is – the S-100 is the first reissue of the mid-1970s S-100 and the Deluxe is a second reissue of the S-100 and first reissue of the S-100 Deluxe. So many reissues…
Let’s compare specs first. In terms of quality, the Westerly-made S-100 is several steps above the Newark Street guitar which is not a surprise. That doesn’t mean the Deluxe is poorly made, but it does showcase the cliché that you get what you pay for. The Deluxe body dimensions are nearly identical to the S-100. The S-100 has a fuller C-shape neck profile compared to the Deluxe’s shallow C profile. The S-100 has lower, slightly wider frets while the Deluxe frets are narrow and tall. I like the S-100 neck a little better, but the Deluxe is easier to play because I do better with higher frets than lower frets.
Basic playing rules applied meaning I did not use the Bigsby or single coil mode on the Deluxe and I did not use the phase switch on the S-100. The S-100’s SD-1 pickups sound really fine. They are clear, have noticeable midrange and come close to the brightness of vintage HB-1s. The overall sound is pure humbucker in that there is a richness that makes for a three dimensional sound. IMHO, the SD-1s are some of the best humbuckers that Guild ever fitted to their guitars. Too bad they only used them for a few short years.
On the other hand, the Deluxe makes me forget that I’m playing a guitar with humbuckers. They are very bright and chimey and lack the warmth (harmonic richness) of the SD-1s. Some players may find that they sound “hard” because they are a bit two dimensional. That’s not a bad thing (for me), because I prefer single coil tone and the reissue HB-1s have one foot in that camp.
Well, the S-100 rumble didn’t produce a clear winner. The S-100 and Deluxe are both really good sounding guitars and while they have the same look, they definitely sound different. I think the S-100 would excel at blues and classic rock while, for me, the Deluxe falls squarely in the indie world. Having both is a treat!
Let’s compare specs first. In terms of quality, the Westerly-made S-100 is several steps above the Newark Street guitar which is not a surprise. That doesn’t mean the Deluxe is poorly made, but it does showcase the cliché that you get what you pay for. The Deluxe body dimensions are nearly identical to the S-100. The S-100 has a fuller C-shape neck profile compared to the Deluxe’s shallow C profile. The S-100 has lower, slightly wider frets while the Deluxe frets are narrow and tall. I like the S-100 neck a little better, but the Deluxe is easier to play because I do better with higher frets than lower frets.
Basic playing rules applied meaning I did not use the Bigsby or single coil mode on the Deluxe and I did not use the phase switch on the S-100. The S-100’s SD-1 pickups sound really fine. They are clear, have noticeable midrange and come close to the brightness of vintage HB-1s. The overall sound is pure humbucker in that there is a richness that makes for a three dimensional sound. IMHO, the SD-1s are some of the best humbuckers that Guild ever fitted to their guitars. Too bad they only used them for a few short years.
On the other hand, the Deluxe makes me forget that I’m playing a guitar with humbuckers. They are very bright and chimey and lack the warmth (harmonic richness) of the SD-1s. Some players may find that they sound “hard” because they are a bit two dimensional. That’s not a bad thing (for me), because I prefer single coil tone and the reissue HB-1s have one foot in that camp.
Well, the S-100 rumble didn’t produce a clear winner. The S-100 and Deluxe are both really good sounding guitars and while they have the same look, they definitely sound different. I think the S-100 would excel at blues and classic rock while, for me, the Deluxe falls squarely in the indie world. Having both is a treat!
