Guild 1981 M-80 Write-Up

For your reading pleasure: http://www.gad.net/Blog/2016/11/08/guild-1981-m-80/




I went in expecting to be underwhelmed by this guitar and the opposite happened. I love when that happens! :emmersed:

As always, please let me know of any errors or mistakes.

Thanks!

GAD

Another great write up GAD! I remember matsickma has or had one of these and had the same reaction as you. He also likes this "unsung" model a lot and also made note of the surprising weight of the guitar.

BTW There's 1982 bound model for sale in my neck of the woods.

Nice write up! I have one of those myself. Supposedly the XR-7 pickups were very close to if not exact re-labels of the DiMarzio Super Distortion 2 - which is similar to the regular Super Distortion (large ceramic magnet - large diameter slugs, albeit with slotted heads on the XR-7 instead of the usual hex-screws) but underwound to 8-9K in attempts to accentuate the highs. I don't recall where I heard/read that. My experience was different for highs - I always found the standard Super Distortion in my S-300AD to actually have better highs, at least to my ears, than the XR-7's in my M-80... I know different guitars / tailpieces and all..... Of course nothing beats an HB-1 for that true crystallinity....!

I did a lot of R&D work on this guitar during my waning days at Guild. I carried around the prototype for weeks, taking it clubs and bars for local players to try out. The reactions were generally favorable. I remember the neck heel was massive and it was heavy. I think Tony Colantonio the sales rep in the MD/VA area, wanted to buy the prototype when we were finished it. Some players complained about the neck heel, so I guess the plan was to make it smaller.