Vintage M 75

[Rich Cohen]

Can someone please tell me why M 75's from the 50's and early 60's go for such high prices? I have supposed it's because its inspired by the Gibson Les Paul model of similar construction, which of course goes for astronomical prices even into the late sixties and into the 70's. This question has probably already been discussed on LTG...apologies in advance.

 

[jp]

Can someone please tell me why M 75's from the 50's and early 60's go for such high prices? I have supposed it's because its inspired by the Gibson Les Paul model of similar construction, which of course goes for astronomical prices even into the late sixties and into the 70's. This question has probably already been discussed on LTG...apologies in advance.

I assume you're talking about the really pricey vintage M-75 Aristocrats. Well, they really aren't the same construction as a Gibson Les Paul. Although shaped like an LP, the Aristocrat is a small hollow body--quite a rarity for American guitars. The closest equivalent might be the Hofner Club 40 which was played by both McCartney and Lennon. There were a few famous players of the M-75 Aristocrat--Johnny Lee Hooker, Keith Richards, and John Mayer are a few.

M-75s weren't that pricey for many years, when compared to other vintage American guitars. I think the fact that several modern players discovered them (John Mayer, Annie Clark, Brendan Benson) brought them to the surface, and dealers seem to try to hike up prices any chance they get. They're far less common than old Les Pauls and Fenders, and they are quite unique guitars.

I'm sure there are others here who have better insight into this. I just wish that I owned one!

 

[Rich Cohen]

I assume you're talking about the really pricey vintage M-75 Aristocrats. Well, they really aren't the same construction as a Gibson Les Paul. Although shaped like an LP, the Aristocrat is a small hollow body--quite a rarity for American guitars. The closest equivalent might be the Hofner Club 40 which was played by both McCartney and Lennon. There were a few famous players of the M-75 Aristocrat--Johnny Lee Hooker, Keith Richards, and John Mayer are a few.

M-75s weren't that pricey for many years, when compared to other vintage American guitars. I think the fact that several modern players discovered them (John Mayer, Annie Clark, Brendan Benson) brought them to the surface, and dealers seem to try to hike up prices any chance they get. They're far less common than old Les Pauls and Fenders, and they are quite unique guitars.

I'm sure there are others here who have better insight into this. I just wish that I owned one!

Thanks, JP for the insights. So, tell me, and others, what is the difference between the Guild M75 (vintage) and the LP, now that you've revealed there is a difference (I didn't know).

 

[GAD]

The hollow ones with spruce tops are substantially different than a Les Paul because a Les Paul has a solid mahogany body and a solid maple top. They're just very different guitars.

The prices have steadily climbed on most vintage Guilds likely because (aside from all guitars going up) people who can't afford vintage Gibsons have come to realize how great vintage Guilds are. Then you get a guy like John Mayer showing up on stage with one and suddenly people gotta have one.

 

[GAD]

Also vintage M75s *should* command high prices - they're fabulous guitars made by great US craftsmen with all the vintage mojo you would ask for.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Got it. Understood GAD.

 

[Walter Broes]

The M-75 has some "star appeal" - something that an awful lot of other vintage Guilds lack, compared to vintage Fenders, Gibsons, Martins, Rickenbackers and Gretsches. That largely explains the low-ish prices of vintage Guilds compared to those other brands.

There's somewhat of a myth/misunderstanding that vintage guitar prices have something to do with rarity, and in some very few cases that's true (Gretsch white penguins and prewar Martin OM28's come to mind), but it's mostly about who played them. If it was about rarity, Microfrets guitars would be some of the most expensive electrics around.

 

[Rich Cohen]

Thanks Walter for the insights.

 

[matsickma]

Guild made a tactical no strategic mistake by not capitalizing on the custom modified Keith Richards M65 Freshman that he played Satisfaction on Ed Sullivan show in early 60's. He even broke a string during the show!

Had they signed him for an endorsement, for what would have been peanuts, they would have a true collectable vintage guitar today. ( I think Keith wanted a Freshman because of seeing one of his delta blues guitar played who used one.) It likely would have led to a Keith Richards model with a pair of DeArmonds and a oddly placed Master Volume knob!
They got in the game a little later with the Lovin' Spoonful and Zal playing his Thunderbird. But he modified his T-bird to replace the small guild humbucker with a pair of PAF's (I think they were PAF's).
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[freddyfingers]

The two i have played immediately spoke to me. They were different from any other guitars i have played. These were light, resonant, and the pick ups made the front of the amp growl. For guitars made in the mid 50’s, they had necks that were very comfortable in my hands. Having played a few 50’s arch tops whose necks were very thick, these were just the right size, the Goldilocks size. To me thats worth the price of admission, but its a price i am unable to pay at the moment.

 

[krysh]

I am so lucky that I had found my hollow 1971 M-75C with factory HB-1‘s. For me it is THE guitar. Thank god I didn‘t fell in love with the 50s and 60’s models, I couldn‘t afford one.

 

[BradHK]

I have both a 1954 and 1967 M-75 and a full scale 1969 M-65. All three are the most resonant guitars I own. They just vibrate so much and feel alive when played unplugged. I have other Guild vintage hollow bodies (Starfire II and III but no deep bodies), semi-hollows and solid bodies and these feel much more alive. However, they also feel more delicate than my other guitars but that could just be in my head due to the size and low weight. As others have said, a completely different animal than a Les Paul.

 

[jp]

I have a Newark Street M-75 Aristocrat (formerly GAD's and Default's), and I love this guitar just as much as my Westerly and Hoboken Guilds. Like those above have stated, they're incredibly resonant, responsive, and easy to handle. Plus, they have the Franz PUs which are close enough to the originals for my tastes. It's a unique, versatile, and super fun guitar.

 

[mavuser]

people, grab a Nightbird/Nightingale/Bluesbird while u can! (of course a Nightingale is less common than an Aristocrat). Even a SF-4.

 

[mavuser]

I have a Newark Street M-75 Aristocrat (formerly GAD's and Default's), and I love this guitar just as much as my Westerly and Hoboken Guilds. Like those above have stated, they're incredibly resonant, responsive, and easy to handle. Plus, they have the Franz PUs which are close enough to the originals for my tastes. It's a unique, versatile, and super fun guitar.

I owned one of these broefly an original run full hollow (also owned prior to me by Default). the guitar was a fine specimen and definitely had that franz fullhollow tone! all of the higher end Korean NS models are quite worthy, it seems.

 

[GAD]

people, grab a Nightbird/Nightingale/Bluesbird while u can! (of course a Nightingale is less common than an Aristocrat). Even a SF-4.

Of all the Guilds I've owned, Nightbirds might be my favorite - and there's some stiff competition!

 

[Norrissey]

people, grab a Nightbird/Nightingale/Bluesbird while u can!

Not the first time you've given me GAS Eric! : )

 

[mavuser]

I know one extremely esteemed LTG member, that had a collection of 50's/60's Ariatocrats- my understanding is he sold them and bought a collection of Nightbirds to replace them. what does that tell u.

I lusted after a spruce top Nightbird/Nightingale for a long time. I wound up getting super lucky w my maple top Nightingale- I couldn't be any happier. I also really like the controls/layout/curciut of the Nightingale (same as Nightbird) A LOT. If the bluesbird is anything at all like my Nightingale (obviously the controls are different)...those are still sleepers.

 

[krysh]

I had owned a spruce top nightingale for years, but never was 100% happy with the sound even with HB-1s, but I loved the sound of my SF-4 with Duncans. Ergonomics were great with the nightingale though. When I got my 1971 M-75C with soundpost I found the best of both worlds in it. I could pass on the nightingale and have the SF4 as a backup now.

 

[matsickma]

The Night birds are probably the best built guitars that Guild ever made. I had two Spruce top models years back. The first one was the first year model with the triangular electronics cover and the other was the later version with the little "coil tap" switch. Both had the EMG's and although I like EMG's I would have preferred HB1's. The wood quality was superb which may explained the relatively heavy chambered guitar body.

I would say early M75's and Nightbirds are totally different style and sounding guitars. In the days when Franz pickups could only be acquired on vintage parts market guitars like the Aristocrat we're a highly prized guitar. Today more options exist but Nightbirds, on the other hand, are hard to find and pricey to acquire.
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